5

Woh kehta tha ki usse nafrat hai, par asli mein uska pyaar itna gehra tha ki use dikhane se darr lagta tha.

After few days

It was evening, and Avni was busy in her room when she suddenly heard soft sobs coming from down the hallway. She paused, recognizing the sound as Driti’s. Something was wrong.

Avni immediately stopped what she was doing and made her way to Driti’s room. When she entered, she found Driti crying uncontrollably on the bed, her small body shaking as she sobbed. Rudra’s parents were there, trying to comfort her, but it was clear Driti wasn’t listening.

Avni’s heart sank. "What’s going on?" she asked gently, walking closer to them.

Rudra’s mother turned to her. "She’s been like this for a while. We’ve tried everything, but she just won’t calm down."

Avni looked at Driti, her eyes puffy from crying. She approached the bed, but Driti pulled back slightly, still not willing to come close to Avni.

Avni sat down at the edge of the bed and sighed dramatically, trying to lighten the mood. “Hmm... I guess Driti doesn’t want to be my friend anymore,” she said in a playful tone, pouting as she looked at the little girl. “If you don’t come near me, I’ll just have to go away and never play with you again.”

For a moment, there was silence. Driti sniffled and hesitated. Slowly, Driti looked up at her with teary eyes.

“Avi aunty!” Driti finally cried, taking her baby steps into Avni’s arms and hugging her tightly.

Avni wrapped her arms around Driti, holding her close. She stroked the little girl’s hair softly. “I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart. But you have to stop crying now, okay?."

Driti nodded against her, though she still hiccuped from the tears. Avni kissed the top of her head, trying to soothe her. “Now, how about we get you ready for bed? You need some sleep."

Driti, still clinging to Avni, nodded again. Avni smiled softly, lifting Driti in her arms and cradling her gently. She began to hum a soft lullaby, as she rocked Driti back and forth. Driti’s small hands clutched Avni’s shirt as she listened to the soothing melody, her eyes slowly fluttering shut.

As Avni continued to sing, Driti’s breathing became steady, and before long, she had fallen asleep in Avni’s arms.

Rudra’s mother watched from the doorway, her face softening as she saw the bond forming between Avni and Driti. She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of relief and happiness at the sight.

“Thank you,” she whispered quietly, her eyes shining with gratitude as she watched Avni carefully lay Driti down on the bed and tuck her in.

She looked at Driti, sleeping soundly, and felt a sense of peace settle over her. For the first time since her marriage to Rudra, she felt like maybe she was exactly where she was meant to be.

After comforting Driti and making sure she was fast asleep, Avni returned to her room. She sat at her desk, her laptop glowing in the dimly lit room, and began typing again.

A soft knock interrupted her. She quickly closed her laptop,. “Come in,” she called, adjusting herself in her chair.

Rohan, stepped into the room with a glass of juice in his hand. “Aunty sent this for you,” he said, holding out the glass.

Avni smiled, reaching for it. “Thank you."

He nodded and turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, he stopped. There was a hesitation and he turned back to her. “Bhabhi… whatever you're doing, trying to dig into Rudra’s past, it’s a waste of time.”

Avni’s smile faded. She placed the glass on the table and looked at him. “What do you mean?” she asked.

Rohan took a deep breath and walked back toward her, standing near the door as if he was unsure whether to say more.

After a moment, he continued, “You won’t find anything… about Rudra. There's no hidden truth because everything people say about him… it’s not what it seems.”

Avni narrowed her eyes, leaning forward slightly. “What are you talking about, Rohan?”

Rohan glanced around the room as if making sure no one was listening, then lowered his voice. “All the things you’ve heard… the murders, the black money… they’re not what you think. Yes, Rudra has killed people, but every single one of them was responsible for killing his wife. He’s not the monster people make him out to be.”

Avni’s heart raced. She had suspected there was more to Rudra’s story, but hearing this from Rohan shook her. “And the black money? she pressed.

