4

Zahir toh yeh karta hoon ki nafrat hai, lekin dil ke kisi kone mein jaanta hoon ki vo is nafrat ke layak nahi.

Rudra came home early from his office one day. It had been a long and exhausting day, but all he could think about was seeing Driti. He quickly made his way to her room, hoping to catch a glimpse of her before she fell asleep. However, by the time he reached her, she was already fast asleep, her small hands curled into a fist as she breathed softly. A faint smile crossed his face, but it quickly faded as he realized how much time he had missed with her lately.

Disappointed, Rudra made his way back to the living room and sat on the couch. He leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment, trying to push away the guilt that had been slowly creeping into his thoughts. His mother, who had been watching him, broke the silence.

"Avni ne hi Driti ko sulaya tha. Driti aaj Avni ke saath bahut kheli, isliye jaldi thak gayi aur so gayi," she said, her tone gentle, hoping to get some reaction from him.

(Avni was the one who put Driti to sleep. Driti played a lot with Avni today, so she got tired quickly and fell asleep)

Rudra, still lost in his thoughts, nodded slightly, responding with a simple, "Theek hai." His voice was flat, lacking any real interest or emotion.

(Okay)

His mother hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should say what was on her mind. But seeing Rudra so disconnected from everything happening around him, she felt it was necessary.

"Avni pichhle kuch dino se theek se soyi nahi hai aur na hi theek se kha rahi hai," she added softly, her eyes studying her son's face, hoping for some kind of concern or response.

(Avni hasn't slept well for the past few days, nor has she been eating properly)

Rudra opened his eyes and looked at her briefly, his expression unchanged. "Yeh mujhe koi farq nahi padta," he said coldly, his voice devoid of any warmth. He stood up from the couch and walked towards his study, ending the conversation without another word.

(I don't care about this)

His mother watched him go, a sense of helplessness washing over her. She had hoped Rudra would show at least some care for Avni, who had been trying so hard to fit into his life, especially with Driti. But his cold indifference continued to build a wall between him and those who needed him most.

Rudra entered his study and shut the door behind him, leaning against it for a moment as he exhaled deeply. His mother's words echoed in his mind, but he pushed them away. He didn't want to think about Avni, about her struggles, about the distance between them. He convinced himself that it didn't matter. He had married her out of obligation, not love, and he refused to let himself care beyond that.

Sitting at his desk, Rudra opened a file, trying to focus on his work, but his thoughts kept wandering back to what his mother had said. "Avni hasn't been sleeping... she hasn't been eating..." It gnawed at him, no matter how hard he tried to ignore it. He sighed in frustration, rubbing his temples. Why was this bothering him now? He had always been good at keeping his emotions, especially when it came to his personal life.

■

Meanwhile, in the bedroom down the hall, Avni sat by the window, staring out into the darkness. Her eyes were red from the lack of sleep, and her heart weighed heavy with loneliness. She had tried so hard to bond with Driti, and today had been one of the few days that Driti had opened up to her. They had played together, laughed, and for a few brief hours, Avni had felt like she was a part of something again. But even that joy felt incomplete because of Rudra's coldness.

She hadn't seen him much in the past few days, and when she did, he barely spoke to her. His distance hurt more than she wanted to admit, but she kept trying for Driti's sake. Avni sighed, placing her hand on her stomach, the hollow feeling of hunger not bothering her as much as the emotional emptiness she was carrying.

Suddenly, a soft knock came at the door. Avni quickly wiped her eyes and composed herself, expecting it to be Driti or maybe even Rudra, though the latter seemed unlikely. To her surprise, it was Rudra's mother. She entered the room quietly, sitting beside Avni.

"Tum thik ho, Avni?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

(Are you fine, avni?)

Avni forced a small smile and nodded. "Haan, maa, main thik hoon," she replied, though her voice was unconvincing.

(Yes, Mom, I am fine)

Rudra's mother sighed, gently placing a hand on Avni's shoulder. "I know you're not okay. I tried to talk to Rudra, but his heart is still like stone. He's not ready to understand."

Avni looked down, her smile fading as she whispered, "I understand. For him, this relationship is just a duty. I could never make a place in his life."

