"3.From Anger to Regret"

"Bahaut juda hai auro se

mere dard ki kahani,

Zakhm ke nishaan nahi

Aur dard ka ilaaj nahi"

A full week had passed since Rudraksh had last been home, leaving Ruhanika alone in the vast mansion with only a few servants for company. When he finally returned, his face was etched with anger, and Amandeep trailed silently behind him. Rudraksh stormed into the living room, his frustration palpable. He angrily threw his blazer onto the couch, then sank into it, clutching his head in a gesture of exhaustion and exasperation. The tension in the air was thick as he grappled with whatever had been troubling him

Amandeep: "Sir, calm down. Everything will be..."

As Amandeep began to speak, Rudraksh's furious gaze shot up, silencing him instantly. His eyes, bloodshot with anger, bore into Amandeep, who immediately stopped mid-sentence, knowing better than to push any further. The tension in the room was palpable, and it seemed like the very air had thickened with Rudraksh's unspoken rage. Suddenly, a tray with a glass of water appeared in front of him, interrupting the volatile moment. Without a second thought, Rudraksh grabbed the glass and drank the water in one go, trying to quell the fire inside him. He placed the glass back on the tray with a soft clink and finally looked up to see who had offered him the water. His fiery gaze softened instantly, as if someone had flipped a switch. Standing before him was Ruhanika, his wife. She was dressed in a modest yellow anarkali suit with full sleeves. The simplicity of her attire only enhanced her natural beauty. The dupatta draped around her neck slightly revealed her mangalsutra and her hairline was filled with bright red sindoor, signifying her marital status. Her hair was neatly braided, and her face was free of makeup, allowing her delicate features to shine through.  She wore no jewelry, and her face was devoid of makeup, yet she looked stunning in her simplicity. Ruhanika stood there quietly, holding the tray, her eyes cast downward. She didn't meet his gaze, because she sensed the storm brewing within him. Her presence, however, had an immediate calming effect on Rudraksh. The sight of her, so serene and composed despite his anger, brought him back from the edge. His heart, which had been pounding with fury just moments ago, began to steady. He couldn't tear his eyes away, forgetting to even blink as he stood mesmerized by her understated beauty.

Amandeep: "Sir??"

Rudraksh: "Yellow.."

Amandeep: "What??"

Rudraksh remained silent, his eyes fixed on Ruhanika. She stood there, expressionless, with no trace of emotion on her face. For reasons he couldn't quite understand, the sight of her emotionless demeanor unsettled him. It wasn't just the lack of a smile or a frown; it was the emptiness in her gaze that bothered him deeply. He found himself wanting—no, needing—her to look at him, to acknowledge his presence, and to show some sign of what she was feeling.

Amandeep: "Sirr....."

Amandeep, noticing Rudraksh's distant gaze, called out to him a bit louder. The sound pulled Rudraksh out of his reverie, and he began to look around, reorienting himself to his surroundings. He stood up, taking a deep breath to compose himself and regain his focus, the weight of his earlier emotions still lingering as he tried to steady his thoughts.

Rudraksh: "Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho??"

(What are you doing here??)

Ruhanika glanced at Rudraksh and subtly directed her eyes towards the empty water glass on the tray. Despite the simplicity of her gesture, her face radiated an air of innocence and calm. Rudraksh, still grappling with his own emotions, could only see the genuine, unadorned simplicity in her expression.

Rudraksh: "Tumhe bola tha na meri taraf nahi dekhna."

(I told you not to look at me.)

Ruhanika lowered her eyes and gave a small nod. udraksh, despite his previous agitation, found himself unable to raise his voice at her. There was something about her calm and gentle presence that tempered his frustration.

Rudraksh: "Thik hai de diya na paani, ab jao apne kamre me."

(Fine, you’ve given the water, now go to your room.)

Ruhanika nodded and headed toward the kitchen to return the tray. Rudraksh watched her closely, noting that she walked normally. A sigh of relief escaped him as he realized that her injuries from the broken glass had healed. A week ago, before leaving, he had instructed one of his servants to provide Ruhanika with a first aid kit for her feet. Once she had placed the tray back in the kitchen, Ruhanika returned to her room.