Rohan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “That’s not his money. The opposition framed him. They gave him a choice either take the blame for the money, or they would come after Driti. He did what he had to do to protect her. He took the fall and let the world think he’s a villain.”

Avni’s eyes widened as the pieces of the puzzle began to fit together. “So… all this time, Rudra was protecting Driti?”

Rohan nodded. “He’d do anything for her. But now, he’s trapped in this role as the bad guy. No one knows the truth, and he doesn’t want anyone to. He believes it’s better this way better for Driti, for all of us.”

It explained so much Rudra’s cold demeanor, his distance, and the weight he always seemed to carry on his shoulders. But it also raised more questions. Why hadn’t he told her? Why was he so determined to keep her in the dark?

Rohan took a step closer. “Trust me there’s nothing you can do. Rudra’s made his choice, and he’s ready to live with it. But… please don’t hate him for it.”

Avni stared at Rohan. “I don’t hate him,” she whispered, more to herself than to Rohan.

Rohan offered a small smile. “Good. Because despite everything, he’s still the man who cares Driti more than anything in this world.”

Avni took a deep breath and her hands nervously twisting in her lap. “I need to know more… about what happened to Rudra’s wife. You mentioned the opposition was involved. How did they… kill her?”

Rohan’s expression darkened, and he sat in the chair. He rubbed his forehead, as if the memory itself was physically painful to recall.

“They didn’t just kill her, bhabhi,” Rohan began, his voice filled with quiet anger. “They made Rudra watch.”

Avni felt her breath catch in her throat, a sickening knot forming in her stomach. She had expected a tragic story, but not something this horrifying.

Rohan looked away, his eyes distant as if he were reliving the nightmare. “They kidnapped her… she was innocent, had nothing to do with Rudra’s political carrier. But the opposition didn’t care. They wanted to hurt Rudra in the worst way possible.”

He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts before continuing. “They called Rudra and told him where to come if he wanted to save her. Of course, he went he didn’t hesitate. When he got there, they made sure he saw everything. They had her tied up, helpless, and when he arrived, they didn’t even give him a chance to beg for her life.”

Avni’s hands gripped the armrest of her chair, her knuckles turning white. “What did they do?” she whispered, even though she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer.

“They stabbed her,” Rohan said, his voice barely audible, his eyes closing as if to block out the memory. “Right in front of him. He tried to stop them, of course, but they were prepared. They beat him, hit him so hard he could barely stand. But the worst part wasn’t the beating. It was that they made sure he was conscious, forced him to watch every second of it.”

Avni gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in horror. Tears welled in her eyes, not just for Rudra’s wife, but for Rudra himself, for the unimaginable pain he must have gone through.

“And then they left,” Rohan continued, his voice shaking slightly. “They left her there to die in his arms. And Rudra… he couldn’t do anything but hold her as she bled out.”

Avni felt tears spill down her cheeks, her heart aching for the man she thought she understood but was only just beginning to know. “Why didn’t he ever tell me?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Rohan gave her a sad smile. “Because it’s not something he wants to relive. He thinks that by keeping quiet, he’s protecting family, protecting Driti from the ugliness of it all. But I guess he doesn’t realize that keeping it inside is tearing him apart.”

Avni wiped her tears, her mind racing with thoughts of Rudra. No wonder he was so guarded, so full of anger and pain. Everything he did, every decision he made, was shaped by that moment.

“Does Driti know?” Avni asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rohan shook his head. “No, and Rudra wants to keep it that way. He doesn’t want her to grow up knowing that her mother was murdered because of politics.”

Avni stared at the floor, her heart heavy with both sorrow and understanding. She finally understood why Rudra was the way he was why he had built those walls around himself. It wasn’t just for protection. It was out of fear. Fear of losing someone else he loved.

Rohan stood up slowly, his face weary. “I know it’s a lot to take in, bhabhi. But Rudra… he’s not a bad man. He’s just someone who’s been pushed to the edge, trying to survive in a world that doesn’t play by the rules. I know you don't like him but please don't hate him. And I hope you will stop your investigation after what I said."