Rudra's mother shook her head. "You have the right to find your place, Avni. What you've done for Driti is no small thing. Your love for her is genuine, and wait for the day when Rudra will understand this."

Avni swallowed hard, the lump in her throat making it difficult to respond. "Kab tak, maa? How long should I wait for that moment? How many times have I reached out to him, but every time he has pushed me away."

Rudra's mother sighed deeply, knowing Avni's pain all too well. She had seen this distance growing, but she still believed there was hope, no matter how cold Rudra had become.

"I'm not telling you to spend your life waiting for him. But sometimes, the walls that exist between hearts take time to break down. Your efforts won't go in vain, Avni. Just keep your love and patience alive."

Avni simply nodded, but deep down, the weight of waiting for Rudra's love felt heavier with each passing day. She didn't know how much longer she could keep pretending that everything was okay.

As Rudra's mother stood to leave, she gave Avni a final glance, her eyes filled with both sadness and hope. "If you ever feel like talking, just call me. I am always here for you."

Avni watched her leave and then turned back to the window, her mind swirling with a mix of emotions longing, frustration, and a small flicker of hope that maybe, one day, things would change.

■

In the study, Rudra sat staring at the same document for what felt like hours, but he couldn't focus. His mother's words echoed in his mind. He slammed the file shut, stood up, and paced the room. His heart was heavy, and no matter how hard he tried to convince himself that Avni's well-being didn't matter to him, a part of him knew that wasn't entirely true.

Just then, Rudra's mother called him for dinner, and the entire family gathered at the table. However, Avni didn't show up. As everyone began to sit down, Rohan looked around and noticed her absence.

"Avni bhabhi kahan hain?" he asked, looking concerned.

(Where is sister-in-law avni?)

Rudra's mother replied, "Usne kaha tha ke usse bhookh nahi hai."

(She told that she is not hungry)

At this, Rudra shot a look at Rohan, a silent signal passing between them. Rohan nodded in understanding and got up from the table. He made his way to Avni's room and knocked gently on the door before pushing it open slightly.

"Bhabhi, main hoon. Dinner ke liye sab wait kar rahe hain."

(Sister-in-law it's me. Everybody are waiting for dinner)

Avni, sitting by the window as she often did, looked up briefly and said in a low voice, "Mujhe bhookh nahi hai, Rohan. Tum log khana khao."

(I am not hungry Rohan. You people eat)

Rohan, noticing her reluctance, didn't give up easily. "Bhabhi, Rudra specifically sent me to call you. Everyone has sat down for dinner; you should come too."

At the mention of Rudra's name, Avni paused, her gaze softening for a moment. She didn't expect Rudra to even notice whether she was there or not, but hearing that he had sent Rohan made her rethink.

After a moment of silence, she finally nodded, pushing herself up from the chair. "Okay, I am coming."

Rohan gave her an encouraging smile. "That's right, everyone is waiting for you."

Together, they walked back to the dining room, where the family was seated. As Avni entered, she felt the weight of everyone's eyes on her, especially Rudra's, though he didn't say a word. She took her seat quietly, and dinner continued, but an unspoken tension lingered between her and Rudra, one that no amount of silence could hide.

She sat down, and Rudra's mom immediately began to fill her plate with food. Avni tried to stop her, shaking her head slightly and saying, "Bas, maa, itna kaafi hai."

(That's enough, Mom.)

But Rudra's mom smiled and continued to add more food, not taking no for an answer. "You've been playing with Dhriti all day, you must be tired. Eat properly."

Avni glanced at Rudra, silently asking for help with her eyes. Rudra, who was sitting quietly, gave her a subtle nod, signaling her to just eat. His expression was calm, almost as if he found the whole situation amusing.

Before she could respond further, Rohan, jumped into the conversation,

"Bhabhi, aap theek se kha nahi rahi ho. Aise kaise chalega? Hum sab ke liye kha lijiye."

(Bhabhi, you're not eating properly. How will that work? Eat for all of us.)

Rohan's teasing tone made Avni smile. She couldn't refuse now. She nodded in agreement, picked up her spoon, and began eating while the rest of the family chatted around her.

■

After dinner, Rudra settled into the hall, the glow of his laptop illuminating his face as he worked late into the night. The clock ticked towards midnight, and the house was silent except for the rhythmic sound of his typing. Just then, his mom walked toward him, her expression filled with concern.