Rudraksh: "Maharaj jiiii"

Rudraksh shouted, and the chef came running toward him.

Chef: "yes sir"

Rudraksh: "Some foreign delegates are coming for dinner tonight, so make sure to prepare Mexican food."

As the chef nodded and left the kitchen, followed by Rudraksh who retreated to his room, Amandeep's attention shifted to Ruhanika's room. He remained skeptical, his thoughts lingering on the possibility that Ruhanika might not truly be Vijaypratap's daughter. Despite the outward appearances and her quiet demeanor, Amandeep's doubts persisted, leaving him unconvinced about her true identity and the circumstances surrounding her.

In the evening, as the chef and other servants busily prepared dinner, Ruhanika entered the kitchen.

Chef: "Areh bitiya, aaj aap khana banana rehne de."

(Oh dear, today you should leave the cooking to us.)

Ruhanika looked at the chef with a mix of confusion and sadness but still she gave a small nod.

Chef: "Areh nahi beta udaas mat hoiye, aap bahaut achcha khana banati hai. Ek hafte se Sir ghar pe nahi the toh aapne toh hume kitchen me aane hi nahi diya."

(No, no, don’t be upset, you cook very well. Sir wasn’t home for a week, and you didn’t even let us step into the kitchen.)

The other servants, observing Ruhanika’s confusion and Chef's words chuckled softly.

Ramu(servant): "Sach me beta aap ke aane se ghar me apnapan lagne laga hai."

(It’s true, dear, since you came, the house feels more like a home.)

Chef: "Beta aaj kuch mehmaan aa rahe hai toh Videshi khana banana hai, aapko aata hai???"

(Dear, we have some guests coming today, and we need to prepare foreign cuisine. Do you know how to make it?)

Ruhanika shook her head slightly as she stood a safe distance away from everyone.

Chef: "Isiliye aap araam kijiye hum sab bana denge khana."

(That’s why you should rest. We’ll handle all the cooking.)

As Ruhanika prepared to leave, the chef added some ingredients to the pan, which unexpectedly caught fire. Ruhanika's eyes widened with fear, and her breathing grew heavy. Clutching her dress tightly, she panicked and at the thought that the chef might get burned. Not understanding that the fire was a normal part of cooking, she quickly grabbed a jug of water and poured it onto the pan. The water doused the flames but also drenched the food and everything nearby, ruining the entire meal. The chef stared at Ruhanika in shock, unable to comprehend her reaction. Just then, Rudraksh entered the kitchen, witnessed the chaos, and, misinterpreting Ruhanika’s actions, was consumed by anger.

Rudraksh: "What the hell"

Rudraksh shouted loudly, causing the chef and all the servants to look at him in shock. Ruhanika flinched at the sound but dared not look at him, her grip on her dress tightening in fear. Rudraksh stormed over to her, his anger palpable, and seized her arm tightly, his frustration evident as he grappled with the situation and her unintended mistake.

Rudraksh: "Kya kiya ye?? Saara khana kharab kar diya. Jaan ke kiya hai na tumne ye sab."

(What did you do?? You ruined all the food. You did this on purpose, didn’t you?)

Ruhanika remained silent, not uttering a word as Rudraksh continued to shout at her. Her fear and distress were evident, but she stood there quietly, unable to defend herself.

Chef: "Sir, wait, she didn’t do it intentionally. It’s..."

Rudraksh: "Shut up, don’t speak when you don’t know her."

The chef, observing the silent exchange, kept quiet, his gaze shifting to Ruhanika with a look of sympathy. Ruhanika, still not meeting Rudraksh's eyes, had tears welling up but made no effort to wipe them away. Rudraksh, noticing her tears and sensing his own frustration simmering, shrugged her hand off and took a couple of steps back.

Rudraksh: "Maharaj ji, unhe aane me 1 ghanta hai, khana ban jayega???"

(Chef, they’ll be here in an hour. Will the food be ready???)

Chef: "Yes Sir, don't worry."

