Page 53 of Twisted Alliance

Ishani was surprised that Shivay Thakvar listened to classical music. She had expected him to be more westernized. She had also recently observed that he seemed familiarized with most of the customs and rituals that had taken place at the Thakvar mansion.

Was it because of his mother?

Once again, she wondered about the phone call she had overheard when he spoke to a woman who was most likely his sister. There was a reference to their mother.

Ishani couldn’t ask him about them since he didn’t know she had spied on him outside his office. Her cheeks heated, and the buzz of awareness grew, recalling what happened three days ago when he caught her standing outside his office.

Later that night, he hadn’t been there when she had returned to the bedroom suite. He hadn’t come the entire night. She knew because she couldn’t sleep either. Since that night in the office, she had felt restless and scared about how strongly she was drawn to him despite knowing he was a ruthless fraud.

The roughness of his mouth and the shocking intimacy of his calloused finger against her feminine core haunted her day and night.

Even as her cheeks heated and her body craved his touch, she firmly reminded herself to focus on the goal. She had to find information about him. And seducing him or giving in to him was only to achieve that goal.

Dragging her eyes away from him, she looked outside the window at the familiar terrain. They were taking the route that was longer in distance but had better roads. But as they approached the Gujjar province, the roads turned bumpier. Her brother hadn’t bothered to spend money on improving the roads or infrastructure of the province. He mostly spent considerable income on entertainment.

“My brother might not be home to receive us,” she said.

Shivay Thakvar didn’t say anything.

She wondered if he still suspected her brother’s role in the attack on their wedding night, even though she had taken the entire blame on herself.

Soon, the Gujjar mansion came into view, making her heart feel much lighter. Her childhood home was much smaller than the imposing majestic Thakvar mansion, but it was the place she grew up in and loved.

When the SUV rode through the opened gates, she was surprised by the people gathered outside. When the SUV pulled up in front of her house, the sound of conch shells and drums filled the air. The Gujjars stood waiting to receive the newlywed couple.

She was surprised they had been expecting her to arrive with her husband.

She realized someone from the Thakvar household must have informed her people a few hours ago.

Adjusting her veil, she got down from the SUV. Shivay Thakvar stood beside her while a group approached and led them to the mansion.

She was wearing a dress and heavy jewelry that the Thakvar family gave her. Next to her, Shivay Thakvar was standing in buttoned shirt and trousers. He looked quite comfortable when the clan members began the rituals.

Right at the top of the steps at the mansion entrance, a woman waited for them. Ishani was shocked and surprised that it was her mother.

Her mother was holding a silver platter with a small lamp on it, ready to perform the ritual to welcome her married daughter back home for her first visit with her husband. Ishani had been worried about her mother’s health, but when she saw her standing and smiling at her, the tightness inside her stomach turned into happiness.

She blinked away tears of joy as her mother performed the welcome ritual for the newlywed couple.

Once the traditions were complete, she was about to bend down to touch her mother’s feet. She was shocked when Shivay Thakvar also did the same. A rush of warmth filled her heart that he valued and respected her mother. There was a rumor that Sujata Gujjar had lost her mind after her husband’s death. Ishani hated that her sweet and beautiful mother was considered mad by her own people.

Her mother seemed to be shocked as well when Shivay Thakvar touched her feet because she paused before blessing them.

“May you both always be happy and together forever.”

Ishani’s heart ached at her mother’s words. She knew her mother was remembering Ishani’s father, whom she had dearly loved and lost tragically.

Ishani got up and hugged her mother. “Ma, I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too, my child. I was so happy to hear you were coming for a visit with your husband. All of my tiredness vanished.”

Happiness burst inside Ishani’s heart at hearing her mother’s words.

Her mother led them inside, where the rest of the rituals were performed. After several songs and dances, a feast was offered to welcome the son-in-law and introduce him to the Gujjar delicacies.

Ishani sat at the table while her mother served her, Shivay, and the rest of the guests.

“Where is Devraj,” Ishani’s mother asked. “He is missing the family celebration.”

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