Page 22 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“Gulaab, hum abhi bhi keh rahe hai, Humein ye vyakti kuch thik nahi lagta,”(Gulaab, I’m telling you, there is something still wrong with this man). My father teased him, and my Buaa put on a false show of crying.

“Bhaisa, don't say that,” and their laughs reverberated. My mother forged ahead with the Aarti ki thaali19and looked at my father.

“Stop teasing my sweet Nanad20,”

“Bhabhisa21,” my aunt screamed in glee, and my mother laughed. She then began circling the aarti ki thali in front of them as a gesture of their welcome and handed over the plate to an attendee. My mother bent forward to touch my aunt's feet out of respect, but my aunt stopped her midway.

“We must hug, Bhabhisa.” They both hugged each other. Once they were done greeting each other, my aunt walked over to my grandmother, who took her in the warmest of embraces. As Ilooked at them all teary, I turned emotional, recalling my grandfather, who was no more.

“How are you, Maasa?” My grandmother choked back her tears and kissed her on the cheek.

“As young as a teenager to see my daughter happy,” my uncle stepped forward to meet my grandmother and kissed her hand. He then came closer to hug her like a son.“Rakh lijiye, Maasa, apni beti to kuch din apne paas rakh lijiye,”(Keep her, Maasa, keep your daughter with you for a few days) he said.

My grandmother laughed at his words and replied,“Aapki dharohar hai aap hi sambhaalein, jamai sa. Hum to kanyadaan kar chuke hain,”(She's all yours to take care of, Jamai sa.. We have already fulfilled our duty)

He smiled and asked in a loving tone,“How is your health now?” She nodded and answered,“Better…Nandani takes care of me, but now she is leaving too.” I stepped forward to meet my aunt and uncle.

“Pranaam Phuphasa22,” I greeted him. He placed his hand on my head and blessed me. My aunt, too, hugged me.

“Pranaam, Buaasa,” She patted my back affectionately.“God bless you. How are you now?” I smiled, moving away,

“I am doing well,” she cheerfully exclaimed.“We have a surprise for you.” I frowned when she called for Ruhani. I saw her come and stand in front of me.

Suddenly moving her mouth, she spoke,“Nandani.” My eyes bulged out, and my heart paused briefly in immense shock.

“What?” She came closer to hug me, and I hugged her back, my lips stretching into the widest smile.

“Congratulations on your wedding, Nandani. Who is the lucky man?” She asked, and I released myself from the hug, still in disbelief. She could speak?!

Our attention was caught by the voice of my phuphasa, who was talking to my father.

“Raja sahab, you've met Ruhani and Haider. Now, meet a new addition to our family, Sultan Aahil, Ruhani’s husband.” He stepped forward hesitantly and greeted my father.

“Assalamualaikum, Raja sah—I mean Maamujaan23,” I looked at Ruhani, who went to stand beside him.“Pranam, Maamujaan,” she greeted him, and my father took both of them together in his embrace with relish.

“Ahaa…. God bless you both.”

?? ? ? ?

My parents personally assisted everyone with their chambers after the welcome. Meanwhile, I pulled Ruhani into my chamber, and we hugged like never before.

“How did you get your voice back?” I screamed, my eyes wide with ecstasy. Inhaling deeply, she looked at me with her doe-like eyes.

“Long, long story,” she said, teasing,“Who is the lucky man?” I planted a faint smile on my face and replied,“That’s a surprise for you.” She pouted,“I hate surprises.” She whined and sat beside me on the bed.

“So, love or arranged marriage?” she asked in excitement, and I looked at her with a heavy heart.

“Complicated,” I answered. She chuckled, furrowing her brows,“What?”

“Yeah, I mean, many suitors travelled here from different states, and I had to choose one of them. So, it's neither love nor arranged. Everything is my choice, but taking into consideration the betterment of the empire,”

“You love him, right?” She asked.

I blinked at her blankly. I wanted to tell her everything, but part of me wasn’t ready to do so. The more I tried to dig into it, the more complicated it became. The groom was just old and simple.

“It is a political wedding, Ruh,” Her smile dropped as soon as she heard me. She looked at me, astounded.

“What? A political marriage? Why? And what about the man you love?” She asked, and I turned away to calm my racing heart. Closing my eyes, I braced myself to tell her the truth.

---