Rudraksh: "Good, jaldi kijiye sab. Aur tum zara si bhi hoshiyari dikhane ki koshish ki toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga. Samjhiiii????"

(Good, hurry up, everyone. And you, if you try to pull any tricks, you’ll regret it. Understand????)

Rudraksh's shout was so piercing and sudden that Ruhanika flinched, her entire body tensing in response to the intensity of his voice. Fear etched on her face, she remained rooted to the spot, her hands trembling slightly. Without another word, Rudraksh stormed out of the room, his anger still palpable. As he left, the workers exchanged glances, their expressions filled with sympathy for Ruhanika. Over the past week, they had come to understand the kind of person she was—gentle and kind but they remained puzzled by Rudraksh’s harsh treatment of her.

Later, Rudraksh sat at the head of the dining table, surrounded by his foreign delegates. The atmosphere was formal, with discussions and negotiations taking place as they worked through various matters.

Rudraksh: "Maharaj ji, khana lagaiye."

(Chef, serve the food.)

The chef nodded and, along with the other servants, began serving the food. However, Rudraksh’s anger flared up again when he saw that Indian cuisine had been served instead of the Mexican food he had specifically requested.

Rudraksh: "What nonsense is this?? I had asked you to prepare Mexican food, so why is this here???"

As the chef began to respond, one of Rudraksh’s delegates interrupted, stepping in to address the issue.

Antonio: "It’s okay, Mr. Malhotra. We eat Mexican food daily anyway. Also, the aroma of this food is amazing; we would love to try it."

Rudraksh: "Are you sure, Mr. Antonio? I mean, I can arrange something else for you."

Alvero: "No, Mr. Malhotra, let us try this."

Rudraksh: As you wish, gentlemen.

Despite the initial mix-up, the delegates were pleased with the food once it was served. They enjoyed the Indian cuisine, which seemed to have won their approval and appreciation.

Alvero: "I must say, the chef is amazing. The food tastes incredible."

Antonio: "Exactly. I’ve had Indian food a few times, but this is just outstanding. I’d like to have some more of this curry, please."

Rudraksh: "Yeah, sure."

After the servants had served additional dishes and the discussions concluded, the guests departed. Rudraksh then called the chef to attend to him.

Rudraksh: "Maharaj ji, khana sach me Bahaut achcha tha. Thank you. "

(Chef, the food was really excellent. Thank you.)

Chef: "Khana maine nahi banaya tha sir."

(Sir, I didn’t cook the food today.)

Rudraksh: "Phir kisne?? Koi naya cook rakha kya aapne. Roz aapke hath ka khata hu par aaj jaisa taste pehli baar aaya."

(Then who did?? Have you hired a new cook? I eat your food every day, but today’s taste was something new.)

Chef: "Sir vo aaj khana..."

Rudraksh: "Boliye bhi, bahar se mangaya tha kya, itni jaldi banana toh mushkil hai."

(Tell me, did you order it? Because preparing the food in such less time is difficult)

Chef: "Nahi Sir, aaj khana Ruhanika bitiya ne banaya tha."

(Sir, today’s food was prepared by Ruhanika.)

Rudraksh’s eyes widened in shock, the earlier frustration resurfaced, turning into anger once more.

Rudraksh: "What??? Mana kiya tha na us ladki ko phir bhi... Aur aapne mana kyu nahi kiya use?? Ye ladki aise nahi manegi ise toh.."

(What??? I told that girl not to, but still... And why didn’t you stop her?? This girl won’t listen; she needs to be...)

Chef: "Sir vo bahut masoom hai, unhe..."

(Sir, she’s very innocent, she...)

Rudraksh: "Shut up and leave."

Rudraksh's shout echoed through the house, causing the servants to tremble in fear. The chef, terrified by Rudraksh’s rage, quickly fled. Rudraksh, still fuming, stormed towards Ruhanika’s room. Upon opening the door, he was surprised to find the room empty and the bed untouched. With a heavy sigh, he was about to leave when something caught his eye on the other side of the bed. There, on the floor, Ruhanika was curled up beneath a blanket, cocooned in her dupatta. She had made a makeshift bed on the hard floor, and the sight of her in such a vulnerable state struck Rudraksh deeply. His anger wavered as he saw her in this condition. For a moment, he felt a pang of confusion and conflict as he stood there, watching her. Despite the anger and the reasons he harbored against her, seeing her in such a state stirred something within him. But the memory of her actions against Kartavya quickly pulled him back to his resolve. With a heavy sigh and a final, frustrated glance, he turned on his heel and left the room, struggling to reconcile his emotions with his intentions.

