2

Kuch rishte na chahte hue bhi zindagi ka hissa ban jaate hain, aur hum unse kabhi alag nahi ho paate

"Hey ladies, I hope you are talking about me."

Avni and Kritika turned around as they heard footsteps. Rudra was leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed, a smug smile playing on his lips. His gaze locked with Avni’s, and for a moment, everything around her seemed to disappear. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her forget her surroundings.

After a few seconds of silence, Avni found her voice again."Kya aap humein sun rahe the?"

(Were you listening to us?)

Rudra pushed himself off the wall and started walking toward her, his smile widening. "Accha, tum log kaafi zor se baat kar rahe the. Sunne mein mushkil nahi hota."

(Well, you were talking pretty loudly. Hard not to hear)

Avni rolled her eyes, crossing her arms defensively. “I guess you were reminded of your... illegal activities?”

Rudra's brow arched, his smirk never fading. “Illegal activities?”

“Yeah, you know what I’m talking about,” Avni said confidently, though she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to challenge him.

Rudra stopped in front of her, tilting his head slightly. “Miss...?”

“Avni,” she replied, standing her ground.

“Miss Avni,” he began smoothly, “before you go around accusing people, you might want to make sure you’ve done your research.” He leaned in just a little, his voice dropping lower. “And maybe, don’t believe everything people say. You might be surprised at how easily the truth gets twisted.”

Avni frowned, unsure of how to respond.

"And stop thinking the worst of me. It’ll save you a lot of trouble."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away, leaving Avni staring after him, more confused than ever.

Avni stood frozen in place, her mind still replaying Rudra's words. She couldn’t shake the intensity of their brief exchange. His voice, the way he looked at her, it left her in shock, unable to move.

Kritika, noticing her Avni's expression, sighed and nudged her gently. “Avni, snap out of it! Come on, we need to head out.”

Avni blinked, as if snapping back to reality. "What, what just happened?"

Kritika gave her a light push. "Forget about it for now. We should leave before things get more complicated."

Avni nodded, but her thoughts were still swirling with questions. She allowed Kritika to guide her, though her mind was still on Rudra, his smile, his words, and the mystery behind them.

As they walked out of the room, Avni’s legs felt heavy, her mind still lost in the conversation with Rudra. Kritika kept a firm grip on her arm, steering her through the hallway, her eyes darting around nervously.

Once they were outside, Kritika finally spoke, her voice a mix of concern and irritation. "Avni, you’ve got to stop letting him get into your head. That guy’s bad news, and you know it."

Avni remained silent, her gaze fixed on the ground as they walked. She couldn’t deny there was something unsettling yet intriguing about Rudra. It wasn’t just his words; it was the way he looked at her, as if he knew more about her than he should.

“But... I can’t help feeling there’s more to him than what people say."

Kritika stopped and turned to face her, hands on her hips. “Are you serious? After everything you’ve heard about him, you’re still considering that maybe he’s not the villain everyone thinks he is?”

Avni shrugged, unsure of how to explain the pull she felt toward him. “I don’t know... There’s just something about him. Something that makes me think I’m not getting the full story.”

Kritika let out a frustrated sigh. “This is exactly what he wants, Avni! He plays these mind games, makes you doubt yourself, doubt what you know. Don’t let him mess with your head.”

Avni looked away, biting her lip. “Maybe... but I still feel like I need to find out the truth for myself.”

Kritika shook her head in disbelief. "Fine. But whatever you do, just be careful. Rudra’s not the kind of person to take lightly. If you get too close, you might not be able to pull yourself away."

They continued walking, but the unease lingered between them. Avni knew Kritika was right to worry, but something deep inside her urged her to dig deeper. She needed to know more about Rudra who he really was and why he seemed to hide behind that smirk.

As they left the building, Avni glanced back over her shoulder, half-expecting to see Rudra watching them. But there was no sign of him. Still, his presence lingered in her mind, leaving her with more questions than answers.

■

Later that evening, Avni and Kritika sat in a cozy corner of a quiet cafe. Avni stirred her coffee, while Kritika sat across from her, leaning forward with a serious expression.

“We have to figure out a way to expose Rudra,” Kritika said, her voice low but determined. “Whatever he’s hiding, we need to bring it to light before it’s too late.”

