Page 144 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

And, realising what he tried to do to himself, shook me to the core.

I expected anything but this.

But somewhere, I could understand. He had no one—literally no one—by his side to live for. The only thing he struggled for, worked hard for, and continued to survive for was avenging his father’s death. And after twenty years, suddenly realizing that his father was the true culprit and had heinous intentions toward his mother and other women might have shaken him beyond repair; itmight have pierced his heart in two.

Just then, without warning, he scooped me into his arms with a swift motion. One arm curled beneath my knees while the other wrapped around my waist. My hands instinctively coiled around his shoulders as I gazed at his face.

His chest was bare, still damp, and his fresh lower garment clung lightly to his skin.

“Rudra…” I murmured, and before I could say anything more, he leaned in and placed a long, lingering kiss on my forehead. His lips were cold from the water, yet his touch was soft.

I blinked slowly, overwhelmed, as he began walking. I didn’t stop him and closed my eyes instead, letting myself feel his warmth.

He carried me back into the bedroom and gently laid me on the bed. I immediately held his hand and shifted slightly to pull him closer.

“Rudra,” I called. He sat close to me, and I cupped his cheeks to look into his eyes.

He held my wrist and gently kissed my palm, and I blinked nervously. I began speaking of what was necessary.

“Jo kuch bhi hua, use hum parivartit nahi sakte. Beete hue kal ki yahi to visheshta hai, ki wo kitna bhi bura ho, kabhi lautkar nahi aata. Jo hua, hum nahi kahenge ki use bhool jaaiye, aage badhiye kyuki wo sab to kehne ki baatein hain. Jaise hum kuch smrutiyaan bhula nahi sakte, waise hi aap bhi kadacchit jeevan bhar in anubhavoan se ubhar na paayein.

Kintu ek samajhdar vyakti humaare liye wahi hoga jo apne aanewale kal par apne ateet ke aansuoan ki cheetein bhi na padne de.

Aap bahut samajhdar hain, humse bade hain, bhinna-bhinna logo se mile hain, aap humse adhik samajhte hai ki aapke kal ke liye, hum dono ke kal ke liye kya uchit hai aur kya anuchit.

Jis prakaar se aapne jeevan jiya hai, aur aap yahaan tak pahunche hai, wo maatra aapki yogyata va parishram ka parinaam hai. Usme anya kisi ka koi yogdaan nahi.

To aap kyun apne jeevan ko kisi aur ke liye dhwast kar rahein hain? Tanik drushti ghumaakar, apne aas-paas dekhein, log bhukmari se jujh rahein hain, anekoan rogoan se grast hai, apnoan ko gawakar bhi jee rahein hain.

Kisi aur ka na sahi, unka to saath dein jinhone aapka saathdiya hai.

Ek raja hain ab aap, aapke jeevan par keval aapke mata-pita ka, humaara ya kuch logoan ka nahi, apitu aapki praja ka bhi adhikaar hai.

Isiliye hum aapse anurodh karte hain ki swayam ko akela na samajhein... Aap jaise bhi hain, hum aapse humesha prem karte rahe hain, karte hain, aur sada ke liye karte rahenge,”(We cannot change what has already happened. That’s the thing about the past — no matter how bad it was, it never returns. I’ll not say,‘just forget everything and move on’, because those are just words people say. Just as I cannot forget certain memories, perhaps you may never be able to rise above these experiences throughout your life.

But for me, a wise person is the one who doesn’t let even the stains of past tears touch their future.

You are wise, older than me, and have encountered many kinds of people. You understand better than I do what is right and wrong for your future and our future.

Your life and the place you’ve reached are entirely the result of your capability and hard work. No one else has contributed to that.

So why are you destroying your life for someone else? Just look around—people are struggling with hunger, suffering from many diseases, living on even after losing their loved ones.

If not for anyone else, then at least support those who have supported you.

You are a king now — your life is no longer just yours, your parents’, mine, or a few others’... It belongs to your people as well.

So I request you, please don’t think you’re alone. No matter what, I’ve always loved you, I still do, and I always will.) I said, and he just blinked blankly.

Leaning in, I pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, my lips trembling. I whispered against his skin,“Praan baste hain humaare aap mein. Aap udaas bhi hote hai na, to aatma ro padti hai humaari,”(You are my life. My soul cries even if you are even a little upset.)

He wrapped his arm around my waist and embraced me tightly. I closed my eyes, sinking into him, hugging him tighter.

“I'm so sorry,” he murmured, and I caressed his head gently. I could feel him breathing at my neck, his warmth steadying my heartbeat, and I slowly moved my palm over his chest.

“Humne aapki Holi bhi bigaad di,”(I spoiled your Holi.) he added with guilt.

I let out a soft chuckle, and a fresh tear escaped down my cheek. Lifting my head, I looked into his eyes and spoke quietly,“Humaare teej-tyohaar to sab aapse hain, Ranaji,”(Every joy, every festival of mine begins and ends with you, Ranaji.)

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