As Rudraksh left the room,  Ruhanika sat up swiftly, a tear slipping down her cheek. She had been pretending to sleep, her fear heightened by the conversation between Rudraksh and the chef. Her heart pounded with anxiety, and she hurriedly locked the door behind her. Once inside, she sank back to the floor, hugging her knees tightly as she rested her head on them. Her breathing was ragged, and her eyes were closed tightly, trying to shut out the pain and fear. Each breath she took was shaky, each thought heavy with despair. The emotional weight of the past week pressed down on her, and the tears streaming down her face were a testament to the turmoil she felt inside. She was lost in her thoughts, the pain of her situation and the uncertainty of her future etched clearly on her tear-streaked face.

The next day, Rudraksh left early for the office, returning in the evening with his anger still simmering beneath the surface. When Ruhanika brought him a glass of water, the sight of her innocent face only fueled his frustration. He struggled internally, unable to understand why he couldn’t bring himself to hate her. Frustrated, he grabbed the glass and threw it across the room, shattering it against the wall. Ruhanika flinched at the sound, her heart racing with fear. She tightened her grip on the tray, her toes curling in instinctive anxiety, and shut her eyes tightly, bracing herself for whatever might come next.

Rudraksh: "Tumse kisne kaha hai mere liye Pani lane ya khana banane. Just because main kuch keh nahi raha toh tum mere sar pe nachogi."

(Who asked you to bring me water or cook food for me? Just because I’m not saying anything, you think you can do whatever you want.)

As Rudraksh advanced towards Ruhanika, ready to unleash more of his anger, a voice intervened, cutting through the tension.

"Bhaiiii"

Rudraksh's gaze shifted to the door, and his hardened expression softened as he saw his younger brother, Rishwik, standing there with a wide grin on his face. Rishwik's presence seemed to momentarily break through Rudraksh's cloud of anger, bringing a hint of relief to the tense atmosphere.

Rudraksh: "Jao ab yaha se."

(Now, go from here.)

Ruhanika, quickly exited the room, leaving Rudraksh and Rishwik alone. Rishwik dashed forward and embraced Rudraksh with a joyful hug, his grin widening. Amandeep followed closely behind, carrying Rishwik's luggage and entering the room to place it down.

Rudraksh: "Behave toh aise kar raha hai jaise saalon baad mil raha hai. 2 din hi huye hai mujhe yaha vapas aaye."

(You're acting as if we're meeting after years. It's only been two days since I came back.)

Rishwik: "Bhai yaar kabhi toh mere pyaar ki value kar liya karo."

(Bro, can't you appreciate my love for once?)

Rishwik pulled back from the hug and pouted playfully at Rudraksh, his eyes full of mischief. Rudraksh shook his head, giving Rishwik a loving pat on the cheek. Amandeep, observing the brotherly bond with a warm smile, appreciated the light-hearted moment. Meanwhile, a servant arrived with a glass of water and handed it to Rishwik, who took it gratefully.

Rishwik: "Garam pani laana please."

(Please bring some warm water.)

The servant nodded respectfully and quietly left the room.

Rudraksh: "Kya hua gale ko??"

(What's wrong with your throat?)

Rishwik: "kuch nahi bhai ice cream khane ka asar hai."

(Nothing, just the effect of having an ice cream.)

Rudraksh: "Jab pata hai nahi suit hoti toh kyu khaya hai."

(If you know it doesn't suit you, then why did you have it?)

Rishwik: "Ab aate hi daatna mat shuru karo."

(Don't start scolding me the moment I arrive.)

Rudraksh: "Ok fine."

