Page 196 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

Just as he leaned in to kiss below my ear, I placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back gently.“I’m getting late,”

He chuckled, and I slipped off his lap to finish bathing. After wrapping myself in a fresh cotton cloth, I stepped out of the pool, and he followed, his lower body draped in a white towel.

As I entered the dressing room, I noticed a beautiful red outfit paired with stunning jewellery. I blinked in surprise, turning to look at him.

“All this?”

He stepped closer.“Humne aapko muh dikhaai nahi di na abhi tak. To yeh joda aur zewar humaari oar se aapke ke liye ek chota sa upahaar,”(I haven't given you anything for your welcome gift. So this dress and jewellery are a small token of love from me.)

I looked at the set again.“It’s beautiful, but Rudra... you could’ve donated the money for the people's welfare. I already have enough dresses and jewellery,”

He walked up behind me and gently guided me toward the mirror.

I saw myself—hair wet and hanging past my hips, water droplets sliding down my shoulders, the translucent cloth clinging to me. My body looked fragile and glowing in the soft light.

He gently moved my hair aside, tilting my neck with the motion.

“This was bought from my own savings, Nandani. Everything I’ve saved in my life, this is where I wanted it to go,” he said.

And hearing him, tears welled up in my eyes without warning. His words struck something deep within me, and I turned numb. Unbidden, the fragments of his past began flashing through my mind, and silent tears slid down my cheeks as I managed to whisper,“What?”

I turned to look at him and saw him smiling softly. He leaned in and pressed a light kiss to my lips before saying,“Yes, I saved all that money to build a fortune for myself and my family. But after our wedding, I realised... my fortune, my destiny, my purpose, everything begins and ends with you. God knows what would’ve happened if your mother had married my father. I would’ve never found my Nandani. My little wife, who holds the power to tame me, control me, scare me... love me, and care for me,”

Tears streamed down more freely now, and I closed my eyes as he gently gathered me into a hug.

“Ab isme ashru bahaane jaisi to koi baat hi nahi thi, humaari dharmpatniji,”(There’s nothing in it to cry over, my little wife.) he teased gently, and I lifted my head with a smile.

“It's really beautiful. Thank you. I’ll treasure this till my last breath,” I said, and he chuckled.

“Now, I’m the King. I’ll surely get you many more clothes, my love,” he said proudly.

I shook my head with a small smile.“Wo sab to Ranaji ki bhent hogi, ye to humaare Rudra ka upahaar hai,”(All those will be gifts from the king, but this one is from my Rudra.)

His eyes lit up with that warmth again. He smiled and kissed my lips gently before saying,“Go try it on,”

I lowered my gaze and replied softly,“Aap laaye hain to aap hi pehna dijiye,”(You brought it... now you should help me wear it too.)

He smiled, a bit shyly this time.“Yes, sure,”

I turned my back on him and faced the mirror. With a breath of courage, I let the cotton cloth slip off my body, revealing my bare, damp skin in the sunlight streaming through the window. My heartbeat thudded in my ears, my body trembling at its boldness, but there was also comfort in this moment. With him, I felt safe.

I often wondered why clothes became such an inseparable part of life, when in love, they’re the first things to fall. Maybe it’s because we all hide our vulnerabilities, fears, and weaknesses, just like we hide our bodies in them. And to create life, God designed it so that we must shed those layers, as if to remind us that love must be honest and raw. We are our vulnerabilities, weaknesses, fears we hide from the world. And, by revealing our bodies to our beloved, we share all of this, so we’re not left alone in this world. So, there’ll be someone who’ll know the actual us.

To be truly known, to be truly loved, we must first be vulnerable. And not everyone is lucky enough to experience that. Some shred clothes for lust, not to see the soul, but to consume the body. But love... love needs no perfect skin, no glow. It seeks the trembling, the softness, the truth.

I saw him approach me, his gaze reverent and gentle. The sunlight danced on my skin, and I felt his presence behind me. He leaned in and took the skirt from my hand.

“Wait,” I managed to say, my throat running dry with the intense heat building between us.

I reached back, gathering my wet hair and twisting it into a bun. His gaze froze on me as I moved. Then, as I lifted my arms, he placed his hand gently on my waist, palm resting softly on my stomach.

His touch didn’t spark tingles this time; it spread warmth. It was a touch of protection, of quiet love.

As I reached for a pin on the table to secure my bun, he kissed my shoulder tenderly.

Once done, I picked up the in-skirt.“This one is first,” I said, handing it to him.

He nodded, fumbling with it slightly.“Through my head,” I guided him, smiling.

---