Avni nodded, though her mind was still clouded by their earlier encounter. “But how? He’s careful. It’s like he knows what we’re thinking before we even say it.”

Kritika tapped her fingers on the table, her brow furrowed in thought. “We need proof. Something solid, something that can’t be denied. There’s no point confronting him without evidence.”

Avni bit her lip, considering. “Do you think the rumors about his illegal deals are true? I mean, we’ve only heard things, nothing concrete. What if we’re wrong?”

Kritika shook her head. “I don’t believe in coincidences, Avni. There’s too much smoke for there not to be fire. We just need to find out where he’s hiding it.”

Avni leaned back in her chair, her eyes scanning the busy cafe as if hoping for some sudden inspiration. “It’s not like he’s going to just leave evidence lying around. And he has people, people who could make things difficult for us if we get too close.”

“Exactly,” Kritika said, a glint of determination in her eyes. “That’s why we need to be smart about this. Maybe we can talk to someone who knows him well. Someone who’s worked with him or been close enough to see the cracks.”

Avni raised an eyebrow. “And who would that be? He doesn’t seem like the type to let people in easily.”

Kritika sighed, thinking for a moment. “We could start with his business associates. People around him might have seen or heard something, even if they don’t realize it.”

“Or... what if we get closer to him?” Avni suggested hesitantly. “I mean, he already seems to have an interest in me. If I play along, maybe I can find out what he’s really hiding.”

Kritika’s eyes widened. “No way. That’s too dangerous, Avni. You can’t get involved with him it’s exactly what he wants.”

“I wouldn’t be getting involved,” Avni quickly clarified. “Just... playing along. Getting close enough to find out more.”

Kritika shook her head, clearly against the idea. “You’re seriously playing with fire. Rudra Raishinghani is not someone to take lightly, Avni. If he figures out what you’re up to, there’s no telling what he’ll do.”

Avni sighed, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. “I know. But we don’t have many options. If we’re going to expose him, we need to get close enough to learn his secrets.”

Kritika nodded, though her unease didn’t fade. “Alright. Let’s start digging. We need to find out everything we can about Rudra before making our next move.”

As Avni and Kritika continued their intense discussion about Rudra, Avni's phone suddenly rang, interrupting their thoughts. She glanced at the screen and saw it was her mom calling. With a sigh, she answered, “Hey, Mom.”

Her mom’s voice came through, brimming with excitement. “Avni! I have great news! We found a wonderful match for you. The guy and his family are coming to meet you tomorrow. Isn’t that amazing?”

Avni’s eyes widened in shock, her mind racing. “What? Tomorrow? Mom, I—”

But before she could finish, her mom cheerfully interrupted, “No need to worry, everything’s already arranged. You’ll love them, I’m sure." And with that, her mom hung up.

Avni stared at her phone, still processing what had just happened. She slowly lowered the phone from her ear and looked at Kritika.

“What happened?” Kritika asked, noticing Avni’s stunned expression.

Avni sighed, leaning back in her chair. “My mom... she just told me that they’ve found a ‘perfect match’ for me. And, the guy and his family are coming to meet me tomorrow.”

Kritika’s eyes widened in surprise. “What? Tomorrow? That’s so sudden! What are you going to do?”

Avni shook her head, feeling overwhelmed. “I don’t know. I didn’t even get a chance to say anything before she hung up. I wasn’t expecting this, especially not now, with everything going on with Rudra.”

Kritika looked at her sympathetically. “That’s a lot to handle, especially with all this Rudra Raishinghani stuff hanging over you. What are you going to tell them?”

“I don’t know,” Avni replied, rubbing her temples in frustration. “I can’t focus on this right now. There’s too much happening.”

Kritika sighed, giving her a reassuring smile. “We’ll figure it out. Maybe meeting this guy won’t be so bad. But if you’re not ready for this, you need to talk to your mom.”

Avni nodded slowly. “Yeah... I just need to get through tomorrow, and then I’ll deal with everything else.” She stared at her phone again, feeling torn between her personal life and the chaos unfolding with Rudra. It seemed like her world was spinning out of control, and she wasn’t sure how to stop it.

Kritika patted her hand. “Whatever happens, I’ve got your back. Let’s just take it one step at a time.”