"Rudra, Avni isn't sleeping again tonight."

He sighed, clearly exasperated by the situation. "What should I do with this girl? Her hatred for me is driving me crazy." He muttered under his breath.

His mom placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Mom go and bring juice. Hope she will get some rest with that."

He leaned back in his chair, contemplating how to deal with her. After a few moments, his mom returned with a glass of fresh juice.

Rudra took it from her and made his way to her room. Knocking sharply on her door, he pushed it open to find Avni sitting on the edge of the bed, glaring at the wall as if it had personally offended her. Her hair framed her face, and her eyes were filled with exhaustion.

"Avni," he said, his tone clipped, approaching her with the glass. "Yeh lo, juice piyo."

(Avni, here, drink this juice.)

She looked up at him, her expression a mixture of annoyance and disdain.

"No, I don't want to drink it."

Rudra, feeling the tension rise, knew he had to change his approach. He stepped closer, crossing the line between annoyance and determination.

"Just drink a little. You need to sleep tonight."

Avni scoffed, her eyes narrowing.

"Why do you care? You don't care about me anyway."

Rudra felt a surge of anger but forced himself to remain calm. He grabbed her wrist gently but firmly, pulling her closer. "Just drink a little because I don't want to see you suffering any longer."

Reluctantly, she took the glass from him, glaring into his eyes, as if trying to challenge him. After a moment of tense silence, she finally took a sip. "I drank; now you can go."

Just then, Avni began to feel dizzy, her vision blurring. She swayed slightly, and before she could react, Rudra stepped forward and caught her in his arms, bracing her against him. "Rudra, mujhe kya ho raha hai?"

(Rudra, what's happening to me?)

His grip tightened around her. "I'm sorry, Avni. I mixed sleeping pills in the juice because you haven't been sleeping well for the past few days."

Avni's eyes widened in shock. "What have you done, Rudra? How could you do this?"

Rudra held her tighter. "I don't care about you, but I don't like seeing you like this."

"Who gave you the right to do this? You can't just do anything to me!"

"I know you hate me, but I want you to rest. You need to sleep for a while."

As her eyelids grew heavy, she had the effects of the sleeping pills, and Rudra held her close. Even in their hatred, a part of him wanted to protect her, hoping that one day, she would understand.

Rudra carefully scooped her up into his arms, her body relaxed and limp with exhaustion. She barely stirred as he carried her to the bed, her head resting lightly against his chest. Once he laid her down, she sat up slightly but was still caught between sleep and wakefulness, her eyes half-closed as she mumbled.

"You... you do illegal things."

Rudra's expression hardened. His brows furrowed as he leaned in closer to hear her properly. "What did you say?" he asked.

She blinked slowly, still not fully aware of what she was saying. "You... you're always doing things that aren't right. Illegal things, you kill people" she mumbled again, almost as if she were speaking to herself, her head tilting to the side in a dazed state.

Rudra's jaw clenched, his frustration growing. He leaned in closer, hovering just inches from her face. "Do you even know what you're saying? You think you understand me?"

She didn't answer, but she continued to speak. "You... can't hide things forever... Everyone knows..."

Rudra's patience was wearing thin. He sat beside her on the bed, his gaze sharp as he studied her half-asleep state. "Listen," he said in a strained whisper, "you don't know anything about what I do. You're talking nonsense."

She stirred slightly, her fingers curling into the blanket as she mumbled something. Rudra took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He didn't want to lose his temper with her, not when she was barely conscious and likely unaware of her own words.

"Just go to sleep," he said. He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. "You're tired. You don't know what you're talking about."

She let out a soft sigh, her eyes fluttering closed as she began to drift back into a deeper sleep, her mumbling growing quieter until it was just a faint whisper.

Rudra watched her for a moment, his anger slowly subsiding, though his mind was still clouded with frustration. He couldn't deny that her words had struck a nerve, even if she hadn't meant them.

As Avni drifted in and out of sleep, the room was filled with an almost surreal quiet, broken only by the soft sound of her mumbling. Rudra sat beside her, a mix of annoyance and curiosity swirling within him.

"Avni," he murmured, leaning closer to her. "Mujhe pata hai tum kya kar rahi ho."