Rishwik: "Vaise vo cute si ladki kon thi?? As far as I know humare ghar me toh koi female servant nahi hai. Aur dekhne me bhi maid toh nahi lagti vo."

(By the way, who was that cute girl? As far as I know, we don't have any female servants in our house. And she doesn't even look like a maid.)

Rudraksh: "Is baare me baadme baat karenge."

(We'll talk about this later.)

The servant returned and handed a glass to Rishwik, who took it with a grateful smile.

Rishwik: "Areh Ramu kaka, ye kya hai, maine garam pani manga tha."

(Oh Ramu Kaka, what's this? I asked for warm water.)

Kaka: "Beta ye kaadha hai, isse gale ko araam milega."

(Son, this is herbal tea. It'll soothe your throat.)

Rishwik: "Matlab kadva hoga, aur aap kab se ye sab banane Lage."

(Meaning it's bitter. And since when have you started making this?)

Kaka: "Aapka gala kharab hai isiliye Ruhanika bitiya ne bheja hai. Kadva bhi nahi hoga ye aap pijiye toh."

(Your throat is sore, so Ruhanika Ma'am sent. It won’t be bitter; please try it.)

Rishwik took a sip of the herbal tea and was pleasantly surprised to find it not sour, as he had expected.

Rishwik: "Areh ye toh sach me kadva nahi, par ye Ruhanika kon hai??"

(Oh, it's actually not bitter at all. But who is this Ruhanika?)

Rudraksh stood up and walked into the kitchen, , where Ruhanika was busy preparing dinner, her movements methodical but detached. The servants were engaged in light conversation with her, but she responded only with nods. Without warning, Rudraksh grabbed her hand, causing her to look at him with confusion. He quickly released her grip and clutched his hair in frustration. The sudden commotion attracted the attention of Ramu Kaka, Rishwik, and Amandeep, who entered the kitchen to see what was happening.

Rudraksh: "Urrghhhh"

Rishwik: "Bhai kya hua??"

(Bro, what's going on?)

Rudraksh: "Tumhe samajh kyu nahi aata hai?? Dur kyu nahi rehti mujhse ya mere bhai se??"

(Why don't you understand? Why can’t you stay away from me or my brother?)

Ruhanika lowered her head, bracing herself for another round of anger from Rudraksh. She knew from experience that he often shouted without explaining the reasons for his outbursts. The anticipation of his anger and the lack of understanding about its cause had become a routine part of her days.

Rudraksh: "Bas ab bahaut hua tumhara, tumhe toh ab Kartavya bhai hi dekhenge ki tumhara kya karna hai."

(That's it, I've had enough of you. Now Kartavya Bhai will decide what to do with you.)

Rudraksh gripped Ruhanika's arm tightly, pulling her along without a word. Ruhanika made no attempt to resist, her silence a testament to her resigned acceptance. Rishwik, perplexed by the unfolding scene, trailed after them, his confusion growing. Rudraksh thrust Ruhanika into her room, his frustration evident. Without a second glance, he slammed the door shut and locked it from the outside.

Rudraksh stormed into the living room, his frustration palpable. He threw himself onto the couch, gripping his hair in a tight fist as he tried to quell his anger. Rishwik, still puzzled by the events, followed closely behind, while Amandeep, aware of the situation, entered the room.

Rishwik: "Bhai kya hai ye sab, kon hai ye ladki aur aapne kyu use aise band kar diya??"

(Bro, what's all this? Who is this girl, and why did you lock her up like this?)

Rudraksh: "Not now Rishwik."

Rishwik: "What not now bhai?? Humare ghar me ek ladki hai, who's barely around 20 aapne us bechari ko ghar me band kar rakha hai aur aap keh rahe hai not now seriously?? Aur kartavya bhai kaha se aa gaye??"

(What do you mean "not now," bro? There’s a girl in our house, who’s barely 20. You’ve locked her up, and you’re telling me "not now"? And how is Kartavya Bhai involved in this?)

Rudraksh: "Shut up Rishwik, bechari nahi hai vo. Vijaypratap ki beti hai vo."

(Shut up, Rishwik. She’s not some innocent girl. She’s Vijaypratap’s daughter.)