■

The next morning, Avni woke up feeling the weight of yesterday’s conversation still lingering in her mind. She stretched lazily in bed, thinking it would be a normal day, but as she made her way downstairs, she was greeted by a completely different scene.

The entire house was transformed.

There were colorful garlands draped along the walls, bright lights twinkling from every corner, and the aroma of incense mixed with fresh flowers filled the air. The dining table was laid out with a lavish spread, and the chatter of her family bustling around only added to the overwhelming feeling.

Avni stood at the bottom of the staircase, staring wide-eyed at the spectacle before her. It looked like preparations for a wedding, not just a casual family meeting. Her heart sank, and she shook her head in disbelief.

“What is going on here?” she muttered to herself.

"This can’t be happening. I haven’t even met the guy, and they’re acting like we’re getting married tomorrow.:

She tried to find her footing amidst the chaos, weaving her way through family members who were too busy organizing last-minute details to notice her frustration. Everyone seemed wrapped up in their own excitement, blissfully unaware of how overwhelmed she felt.

Just as she was about to go back upstairs, her mother appeared. She held a pink saree in her hands, the fabric shimmering under the morning light.

“Avni! You’re awake!” her mom said, practically glowing. “Come, look at everything! Doesn’t it all look beautiful? I’ve made sure every detail is perfect for today.”

Avni blinked, trying to gather her thoughts. "Maa...what is all this? This looks like a wedding! I haven’t even met the guy yet. Why are we going overboard?."

Her mother, clearly not sharing her concerns, smiled warmly and brushed her hand over Avni’s cheek. "This is a special day. The boy and his family are coming to see you, and I just know it’s going to go wonderfully. I wanted to make sure everything is just right.”

“But” Avni tried to protest, her voice filled with frustration. “I don’t even know this guy. This is happening way too fast. Can’t we just take things slow? Why all this?” She motioned to the house, feeling more cornered by the second.

Her mom waved her concerns away, acting as though everything was perfectly normal. “No, no, trust me. You’ll see. Everything will be fine. The boy comes from a good family, and I’m sure you’ll like him. Now, let’s not waste time go upstairs and get ready. You don’t want to keep them waiting, do you?”

Before Avni could argue further, her mother handed her the saree, the intricate embroidery catching the light. “Here, wear this. It’s beautiful, and you’ll look stunning in it. The family is going to be so impressed.”

Avni stood there, holding the saree in her hands, completely at a loss for words. She wanted to scream, to tell her mother this wasn’t what she wanted, at least not like this. But her mother’s joyful expression and the bustling house made it impossible for her to voice her protests.

Seeing her hesitation, her mom gently pushed her toward the staircase. “Go on, now. No more arguing. Trust me, this is a good match."

Sighing deeply, Avni turned and headed back up the stairs, her footsteps heavy with the weight of expectation. When she reached her room, she shut the door behind her and leaned against it, feeling trapped. The vibrant saree still hung from her hand, but she had no motivation to put it on.

“This is insane,” she muttered to herself, running her fingers through her hair. “I don’t even know this guy. Why does everything have to be rushed?”

She walked over to the mirror and stared at her reflection, feeling the pressure from all sides. Her family had already made up their minds, and she was expected to just go along with it. As much as she wanted to protest, she knew deep down that her voice would likely be drowned out by the overwhelming excitement in the house.

As she dressed, she couldn’t help but wonder what this day would bring. Would she actually like the guy? Or would this be another step toward something she wasn’t ready for? Either way, she knew there was no turning back now.

As Avni stood in front of the mirror, struggling to adjust her saree, the frustration building up inside her, the door creaked open. Kritika entered with a soft smile, sensing Avni’s unease.

“Need some help?” Kritika asked, walking over to her.

Avni smiled gratefully. "Please. Mujhe saree pehene ki aadat nahi hai, aur main already kaafi stressed hoon."

(Please. I’m not used to wearing sarees, and I’m already stressed enough)

Kritika chuckled lightly, stepping behind her to fix the pleats and drape the saree properly over her shoulder. “You’ll look perfect, don’t worry,” she reassured her while expertly adjusting the saree.

