Page 154 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

I immediately sat up on the bed.“Daadisa…”

I smiled, and she took her slow, weak steps towards me. I stood up and helped her to sit beside me.

“Aapne kyun kasht kiya, Daadisa. Humein bulwaa liya hota,”(You shouldn’t have troubled yourself, Daadisa. You could’ve called me.) I said gently, noticing how she paused to steady her breath.

“It’s quite alright, Nandani,” she replied in a measured tone, hervoice laced with worry as she took my hand into hers.“I came to speak with you... about something important,”

I turned to face her fully, the seriousness of her tone settling into my chest like a quiet weight.

“Pata nahi kyun, Nandani, jab se tum aayi ho, aisa lag raha hai ki koi gadbad hai. Sab theek to hai na?”(I don't know why, Nandani, but ever since you arrived, I have felt that something is not right. Is everything alright?)

She asked with a serious tone, and I furrowed my brows. In just a few moments, my mind wandered back through everything that had unfolded since I arrived here, and I realised she must be truly worried for me.

I took a deep breath and looked at her with gentle reassurance.

“Daadisa, aisa kuch nahi hai, sab theek hai sach mein,”(Daadisa, there’s nothing of the sort. Everything is perfectly fine, really.) I said softly, trying to ease her concern, but she simply stared at me.

“No, Nandani,” she said, shaking her head slightly.“Kuch toh hai jo tumhe vyaakul kar raha hai... na tum kuch dhang se khaati ho, na adhik bolti ho,”(There’s something troubling you, I can see it. You’re barely eating, and you won’t speak your heart.) There was so much worry in her voice that I couldn’t help but smile a little, faintly, shyly, biting my lower lip.

“Daadisa,” I began with a small chuckle,“it’s not what you’re thinking. It’s Rudra. He keeps teasing me all the time. You all see him as this sweet, quiet, innocent man... but only I know what he’s really like,”

Her eyes widened in surprise.“Really? He teases you?”

I nodded quickly, grinning.“Yes, of course! He’s always teasing me. That’s all. You don’t need to worry. He truly loves me, Daadisa. He looks after everything: my health, my comfort, my smallest needs. He’s... perfect for me,”

Her face relaxed into a smile as she watched me.“Truly? You’re not hiding anything from me?”

“Absolutely not,” I said warmly.“Why would I ever hide anything from you?”

She gave my hand a soft rub.“Then it’s alright. I just thought, if something was bothering you, I should talk to you.” Without thinking, I leaned in and hugged her. A sudden warmth welled up inside me, and with tears in my eyes.

“I got so lost in loving him, Daadisa,” I whispered, my voice trembling,“I didn’t think about any of you.”

She slowly patted my back, holding me close.“Don’t say that, Nandani,” she said gently.“Love is a blessing. Not everyone is fortunate enough to find someone who chooses them above all else.”

I chuckled softly and looked at her with moist eyes.“God bless you, my child,” she murmured, placing her hand lovingly on my head.

I wiped my cheeks, smiling faintly as I nodded, and hugged her again.

“Chalo, ab hum chalte hain. Tumhe bhi sajj hona hai—samay se nikalne ke liye,”(Alright then, I’ll take my leave. You should get ready too, to depart on time.)

I stood up and helped her to her feet, walking her to the door.

After she left, I adjusted my clothes and fixed my hair. It took longer than usual to get ready, and just as I was finishing up, he walked in, fresh from the meeting.

“Ready already?” he asked, stepping inside. Just the sight of him sent a shiver running through me.

“Ji,” I managed to say, my voice soft, and watched as he walked closer to me.

He hugged me from behind, and my head tilted to the side as his lips pressed against the delicate skin of my neck.

His warm breath danced across my skin, sending shivers down my spine. Through the mirror, I saw his eyes flicker with desire just as his hand found its way to my waist, fingers brushing lightly over the skin beneath my blouse, touching the chain that circled my hips.

Trying to steady my voice, I asked,“Did all go well in the meeting?”

He planted a slow, sensual kiss on my neck that made my skin erupt in goosebumps. A soft hum escaped his throat in response.“Hnn-hnn,” I felt his breath grow warmer, more uneven.

Sensing the shift in his energy, I turned around quickly, hoping to break the moment before it spiralled further.“Are you ready to leave?” I asked, my voice a little breathless.

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