Avni nodded, her mind swirling with thoughts of Rudra, of everything he had been through. She didn’t know how she would approach him now, but one thing was clear she couldn’t let him carry this burden alone anymore.

Avni sat in silence for a few moments, trying to process everything Rohan had just shared. Her heart ached for Rudra in ways she hadn’t expected. But before she could say anything, Rohan turned back to her, his expression softening.

“There’s one more thing you should know, bhabhi,” Rohan said quietly, walking back to the chair and sitting down again. “Rudra… he feels guilty.”

Avni’s brow furrowed. “Guilty? About what?”

“About the way he’s treating you,” Rohan replied, his voice gentle but firm. “He knows he’s been distant, rude even, but it’s not because he doesn’t care. In fact, it’s the opposite.”

Avni’s heart skipped a beat. She had never expected Rohan to say that.

“He respects you, bhabhi. More than you realize,” Rohan continued, his eyes steady on hers. “But he’s so used to keeping people at arm’s length, so scared of getting close to anyone again, that he doesn’t know how to show it. He’s built these walls around himself because he’s terrified of losing someone else he cares about. And… you remind him of what it’s like to care.”

Avni’s throat tightened, emotions swirling inside her. She had seen glimpses of this vulnerability in Rudra, but hearing it from Rohan made it real. “He… respects me?” she asked softly, almost disbelieving.

Rohan nodded. “He may not say it out loud, and he may not always show it in the way you’d expect, but it’s there. He sees the strength in you, the way you’ve handled everything. And trust me, that’s not lost on him.”

Avni nodded slowly, feeling a strange mix of sadness and hope. She had always sensed there was something deeper beneath Rudra’s cold exterior, but hearing it confirmed made her want to reach out to him even more.

“Thank you, Rohan,” she said quietly, her voice filled with sincerity. “For telling me all of this. I just… I didn’t know.”

Rohan gave her a small smile, standing up from the chair. “He’s not an easy man to understand, bhabhi. But I know you’ll figure him out. You’re the one person who might be able to break through those walls.”

Avni watched as Rohan walked out of the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She sat there for a long time, thinking about everything she had learned. The pain Rudra carried, the guilt he felt, the respect he had for her.

For the first time since their marriage, Avni felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, there was a way to reach Rudra. Maybe there was a chance to heal the wounds that had been left open for too long.

It wouldn’t be easy, but she was willing to try. For him. For Driti. And maybe, for herself.

Avni sat on the couch, a wave of realization washed over her. She sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and clarity. “How did I miss it?” she murmured to herself, shaking her head in disbelief.

“I was so busy investigating the facade,” she continued, pacing in the room, “that I failed to understand the man behind it.”

“Maybe I was too quick to judge,” she whispered, her heart heavy with regret. “I thought I knew him, but I was only seeing what I wanted to see.”

“I’ll figure it out,” she said softly to herself, a small smile forming on her face. “This time, I’ll see him for who he really is.”

■

After some time, Avni dozed off on the couch, exhaustion weighing down her eyelids as she waited for Rudra. The soft sound of the clock ticking filled the silence of the room, lulling her into a peaceful slumber.

When she finally stirred awake, she rubbed her eyes and stretched, feeling a bit disoriented. Her heart raced with hope as she remembered why she had been waiting. She quickly got up and made her way downstairs, her footsteps light on the wooden floor.

As she reached the bottom of the staircase, her eyes landed on a pair of shoes by the door. A wave of relief washed over her as she realized Rudra had come home.

■

Avni had been searching for Rudra all over the house. After not finding him in the usual places their room, the living room, or even outside in the garden her worry began to grow. He had been distant lately, colder than usual, but tonight, something felt off. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Finally, she decided to check his study, a room that had become his retreat, a place where he often went to escape the world. As she walked down the hallway toward the study, the house felt eerily quiet. She reached the door, knocking softly before pushing it open. The room was empty, just as every other place she'd looked.