Once Kritika was done, Avni turned to the mirror again and sighed. She looked beautiful, but her mind was elsewhere. Without saying a word, she moved over to the bed and sat down heavily, her thoughts racing. Kritika watched her in concern, sitting down beside her.

Avni let out a deep breath, her voice low and determined. “I’m not doing this, Kritika. I don’t care who it is, I’m going to reject him.”

Kritika looked at her curiously. “Reject him? Are you sure? You haven’t even met the guy yet.”

Avni nodded, her expression firm. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not ready for this, and I don’t want to be pushed into something I didn’t even ask for. I feel like I don’t have a say in any of it.”

Kritika placed a comforting hand on Avni’s shoulder. “I understand. But at least meet him and see how things go. Who knows? Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think.”

Avni shook her head, frustration bubbling to the surface. “No, Kritika. I’ve made up my mind. I don’t want to be forced into something just because my family is excited about it. They’re not the ones who have to live with this decision."

Kritika squeezed her hand. “I get it, Avni. You’re right. It’s your life, and you should have a say in it. But you’ll have to tell your family that, or they’ll just keep pushing you. If you really want to reject him, you have to stand your ground.”

Avni sighed again, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. “I know. I just don’t know how to make them understand. They’re all so excited, and I don’t want to disappoint them. But this isn’t what I want right now.”

As they sat in silence for a moment, Avni’s resolve grew stronger. She knew she would have to face her family and the guy they were so excited about, but she was determined not to let anyone make decisions for her. No matter what, she would find a way to take control of her own life.

Just then, Avni’s thoughts were interrupted by her mom’s voice calling from downstairs, “Avni! Come down, the groom’s family is here!”

Avni let out a deep sigh, her heart heavy with the weight of what was to come. She glanced at Kritika, who gave her a supportive nod. Together, they made their way to the staircase, but as Avni neared the last step, something caught her attention.

A voice deep, familiar, unmistakable was coming from the living room. Her heart skipped a beat.

She slowly lifted her head, her mind racing, and then she saw him.

Rudra.

Her feet froze mid-step. Time seemed to stand still as the shock of recognition hit her like a wave. Avni’s breath caught in her throat, and she stared in disbelief at the man casually speaking with her father.

Kritika, standing beside her, followed Avni’s gaze and her eyes widened in shock. They exchanged a look, both of them equally stunned.

“No way,” Kritika whispered under her breath, her eyes darting between Avni and Rudra.

Avni’s world felt like it was spinning. Her mind raced, trying to make sense of it all. What was Rudra doing here? How could he be the one? This can’t be happening.

Still in shock, Avni forced her legs to move, though they felt like they weighed a ton. She walked down the last step, her mind still struggling to process what she was seeing. As she made her way toward the living room, her eyes never left Rudra, who hadn’t yet noticed her.

Every step felt surreal. The man she had been discussing how to expose just yesterday, the same man she knew had secrets, was now sitting in her living room as the groom her family had chosen for her. The world around her seemed to blur as her heart pounded in her chest.

She could still barely believe it. As she reached the room, Rudra’s eyes finally met hers. There was a flicker of recognition, but his face remained calm, unreadable.

Her mother, beaming with pride, motioned her toward Rudra’s family. “Avni, meet them. This is Rudra, the young man I’ve been telling you about.”

Avni’s mind screamed in disbelief. She could only manage a faint nod, still trying to comprehend the whirlwind of emotions that were now crashing over her.

Rudra’s mother smiled warmly and patted the space beside her. “Come, Avni, sit here.”

Avni, still in shock, nodded and made her way to the seat, every step feeling heavier than the last. She sat down beside Rudra’s mother, trying her best to appear calm, but inside, her heart was racing. As she sat, she could feel Rudra’s eyes on her, and that familiar smirk playing on his lips sent a chill down her spine.

Rudra didn’t say a word, but the way he kept staring at her, almost as if he were daring her to react, only made her more anxious. Her palms grew sweaty, and she wiped them on the folds of her saree.

What if he tells them? The thought echoed in her mind, making her stomach twist with worry. What if he tells my family about what I’ve been doing about the research, about how I’ve been trying to expose him? They don’t know any of this…

Avni forced herself to smile along with the casual conversations happening around her. Her family seemed to be in high spirits, exchanging pleasantries with Rudra’s family as if everything was perfectly normal. But inside, Avni felt like she was sitting on the edge of a cliff, ready to fall at any moment.

