Page 96 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

“Are you going somewhere?” she asked cautiously, raising her eyebrows. The thought of her rambling the whole truth to Ranaji if he asked crossed my mind.

“No,” I blurted out.“The weather’s so humid today. I was feeling suffocated in my clothes,” I sputtered, and she looked at me sharply.

“Nandani, don’t even try. What are you going to do? Tell me the truth,” she said, and I took a deep breath, trying to conceal my embarrassment.

“I’m just thinking of surprising Ranaji,” I said, squeezing my eyes shut, hoping she would buy it.

When I opened my eyes, I looked at her lips, stretched into the widest of smiles. As I walked closer, she gushed, holding my hands,“Wow! Really? Is it some kind of fantasy, like making out in a cottage or in the middle of a forest?” And there it was—I felt like someone had stabbed me and pierced my heart.

My husband was practising celibacy for ten years, for god's sake. He couldn't even jerk off, and this girl was talking to me about fantasies. Seriously?

“Yes,” I had to force a smile to stop her from asking more questions. Blushing at my answer, she said,“I’d love to know the details.” And I sucked in a sharp breath.

“Why not? I’ll write a book on it,” I said, and her face fell a little at my comment.

“Okay, if anyone asks where I am, just say you don’t know,” I explained, and she nodded, perplexed. I walked past her and called Reva.

“Ji, Ranisa,” she acknowledged, standing before me.“Where is Ranaji?” I asked, and she answered,“I think he just left for the dining room with all the guests for lunch.” I nodded.

“Okay, thank you!”

Once she left, I covered my head with the dupatta and hurried out of the chamber.

A few steps away from the chamber, in a corner and out of sight, my gaze fell on a man wearing a dhoti and a plain red kurta, with a turban wrapped around his head and a moustache above his lips. I carefully observed the individual.

Tall, and green eyes—Agastya. I sprinted in his direction as soon as I recognised him.

“Shall we go now?” I asked, standing beside him, keeping mytone down.

He nodded.“Yes. If anyone asks, just say we’re husband and wife and that we are leaving to meet my ill Guruji,” he said, earning a chuckle from me.

“Ranaji will kill you if he knows that you sickened his Guruji,” I remarked, and he immediately looked at me.“Bhabhisa, volume,” he muttered, and I shut my mouth in an instant. Then he gestured with his hand, saying,“Come on.”

We silently walked towards the main entrance and stood in the queue, like everyone else leaving the palace. I could see guards investigating people through the blurred view of my cotton veil.

We remained still, holding our breaths, waiting for our turn. When guards began checking on Agastya, my heart hammered against my chest.

“What is your name?” One of them asked, and he answered in a completely altered voice,“Sooraj,”

The guard further asked,“And who is she?” I gulped, waiting for his response.“My wife, Kalavati,” he said, and I lowered my dupatta even more.

I didn't know why, but suddenly my cheeks turned warm, and my heartbeat was almost audible to my ears.

“And where are you going?” My whole body shuddered the moment I heard his voice.

What the hell is he doing here?My insides screamed.

Through my dupatta, I could see half of his body, up to his midriff, standing in front of us in his overcoat. My fingers trembled insanely as I fidgeted with the hem of my dupatta.

I just wanted the earth to swallow me whole.

“Pranam Ranaji! We’re going to our village. My Guruji is no more, so…” Agastya replied in such a sorrowful tone, as if what he was saying weren’t lies.

What a master of drama.

“Oh, that’s so sad,” He said, and looked at the guards.“Let them go,” I heaved out a sigh of peace, and Agastya retorted, joining his palms,

“Thank you, thank you, Ranaji.” He walked toward the main gates, and I followed him quietly. However, as soon as I took my next few steps, I heard the sound of my anklets’bells.

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