Avni let out a frustrated sigh and was about to turn around and leave when her ears caught the faint sound of running water. She froze for a moment, straining to hear. The sound was coming from the attached bathroom. Something about it made her uneasy. Slowly, she walked toward the door, her hand trembling as she reached for the handle.

When she opened the door, what she saw took her breath away. There, on the floor by the sink, was Rudra, crouched down, his face buried in his hands as he sobbed uncontrollably. The sound of his crying, so raw and unrestrained, echoed in the small space. Avni stood frozen at the doorway, her heart lurching at the sight of him like this. Rudra, the man she had always known to be strong, unshakable, was now broken in front of her.

“Rudra…” she whispered, her voice barely audible. She had never seen him like this before, and it was as though the ground had been pulled out from under her. She had known about his pain, about Sameera, the woman who had left him years ago, but she had never imagined that he was still carrying such deep wounds.

Hearing her voice, Rudra looked up, his eyes bloodshot, his face streaked with tears. Without warning, he staggered to his feet and rushed toward her, enveloping her in a fierce, desperate hug. His arms wrapped tightly around her as if he were drowning and she was the only thing keeping him afloat.

"I’m sorry," Rudra gasped out between sobs, his voice breaking as he pressed his face against her shoulder. "I’m so sorry for how I’ve been treating you. I’ve been so cold, so distant… I didn’t mean to. I didn’t want to push you away."

Avni’s heart shattered at his words. She had felt the distance between them, the emotional wall he had built up ever since their marriage. She had wondered if she had done something wrong, if she wasn’t enough for him, but now, hearing him like this, it was clear that his pain went far deeper than anything she had imagined.

"Rudra, it’s okay," she whispered, her hand resting gently on the back of his head as she tried to comfort him.

But Rudra couldn’t stop. His sobs only grew louder, his grip on her tightening to the point where it almost hurt. He held onto her as if he was afraid she would disappear. His words came out in broken gasps, each one carrying years of buried pain and grief.

"Please, don’t leave me," he begged, his voice trembling. "Don’t leave me like she did. Please, Avni, don’t leave me like Sameera."

Avni’s breath caught in her throat. Sameera. She had known about Sameera, had known that Rudra’s heart had been closed off because of her, but hearing him say it out loud, seeing how much it still affected him, was overwhelming.

"I’m not going anywhere," she murmured, holding him tighter.

But her words didn’t seem to reach him. He was still sobbing, clutching her like a lost child. His tears soaked through her shirt, but she didn’t care. All she could think about was the man in her arms, the man who had always appeared so strong, so in control, now reduced to this broken and vulnerable, crying like a child who had been abandoned.

Rudra's fingers dug into her sides as he cried harder. "I can’t lose you," he sobbed. "I can't. I can’t go through that again. Sameera... she’s gone and it destroyed me. I can’t go through that again, Avni. I won’t survive it if you leave me too. I know you hate me but I never hated you."

Avni felt her own tears welling up as she listened to him, feeling the depth of his pain and fear. She had no idea how much he had been carrying all this time.

"Rudra, look at me," she whispered, pulling back slightly so she could see his face. She cupped his tear-streaked cheeks in her hands, forcing him to meet her eyes. "I’m not going to leave you."

Rudra blinked at her, his eyes filled with so much raw emotion that it almost made her break down too. He nodded slightly, though his grip on her remained tight, as if he still couldn’t fully believe that she wasn’t going to walk away from him.

"Promise me," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Promise me you won’t leave."

"I promise," Avni said firmly, her voice steady despite the tears in her eyes.

Slowly, Rudra’s grip on her loosened, and his sobs faded into quiet sniffles. He looked up at her, his eyes still wet with tears but filled with a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice hoarse from crying. "Thank you for not leaving."

Avni smiled softly, brushing a tear from his cheek. "You don’t have to thank me."

Rudra nodded, though the pain in his eyes hadn’t completely disappeared. It would take time, time for him to heal, time for him to fully trust her but Avni was willing to be patient. She knew now just how much he had been hurting, and she wasn’t going to let him face that pain alone anymore.