She smiled nervously at her mom’s comments and nodded at the polite questions Rudra’s family asked her. But she wasn’t truly hearing anything. All she could think about was Rudra. what he might say, how he might use this situation to his advantage.

Every time Rudra’s gaze lingered on her, her anxiety spiked. His silence was unnerving, and that smirk of his it was like he was enjoying her discomfort, knowing full well the power he had over her in this moment. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her composure, but her mind was racing.

He knows. He knows everything, and he’s not saying anything yet.

Just then, Rudra’s father spoke up, his voice strong and clear. “We’ve talked as a family, and we all like Avni. We think she would be a great addition to our family.”

Avni was shocked. They like me? She quickly looked at Rudra, but he was staring at her with anger in his eyes. Avni opened her mouth to say something, but her dad jumped in.

"Agar dulhe ka parivaar khush hai, toh hum bhi khush hain." He said, sounding pleased.

(If the groom’s family is happy, then we are too,” he said, sounding pleased)

Avni felt her heart drop. No, this can’t be happening! She wanted to protest, to tell them that this was all wrong, but nothing came out. She just stared at Rudra, who looked frustrated and trapped.

Rudra knew he had no choice but to marry her because of his family’s pressure. His parents wanted this, and he felt forced into it. He didn’t care about the situation, only about pleasing his family.

As they made eye contact, Avni realized they were both stuck in this situation. Rudra didn’t seem happy about it either, but he wore a mask of indifference, hiding his true feelings.

He’s just doing this for his parents, Avni thought, trying to understand his expression. He doesn’t care about me he’s just following orders.

Everyone around them joined in, lifting their glasses with joy, but Avni felt out of place. The laughter felt distant to her.

As she raised her glass, her heart felt heavy. She glanced at Rudra again, and for a moment, she thought she saw a hint of sympathy in his eyes. But just as quickly, it vanished, leaving her feeling more lost than ever.

Rudra’s father then turned to Avni with a warm smile. “After the wedding, you can do whatever you want. We support your dreams,” he said, making it sound so easy.

Before Avni could respond, Rudra spoke up, “Yeah, she’ll probably be too busy with her investigation to think about a job.” His tone was sarcastic, and everyone paused, looking at him with puzzled expressions.

Avni’s heart raced with anger. Why is he bringing that up? She shot him a furious look, trying to keep her composure. Rudra opened his mouth, as if he was about to say something else, but she couldn’t take it anymore.

In a burst of frustration, Avni grabbed her teacup and poured it at him. The hot tea splashed across his face, soaking him completely. The room fell silent, and everyone stared in shock.

Rudra wiped his face with the back of his hand, still maintaining the angry look.

Avni stood up, her heart pounding and adrenaline coursing through her veins.

Rudra’s expression shifted from shock to annoyance, but he said nothing. The tension in the room grew thick as everyone exchanged confused glances. Avni’s mom looked horrified, while Rudra’s family appeared taken aback by the sudden outburst.

Feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on her, Avni took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

Rudra’s gaze softened for a moment, but then he crossed his arms defensively.

"Avni! How dare you throw tea on Rudra's face? What kind of behavior is this."

"Uncle, please calm down. It’s not as bad as it seems. I understand why you're upset, but let me handle it. I’ll speak to Avni personally." Rudra said calmly.

As Avni stepped away from the gathering, trying to catch her breath, Rudra followed her, a determined look on his face. They moved to a quieter corner of the house, away from the prying eyes of their families, who were deep in conversation about the wedding arrangements.

“Listen, Avni,” Rudra said, his voice firm but low. “I don’t think you understand the position we’re in.”

“What position?” she shot back, crossing her arms defiantly. “You think I want to be forced into a marriage with you just because our parents decided it? Do you think I will stay silent by marrying you and do you think I will stop my investigation on you."

Rudra stepped closer, his expression intense. “It’s not about what you want or don’t want. I’m not giving you an option here. We’re getting married. You need to accept that."

Avni’s heart raced as she processed his words. “You can’t just decide that for me!” she exclaimed. “I deserve a choice in this!”

