Page 95 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“So why are you scared of Rudra?” I said, and he immediately looked at me in utter shock.“Rudra?”

I immediately turned away, slapping my mouth.“Ranaji,” I turned back to him and corrected myself, laughing nervously. He knitted his brows together, examining me.

“Aisa prateet hota hai ki bhaisa ne aapko tanik adhik hi choot de rakhi hai,”(My brother seems to have given you too much liberty). He said. I smirked, folding my arms over my chest.

“Kyun? Aap apni patni ko aisi swatantrata nahi denge?”(Why? Wouldn't you give your wife such liberties?) I asked, and he shook his head.

“Kabhi nahi. Humaari patni ko humein sammaan se bulaanahoga, sabhya vyavahaar rakhna hoga, aur jo hum jo kahenge wo sab karna hoga,”(Never. My wife will have to address me with respect, behave decently and do everything I say). The way he spoke with so much pride, I tried, I honestly did, but I just couldn't. I immediately burst into fits of laughter, and he glared at me sharply, which caused me to laugh even louder, clutching my stomach.

“Hahaha… Devarsa aise to aapko koi kanya milne se rahi,”(With such demands, I’m afraid you'll never get a wife). I said. He dramatically mocked how I laughed, and I immediately shut my mouth.“I’m sorry, Devarsa,”

Flaring his nostrils at me, he said,“I’ll complain to my brother to punish you for laughing at me.”

I smiled and replied,“You can complain all you want, but for now, please agree to tour the village with me.” He crossed his arms over his chest, looking at me shrewdly.

“You want me to cut my head and serve it to you on a silver platter?” He asked dramatically, and I nodded. After a pregnant pause, he finally agreed,“Ok!” And I beamed happily.“But…”

I shut my mouth, fluttering my eyes anxiously, waiting for him to finish.“... you'll have to do something for me in return,” I creased my brows together, and he moved slightly closer. You’ll have to help me make someone jealous,” he whispered discreetly, and I immediately looked at him.

“Who?” I questioned.

He smirked and answered in a very low voice.“There’s a girl,”

My mouth hung open with the news.“A girl?” I asked, and he nodded.

“And may I know who this unfortunate one is?” I questioned, to tease him. He looked at me blankly, and I chuckled.“Alright, I was just messing with you. Tell me, who’s this lucky girl?”

He smiled and, taking a deep breath, said,“I’ll tell you when the time is right. But for now, do you agree?” he asked.

“So now you want me to cut my head and serve it back to you on a silver platter in return? Because Ranaji will kill me for sure,” I said, and he smiled at me evilly.

“Now that's how deals work, Bhabhisa,”

I sighed and said,“Okay, done!”

“Great! So we’ll leave when the guests and Bhaisa will be busy with the noon meal,” He said, and I nodded.“Good idea,”

But suddenly, I remembered something and immediately clarified my doubt:“Oh yes, will we go on horseback, or should I go in a palanquin?”

He grinned at me widely, smacking his palms together and said,“Bhabhisa, there is this new thing in the market, it’s super comfortable and fast, and will help us manage our weight too. It's like two sticks,” I gaped at him in wonder.Why wasn’t I introduced to such conveniences?I thought.

“Really?! Do we have such a thing in Suryagarh?” I asked, and he nodded enthusiastically.“Yessssss! We all have it...legs,” he said in an unusually high-pitched voice, showing off his legs, and I blinked at him irritably.

Sighing, he flashed a smile and retorted,“We’ll go on foot, Bhabhisa. It is safe and will help us keep our identities hidden,” I nodded in understanding.

“And that brings us to a new problem. How will we hide our true identities?” I asked, and he illustrated the plan,“Well, just make sure no one recognises us while we leave the palace, while wandering in the village, and finally, when we return. There’s a strict security check at the main entrance following the arrival of guests in our palace. Every person walking in and leaving is inspected in advance.”

“Okay! I’ll take care of it,” I said, and he added,“Now, we must leave. There isn’t much time left for lunch. I’ll meet you outside your chamber in some time,” he said. I nodded.

“Okay, see you later.” Parting our ways, I came back to the palace and ambled straight to my chamber with a pounding heart, because I kept thinking of the adventure we were about to get on. My plan was to make sure no one saw me leaving the chamber.

As soon as I reached the bedroom, I called for Suman. Walking in, she asked,“Yes, Nandani,”

Going near her, I asked,“Can I borrow another pair of your clothes?” She furrowed her brows concernedly.

“What? Why?” she asked, and I replied,“Just lend me a pair.” She nodded, narrowing her eyes at me, then left to bring her clothes.

She returned with a simple grey and red lehenga. Taking it from her hands, I rushed into the dressing room and quickly removed all the jewellery. After changing into the clothes, I came out and found Suman’s sceptical gaze fixed on me.

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