Page 72 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

Although she knew I had two younger brothers, I stepped forward to introduce them, to break the ice,“Ranisa, this is Prince Ranvijay and Prince Agastya.”

She stood with her gaze low, and Ranvijay warmly said,“Welcome to the family, Bhabhisa.” She glanced at him, smiling courteously.“Thank you, Devarsa.”

Agastya chimed in with a wide grin and asked,“So, Bhabhisa, when are you planning to promote us to the position of uncles?” She gulped with wide eyes, and her flushed cheeks, with a tint of red, gave off her flustered state. I gave Agastya the eye, warning him not to tease her.

“Agastya, it seems like you are in a hurry to become an uncle,” Ranvijay said, patting his shoulder. He chuckled and scratched the back of his neck.

“No, Bhaisa, I was just asking,” he said again, looking at her.“Bhabhisa, do you know fencing?” She nodded,“Ji,”

His lips stretched into the broadest smile.“Perfect…. you know I always wanted a Bhabhisa who could combat,” she giggled.“So, when can we have combat?” he asked, and she looked puzzled.

“Tomorrow?”

“Perfect,” Agastya clapped his palms giddily, and as I looked at them, I felt a knot in the pit of my stomach.

She went on, laughing at his remarks, and not for once did she look at me while talking to him.

“I think you both should freshen up and have lunch,” I said, looking at them.

“Ji, Bhaisa,” they both left together, and Badimaa, too, went along with them, passing Hridhaan back to Suman, who stood in a corner all the while. She took him inside, leaving Nandani and me alone.

“Rudra, I didn't mean that earlier,” she said in a low, worried tone, and I furrowed my brows.

“I know we have differences, but please do not drag my family into any of it, especially my Maasimaa.” Her face suddenly changed into one of anger.

“Alright, I'll not speak to you about her. You may go on, degrading my family’s reputation and crushing my dignity as you please, but I should do nothing about it. Why do you think it is fair, Rudra? How does that even work?” She retorted.

“It works, Nandani, because I hate your family and I have justifiable reasons for it.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and snapped savagely,“Oh well, then let me enlighten you, Ranaji, I hate your aunt, and I, too,have justifiable reasons for it. And, now you are my husband, and I cannot see you getting misled by non-existent things,” I inhaled a sharp breath.

“You know nothing, Nandani.” She dropped her hands and sighed.

“You too, Rudra,” I fisted my hands, trying to contain myself.

“Your parents killed my father, because of which I lost the only hope of my life. They are responsible for whatever I suffered,” I clenched my mouth, not wanting to lash out at her.

“I'm apologetic that you lost your father, but my parents did nothing wrong by killing him.” That was it, that was the last string.

I looked at her with firm precision, hoping she wouldn’t take it any further.“Don’t,”

She took a step towards me.“See beyond what you're told,”

Stepping forward, I, too, glared at her.“I wasn't told anything. Your parents killed him, and I saw it with my own eyes.”

“Your father abducted my mother,” she replied, staring at me with the same intensity and tension. I clutched her nape in my hold, jerking her closer to me, and looked into her eyes.

She pushed me away in a flash.“Don’t you dare do that again, ever, Rudra? I'm no object,” Her eyes flickered with tears as she spat at me.

“And my life is no game for you and your parents to play with,” I said, and she squinted her brows at me.

“I'm playing with your life? Me? You played with my life, Rudra, you. You played with my feelings, my esteem. You conspired with the game of love, and I very foolishly lost it,” she raised her voice, pointing her finger at me.

I sucked in a deep breath.“You made me do all of this, and it cost me. It cost me everything,”

She began retreating her steps, saying,“I am sorry. I’m sorry, I made you do all this.”

She turned around to leave the room, and I called for her,“Nandani.” She kept moving, not paying any heed to my calls.

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