Chapter-59

Author's POV,

A Few Days Later

Pihu had settled into her new routine, working part-time in the office. Veer had taken her under his wing, patiently teaching her the intricacies of the business. Pihu, eager to learn and prove herself, absorbed everything attentively. Veer's guidance was thorough, and she found herself growing more confident with each passing day.

One afternoon, as they were wrapping up their work, Veer looked at her thoughtfully. "Pihu, you're doing great. I'm impressed with how quickly you're picking things up."

Pihu smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thank you, Veer Bhai. I really enjoy learning from you."

Veer nodded, but his expression turned serious. "Pihu, can I ask you something personal?"

Caught off guard by his tone, Pihu nodded slowly. "Of course, Veer Bhai. What is it?"

Veer hesitated for a moment before speaking. "What do you think about Rudra? You know, the three months' time is almost up, and there's something significant coming up in two weeks. You need to be sure about your feelings."

Pihu fell silent, his words weighing heavily on her. She had been so focused on her recovery and her work that she hadn't given much thought to the approaching deadline. She knew what Veer was referring to—their wedding anniversary and the end of the three-month period she had agreed to give Rudra to prove himself.

"Bhai, I... I," she started, struggling to find the right words. She looked down, her mind swirling with emotions and thoughts she had tried to suppress. The memories of Rudra's past possessiveness and the fear it had instilled in her lingered at the back of her mind, yet she couldn't deny the genuine effort he had made to change.

Veer gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Pihu. Take your time. But you need to be honest with yourself and with Rudra. Do you see a future with him?"

Pihu took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Veer's. "Rudra has changed a lot, Bhai. He's been so caring and supportive, and he's done everything to make me feel comfortable and safe. But... I'm still scared. There's a part of me that wonders if this change is permanent or if his old self will resurface."

Veer nodded understandingly. "I understand, Sunshine. It's natural to have doubts, especially after everything you've been through. But remember, you have to make this decision for yourself. Don't feel pressured by anyone."

Pihu nodded, appreciating his support. "I know, Bhai. I just need more time to figure things out."

Veer smiled gently. "Take all the time you need. I'm here for you, no matter what you decide."

As they wrapped up their conversation, Pihu felt a sense of relief. She knew she had a lot to think about, but having Veer's support made the process a little less daunting.

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Later That Evening

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the mansion, Pihu found herself sitting in the garden, lost in thought. The conversation with Veer had stirred up a lot of emotions, and she needed some time to process everything. The cool evening breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the scent of blooming flowers. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind.

Rudra, sensing her pensive mood, decided to join her. He approached quietly, not wanting to startle her. "Mind if I join you?" he asked softly.

Pihu looked up, her eyes reflecting the colors of the setting sun. She managed a small smile and nodded. "A penny for your thoughts?" Rudra asked, settling down beside her.

"Nothing," Pihu said softly, then hesitated. "But can you tell me something?"

Rudra turned to her, his expression open and attentive. "Anything, Pearl."

"Why didn't you let me work before, but now you agree? As much as I know, you don't hate women working. Many women work in your company, and you respect their work the same as man. So, why?"

Rudra sighed, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "You're right, Pearl. It's not that I hate women working or that I want to control you. My mother was a working woman, and I have immense respect for that. But when I stopped you from working, it was because I was scared. I was scared you would run away the first chance you got."

He paused, looking deeply into her eyes, his thumb gently caressing her cheek. "I was also scared that my enemies might harm you if you were outside. But most importantly, I wanted you to trust me with your needs. I wanted you to treat me as your husband, to depend on me. I wanted to be the one to fulfill your wishes when you needed something. I knew you wouldn't ask me for anything if you were working. So, I used this twisted method. But with time, I realized my mistake. I already did wrong by forcing you to marry me, by taking away your right to choose a partner. I don't want to deny you more."

He took a deep breath and continued, "And also, who am I to deny you? You don't need my permission to do anything. I know I was selfish before, but now it's totally your decision from now on what you want to do in your life. But what I can promise you is that I can become the best man in the world for you. If you give me a chance for this marriage."

With that, he cupped Pihu's face and leaned in, his lips lingering on her forehead. Pihu closed her eyes, feeling his warmth and gentleness. She could feel the sincerity in his touch, the genuine desire to be better for her.

Rudra gently kissed her forehead, then moved to kiss both of her eyes, and then the tip of her nose. His breath fanned her face, sending a shiver down her spine. Pihu's breath became ragged, her anticipation growing with each tender touch.

Her heart was screaming to say yes, listening to his words as her all confusion or any bit of doubt got cleared. He was not only proving himself through his words but also his actions. They were looking into each other's eyes, feeling each other's emotions, trying to read each other.

Pihu's eyes were moist with unshed tears. She nodded slowly, a small smile forming on her lips. "I do trust you, Rudra. You've shown me that you're willing to change, to be better. But I need you to keep proving it to me your whole life, not just with words, but actions too."

Rudra's heart swelled with emotion. He leaned in again, their lips just a breath apart, the air between them charged with unspoken desires. His internal thoughts were a whirlwind of longing, fighting the urge to kiss her deeply. He wanted to prove his love with patience and respect.

"Thank you, Pearl," he whispered. "For giving me this chance. I won't let you down."

The evening breeze wrapped around them, carrying the sweet scent of the garden flowers. Pihu felt a sense of peace settle over her, a tentative but growing belief in their future together. She nestled closer to Rudra, feeling his arms tighten protectively around her. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly hopeful.

The Next Day

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Pihu emerged from the washroom, her hair damp from the shower, dressed in her office attire. She was heading towards the closet to finish her preparations when she noticed Rudra sitting casually on the couch, sipping coffee. He was dressed in a casual shirt and jeans, looking relaxed and at ease.

