Page 254 of Rudra Nandani: The Saga of Control And Seduction

His voice held hesitation, and I sensed how heavily this uncertainty pressed on him.

I smiled gently and placed my hand on his shoulder.

“Devarsa, aapna humaare bhai jaise hain, bade bhai. Aap bahut samajhdaar hai, saksham hai, tab bhi ek ladki hone ke naate aapse ek baat awashya kahenge hum. Ek kanya apna sab kuch chodkar apne var ke saath apne sasural aa jaati hai. Pratidaan mein maatra sammaan, thoda sa prem, aur kuch mann ke baatein ki hi apeksha karti hai aur usi mein apni saari prasannatayein dhundh leti hai. Aishwarya ko hum bhi nahi jaante, wo bhi humein nahi jaanti kintu yadi hum prayatn karenge use apnapandene ki to wo apneaap humaari ho jaayegi. Parantu us prayaas ka praarambh aapko karna hoga. Uske hruday tak pahunchne ka maarg aapko swayam bana hoga, aur kisi bhi stree ke hruday tak pahunchne ka aadhaar sammaan hota hai jiski wo aadhikaarik hoti hai. Phir dekhiyega wo kaise aapki ho jaayegi,”(Devarsa, you are like my brother—an elder brother. You are very understanding and capable, despite that, as a woman, there is something I must say to you. A girl leaves behind everything to come to her husband’s home. In return, she expects only a little respect, some love, and a few heartfelt conversations—and in that, she finds all her happiness. We do not know Aishwarya, and she doesn't know us either. But if we try to make her feel a sense of belonging, she will naturally become ours. However, that effort must begin with you. You will have to carve the path to her heart yourself, and the foundation of reaching any woman’s heart is the respect she rightfully deserves. Then you’ll see how she becomes yours.)

He nodded quietly, eyes soft with understanding. We stayed silent for a while as he finished dressing.

“Are you ready?” Rudra’s familiar voice made us both turn.

He stepped in with a smile, and Devarsa stood up.“Ji, Bhaisa,” he said.

Rudra placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled him into a hug.“I’m so happy for you, Ranvijay. Somehow, this feels even more special than my wedding,”

I chuckled softly, feeling a strange lump in my throat.

“His kohl is still left,” I said, noticing his bare eyelids.

“Oh,” Rudra murmured.

Ranvijay sat back down, and I grabbed the small silver kohl container. I dipped my index finger in and stepped forward.

“Devarsa, ye neg hai humaara,”(Devarsa, this is my ceremonial gift.) I said with a mock sternness.

He chuckled, and Rudra warned playfully,“Stay still, or she’ll end up poking your eye,”

I rolled my eyes and pulled back my hand for a moment.“Shut up, Rudra.”

Devarsa laughed and adjusted himself.“Okay, I’m still now,”

Just then, Agastya’s voice echoed in the room.“Are you ready?”

“Now you are disturbing me!” Devarsa said, laughing. I smiled and gently applied the kohl to his lower eyelid as he closed hiseyes.

“You’re looking very handsome, Bhaisa. Honestly, hot,” Agastya added suddenly, making us all laugh again.

I shot Devarsa a look. He controlled his smile as I finished applying the kohl.

“Thank you, Bhabhisa,” he said with a soft smile.

I held out my palm playfully.“No, no. Thank you. I want a gift,”

He chuckled.“Yes, yes. We’ll give you a gift,”

I gave him a playful slap on the shoulder, chuckling,“I’ll tell her you called her a gift,”

He smiled and stood up from the chair.“No need; I think I have something for you,” he said, walking toward his almirah. I waited until he returned with a book in his hand.

“This is for you.” He held it out, and I took it with a smile.

“Thank you so much.” I placed it on the table, and just then, Agastya stepped forward and plopped down in the chair.

“Me too, Bhabhisa.” I chuckled and shook my head.

“But it’s not your wedding.”

“So what?” he shot back immediately.

I sighed and extended my index finger to apply kohl to his eyes, too.“Thank you, but I’ll give you a gift when you do the same at my wedding,” he said, rising from the chair. I laughed softly.

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