Without another word, she led him out of the bathroom, guiding him back to his room. They sat down together, his head resting on her shoulder as he finally let go of the weight he had been carrying for so long.

Rudra finally broke the hug, but his chest was heaving, and his breath came out in ragged gasps. His face was pale, and his hands trembled as he struggled to catch his breath. Seeing him like this, so lost and overwhelmed, shattered something deep inside Avni. She had never seen him so vulnerable, and she felt utterly helpless.

“Rudra, please,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “Stop crying. Just… stop.” But her words seemed to have the opposite effect. Instead of calming down, Rudra’s sobs only grew louder, his breath more uneven. His body was shaking, and it was clear he was having trouble breathing.

Panic surged through Avni. She didn’t know what to do, how to help him in this moment of intense emotion. Her mind raced, and without thinking, she acted on pure instinct. She reached up, cupping his face in her hands, and before she even realized what she was doing, she pressed her lips to his.

The sudden kiss took Rudra by surprise. His body stiffened for a moment, but then something shifted. His frantic breathing began to slow, and the tension in his body eased. His hands reached up to hold her, grounding himself in the warmth of her touch. The kiss wasn’t long, just a gentle, tender press of lips, but it was enough to steady him.

When Avni pulled back, her eyes wide with shock, she realized what she had just done. Her heart raced as she stared at him, wondering if she had crossed a line, wondering what he was thinking. Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion, but before she could say anything, Rudra’s tear-streaked face softened, and his eyes met hers.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken words and emotions. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, Rudra spoke. “Your kiss… it brought my breath back,” he said, his voice still shaky but filled with a kind of awe.

Before Avni could react, Rudra pulled her closer, his hands gently cradling her face as he kissed her again. This time, it wasn’t out of desperation or panic. It was soft, lingering, filled with a deep sense of relief and gratitude. His lips moved against hers with a tenderness that took her breath away.

When he finally pulled back, his breathing had calmed, and his eyes, though still red from crying, held a different kind of emotion something he thought he will never feel for avni.

Avni gently pulled her hand away from Rudra, feeling a heaviness in her heart as she looked at him, drenched in his emotions and the water from the tap. “I’ll bring you a towel,” she said softly, her voice filled with concern as she saw how utterly fragile he appeared at that moment. She was about to stand when he reached out and grasped her wrist, his grip firm yet trembling.

“Don’t leave me,” Rudra’s voice cracked, barely above a whisper. His eyes, still red from crying, held a deep fear one she hadn’t seen before. The vulnerability in him was overwhelming, something she never thought she'd witness from a man like him.

Her heart broke at his plea. It wasn’t just the words but the sheer desperation in them. She cupped his face gently, her thumb brushing over his wet cheek, trying to offer him some comfort. “Rudra, I’m just getting a towel. I’ll be right back. I’m not going anywhere,” she reassured him, her voice steady, but her heart was racing.

Rudra shook his head, still holding onto her hand as if letting go meant she would disappear from his life. “Please... don’t go,” he repeated, his voice so soft it made Avni’s chest tighten.

She sighed, her eyes softening as she looked at him. “Rudra, you’ll get sick if you stay like this,” she explained, her tone gentle but firm. “You’re all wet. Let me take care of you.”

He paused, seeming to consider her words, and finally gave a reluctant nod. But then he said, “I’ll come with you. I... I can’t be alone.”

Avni gave a small, understanding smile. “Okay,” she said, her voice gentle as she helped him to his feet. Together, they walked toward his bedroom, the silence between them thick with unspoken emotions.

When they reached the room, Avni immediately grabbed a soft towel from the wardrobe and turned back to Rudra, who stood in the middle of the room, his eyes following her every move. She handed him the towel, but instead of taking it, he looked at her with a quiet vulnerability.

“Can you... dry my hair?” he asked, his voice almost childlike in its softness.