(Avni, I know what you're doing.)

Her brow furrowed slightly in her sleep, but she continued to mumble. Her words lost in drowsiness. He watched her for a moment, and a sly smirk crossed his face as he decided to press on.

"What's your secret, huh? You're investigating me while I'm at work. Now, I'm going to take revenge on you.:

Avni stirred, her eyes fluttering beneath her eyelids, but she remained mostly unaware of his presence. She mumbled something turning her head slightly away from him as if trying to escape from an unseen threat.

Rudra raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her response. "Are you scared of me? Do you know the truth about me?"

She shook her head slightly, still lost in her dreams. "Main nahi... dekhti... bas..."

(I'm not... looking... just...)

"Bas kya, Avni?" he said, enjoying this moment of teasing her in her vulnerable state. "You know I want you to keep an eye on me. But now, I can't hide from you. What you've started is now in my hands."

Avni kept on mumbling something.

:It's true, and you'll have to face it. I need to take revenge on you. Let's see what you do this time when your secrets come to light."

Rudra watched her as she lay on the bed, her eyes heavy with sleep. Slowly, he moved his hand under her dress, feeling the warmth of her skin.

He slowly moved his hands down there , as he pushed his fingers deeper inside her without warning, she gasped softly, the sound escaping her lips like a sweet melody. The pleasure was evident on her face, and it only fueled his revenge. He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear, whispering, "This is for searching through my files."

She didn't respond with words, but he could see the flush on her cheeks and the way her body reacted to his touch. Her back arched slightly as he continued, pushing his fingers deeper, coaxing soft moans from her lips.

Rudra kept his movements gentle yet firm, she squirmed beneath him, her breath hitching as he found the right rhythm. Her moans grew louder, echoing in the quiet room, and he couldn't help but smirk at how responsive she was.

He looked down at her, watching her face light up with pleasure. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, only to close again as she lost herself in the sensations he was creating. He could feel the heat radiating from her body, and it made him want to give her more.

"Don't you dare come between my work" he murmured softly, his fingers moving expertly, knowing exactly how to please her. She didn't need to say anything; her body spoke for her. With every thrust of his fingers, he saw her surrender to the moment, completely lost in the pleasure.

She moaned louder now, her body twisting and arching in response. Her breathing quickened, and he could sense she was close to the edge. She let out a series of soft moans, each one more desperate than the last. Rudra felt his own heart racing, completely focused on her, wanting to take her higher and higher.

With one final push, he felt her body tense and then relax as waves of pleasure washed over her. Her moans turned into soft whimpers, and he knew she had reached her peak. He held her close, feeling her body shake beneath him, knowing that they had crossed a threshold together.

Rudra gently withdrew his fingers, watching as she slowly came back to reality. She felt tired and slowly closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.

■

Rudra got freshened up after a long day, the hot water from the shower washing away his exhaustion. After drying himself off, he decided to check on Driti before retreating to his study room. As he stepped into her room, he found her still asleep, clutching her favorite toy tightly in her tiny hands. A soft smile crept onto his face as he approached her bed and gently kissed her forehead, careful not to wake her.

"Goodnight, bacha," he whispered, his heart swelling with love for his daughter.

He left the room and made his way to his study. Closing the door behind him, he felt a wave of isolation wash over him. It was his sanctuary, but tonight, it felt like a prison. He walked into the washroom and, overwhelmed by the weight of his thoughts, sank into the tub fully clothed.

He took a wine bottle from under the sink, its cool glass comforting against his palm as he twisted the cap off. As he brought the bottle to his lips, the liquid flowed down his throat, momentarily dulling the ache inside him.

Minutes passed, and with each gulp, the tension in his chest began to build until it became unbearable. Tears started to stream down his face, a floodgate of emotions breaking free. He was hit by waves of sorrow and frustration, the struggles of his past crashing down on him like a relentless tide.

His voice cracked with emotion as he talked to himself, trying to understand his own feelings. "I'm not treating Avni well. I'm not being good to her... but I know she's working against me."

As he let the tears flow, he felt a mix of anger and regret wash over him. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was doing Avni an injustice, not only by holding onto his past but also by projecting his pain onto her.

"How can I face her hatred when I'm fighting my own pain?"