Rishwik: "Whatt??? "

Amandeep: "Haa Rishwik Sir, ye vahi ladki hai jisne Kartavya Sir ko paane ke liye unpe molestation ka jhutha case kiya tha."

(Yes, Rishwik Sir, she’s the same girl who filed a false molestation case against Kartavya Sir to get him.)

Rishwik: "Aur ye yaha kaise??? Aur aap dono ko ye kisne bola ki ye vahi ladki hai???"

(And how did she end up here? And how are you both so sure that she’s the same girl?)

Amandeep: "Vijaypratap apni beti ki shadi kar raha tha, he kept it really private but somehow we got to know aur Rudraksh sir vaha gaye, Ruhanika se shadi ki aur use yaha le aaye."

(Vijaypratap was getting his daughter married; he kept it very private, but somehow we found out, and Rudraksh Sir went there. Rudraksh Sir got married to Ruhanika, and he brought her here.)

Rudraksh: "Aur jab se aayi hai har kaam me dakhalandaazi karke jeena haram kar rakha hai mera, ise ab Kartavya bhai hi dekhenge kya karna hai."

(And ever since she arrived, she’s been interfering in everything, making my life miserable. Now only Kartavya Bhai will decide what to do with her.)

Rishwik: "Are you both out of your minds???"

Rudraksh: "Lower your voice, Rishwik."

Rishwik: "Bhai aap pagal ho gaye hai. Vo ladki Vijaypratap ki beti ho hi nahi sakti."

(Bro, have you lost your mind? That girl can't possibly be Vijaypratap’s daughter.)

Rudraksh: "And how are you so sure?"

Rishwik: "Bhai aap shayad bhul rahe hai uske baare me saari information nikalne ko aapne mujhe hi kaha tha but since mujhe Rajasthan jaana pada toh main apni research continue nahi kar paya."

(Because, bro, you might have forgotten that you asked me to dig up all the information about her. But since I had to go to Rajasthan, I couldn’t continue my research.)

Amandeep: "Rishwik Sir, aapne jitni information di us basis pe hi humne pata lagaya hai Vijaypratap ki ek hi beti hai Ruhanika. "

(Rishwik Sir, based on the information you provided, we found out that Vijaypratap has only one daughter, Ruhanika.)

Rishwik: "Haa Vijaypratap ki ek hi beti hai lekin vo ye ladki nahi hai."

(Yes, Vijaypratap has only one daughter, but she’s not this girl.)

Rudraksh: "Tumhe kaise pata hai ye??"

(How do you know that?)

Rishwik: "Kyuki bhai vo ab bhi London me hai."

(Because, bro, she’s still in London.)

Rudraksh’s eyes widened in shock as he stood up abruptly from the couch. He marched over to Rishwik, his face a mix of disbelief and confusion.

Rudraksh: "Kya matlab hai tumhara?? Tumne hi kaha tha vo london se India aane wali hai."

(What do you mean? You told me she was coming back from London to India.)

Rishwik: "Ha bhai kaha tha maine, par vo nahi aayi vapas. Kartavya bhai ke aadmiyo ne use pakad liya tha airport pohchne se pehle."

(Yes, bro, I did say that. But she never returned. Kartavya Bhai’s men caught her before she could reach the airport.)

Rudraksh: "Par Kartavya bhai ne mujhe is baare me kuch nahi bataya."

(But Kartavya  bro didn’t tell me anything about this.)

Rishwik: "Vo isiliye bhai kyuki us waqt main aur aap dono us aadmi ko dundhne me lage the. Aur maine hi Kartavya bhai ko bataya tha ki hume ek lead mili hai aur vo nahi chahte the ki humare badle me aur koi deri ho isiliye unhone aapko is matter se dur rakha."

(That’s because, at that time, both you and I were busy tracking down that man. And I was the one who informed Kartavya Bhai that we had a lead. He didn’t want any further delay in our mission, so he kept you out of this matter.)

Rudraksh: "Iska matlab ye ladki maine jisse...."

(So that means the girl I...)