Avni felt her heart squeeze at the request. Without a word, she nodded and took the towel back from him. She gently began to dry his hair, her fingers moving carefully through the strands. As she worked, she could feel the tension slowly leaving his body, his shoulders dropping as if the simple act of her caring for him was helping ease the storm inside him.

After a few moments, she stepped back, satisfied that his hair was dry. She then went to his wardrobe and pulled out a set of fresh clothes. "Here," she said, handing them to him. "Go get changed."

Rudra nodded and took the clothes from her, disappearing into the bathroom to change. Avni stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door, her mind racing. She hadn’t expected any of this tonight. The Rudra she had seen over the past few days was strong, distant, and composed. This Rudra—this broken, vulnerable man—was someone she had never met before, and it stirred something deep within her.

When he emerged from the bathroom, dressed in the fresh clothes she had given him, he looked calmer but still fragile, as if the weight of the world was pressing down on his shoulders. Avni gave him a small smile. “Goodnight, Rudra,” she said softly, turning her gaze to Driti, who was fast asleep on the bed, completely unaware of the emotional turmoil that had unfolded tonight.

Avni turned to leave, ready to head back to her own room, when Rudra’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Avni...” he called, his voice quiet but insistent. She turned to face him, her heart already knowing what he was about to ask.

“Please... stay,” he whispered, his eyes pleading with her. “Stay here tonight. I don’t want to be alone.”

Avni hesitated for a moment, her mind spinning with thoughts. She hadn’t expected this night to take such a turn, and she wasn’t sure if staying was the right thing to do. But the look in his eyes the raw vulnerability, the fear of being left alone it made it impossible for her to refuse.

“Rudra... I” she started to say, but he cut her off, his voice trembling.

“Please, Avni. Just... stay,” he repeated, his tone almost desperate.

She let out a soft sigh and nodded. “Okay. I’ll stay.”

Relief washed over Rudra’s face as she agreed, and he moved to the bed, where Driti was peacefully sleeping in the middle. Avni climbed in on one side, while Rudra lay down on the other. For a moment, the room was filled with silence, but it wasn’t the tense kind. It was the kind that brought comfort, the kind that allowed them to breathe after everything they had been through.

Rudra turned his head to look at her, a small, grateful smile tugging at his lips. “Goodnight, Avni,” he whispered, his voice soft and full of gratitude.

Avni smiled back, her heart feeling a little lighter despite everything that had happened. “Goodnight, Rudra,” she replied, her voice just as soft.

As they lay there, with Driti between them, a quiet peace settled over the room. For the first time in a long while, Rudra seemed at ease. He watched Avni for a moment longer before closing his eyes, and soon enough, his breathing evened out, signaling that he had finally found some rest.

Avni lay there, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotions. She hadn’t expected to feel this way. She hadn’t expected to feel so connected to him, to see this side of him, but now that she had, she couldn’t ignore the pull she felt toward him.

Eventually, her own eyes grew heavy, and she allowed herself to relax, knowing that tonight, she had brought him the peace he so desperately needed. And maybe, just maybe, he had brought her a little peace as well.

The next morning, Avni slowly blinked her eyes open, adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. She immediately became aware of a warm presence around her Rudra. He was still asleep, his arm wrapped tightly around her, holding her close. She glanced to the other side of the bed and saw Driti, still sound asleep, her little form curled up peacefully. But Rudra had shifted closer to her during the night, leaving only a small space between him and their daughter.

Avni tried to move, gently lifting his arm to avoid waking him, but the slight movement caused Rudra to stir. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he seemed disoriented before his gaze landed on her. A small, sleepy smile tugged at his lips.

“Good morning,” he murmured, his voice husky from sleep.

“Good morning,” Avni replied softly, her heart skipping a beat at how vulnerable he looked in this moment. She had never seen him so at peace.

She glanced at Driti, then back at Rudra, and asked, “When did you switch sides?”

Rudra stretched slightly, still keeping one arm lazily draped over her. “After you fell asleep last night. I moved Driti to the other side and... I don’t know... I just needed to hold you.” He paused for a moment, his eyes softening as he looked at her. “I think it’s the first time in months I’ve slept so well.”