Rudra sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “You think I like this? You think I want to be in this situation? But we both know that refusing to marry isn’t an option anymore. Our families expect this, and they won’t back down.”

"Your parents already like me, Avni. They see me as the ideal match. And my family won’t let me back out either. We’re stuck. The sooner we accept that, the better it’ll be for both of us,” he insisted.

As they stood there, tension crackling between them, Avni realized that there was more at stake than just their families' expectations. She had to think about her own feelings, her own future. Could she really go through with this?

As the two families embraced, laughter and joy filled the room as they celebrated the upcoming wedding. Avni stood to the side, still reeling from the sudden turn of events, when Rudra approached her.

"Just so you know,” he said, leaning in closer, a mischievous glint in his eye, “I’ll have all the time in the world to take revenge on you.”

The words sent a shiver down Avni’s spine. She stared at him, her heart racing as she tried to decipher his tone. Was he joking? Did he mean it? Before she could respond, he walked away, leaving her standing there with a mix of confusion and apprehension.

As they made their way out of the house, Rudra’s mother stepped in front of Avni, wrapping her arms around her in a warm embrace. “We’re so happy to have you in our family, Avni! Driti will be thrilled to meet you,” she said with genuine enthusiasm.

Avni blinked in surprise, her mind racing. "Driti?” she echoed, feeling a knot form in her stomach. “Who is driti?”

Rudra’s mother smiled brightly, not sensing Avni’s unease. "Driti is Rudra’s daughter. She’s been looking forward to having a new mother. You’ll adore her!”

Avni stood there, her heart racing as she processed the news. She had so many questions swirling in her mind, but before she could ask anything further, Rudra’s mother turned to leave, her excitement evident as she joined the rest of the family who were chatting animatedly about the wedding plans.

“Wait!” Avni called out, her voice slightly panicked. “I need to know more about driti!”

But Rudra’s mother was already moving away, her attention caught by another relative who was approaching. Avni felt a sense of frustration bubbling inside her.

■

At Raishinghani mansion

Rudra walked into his home, feeling the heavy burden of his life. Since entering politics, it seemed like nothing good had come his way. He was a minister, but the job had made him enemies, and he often felt trapped by the choices he had made.

His wife, Sameera, her life ended by his political rivals. They killed her infront of rudra. She died when their daughter, Driti, was only a month old. Since then, Rudra had been both a father and a mother to her. The guilt of losing Sameera weighed on him every day, making him sad and angry.

But he knew the world outside was dangerous. There were enemies who wanted to hurt him, and he worried for his daughter’s safety. He wanted to protect her from the darkness of his political life.

He may be a dangerous man and politician to the outside world but when it comes to his daughter and his family he is the pure softest person and nobody knows about this side of him.

Ever since his wife died, he never took Driti out of house due to his rivals. She stays at home along with his mom and dad and his friend Rohan and few other baby sitters.

He entered the living room and saw driti playing with her toys, wearing a cute jumpsuit and two playful ponytails. She is two years old now, and her innocent laughter filled the room with joy.

When she turned toward the door and spotted him, her face lit up. “Pappa!” she exclaimed, throwing her toys aside and rushing toward him. Rudra knelt down, opening his arms wide as she ran into them.

He wrapped her in a warm embrace, closing his eyes for a moment to savor the feeling. This was the best part of his day, holding his little girl close. “Hi, bacha,” he said softly, his heart swelling with love.

Driti giggled, resting her head against his shoulder. For Rudra, this simple moment made all the struggles and challenges of the outside world fade away. She was his reason to keep fighting, his light in the darkness.

Rudra watched driti play, her little hands moving on her toys. He loved hearing her baby voice, full of excitement and joy. “So, bacha, how was your day?” he asked, leaning closer to her.

Driti looked up, her eyes sparkling. “Good, Pappa! I pwayed wif my toys and colored!”

(Good Pappa, I played with my toys and colored)

“That sounds like so much fun! Did you have fun with Rohan uncle?” he asked, remembering that his friend had babysat her while he was busy.

Driti’s face lit up, and she clapped her hands excitedly. “Yay! Yes! He pwayed wif me! We built a big twain!”

(He played with me. We built a big train)

Rudra smiled, his heart warming at the thought. Rohan had always been like a brother to him, and he trusted him completely. “I’m glad to hear that! Did he take good care of you?”