Rudraksh was visibly shaken, struggling to comprehend the gravity of the misunderstanding. The realization that he had wrongly judged Ruhanika hit him hard. His mind raced, piecing together how his actions had been based on incorrect assumptions, and he was left grappling with the weight of his mistake.

Amandeep: "Sir, shayad isiliye Vijaypratap ne bina kisi shart ke bina kisi fayde ya zor zabardasti ke hume Ruhanika ka naam bata diya aur aapki shadi ko nahi roka."

(Sir, that’s probably why Vijaypratap gave us Ruhanika’s name without any conditions, benefits, or pressure, and he didn’t stop your marriage.)

Rudraksh sank back onto the couch, his head in his hands, struggling with the overwhelming realization of his mistake. His mind, usually sharp and decisive, felt numb as he grappled with the truth: he had been unjustly punishing Ruhanika for something she hadn’t done. The weight of his actions pressed heavily on him, and the thought that this was the first time he had made such a grave error only added to his torment. The guilt and disbelief were almost too much to bear as he sat there, lost in his own turmoil.

Rishwik: "Bhai aapne zabardasti ek ladki se uski marzi ke khilaaf shadi ki??"

( Bro, did you forcibly marry a girl against her will?)

Rudraksh remained silent, his shock evident in his vacant stare. He was too overwhelmed by the gravity of his mistake to respond.

Rishwik: "Bhai uska chehra dekha hai aapne?? Chehre se hi pata chalta h kitni masoom hai vo, infact bachchi lagti hai She's so thin; God knows if she’s even an adult yet."

(Bro, have you even looked at her face? You can tell just by looking at her how innocent she is. In fact, she looks like a child. She's so thin; God knows if she’s even an adult yet.)

Rudraksh’s gaze was filled with a deep, painful regret as he looked at Rishwik. His eyes, usually so fierce and commanding, now showed vulnerability and remorse. He knew he had made a grave error, and the weight of his actions pressed heavily on him.

Rishwik: "Bhai aapse ye aspect nahi kiya tha, I know Kartavya bhai means a lot to you, par iska matlab ye nahi hai ki aap is hadd tak chale jaoge. Areh ek baar puch lete na unko call karke."

( Bro, I didn’t expect this from you. I know Kartavya Bhai means a lot to you, but that doesn’t mean you should go to this extent. You could have just called him and asked.)

Amandeep: "Rishwik Sir maine try Kiya tha but..."

(Rishwik Sir, I tried, but...)

Rishwik: "Shut up Aman, kya try Kiya tha ha?? Try Kiya hota toh sahi information lekar aate is tarah kisi bhi ladki ko ghar laakar kaid nahi kar dete aap dono."

(Shut up, Aman! Tried, really? If you had tried, you would have gotten the right information. You both wouldn’t have brought any girl into the house and locked her up like this.)

Rishwik, his anger boiling over, stormed out of the house, leaving Rudraksh and Amandeep behind. The chef and other servants, who had overheard the entire conversation, gathered around Rudraksh. Their expressions were a mix of shock and sympathy.

Chef: "Sir, Ruhanika bitiya vaisi nahi hai jaisa aap soch rahe hai. Bahaut masoom hai vo, sabki fikar aur parwaah karne wali."

(Sir, Ruhanika daughter is not what you think. She’s very innocent and cares about everyone.)

Ramu kaka: "Aap ek hafte ghar pe nahi tha, unhone har roz humare liye khana banaya, hume ghar jaisa mehsus karaya."

(You weren’t home for a week. She cooked for us every day and made us feel at home.)

Raghu kaka: "Beta, bitiya bahaut achchi hai hum sab toh is ghar ke naukar hai phir bhi vo humare pair chu kar har roz ashirwad leti hai."

(Son, she’s a very good girl. We’re just the servants here, yet she touches our feet every day to take our blessings.)

Chef: "bas yahi hai ki Ruhanika bitiya kisi se kuch kehti nahi hai, pata nahi kyu har waqt kisi dar me rehti hai khoyi khoyi si."

(The only thing is that Ruhanika daughter doesn’t talk to anyone. I don’t know why she’s always scared and seems lost.)