Rudra took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the glass in his hand. He swirled the drink around before taking a slow sip.

"Today, when I saw Driti playing with Avni..." he paused, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Driti had been laughing, carefree in a way I hadn't seen in a long time. It was a sight that warmed me, but I hadn't let it show. I couldn't. I refused to. Avni is a great girl but I don't why I am pushing her away."

"I know Avni doesn't deserve my hate. She's never done anything to me, not really," he admitted to the silence around him. "But I can't help it. It's like some part of me is still stuck in the past, still holding on to the anger and the pain. Sameera's gone, and maybe I'm punishing Avni for that. Maybe I'm punishing myself."

He ran a hand over his face, his fingers tracing the tired lines of a man who had been through too much. "But deep down, I know. I know that acting like I hate her... it's just a shield. Something I use to keep myself from feeling anything else, anything real."

For now, he would keep pretending. Keep pushing her away, keep up the cold front. It was easier than letting himself feel again, easier than opening the door to the possibility of losing someone else. Even if it meant lying to himself, and to Avni, for a little longer.

In that moment of vulnerability, he realized he needed to confront not only Avni but also himself. The darkness that surrounded him felt suffocating, and he understood that if he wanted to move forward, he had to let go of the past and find a way to the present.

■

Rudra laid in the large bathtub, the warm water enveloping him like a comforting cocoon. After a long night of work and endless stress, he had drifted off to sleep after drinking. Suddenly, the sound of his phone ringing jolted him awake. He squinted at the screen, groaning as he reluctantly lifted the phone to his ear.

"What happened, Rohan?" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

On the other end, Rohan's voice crackled with urgency and irritation. "Idiot, where are you? It's already morning!" he exclaimed, clearly frustrated. Rudra rubbed his eyes with one hand.

"Morning? I thought it was still night," he replied, confusion evident in his tone.

"Yeah, and when have you done any work lately? You have a meeting with the party people today! Get ready quickly!" Rohan shot back, his annoyance bubbling over. The mention of the meeting snapped Rudra to attention.

"Okay, I'm coming," he responded, his heart racing as he realized the time.

"Come quickly, everyone is ready! Otherwise, everyone will keep waiting for you, and you'll fall asleep again!" Rohan urged, impatience clear in his voice. A smile tugged at Rudra's lips despite the panic.

"Alright, give me five minutes," he replied, trying to negotiate his way out of the rush.

"Not five, come in two minutes! I never thought you'd be this lazy!" Rohan retorted, his tone a mix of teasing and frustration. Rudra chuckled, shaking his head.

"If you came, I would sleep for another two hours," Rudra joked.

"Anyway, it feels like I'm your brother reminding you of everything," Rohan laughed, the irritation fading as they continued to exchange words. Rudra stood up, water dripping down his torso as he finally prepared to leave the comfort of the tub.

"Fine, fine. I won't talk, just coming," he said, determination edging into his voice.

"Hurry up! If you don't come, I'll come over and drag you out myself!" Rohan warned, half-joking.

"What has our friendship come to, Rohan?" Rudra quipped, a smirk on his face.

After hanging up, Rudra quickly dried off and dressed.

Rudra walked down the stairs, trying to shake off the chaos of the previous night. As he descended, he heard laughter echoing through the house, a sound he recognized immediately. It was Driti's laughter, bright and cheerful, and it made his heart feel a bit lighter.

Eager to see his daughter, Rudra quickened his pace, but his expression turned serious when he reached the living room. There, he found Driti on the floor, playing with Avni. The two were engaged in some sort of game, and Driti's face lit up with joy as she giggled and clapped her hands. But the sight of Avni laughing with his daughter sent a flicker of irritation through him.

Rudra walked over and scooped Driti into his arms, his face firm. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's go!" he said, trying to keep his tone light despite the tension.

Avni looked up, annoyance flashing in her eyes. "Hey! Driti was having fun with me! Why are you taking her away?" she shot back, crossing her arms.

Rudra rolled his eyes, already feeling the familiar irritation bubble up. "Because she's my daughter, and I'd like to spend some time with her," he replied sharply, trying to keep his frustration in check.

Driti wriggled in Rudra's arms, beaming at him. "Papa! Pfew (play) with me!" she said, her excitement breaking through the tension in the room.