“Uh-huh! We watched a funny cartoon, and he made yummy snacks!” driti said in her baby tone bouncing in her seat.

Rudra chuckled, imagining Rohan trying to entertain his daughter. “That sounds perfect."

Driti pouted a little, her lips quivering. “But I wanna go outside and see the big twee and pway in the park!”

(But I want to go outside and see the big tree and play in the park)

“I know, sweetheart. One day, when it’s safe, we’ll go” Rudra promised, his heart aching a bit at her disappointment. “But for now, we can play right here at home. We can pretend this is a castle, and you’re the princess!”

Her eyes brightened again. “A pwincess in a castle! Yay!”

(Princess)

Just then, Rohan walked into the room with a puzzled expression. “Hey, is it true what your mom is saying? Why did that girl pour tea on his face?” he asked, looking at Rudra. “And why did you agree to marry her?”

Rudra sighed, knowing this conversation was coming. “I don’t have an option, Rohan. I’m marrying her just for my parents’ sake. They want this, so I’ll go along with it.”

“Seriously? Just like that?” rohan raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

Rudra nodded. “Yeah, it’s complicated. I don’t want to upset my family. Plus, I can’t really back out now. She is trying to expose the dark side of me, so I let her expose me even more by marrying her."

Before rohan could respond, Rudra picked up driti, cradling her in his arms. “Come on, let’s put you to sleep, little one,” he said, smiling at her.

Rohan chuckled. "But I can put her to sleep! I’m good at it!”

“Yeah, right! She’s my baby, not yours,” Rudra teased, sticking his tongue out at Avinash.

Driti giggled, enjoying the friendly banter. “Pappa! You’re funny!”

Rohan laughed, pretending to sulk. “But one day, I’ll show you my super babysitting skills!”

Rudra and driti exchanged knowing glances, both making fun of rohan. “Let’s go, Driti! Time for your princess to sleep!” Rudra said as he started walking toward her room.

“Goodnight, you two!” rohan called out, shaking his head with a smile as they walked away.

Rudra gently laid driti down on the bed, making sure she was comfortable before covering her with a soft blanket. He picked up a colorful storybook from the shelf, settling down beside her. “Alright, little princess, let’s read a story,” he said, smiling at her eager face.

As he began reading, driti listened intently, her wide eyes glued to the pages. The story was about a brave knight and his adventures, but there was a line that caught Rudra off guard. It mentioned a mother’s love, and as soon as he read it, driti’s voice chimed in, “Mamma! Mamma!”

Each time she said it, Rudra felt a sharp pang in his heart. He paused, his throat tightening. driti was only two years old, but she understood the concept of a mother, and it broke Rudra to think about how much she missed out on. He continued reading, trying to keep his voice steady, but he could feel the weight of sadness pressing down on him.

Once he finished the story, he closed the book gently and set it aside. He looked at driti, who was already drifting off to sleep, her tiny features relaxed and peaceful. “Sweet dreams, my little one,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.

As he watched her, a heavy sadness settled in his chest. He couldn’t shake the feeling that driti was growing up without the warmth of a mother’s love, and it weighed heavily on him. He had promised himself to be both mother and father to her, but he knew he could never fill that void.

With thoughts swirling in his mind, Rudra found it hard to escape the memories of his late wife, Sameera. They had built a life together, full of dreams and hopes for their family, but everything changed in an instant.

Only he knew how many nights he lay awake, unable to sleep, crying like a baby for his wife and daughter, Driti. The world saw him as a dangerous politician, a man to be feared and respected, but behind closed doors, he was just a broken man missing his wife. The love for Driti kept him going, but sometimes he wished for the peace of his family back. As he wiped away his tears, he promised himself to be the best father he could be, even if it meant hiding his sorrow from the every one.

Looking at Driti as she slept, Rudra couldn't help but smile. Her tiny hand curled around his fingers, a habit she had since she was born. Even in her dreams, she found comfort in holding on to him, and it filled his heart with warmth. In that quiet moment, all his worries faded away. Feeling the gentle rise and fall of her breath, he closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax for the first time in days. With Driti holding his finger, he drifted to sleep.

To be continued