Page 12 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“Your father will never agree to it.” I shook my head, holding her shoulder.

“He will have to, Maasa. You will talk to him, please. I cannot let him harm my brother and my father. He is powerful, earnest and has fought many wars, but our Abhinandan… he is inexperienced, and we are all too well aware of what we are capable of,”

She caressed my cheeks tenderly with her hands and affirmed,“You don't have to do this. What if he wouldn’t attack us? What if Surgami Dev Singh will not let him be the next successor?”

I placed my palm over her hand on my face.

“Maasa, he will get the throne and attack us. I have spent days with him. I know who he is. You don't know how deftly he manipulated me to spend a night with him. Nobody can escape his trap, for he is a beguilingly skilful deceiver.” I described his true self to her.

“So if we do not act soon, misfortunes will keep unfolding in our family. He used Abhi and me as bait to divert our minds from political affairs. He succeeded in weakening our insides. But we must not give him the time to use that against us. So, please invite Surgami Dev Singh to the swayamvar. I request you please…”

I joined my hands, and she distressingly said,“Fine, if that’s what you believe, I shall address the invitation. But how will you spend the rest of your life with such an old man?”

“Maasa, my life has been ruined by me,” I said.

“Are you sure?” She asked me worriedly, and I answered with determination.“I've never been so sure.”

She nodded.“Alright, I'll try talking to your father,”

“No…” I urged,“Do not speak to him of this. He is infuriated and will undoubtedly deny it. You send the invitation and inform Baapusa that it is merely a peace proclamation between Mahabaleshgarh and Suryagarh. I will take care of the rest.” I concluded.

She burst into tears and sobbed,“But Nandani, he is an old man. How will you spend the rest of your whole life with him?”

Turning my back on her, I took a deep breath and, wiping the tears off my face, I deadpanned,“Maasa, I will be a queen. It is better to rule as a queen than live an ordinary life, marrying a man who will never love me,”

“Fine,” she finally agreed.“I will send the invitation.” I nodded and made my way back to my chamber.

My Swayamvar was to take place after three days, and I had to choose a groom for myself. The invitations had already been sent to everyone, and the wedding was scheduled for three weeks later.

My father was still angry with me; this was the least I could do for my family.

?? ? ? ?

Three days went by, spent with utmost worry. Whenever I had time and privacy, I tried recollecting my memories of that night toremember what had happened.

I couldn't recall him taking me, like doing‘that’with me, but physically, I felt the pain when I woke up the next afternoon. And what about the broken bangles?

I wasn't able to decipher what exactly he did.

“Nandani, everyone is waiting for you in the palace hall for the celebration,” Suman informed me, and I looked at myself in the mirror.

The attendees have spent a long time decking me up for the day—the day I had to choose a man to get married to. Not every girl received this privilege of doing so, but it was of no use when I had axed my own feet, sabotaging my life.

I, on my own, destroyed my life by putting my faith in my enemy. I thought he was different, unlike his father, but he turned out to be worse.

“Shall we go?” Suman proposed, and I nodded at her. A group of attendees followed me as I walked towards the palace hall.

I had to do this for my family, especially for my brother, who hasn't spoken to anyone since he learned the truth. Rudra betrayed him, and I can tolerate anything but his unhappiness.

He did not meet me for once after that uneventful day.

As I emerged from my thoughts, my eyes fell on the beautifully decorated palace. It made me feel both good and bad. I knew life ahead was an uphill battle. My father would get enraged, but this was the sole way to protect my family.

Suddenly, I remembered the infamous proverb,‘An Enemy of an Enemy is a Friend,’and walked towards the hall.

I saw my father standing on the stairs outside, waiting for me to set foot inside together. I greeted him and he affectionately patted my head and breathed out,“Eshwar aapka bhala karein.”(God bless you)

I felt overwhelmed and teary, blinking at the ground as the attendees opened the door for us. After closing my eyes and calming myself, we entered inside.

---