Page 34 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“Why bother?” I whispered,“Apply the henna and let your husband do the rest,” I teased, and she blushed at my remark.

“Ruhani, come here,” my aunt suddenly called, and Ruhani ran to her joyously, spotting her in the middle of the hall, all set to dance.

The women present started playing the instruments, including the tabla and dholak28, and I laughed, looking at the mother-daughter duo, dancing with other ladies to folk music, twirling and twisting their hands in the air. The sweet tinkling of their anklets and the voice of women singing and giggling echoed in theroom, creating a festive atmosphere.

“Ohhh my goddd!” Ruhani's father and other men stepped into the hall, complaining playfully,“No one invited us for such an exclusive show.” He joined the women and began swaying his hips with them.

My stomach ached from all the laughter as I looked at them having fun. Surprisingly, I noticed Haider joining them as well.

“Woahhh,” People cheered for them, and my aunt pulled my mother into the group. She adjusted her dupatta, and Ruhani's father let the ladies take the dance floor.

My mother started dancing with grace, tuning her steps to the music, and I finally saw her happy face after so long. Ruhani held my arms, dragging me into the middle of the hall.

“Let's dance,” she insisted.

“No, Ruhani, I am good,” I said. She held my shoulders and mouthed,“Come on, for once, loosen up, please. You deserve all the happiness.” I gave her a weak smile and agreed to her wish.

“Alright,” I said, joining her but being careful with my sticky, half-done henna hands so as not to smudge them on anyone.

I matched everyone's steps, and my lips curved into the broadest smile as I started to enjoy the dance. My heavy lehenga flared out as I spun around.

My grandmother walked towards me, and taking a tinge of kohl from the corner of her eyes, she fondly applied it behind my ears.

A sudden prickle ran down my spine as I sensed someone's gaze upon me.

Looking around, my eyes fell on a shadow, standing behind a pillar, which made me halt my moves. I craned my neck further to see if it was who I thought it was.

And yes, there he was, in the far corner, standing away from everyone's sight, leaning against the wall, staring at me. His intense gaze paralysed me for a good few seconds.

But the words of the physician crossed my mind, and shooting a death glare his way, I got back to dancing. Taking a couple of spins, I again looked in his direction, but I didn't find him there anymore.

“Come here,” Ruhani's call brought me out of my reverie. She walked me to the couch, where the artists resumed the design to finish my henna.

My mind was once again in a haze. The wedding, the betrayal, the hate, the decisions I made, whatever I was going through,really hit my nerves. But I had to think of a way to win the king's trust.

“.... husband's name to be designed?” The henna artist looked at me questioningly.

“What?” I couldn't pay attention to what she said.

“The groom's name. Do you want it designed?” she repeated, and I didn't know what to say.

“No,” I said, and she blinked at me, clueless, but eventually got back to her work.

The ceremony continued until late in the evening. By the end of the day, the king of Suryagarh and his convoy arrived.

My heart filled with anxiousness, hearing the news. The King was here, and the physician would tell him everything. I wasn't fretting about my virginity; it was just the perception of people, but I did not want the King to bring up such an issue. Moreover, I did not wish for my plan to fail.

“Nandani,” As I stepped inside my chamber, Suman followed suit.

“The King has settled in the guest chamber,” she informed me, and I nodded, looking at her.

“Stop the physician from reaching the King before I see him,” I said. She frowned at me.

“What are you suggesting?” She asked and I cautiously said,“Aiming two targets with one arrow. A night with the king, so he wouldn't question my dignity and stop Rudra from making any further plans,”

“What???” she looked at me, horrified, and I glared at her, reminding her about the volume of her voice.

“What???” she asked again, but in a low tone, and I nodded.“But, Nandani, it's dangerous and wrong and … you cannot do this…you should not do this,” her words dripped with dismay as she spoke breathlessly, and I smiled at her.

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