6

Kahan se laaun woh lafz jo tujhe sunai de, Duniya dekhe chaand ko mujhe sirf tu dikhaai de. Hoti rahengi mulakatein tumse, nigaahon se door ho dil se nahi.

Rudra sat in his office, the heavy silence of the room contrasting with the storm raging in his mind. His meeting with the party members had ended hours ago, yet all he could think about was Avni. She had been occupying his thoughts far more than he cared to admit, and the realization that he was falling for her was something he could no longer ignore.

He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair in frustration. How had it come to this? He had convinced himself that love wasn’t something he would ever feel again, not after Sameera's death. Losing her had shattered him in ways he hadn’t even known were possible. He had vowed that he wouldn’t let himself be vulnerable again, that no one would ever get close enough to break him a second time.

And yet… Avni.

The first time he saw her, she had burst into one of his political events as a fake journalist, bold and unafraid to ask him the tough questions.  At that moment, he hadn’t wanted to admit it, but there was something about her that had intrigued him. Something about her sharp wit and fierce independence had drawn him in.

Rudra closed his eyes, remembering how their lives had collided again soon after that. Their families had arranged their marriage, and he had gone along with it, pretending it was nothing more than a strategic move. A practical alliance. He had played his part well, acting indifferent, as though he couldn’t care less. But deep down, he knew he was lying to himself.

From the moment he saw her standing in the room on the day their engagement was announced, he felt something shift inside him. He had tried to ignore it, convinced it was just a attraction, nothing more. But over time, the way she carried herself, the way she spoke, and even the way she looked at him, began to unravel the barriers he had built around his heart.

It was impossible to ignore now. He liked her. He liked her more than he wanted to admit. He always had.

He groaned softly, frustrated at himself for allowing these feelings to fester. How could he love someone when he had sworn off love? How could he let Avni in when he had been so determined to keep her out?

But that was the problem. She was already inside. She had gotten under his skin without even trying, and now he didn’t know how to deal with it. It wasn’t just about the physical attraction though there was no denying. She wasn’t intimidated by him like most people were.

But how could he tell her? What would she think if he admitted that he had fallen for her, despite his cold exterior, despite how he had pushed her away from the very beginning? He had been so careful to guard his feelings, to keep her at arm’s length, but now the very idea of confessing what he felt terrified him.

He wasn’t supposed to feel this way. Not again. Not after Sameera.

But Avni wasn’t Sameera. She wasn’t the soft, gentle comfort he had once known she was fire and strength, and he had no idea how to handle that. He had spent so long pretending not to care, hiding behind his responsibilities, his politics, his public image, that he had forgotten what it felt like to truly care for someone.

But the bigger question was, did she even feel the same way?

He had been so distant, so cold. What if she had already given up on the idea that there could be something between them? What if she saw him only as the man she had been forced to marry for the sake of their families, nothing more? Could he really blame her if she felt that way?

He sighed heavily, pushing his chair back and standing up, walking over to the window.

For the first time in a long time, Rudra felt unsure of himself. He had always been in control of his emotions, of his life, of everything around him.

But how could he tell her?

How could he tell her that the coldness he had shown her was nothing more than a mask to hide how much he really cared? How could he explain that the reason he kept his distance was because he was afraid of how deeply he already loved her?

He wasn’t ready. Not yet. But soon. He would find a way to tell her, to let her know that she had become far more important to him than he ever imagined.

“I need to tell her,” he murmured, his voice barely audible in the quiet room. “I can’t keep this to myself anymore.”

“I liked her then,” he whispered to himself. “I liked her the moment she walked into that room. But I didn’t want to admit it.”

“I acted like I didn’t care,” he muttered, pacing back and forth now, his frustration with himself growing. “I acted like it didn’t matter, like she didn’t matter. But she did. She always did.”

“But how do I tell her?” he asked the empty room, his voice tinged with uncertainty. “How do I tell her that I’ve been lying to myself this whole time? That I liked her from the very beginning, but I was too afraid to admit it?”

“No,” he said firmly, shaking his head as if to clear the doubts. “I have to tell her. I have to make her understand that I didn’t want to feel this way, but I do. I need her to know.”