The servants' words only deepened Rudraksh's guilt, intensifying his frustration with himself. He stood up abruptly, his face a mix of anger and despair. His gaze was sharp as he looked at the servants, who, sensing his turmoil, quickly lowered their heads and quietly exited the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Rudraksh: "Arora, Rishwik ke piche jao, dhyaan rakhna gusse me kuch kare na vo."

(Arora, go after Rishwik and keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn’t do anything in anger.)

Amandeep: "Ji sir."

(Yes, sir.)

Amandeep gave a nod, then quickly followed Rishwik out of the house. Rudraksh, left alone, cast a heavy glance toward Ruhanika’s room. With a heart weighed down by guilt and regret, he ascended the stairs slowly, each step feeling heavier than the last. Reaching her door, he paused, his hand trembling slightly as he turned the handle. When he finally opened the door, his heart sank at the sight before him. Ruhanika was sitting on the floor, her back pressed against the wall. She was huddled into herself, hugging her knees tightly, her gaze fixed on a distant point away from him. Her posture and the way she stared blankly made it clear that she was lost in her own sorrow, far removed from the world around her.

Rudraksh: "Dekho tum.."

(Listen, you...)

As soon as Ruhanika heard Rudraksh's voice, she sprang to her feet and turned to face him. Rudraksh, unable to meet her eyes, immediately shut his own and averted his gaze. The sight of her standing there, her expression a mix of hope and fear, only deepened his remorse. Ruhanika, mistaking his avoidance for continued anger, instinctively lowered her head. She stood quietly, her heart pounding, feeling as though she was being asked once again to keep her gaze averted from him. Seeing his reaction, Ruhanika assumed he was still angry with her. She instinctively lowered her head and averted her gaze, her posture shrinking as if trying to make herself as small as possible.

Rudraksh: "Tum ek kaam karo, apne kapde pack karlo aur 10 minute me niche aa jao."

(Do one thing—pack your clothes and come downstairs in 10 minutes.)

Saying this, Rudraksh turned and walked away, leaving Ruhanika standing there, her confusion palpable.

After ten minutes, Ruhanika emerged from her room, carrying her bag. She made her way downstairs and found Rudraksh sitting on the couch, his face a mask of conflicted emotions. Rudraksh looked up, his expression softening as he saw her. He stood up and approached her, his steps hesitant but determined.

Rudraksh: "Dekho mujhse galti ho gayi, maine jo kiya anjane me Kiya. Par ab tumhe zabardasti yaha rehne ki zarurat nahi hai, tum vapas apne ghar jaa sakti ho. Driver se keh do vo chod aayega."

(Look, I made a mistake. What I did, I did unknowingly. But now, there’s no need for you to stay here against your will. You can go back home. Tell the driver, and he’ll drop you off.)

Ruhanika remained silent and avoided looking at Rudraksh as he held her bag with one hand and grasped her hand with the other. Without a word, she followed him as he guided her towards the door. Once they reached outside the house, Rudraksh handed her the bag and released her hand. He felt a sharp pang of regret, an ache in his heart urging him to hold on, to not let her go. But he pushed aside his emotions, his mind commanding him to stick to his decision.

Rudraksh: "Meri galtiyo ke liye mujhe maaf kar dena, I'm sorry."

(Please forgive me for my mistakes. I'm sorry.)

For the first time in his life, Rudraksh uttered an apology, his voice tinged with an emotion he had seldom felt. He closed the door gently, leaving Ruhanika standing outside. As he turned away, heading towards his room, his heart was a battleground of conflicting feelings. He was consumed by guilt for the way he had treated Ruhanika, knowing he had shattered her peace and trust. At the same time, he wrestled with regret over sending her away, questioning whether his decision was the right one. The weight of his decisions and the impact on Ruhanika's life left him restless, struggling to find peace as he retreated into the solitude of his room.

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Precap: Ruhanika goes missing, and Rudraksh discovers her true identity.

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What will Rudraksh do now?

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Did you guys like Rishwik Malhotra?

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Votes: 30

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Happy reading 🌸💙