A week passed, painfully slow for Rithanya as she waited for Thursday.
When it finally arrived, it carried significance for every Aranthad woman, including her, though for very different reasons.
It was evening, and Rithanya quickly got ready and silently slipped to the temple, intrigued by his voice and longing to hear him again.
Rithanya sat completely absorbed in his hymns, the ending mantra giving her a divine message, something she could hold on to for the coming days.
As the gathering began to disperse, she made a conscious decision to return without hesitation, without turning back, and without trying to catch a glimpse of the singer.
His voice was enough for her. She couldn’t handle more.
When she reached the Aranthad residence, she immediately sensed a shift. A few village elders stood gathered along with the Aranthad family members, their faces drawn, their voices low but firm. The air carried tension.
She paused for a moment.
Had anyone noticed her absence?
Carefully, she slipped in and stood behind the women of the house, unnoticed.
"Gopi, what updates have you got from Gurunagar?" Maheshwar Swamy asked his assistant, his tone controlled yet strained.
Rithanya stood still, her body tense as the calm she carried from the temple faded.
"During the inquiry, Devendra accepted his involvement in the scam," Gopi replied.
A wave of murmurs passed through the gathering. Though it had been suspected, hearing it confirmed changed something in the room.
"He was bankrupt. He had planned to leave Somapur on the night of the wedding, taking the money he had gained through deceit."
"His mansion documents are fake, and no one exists at Kaamini Rani’s maternal address."
Gasps rose, disbelief giving way to uneasy acceptance.
Maheshwar Swamy drew a slow breath before speaking again.
"I had heard that several proposals had included business offers. Then why choose us?"
Gopi hesitated briefly, as if weighing his words.
"He was looking for an alliance where he could secure money before the wedding. He had no real interest in business, nor in his daughter. She was only a means to draw you into the arrangement," he said.
A heavy silence followed.
"A golden bait," the village head remarked, his tone edged with sarcasm.
Maheshwar Swamy lowered his head, the realization settling harshly upon him. He couldn’t accept that he had fallen for the bait so easily.
After a moment, he exhaled deeply.
"Who is this Officer uncle?" he asked.
"He was unwilling to reveal much," Gopi said.
"He mentioned that the man is not a relative, only an acquaintance. His name is Param Dev."
"The police investigation indicates that he is a senior advocate, and a missing complaint has been registered in his name."
"They are attempting to gather more information from Devendra."
The room fell silent again.
The last trace of hope, that a relative might take responsibility, faded away.
Gradually, the gathering dispersed.
Rithanya remained where she stood, still and shocked, the words echoing within her.
Golden bait.
The phrase repeated itself, each time sharper than before.
Regaining composure, she walked slowly to her room and sank down.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Her thoughts began to flow along with them.
Her father had been insensitive to her loneliness and had never intervened when she was quietly pushed aside by her stepmother. Still, she had held on to the belief that he was helpless… trapped.
Why did he use me as bait?
The question remained, sharp and piercing.
Almost without thinking, she reached for her bag and pulled it closer. Her fingers searched inside until they found the ruby necklace.
Her decision to wear it had changed the course of her life.
She held it under the dim light.
The gold had lost its brightness. The surface, once radiant, now seemed dull, uneven in places.
It was a small detail, one she had ignored before.
The tiny golden ring she had found in the garden, if she had washed it, it would reveal it's true colors.
Her stepmother had always been particular about the jewellery she wore. Careful. Watchful.
And after the engagement… strangely at ease.
Rithanya’s grip tightened around the chain.
What else had she failed to see?
A realization struck her with sudden clarity, and her eyes dried.
If her father had succeeded in escaping, she would have been the one left behind, interrogated, blamed, held responsible for everything.
A chill ran down her spine.
He had left her here to face the consequences, the wrath of the victims, while he, his wife, and his son ensured their own safety.
Had he neglected her because she was a girl?
Officer uncle, the man she had trusted as a relative, a well-wisher… where was he now?
Her thoughts refused to settle.
Suddenly, she noticed a faint movement near her door.
She quickly rose and walked outside, her eyes scanning the corridor.
It was empty.
She felt as though something had shifted near the far end… or perhaps it was just the flicker of light.
As she took a step forward, a sharp cry broke through the silence.
"Someone quickly call the midwife. Pratima is in labour!" Annapoornamma’s voice rang out.
The moment shattered.
Rithanya stood confused, her heart racing.
Was someone watching her?
Or was she imagining it?
The corridor was quiet again.
Yet something about it no longer felt empty.
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Author’s Note:
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