His voice grew stronger, more resolute as he continued to speak to himself. “I’ll tell her everything. I’ll tell her that I liked her since the first time we met. That I’ve been pretending, acting like I didn’t care, when the truth is, I care more than I ever thought possible.”

He paused, a small, almost bitter smile tugging at his lips. “I was a fool for trying to deny it. But I won’t make that mistake again.”

“I love her,” he whispered, the words feeling strange yet liberating on his tongue. “And I’m going to tell her.”

Rudra shook off the lingering thoughts and made a decision. He grabbed his phone and called Rohan.

A few moments later, Rohan appeared at the door. “Rudra, should I bring the car around?” he asked, sensing that something was on Rudra’s mind.

Rudra nodded, his voice steady but distracted. "Haan. Lekin aaj, main drive karunga. You sit in the passenger seat."

(Yes. But today, I’ll drive. You take the passenger seat)

Rohan raised an eyebrow in surprise but didn’t question it. “Okay” he said and stepped back to prepare the car.

They made their way to the vehicle, and as Rudra slid into the driver’s seat, Rohan silently took his place beside him. The engine roared to life, and they pulled away from the office building. For a few minutes, there was nothing but the sound of the car’s smooth hum against the backdrop of the bustling city.

Rohan glanced at Rudra, noticing the tension in his shoulders, the faraway look in his eyes.

“Is everything alright, Rudra?” Rohan asked cautiously, breaking the silence.

Rohan sensed Rudra mood and quickly decided to change the topic. He pulled out his phone and opened a news article. “Hey, look at this,” he said, his voice tense. “Opposition party leader Aryaman Singh is planning something big against our party. He mentioned it in a press meet.”

Rudra scoffed, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “What else is new?” he replied not wanting to dive deeper into the subject.

Rudra leaned back in his seat, his expression hardening while his hand on steering tightened. “I know how dangerous he is,” he said, his voice low and steady. The memory of Aryaman's ruthless nature sent a chill down his spine. He had always been a shadow in Rudra's life, lurking with a threat.

Aryaman Singh wasn't just any rival; he was the man who had taken everything from Rudra, he killed Sameera. Whenever Rudra looked at Aryaman, all he felt was a deep, burning desire for revenge to make him pay for the pain he had caused. But there was a heavy price to that revenge.

“Listen, Rohan,” Rudra said, his tone serious. “You need to keep an eye on Aryaman. I can’t let him get close to our party or family ” His voice dropped, filled with raw emotion. “He’s the kind of man who would do anything to get what he wants.”

Rohan nodded, understanding the weight of Rudra’s words. “I’ll keep watch, don’t worry."

Rudra clenched his fists, feeling the tension ripple through his body. “Every time I see him, I just want to kill him,” he admitted, the pain of loss etched on his face. “But I can’t. I won’t let him harm my daughter. I have to keep quiet for her.”

Rudra took a deep breath, trying to stop the storm inside him. “I will. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep everything safe.” His eyes flickered with determination. “Aryaman may think he can threaten me, but he doesn’t know how far I’m willing to go to protect my family and party."

Rudra parked the car, hands trembling as he turned off the engine. His mind was racing, and his heart pounded with the anticipation of finally telling Avni how he felt. This was the moment. He was ready.

With a deep breath, he hurried out of the car and ran toward the house. His heart raced faster as he neared Avni's room. But just as his hand reached for the door handle, he froze. He could hear her voice from inside the room she was talking on the phone.

At first, he didn’t want to eavesdrop, but the sound of his name caught his attention. He hesitated, his hand still on the door, as he listened.

“No, he’s not wrong,” Avni was saying softly, her tone firm but gentle. “Rudra is a good guy. I know people don’t see him that way, but he’s not what everyone thinks.”

Rudra’s breath caught. She was defending him. He felt a spark of hope ignite in his chest. Maybe she didn’t think badly of him after all. Maybe there was a chance.

But then he heard the voice on the other end of the call, muffled but clear enough. “Are you serious, Avni? He’s a politician! They know how to manipulate people. He’s trapping you, can’t you see that? He’s using you, just like any other man in his position would.”

Rudra’s heart dropped. He stepped back from the door, his mind swirling with confusion and doubt. Was that really what avni thought? That he was manipulating her? That he was using her? His chest tightened with the weight of the accusation, and for a moment, he couldn’t breathe.

