Page 50 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

Hearing his words weakened me; tears pooled in my eyes, my courage slowly slipped away, but I remained persistent and questioned him,“So, why did you marry me?”

He took a deep breath.

“You were the only person I ever liked, so I used you to get theonly thing I wanted. I told you to marry someone else. But no, you paid no heed to my words. You kept getting on my nerves and went on sleeping with a man I wholeheartedly hate, for the sake of revenge,” he fisted his palms, as if trying to control himself.

“If I could use the only person I liked,‘liked’, to seek what I want. Can you imagine what I would have done if I had wanted you? You made me burn all of this for which I patiently waited for more than twenty years of my life, just for you. You made me ruin everything, and therefore, here’s my eighth promise to you, Ranisa,” the way he clenched his jaw so hard while saying those things made me feel how furious he was.

“I promise you, I shall never be yours. Never, ever. That’s how much I hate you now. You were so desperate to ruin me, to become the Queen of Suryagarh, you slept with a man whom I despised. Now, you are the Queen of Suryagarh. Sleep with whoever you want. I'll never be yours. Never!” He had my arms clasped in a tight grip. I pushed him away with all my might and slapped him.

“You were ready to sleep with me for your revenge, that was right. But when I slept with someone for my revenge, that was wrong. How so, Rudra?” Suddenly, he pulled me closer, seizing my hair in his palm.

“I didn't stop you from sleeping with anyone. I told you to find a man you deserved. But, clearly, that's not what you wanted. All you wanted was to take away what was meant for me. And, you did, you won, but you lost me, Ranisa,” he sneered at my face, and I blinked, trying to hold back the tears.

“You are hurting me, Rudra,” he scoffed, glowering at my eyes.

“It’s hurting? Just with this? Ever imagined what I felt my whole life, losing everyone? Your parents killed the only hope of my life, my father. Fate took my mother away from me, my childhood, my siblings, everyone, everything.”

I wriggled in his hands, quivering.“Years ago, my father did the same thing you did today. My mother was tricked into a marriage alliance by your father. So my father protected her from getting married to an old man just the way you protected me from getting married to your old uncle,”

He pulled my face closer to his and spat with extreme agitation,“I was protecting you until you stepped into his damn chamber and slept with him,”

I couldn't listen to the hatred dripping from his mouth, and so Iimmediately remarked,“When you can stoop so low as to sleep with me for your supposed revenge, I, too, can sleep with anybody for my revenge. Do not forget, you started this, Rudra.”

He let me go with a jerk and silently observed my face for a few seconds. I could tell by looking at him that my remark didn't appeal to him. But he said nothing and retreated a few steps.

Tears streamed down my face as I looked at him, leaving me alone. I sat on the bed and wondered why he just couldn't understand. Why is it acceptable when a man does it for revenge, but when a woman does, it's wrong?

“Ranisa,” Suddenly, an attendee walked into the chamber, and I washed away my tears, standing up.

“Badi Ranisa has come to meet you,” she informed me. I furrowed my brows but nodded anyway and followed her. She took me to the guest chamber, where Badi Ranisa was waiting for me.

I saw her seated on the couch, with the attendants standing behind her, holding large plates draped with velvety cloths. She noticed me and stood up from her seat. I was hesitant, but I approached her to touch her feet. She gently touched my head to bless me.

“Pranaam Badi Ranisa,”I greeted her, joining my palms, and she lifted the veil I pulled down on my way to meet her.

“Call me Badi Maa, Rudra calls me that. I’m his aunt,” I nervously nodded my head and looked down,“Ji.”

“What's your name?” She asked,“Ji, Nandani,”

“Nandani…. such a beautiful name. Pardon me for my behaviour earlier. Why don't you freshen up for the welcome prayers as the new bride of the Kingdom,” she suggested in the softest tone, and I nodded again.“Ji,”

“Also, he didn't tell me anything about the wedding. Why so abruptly?” She questioned, and I blinked anxiously.

“Badi maa, I don't think it's my place to say anything right now. Ranaji should be the one to tell you everything,” she smiled at my response.

“You know him so well,” I gulped, lowering my gaze.

“He is getting ready. Come with him to the prayer hall,” I nodded, and she turned around to leave. Suddenly, she stopped and said,“Oh yes, these presents are for you, my dear. The attendants will guide you on when to wear them,” I nodded.

They placed plates on the tables. She left, and I plopped on the couch, heaving a sigh. Everything he said kept ringing in my head like bells.

“Nandani, you should freshen up,” Suman said, and I nodded. I got up, and my new attendants assisted me in reaching the bathing room. They helped me remove all my jewellery, keeping it safe on a plate, and I stripped off my dress to take a quick bath.

I changed into one of the dresses his aunt had brought me, and the attendees helped me put all my jewellery back on because I couldn't take it off until my wedding night. Once I finished getting ready, I moved towards the guest chamber again and saw him waiting there on the couch.

Seeing me, he instantly rose to his feet and said,“Come.” I strode behind him, pulling my veil down, and joined him in walking through the galleries and gardens to reach the main prayer hall of the palace.

I found Badi Maa and a priest waiting for us. I greeted both of them.

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