"Yeah, well, I was having fun with her first," Avni retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What's the matter?"

Rudra raised an eyebrow, trying to keep his cool. "You're not her mother, Avni. I can spend time with my daughter without your permission."

Avni smirked, not backing down. "You think just because you have her for a few hours, that makes you a better parent?"

Rudra took a deep breath, forcing himself to ignore Avni's jibes. "Alright, Driti, let's go," he said, turning away from Avni, who was still watching them with a mix of irritation and amusement.

Just then Rohan scooped Driti into his arms, a wide grin on his face as he declared, "Today, I'm going to feed you breakfast!" Driti giggled, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she wriggled in his hold. She eagerly went with Rohan to the table, her small legs swinging with anticipation. The thought of breakfast with Rohan always made her happy.

Meanwhile, Rudra stood at the counter, pouring himself a cup of coffee when he felt Avni's presence behind him. She walked up, arms crossed, her expression a mix of irritation and defiance. "You know, Rudra Raishinghani, I can't believe you still hate me," she scolded, her voice sharp. "It's ridiculous!"

Rudra turned around, unable to help a smile from creeping onto his face. "Hate you? Really? That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?" he replied, his tone light and teasing.

"Dramatic? You've made it clear how much you can't stand me!" Avni shot back, glaring at him.

"Why do you care so much?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "You say you hate me too, right?"

"Because you're impossible!" Avni exclaimed, frustration bubbling over. "And I do hate you!"

Rudra just chuckled, unfazed by her anger. "Well, if you hate me so much, here." He reached into his pocket and handed her a pair of wireless earbuds. "Take these. You might need them to drown out my voice."

Avni stared at the earbuds in surprise before putting them in. "What am I supposed to do with these?" she asked.

"Just listen," Rudra replied, smirking as he played an audio recording he had captured from last night. The sound of Avni's moans filled the air, and her face went pale. She froze, wide-eyed, as the realization hit her.

"What? No way!" Avni exclaimed, her voice rising in shock. As the recording continued, she began to remember the moments from the previous night, her expression shifting from disbelief to a deep blush of embarrassment. The realization of what had been recorded hit her hard, and her mind raced to piece it all together.

Once the audio finished, Rudra took the earbuds back from her, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I'll do this again and again if you ever come between my work and me," he warned playfully, his tone light but with an underlying seriousness.

Avni stood there, stunned into silence. Her mouth opened slightly in shock as she processed what had just happened. Rudra's confident smirk lingered in her mind as he walked away, leaving her with emotions anger, embarrassment, and disbelief.

Rudra took a seat at the breakfast table, and started to fill his plate. The comforting smell of food filled the air, but he couldn't shake the lingering excitement from his earlier talk with Avni. Just as he settled in, his mother called out to Avni, "Avni, dear, come join us for breakfast!"

Avni, still in a state of shock from the audio recording, slowly made her way to the table and took a seat right beside Rudra. The tension between them was high and Rudra couldn't help but steal glances at her while eating, a playful smirk still plastered on his face. He could sense that she was unsettled, and it amused him.

"What's wrong? Why are you not talking?" he teased, his voice dripping with mock innocence as he focused on his plate, though he was actually aware of her every move.

Avni turned to him, a innocent look in her eyes. Leaning in closer, she lowered her voice. "You can do whatever you want, Rudra Raishinghani," she warned, her tone fierce but tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "But just know, I will expose you."

Rudra raised an eyebrow, surprise at her words. "Expose me? That sounds like a threat," he replied, his smirk growing wider. "But honestly, I think you should be careful. I can do much more than what I did last night."

With a quick wink, he leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying the power he held in their little game. The mixture of tension and rivalry electrified the air between them, and Driti, blissfully unaware of the underlying conflict, chatted happily with Rohan about her breakfast choices.

Avni felt a rush of determination mixed with irritation. "You think you can intimidate me?" she shot back, her voice low but steady. "I'm not afraid of you, Rudra."

"Oh, I know you're not," he replied smoothly, looking straight into her eyes, his expression playful yet challenging. "But it's fun to see you try."

Avni leaned slightly closer to his side as they continued talking. Rudra, noticing her movement, smirked playfully and teased, "If you lean down a little more, I just might kiss on your cheek."

To be continued