“No, you’re wrong kritika,” Avni replied. “Rudra is different. He’s never treated me like that. He’s never forced me to do anything, never made me feel trapped. I know it’s hard to believe, but he’s a good man. I’ve seen it.”

“Avni, you’re being naive. Of course, he’s going to make you feel safe. That’s what men like him do. They make you trust them, and then when you’re in too deep, they show their true colors. Mark my words, he’s using you, and you won’t even realize it until it’s too late.”

Rudra felt as though the ground had shifted beneath his feet. He staggered back, his heart now pounding with a different kind of fear. What if Avni believed her friend? What if, deep down, she thought he was capable of something so cruel? The thought pierced him deeply, and he felt a sharp, physical pain in his chest.

His hand dropped from the door, and he took a step back, unable to bring himself to face her now. He had come here to tell her how he felt, to lay his heart bare, but how could he do that when there was a chance she might think he was just manipulating her?

Rudra swallowed hard, trying to hold back the wave of emotion threatening to overtake him. His throat tightened, and he could feel the unshed tears burning his eyes. He had never imagined that his love for Avni could be seen as a trap, a manipulation. He had tried so hard to keep his distance, to not overwhelm her with his feelings, but maybe in doing so, he had made things worse.

Without a word, he turned away from the door. He couldn’t face her now. He couldn’t bear the possibility of seeing doubt in her eyes, of hearing her say that she didn’t trust him. His heart ached with the weight of everything left unsaid.

Rudra walked down the hallway, his steps heavy and slow. His mind raced, replaying the conversation he had overheard, the harsh words of Avni’s friend echoing in his head.

He’s using you... He’s using you...

The words repeated in him, cutting deeper with every repetition. He reached Driti’s room and stood outside the door for a moment, trying to steady himself. His hand rested on the doorframe as he closed his eyes, trying to push the thoughts away, but they refused to leave.

Finally, he opened the door and stepped inside. Driti was asleep, curled up under her blankets, her small figure rising and falling with each peaceful breath.

Rudra’s heart clenched at the sight of her. She was his world, the only thing that had kept him going after Sameera’s death. He had promised himself that he would protect her, give her the life she deserved. But now, with everything swirling in his head, he felt like he was failing. Failing as a father, failing as a husband, failing as a man.

He sat down beside Driti’s bed, his gaze fixed on her sleeping face. She looked so innocent, so unaware of the storm raging inside him. His hand reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake.

A single tear slipped down his cheek, followed by another, until they were streaming silently down his face. He didn’t wipe them away. He didn’t have the strength to pretend anymore.

“I’m not using her,” he whispered to himself, his voice breaking. “I’m not...”

But even as he said the words, the fear lingered. What if Avni believed her friend? What if, no matter what he did, she would always doubt him?

Rudra buried his face in his hands, the weight of his emotions finally overwhelming him. He had come so close to telling her the truth, to baring his soul, but now... now he didn’t know if he ever could.

As the tears continued to fall, Rudra made a silent vow to himself. He wouldn’t give up. No matter how much it hurt, no matter how much doubt and fear clouded his mind, he would find a way to show Avni that his love was real. That it had been real from the very beginning.

Just then, little Driti slowly opened her sleepy eyes and rubbed them with her tiny hands. Rudra noticed her waking up and quickly wiped his eyes before scooping her into his arms. "Hey, bacha, you’re awake," he said softly, kissing her head.

She yawned and snuggled into his chest, her voice small and sleepy. "Papa..." she mumbled, holding onto him tightly.

Rudra smiled and rocked her gently. "Did you have fun today, my little princess?" he asked, trying to keep his voice light, though his heart was still heavy with everything that had happened.

Driti nodded, her thumb in her mouth, and spoke in a soft baby voice. "I pway toys, Papa. And Nana tell me stowwy."

Rudra smiled, happy to hear her little stories. "Oh, a story? What was it about?"

But before she could answer, her tiny tummy let out a soft growl. "Papa, hungry," she said, her big eyes looking up at him.

Rudra smiled and kissed her cheek. "Okay, bacha, Papa will get you food."

But Driti shook her head, her tiny hands gripping his shirt. "Avi aunty," she said innocently.

Rudra’s smile faded, and a sudden tightness gripped his chest. "No, Driti," he said, his voice more serious. "Papa will feed you."