Avni’s chest tightened at his words. She hadn’t expected him to be so open about his feelings, especially after the vulnerability he showed last night. “You slept well?” she asked, her voice gentle, as if she wasn’t sure what else to say.

Rudra nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Better than I have in a long time. I... I needed this. You. Here.” His voice was quieter now, more sincere, as though he was admitting something even he hadn’t realized until now.

Avni felt a warmth spread through her at his confession, but she tried to keep her tone light. “Well, I’m glad you got some sleep,” she said, though her heart was racing.

He chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving hers. “Thank you... for staying,” he whispered, his hand lightly brushing her arm.

Avni nodded, not trusting herself to speak just yet. The emotions between them were delicate, and she wasn’t sure where this moment would lead, but for now, she let herself stay there, wrapped in the quiet morning with him.

As they made their way to the kitchen, Avni paused, feeling a weight on her heart that she needed to address. She turned to Rudra, her expression earnest as she took his hands in hers. The warmth of his skin against hers sent a gentle wave of comfort through her.

“Rudra,” she began, her voice steady but laced with sincerity, “I need to apologize. I’m really sorry for all the times I’ve investigated you or pushed too hard. I didn’t understand this side of you, and I let my fears drive my actions.”

Rudra’s brows furrowed slightly, a hint of surprise on his face as he listened. Avni continued, her grip tightening slightly as if to convey the depth of her feelings. “I realize now how much I’ve hurt you with my accusations. I never wanted to make you feel like you had to hide. You’ve been through so much, and I didn’t see that clearly.”

She held her ears, a gesture of sincere remorse. “I’m really sorry for behaving so rudely. I promise I’ll stop investigating you. From now on, I want to trust you completely. I want us to be honest with each other.”

Rudra’s expression softened, and the tension in his shoulders seemed to ease. He looked down at their intertwined hands, contemplating her words. “Avni, I appreciate that. I understand why you felt the need to dig deeper. I wasn’t exactly forthcoming with my feelings, and I know that created a rift between us.”

"Rudra," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "I know what happened with Sameera. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you."

He looked at her, surprise flickering in his eyes, but he didn’t say anything.

"I want you to know that you’re not alone in this," she continued, placing a reassuring hand on his. "I’ll be here with you, every step of the way. We can face this together."

Rudra turned to her, a mix of gratitude and vulnerability in his expression. "You don’t have to do this for me, Avni."

"But I want to," she replied firmly. "You mean a lot to me, and I can’t just stand by while you go through this pain. Let me help you get through it."

His heart swelled at her words. For the first time in days, a flicker of hope ignited within him. He squeezed her hand gently, appreciating her unwavering support. "Thank you, Avni. I really need you right now."

■

After getting ready, Avni and Rudra made their way downstairs. Rudra was dressed sharply,  ready to head to the office. As he stood by the door, a sense of urgency mixed with the weight of his responsibilities hung in the air.

Avni approached him with a smile, her heart fluttering as she recalled the kiss they shared the night before. She felt a warmth spreading through her as she looked into his eyes, remembering how he had opened up to her, sharing his thoughts and fears.

“Hey,” she said softly, her smile widening.

Rudra met her gaze, a serious expression crossing his face as he prepared to leave. “I have to go to work now,” he said, giving her a quick side hug. “Take care, okay?”

She felt a mix of emotions at his tone but nodded, knowing how much he needed to focus. As he stepped outside, Avni followed him, wanting to send him off properly.

Just as he turned to walk away, he suddenly ran back to her, catching her by surprise. He leaned in and pecked her cheek gently, his voice warm yet playful. “Bye, sweetheart. See you soon.”

Avni felt her cheeks heat up at the unexpected gesture. She smiled brightly and replied, “Come home soon tonight, okay?”

He nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips as he waved goodbye and headed off, leaving her heart racing in the quiet morning air.

To be continued

Spoiler for next chapter: *slap* you are proving me that you are wrong Mr. Rudra Raishinghani.