Pihu raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Aren't you going to the office today?" she asked.

Rudra set his coffee cup down and stood up, moving towards her with a predatory grace. He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. His breath fanned her face, sending shivers down her spine. "No, Pearl," he murmured, his voice husky. "We're not going to the office today. Since you accepted me, I want to spend time with you. So, tell me, how should we spend our time together?"

Pihu's heart pounded in her chest, the proximity making it hard to think clearly. She was lost in his intense gaze, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. Rudra's eyes bore into hers, waiting for her response.

He asked again, his voice a whisper, "Tell me, Pearl?"

Understanding the double meaning in his words, Pihu blushed but tried to keep her composure. After a moment of thought, she said, "Let's go to the temple. I want to take the blessings of God to start a new chapter in my life."

Rudra's intense gaze softened slightly, a small smile playing on his lips. "The temple it is then," he said, his tone tender. He released her from his grip, allowing her to move towards the closet to get ready.

She emerged from the closet wearing a beautiful saree, her attire accentuating her grace and elegance. Moving towards the vanity to do the final touches, she reached for the vermilion. Rudra approached her, taking the vermilion from her hand. With a gesture filled with intimacy and significance, he filled her partition with the vermilion. "You look beautiful as always, Pearl," he murmured.

Pihu blushed, her eyes shimmering with emotions. She could feel the sincerity in his touch and the genuine desire to be better for her. As they prepared to leave for the temple, Pihu felt a tentative but growing belief in their future together.

At the Temple

Arriving at the temple, the serene atmosphere instantly calmed Pihu's nerves. The temple was beautifully adorned with marigold flowers, and the scent of incense filled the air. As they entered, the priest welcomed them warmly, recognizing Rudra.

Pihu and Rudra stood before the deity, hands joined in prayer. Pihu silently prayed for strength and guidance as she embarked on this new chapter of her life. She silently prayed for clarity and courage to trust again. Rudra, on the other hand, prayed for the ability to continue proving himself to Pihu, to be the husband she deserved.

After the prayers, the priest blessed them and offered them prasad. Rudra looked at Pihu, his eyes softening. "I hope this marks the beginning of many more peaceful days together," he said quietly.

Pihu smiled, feeling a sense of tranquility. "I hope so too," she replied.

After the temple visit, Rudra suggested they go shopping. "I have something special planned for tonight," he said, a twinkle in his eye.

They stopped at a charming café nestled in a quiet corner of the city. The warm ambiance, with its soft lighting and the smell of freshly brewed coffee, seemed to mirror the growing warmth between them. As they sat across from each other, enjoying their meal, Pihu couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Rudra, what's the surprise?" she asked, hoping to coax some details out of him.

Rudra's lips curled into a mysterious smile, the kind that both intrigued and frustrated her. "You'll see, Pearl. Just be patient," he replied, his tone teasing but gentle.

Pihu huffed playfully, but she couldn't help the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The anticipation was building, making her feel like a teenager on her first date.

After their meal, they walked hand in hand to a nearby boutique. The moment they stepped inside, Pihu was enveloped in a world of elegance. Rudra moved through the store with purpose, selecting a stunning dress for her—a deep crimson gown that seemed to capture the fire and passion of their relationship. As she tried it on, Rudra was there, making sure every detail was perfect. He watched her with a mix of admiration and tenderness as the boutique staff helped her get ready, styling her hair into soft waves and applying makeup that enhanced her natural beauty.

Pihu, unused to such pampering, whined a bit, her voice carrying a hint of exasperation. "I don't like getting this dressed up, Rudra. And you're still not telling me anything!" she complained, her eyes narrowing as she playfully tried to pry the secret from him.

Rudra chuckled, his eyes dancing with affection. "Just trust me, Pearl. You'll love it," he assured her, his voice low and soothing, promising something special.

Once Pihu was ready, they made their way to the car. Rudra turned to her, holding a silk cloth in his hands. "I'm going to need you to close your eyes, Pearl," he said, his voice soft but insistent.

Pihu raised an eyebrow, feeling a flutter of nerves mixed with excitement. "What now?" she asked, her heart beating a little faster.

"Just wait a little longer," Rudra whispered as he gently tied the cloth around her eyes, his fingers brushing lightly against her skin. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she felt the anticipation coil tighter in her chest.

They drove for what felt like an eternity to Pihu, her senses heightened in the darkness. She could feel the vibrations of the car beneath her, the subtle changes in the road, and the occasional brush of Rudra's hand against hers, grounding her in the moment.

Finally, they came to a stop. Rudra helped Pihu out of the car, his hands steady and reassuring on her waist as he guided her carefully. "Are we there yet?" Pihu asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as the cool evening breeze caressed her face.

"In just a moment," Rudra replied, his voice carrying a warmth that made Pihu's heart swell with emotion. He led her forward, each step slow and deliberate, heightening her anticipation. When he finally stopped, there was a pause—a moment suspended in time—before he gently removed the blindfold.

Pihu gasped as her eyes adjusted to the breathtaking scene before her. They were standing on a secluded beach, bathed in the soft glow of twilight. The sky was a canvas of oranges and pinks, reflecting off the calm waters. The beach was illuminated by strings of soft lights, creating a magical atmosphere. The scent of salt mingled with the delicate fragrance of flowers, filling the air with an intoxicating aroma.

In the center of this beautiful setting was a large heart made of flowers, outlined with glowing lights that twinkled like stars. It was as if the universe itself had conspired to create this perfect moment for them.

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TBC