Driti frowned, confused by his tone. "But Avi feeds nice..." she said in her baby voice, clearly not understanding why he was upset.

Rudra’s frustration bubbled up, and he snapped without thinking, "No, from now on, only Papa will feed you. Not Avni."

Driti’s little face crumpled, her eyes filling with tears. "Avi...," she whimpered, her lower lip trembling.

The sound of her soft crying shattered Rudra’s heart, but before he could say anything, Avni appeared at the door, alarmed by the sound of Driti’s tears. She rushed over, her face full of worry. "What happened? Why is she crying?" Avni asked, bending down to take Driti into her arms.

But Rudra stood up, blocking her. "She doesn’t need you," he said sharply, his voice cold. "I’ll take care of her."

Avni froze, looking hurt and confused. "Rudra, she’s crying… just let me"

"I said she doesn’t need you!" Rudra repeated, his voice louder this time. "I can handle her. You don’t have to."

Avni looked at Driti, who was crying harder now, and back at Rudra, pain flashing in her eyes. "Rudra, she’s just a baby. Let me help."

But Rudra turned away from her, holding Driti tightly as she sobbed in his arms. "I’ll do it," he muttered, trying to calm Driti, though his own heart was breaking.

Avni stood there, her heart aching, unsure of what to do. Driti’s soft cries filled the room, but Rudra wouldn’t let her get close. With a heavy heart, Avni slowly backed away, her eyes lingering on Driti, wishing she could comfort her.

As Avni left, Rudra held Driti close, trying to soothe her, but inside, he felt more broken than ever.

Rudra sat down with Driti, still feeling guilty for raising his voice earlier. As he spooned some food into her tiny mouth, Driti kept sniffling, her eyes still watery from crying. "Papa… scolded me" she whimpered between bites, her voice small and sad.

Rudra's heart clenched. "I’m sorry, bacha," he said softly, gently wiping a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "Papa didn’t mean to. Please don’t cry."

Even though she was upset, Driti opened her mouth for the next spoonful of food, eating slowly as Rudra fed her. She kept sniffling, her little face still crumpled with sadness. When they were done, Rudra pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. "Papa’s really, really sorry," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her head. "Forgive me?"

Driti pulled back slightly and looked up at him with her big, innocent eyes. She didn’t say anything, but instead, she held up her tiny hands to her ears, signaling for him to apologize in the way she had seen before, holding his ears. Rudra smiled softly, even through the guilt, and did exactly as she wanted. He gently held his ears with both hands. "Sorry, Driti," he said with a playful pout.

Driti’s tears finally faded, and a small smile appeared on her face as she clapped her hands. "Papa funny," she giggled, her mood lifting.

Rudra couldn’t help but laugh a little too, relieved that she had forgiven him. He kissed her cheek again.

Just then, Avni appeared in the doorway, hesitating as she saw the two of them together. "Can I talk to Driti?" she asked softly, her voice careful.

Rudra, still holding Driti close, stood up with her in his arms. "Fine," he muttered, walking over and gently handing Driti to Avni.

Avni took Driti into her arms, her gaze shifting from the little girl to Rudra, wondering what had happened. "What’s wrong, sweetheart?" she asked Driti, brushing a hand through her hair.

Before Driti could answer, Rudra suddenly snapped, his voice cutting through the room like a sharp blade. "Stop pretending like you care about my family, Avni!"

Avni froze, her eyes wide with shock. "What? Rudra, what are you talking about?"

"You don’t care about Driti, or me, or anyone in this house!" he yelled, his frustration boiling over. "You’re just pretending."

Avni was taken aback, her arms tightening around Driti instinctively. "Rudra, that’s not true! I do care"

"Don’t lie to me!" Rudra shouted, stepping closer, his anger intensifying. "I’ve seen how you act, always trying to be this perfect with everyone in the house. But I know what you really think! You probably believe I’m using you, just like your friend said!"

Avni’s eyes filled with hurt, but before she could respond, Driti, sensing the tension, began to cry again. "Papa, no yell!" she sobbed, burying her face in Avni’s shoulder.

Avni held Driti tighter, trying to comfort her while still processing Rudra’s harsh words. She looked at him, her voice trembling. "Rudra, please… not in front of Driti."

But Rudra was too caught up in his emotions, his mind replaying the conversation he overheard earlier. "Just leave us alone, Avni. I don’t need you messing up Driti’s life." He said taking driti from her and placed her on floor infront of her toys.

Tears welled up in Avni’s eyes, but she said nothing more. The pain in Avni’s heart grew heavier with each word Rudra threw at her, but for now, all she could do was hold Driti close and try to shield her from the storm that was brewing between them.

Rudra stood there, his chest heaving as the weight of his words hit him. His heart clenched painfully, seeing the hurt in Avni’s eyes, but the anger in him still there.

"You think I’m using you, don’t you?" Rudra said, his voice trembling, not just with anger, but with something deeper, hurt. "You believe that everything I’ve done is just to use you."

Avni’s eyes widened in shock, her grip on Driti tightening as she whispered, "Rudra… I never said that."

But he wasn’t done. The pain in his heart was too much to bear, and it pushed him to say the words he had kept hidden for so long. "You think I’ve never cared about you. That I’ve been playing some kind of game. But you have no idea… no idea how much I’ve fought with myself over these feelings."

He stepped closer, his voice growing softer but still filled with raw emotion. "I never used you, Avni. Not once. I’ve loved you… from the beginning."

Avni’s breath caught, her eyes searching his, trying to make sense of what he was saying. She opened her mouth to respond, but Rudra continued, his voice breaking slightly.

"Do you remember that first time we met? When you came to that press meeting, pretending to be a journalist?" He paused, his eyes locking with hers, the memory vivid in his mind. "Something about you made me notice. That’s when it started."

Avni was silent, listening to him, her heart pounding in her chest.

Rudra clenched his fists, the words pouring out faster now. "I never admitted it to myself then. I told myself I didn’t need anyone after Sameera. I built walls, Avni, but you… you slipped through them. And when our families arranged our marriage, I pretended like I didn’t care. But deep down, I already liked you."

Avni’s lips trembled, but she stayed quiet, her eyes glistening as Rudra’s words sank in.

"But now," Rudra’s voice turned hollow, "you think I’m just using you. That all of this, Driti, my care for you it’s all some act." He shook his head, his heart aching. "I never wanted to be in this position, Avni. I never wanted to care so much about someone again. But here I am, trying to hold on to the one person who might just think I’m using her."

Rudra’s voice cracked on the last words, and he turned away for a moment, trying to gather himself. His heart was heavy, knowing that despite everything, she might still not understand how much she meant to him.

"Avni, I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes, but using you was never one of them. I’ve cared for you, I’ve lvoed you from that very first moment. And it kills me to think you believe otherwise."

Rudra took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he had to say next. "I heard what you said to your friend earlier," he admitted, his voice low and strained. "When you were talking about me and how you think I’m using you."

Avni’s eyes widened in shock. "You were listening?" she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and guilt.

"I didn’t mean to," he said, his tone earnest. "I was outside your door. I thought maybe I could talk with you, but then I heard everything. You were talking about how you thought I was a good guy but also how you felt like I was just playing a part." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Hearing that… it broke me."

Avni opened her mouth to respond, but Rudra continued, his voice filled with pain. "You don’t understand how much it hurts to know that you think I’m using you. I would never do that. I care about you, Avni. I care about you so much that it scares me."

"But Rudra," Avni began, her brow furrowing in concern, "I just"

"No," he interrupted, shaking his head. "Let me finish. You think that all I see in you is a way to fill the void left by Sameera. That I’m just using you to pretend like I can still have a family. But that’s not true at all. I didn’t ask for these feelings to happen. I didn’t plan on falling for you, especially not after everything I’ve been through."

His eyes locked onto hers, desperation coursing through him. "I’m trying to be honest with you about how I feel, but it feels like every time I try, you pull away and think I’m lying. You have to know that my heart is in this, Avni. I’ve never wanted to hurt you."

Driti, sensing the tension, leaned against Avni legs and wiped her eyes with her small fists, glancing back and forth between them. "Papa sad?" she asked, her innocent voice cutting through the heaviness in the air.

Rudra looked down at his daughter, forcing a smile. "No, bacha, Papa is okay," he said softly. Then he continued talking with avni. "But I need you to understand that I’m not using you. I’ve liked you since that first moment we met, and it’s only grown stronger since. I want you to be part of this family, not just because of the arrangement, but because you make my heart feel something again."

Avni's expression softened slightly, but she still looked unsure. "Rudra… I just didn’t know how to feel about everything. I thought I was doing the right thing by protecting myself."

As he spoke, he stepped closer to her, trying to cover the emotional gap that had opened between them. "Please, Avni. Just give me a chance to show you how much I care. I want to prove that I’m not the man you think I am."

Avni’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she listened, torn between the fear of getting hurt and the of hope that maybe, just maybe, he meant what he said.

Rudra gently placed Driti on the couch, making sure she was comfortable with her favorite blanket. He then stood up, his heart racing as he walked closer to Avni. As he approached, and soon, Avni found herself pressed against the wall.

He held her arms tightly, and Avni winced slightly as the bangles on her wrists dug into her skin, the pressure of his hands was more on her wrist. But she didn't pull away; instead, she looked into his eyes.

"Avni," he breathed, his voice low and intense, "I love you."

The words hung in the air between them and the world around them faded, leaving only the two of them in that moment. He could see her searching his face, her eyes wide with surprise.

Before she could respond, Rudra leaned in, closing the distance between them. He pressed his lips against hers, pouring everything he had kept locked away into that single kiss. It was gentle, a promise wrapped in passion. For him, it was as if the walls he had built around his heart began to crumble, replaced by her presence.

When their lips parted, he rested his forehead against hers, his breath shaky with the intensity of what he had just done. "I've always loved you," he whispered, his voice almost breaking. "From the very first moment I saw you as that fake journalist. I never wanted to feel this way again, but you made it impossible not to."

Avni looked up at him, her expression softening as realization washed over her.

"Rudra..." she started, her voice trembling, but he pressed a finger to her lips.

"Please," he said, his eyes searching hers. "Just let me show you how much you mean to me."

The silence stretched between them, heavy and charged. Rudra took a step back, sensing her hesitation.

"I know you hate me," he said. "After everything that’s happened, it’s understandable. I’ve made mistakes"

Before he could finish, Avni's hand shot out, and she hit on his cheek with a swift motion, the sound echoing through the room. He instinctively placed a hand on the spot where she had hit him, his heart pounding not from the sting but from the unexpected reaction of her.

Avni’s eyes widened in surprise, realizing what she had done. But instead of apologizing, she stepped closer, her own emotions spilling over. "You are proving me that you are wrong Mr. Rudra Raishinghani. I don’t hate you!" she said.

Rudra blinked, taken aback by her sudden confession. The heat of her touch still lingered on his cheek, but now it was overshadowed by the fire in her eyes. "What?" he managed to stammer, his heart racing even faster.

"I love you!" she shouted, the truth bursting forth like a dam breaking. "I love you, Rudra! I’ve loved you for so long, but I was scared! Scared of getting hurt again, scared of what it all meant after Sameera."

Rudra's heart soared, and he took a moment to process her words. "You… you love me?" he echoed, disbelief mixing with joy.

"Yes!" Avni replied, her voice softer now. "It's not only love but also respect. After what you have been you are strong man and I respect you for that. And I see beyond you Rudra, and it made me fall in love with you."

The weight of their unspoken feelings hung heavily in the air, wrapping around them like a warm embrace. Rudra stepped closer again, a smile breaking through the tension. "You have no idea how much that means to me," he said. "I thought you could never see me as anything but the man who lost his wife. But you’ve shown me that there’s a chance for something beautiful again."

Avni nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I was wrong to think that. I should have trusted you, trusted us. I just didn’t want to get hurt again. I’ve seen what loss can do, and I didn’t want to put my heart on the line."

"I’m willing to take that chance," she whispered, her voice trembling but resolute. "I want to be with you, Rudra."

With that, Rudra pulled her into a warm hug, holding her tightly against him as if afraid to let go. In each other’s arms, they found solace, a promise of love that would guide them through the challenges ahead.

As Rudra and Avni hugged, they suddenly saw Driti walking towards them, taking tiny baby steps. She looked up at her dad with big, curious eyes.

“Pappa happy?” she asked, her little voice sweet and innocent.

Rudra smiled and said, “Yes, Driti! Pappa is very happy!”

Then Driti turned to Avni and asked, “Avi Aunty?”

Avni giggled and replied, “Yes, Driti! Avi Aunty is happy too!”

Rudra watched them and felt a warm feeling in his heart. He thought for a moment and said, “You know what, Driti? From today, you can call Avni ‘Avi Mamma!’”

Driti’s eyes got big, and she smiled wide. “Avi Mamma?” she said, trying out the new name. It made her giggle with joy.

“Yes! Because we are all a family now!” Rudra said, looking lovingly at Avni. “I want you to feel that way too.”

Driti clapped her little hands and squealed, “Avi Mamma!” She looked between her dad and Avni, her happiness shining bright.

Avni knelt down to Driti’s level, her eyes sparkling. “That’s right, little one! Avi Mamma is so happy to be your Mamma!” she said, giving Driti a big hug. Driti hugged Avni back tightly, and Avni felt so much love for her.

Rudra watched them, feeling that everything was finally just right. His heart filled with happiness as he realized this was the family he had wanted, a family full of love and joy.

“Now, how about we have some fun?” Rudra said, standing up and taking Driti’s little hand. “Maybe we can play a game or read a story? What do you think, Avi Mamma?”

Avni laughed, feeling so light and happy. “I’d love that!"

Driti jumped up and down with excitement, her tiny hands waving in the air.

They all snuggled on the couch together, Driti sitting between them. They started telling fun stories. In that moment, Rudra knew his heart had found a home with Avni and Driti a place where love could grow and be happy.

“Look at her,” Avni said softly, glancing at Driti, whose eyelids were heavy with sleep. There was a playful sparkle in her eyes as she watched the little girl fight to keep her eyes open.

As Driti's eyelids grew heavier, Avni reached over and pulled a soft, colorful blanket from the back of the couch, draping it gently over her. She tucked it snugly around Driti, ensuring she was warm and comfortable.

“Let me help,” he said, leaning closer and helped avni. Then with a gentle touch, he turned avni to face him. She grabbed his shirt and fell on his side.

Rudra chuckled at the familiar sight, his voice softening. "You are becoming more baby than driti. Don't know who is the baby in two of you."

Avni couldn’t help but pout, playfully batting her eyelashes at him. “Oh please! Just because you’re thirty-two and getting older doesn’t mean you can call me a baby!"

He raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Aren’t you a little bit my baby? I guess you’re getting spoiled by me, that’s for sure. Someone has to keep you grounded, and I guess that someone is me.”

Avni crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed, but the corners of her mouth twitched upwards, betraying her amusement. “Spoiled? Me?"

Rudra chuckled, shaking his head in mock disbelief. “ Yes you are first in both of us who initiated the first kiss. But just know that you’ll always be my baby, whether you like it or not. Driti will just have to share her toys with you.”

Avni leaned back against the couch, her expression thoughtful. “Well, if I’m going to share those toys, you’d better promise to take care of both of us,” she said, her voice softening with sincerity.

“Always,” he replied, his tone steady and sincere. “You both mean the world to me.” The weight of his words hung in the air, a promise that echoed in their hearts.

Avni shifted closer to him, feeling a sense of security in his presence. “You know, I never imagined this would be my life,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Taking care of a child, being part of a family at very young age.. It’s more fulfilling than I thought.”

Rudra nodded, his expression softening further. “I get that. It’s not always easy, but every moment is worth it. I love watching you with her. You’re incredible, you know that?”

A warm blush crept across Avni’s cheeks at his compliment. “Thanks, but it’s easy when you have a great partner by your side,” she said, glancing at him with affection. “You make it so much easier.”

Suddenly, Driti stirred slightly, her little face scrunching up as if she were about to wake. Rudra quickly leaned down, gently brushing a stray hair from her forehead. “Shhh, bacha. Go back to sleep,” he murmured softly, his voice filled with tenderness.

Avni watched the interaction, her heart swelling with warmth. “You’re such a good dad,” she said, a soft smile gracing her lips.

Rudra looked back at her, his eyes shining with appreciation. “And you’re going to be an amazing mom too. Just look at how you care for her,” he replied, feeling a sense of pride.

They looked at each other and wished Goodnight and drifted to sleep.

To be continued

Spoiler for next chapter: aryaman Singh to avni "don't you think being second wife to your ruthless husband is a bad thing?"

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