Author Pov :
There was a pin-drop silence on the dining table as everyone ate in silence, not a single person saying anything. This was not unusual for the rajvanshis. They have been habitual of this. No one ever talked during the eating time even though someone wanted to, they were too afraid of rudra.
Aadhiyaa and Yug glanced at each other, sulking. They never liked this silence. They wanted a living, cheerful atmosphere but the fear of their of their brothers in them kept them quiet. No, Rudra and yug never beat them, they never even raised voice at them but their cold stare made them of of their brothers.
Yug cleared his throat once....twice....thrice trying to say the thing he wanted to but it was like the words has betrayed him.
"Aapko Vicks ki goli chahiye, yug" Yuvan asked, tired by his throat clearing. His cold gaze settled on yug who just gulp the lump in his throat.
(do you need Vicks tablet, yug)
"Nahi bhaiya, uski koi jarurat nahi hai" Yug quietly muttered, clearly embarrassed. Once again silence fell over the dining hall. Only chattering of spoon against the plate could be heard.
(No brother, there is no need for that)
Yug cleared his throat again, this time little loudly. Yuvan looked up at him with a warning look. A look that said 'not again or else..'
"Vo- vo hum soch rhe the ki - I mean hum matlab kya hum aaj sham mein hamare club jaa sakte hain? Thoda party bhi jo jaayega aur thoda fresh air bhi mil jaayega" Yug said stammering nervously. His friends called him today for the party and he didn't wanted to miss this chance.
(umm i was thinking that - i mean we means can we go to our club tonight? , We can party a little and will also get some fresh air)
"I can't come, i have work" Yuvan said dismissingly, his mind racing with things he has to do. Suddenly kaira's image flashed in his mind, his jaw clenched.
"Bhaiya aap aayenge na" yug asked, eyes filled with hope as he looked at his elder brother.
(brother, you will come na)
Rudra wanted to say No but the look in yug's eyes made him sigh. He didn't wanted to upset him.
"Hmm.." he just hummed, giving a nod and went back to eating. Yug brimmed with joy, a wide grin spreading on his face.
"Hum bhi aa sakte hai ? bhaiya" Aadhiya asked, taking the opportunity.
(Can I also come?)
Rudra nod and got up, leaving for his room. Aadhiya and yug brimmed with joy, calling their friends to invite them.
..........
In a room, a man stood, his cold eyes fixed on the photo on the wall. His posture was rigid like he was controlling the rage of years inside him. His eyes took in every inch of the girl in the photo frame. His jaw was set, his eyes red and cold filled with something very close to hate.
"They love you so much, don't they?" he whispered, his voice menacingly low and cold. He traced her figure in the photo frame with a cold heavy metal, a pistol.
"You look so happy with them.... what if i snatch them from you or you from them..?" he whispered, his voice dropping by each word like he was saying something that was meant to stay as a secret, closed within the walls of the room.
His face was devoid of any emotion, his cold voice was the only sound in the dark lonely room.
"Kaira Srivastav...." his whispered her name, slow and lowly like it was a sin to even say her name aloud. Like she was a sin.....
And the dangerous thing was that he was ready to commit this sin.
"Just wait kaira..... soon i will snatch you from them"
Evening, 7 pm.....
Rudra stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a black pant and black shirt. His wore his watch, his hands working but his mind ? it was somewhere else.
His mind was still stuck on the girl from the mandir. He didn't saw her face yet he was again and again thinking about her. He felt a uneasiness growing inside whenever his mind flashed the picture of his smudged tilak on her head.
Someone knocked on his door and he gave the permission. Yug and Aadhiya entered, both dressed elegantly
"bhaiya, chalein?" aadhiya asked, fixing his hair in the mirror. She was the one in the house who was less afraid of rudra.
(shall we go, brother)
"Chaliye"
(let's go)
Ruhani sat in front of the mirror, her eyes locked on her reflection. Indeed dancing was her comfort but dancing in club, under every eyes watching her, piercing her skin., No this was not her comfort. She didn't wanted to work as a dancer in a club but it was good than dancing at a brothel where you have to practically sell yourself.
This club, RR shines, was the club of Rudraveer Rajvanshi. The rules were clear : never cross your limits or you will never able to cross Banaras again. The manager made sure that no girl was uncomfortable or harassed.
No men was allowed to touch any girl without their permission. They could enjoy the dance from far. No one broke the rule because they knew the consequences very well.
Ruhani was first hesitant about joining here, she thought she will have to wear short dresses and please men but No, it was a strict order to not wear short, reveling clothes.
Nia was the one who informed her about this job, she also worked her along with her as a dancer. Their shift was for 2 hours, 8 to 10pm.
Ruhani didn't wanted to join but she had to take responsibilities of her expanses on hervown. The cafe didn't provided with much money, so she had to work here.
She stared at the dress she was wearing, A heavy embroidered red anarkali which had a slight deep neckline.
"Ruhan, are you ready?" Nia asked her.
""I am, almost " Ruhani said, wearing a net cloth around her face. The cloth was short like a mask which covered her beauty from the men's hunger. All the dancer were allow to cover their face. They didn't have to dance on any item song, they could choose the song themselves.
Ruhani was first confused by these things like which club provides this much safety ?. If it another club, the dancers would have to wear revealing clothes even seduce the men but this club was different after all the owner was the King of Banaras, Rudraveer Rajvanshi.
He always thought about his people.
They went out, to the VIP area where they had to dance today. They stood at the back stage waiting for the manager to give them instructions.
"Ruhani, you are the main dancer here. Make sure there is no mistake today because Raja sa is present here today" the manager instructed Ruhani who felt her heart beating faster.
She had forgotten about her first encounter with Rudra caught up with her work but now at the mention of him, her heart felt a sudden uneasiness and a strange emotion. She nod, hyper aware of her responsibilities.
"And one more thing, don't go near him, he does not like girls near him" the manager instructed, the warning clear in his tone. The group of dancers nodded, already aware of the consequences.
Rudra entered the VIP area, all m n got up, bowing, their fear and respect for him clearly visible on their face. Rudra sat on the couch with Yug, his face straight, his eyes roaming around the room in a cold and calculated manner.
The light of the area dimmed, a spot light focused on the group of dancers who stood in middle. Everyone turned their attention to the dancers, sipping on their drink, enjoying themselves.
Ruhani stood in the middle, nervous and conscious feeling every eyes on her. Her face was covered but her eyes, the beauty of her eyes was not hidden.
As the music started, her body moved to the beats graceful, measured. Her hand moved in the air elegantly matching the beats of the song.
Rudra took a sip of his whiskey, not paying any attention to the dancers in front of him. His eyes roamed around the hall aimlessly and suddenly met a deep pair of blue eyes. His eyes stopped wondering like he finally got the thing he was searching for, his eyes got locked on those deep ocean eyes.
Ruhani's eyes met Rudra's eyes, her heart skipped a beat at the intensity of his gaze. She looked away, her steps faltered. It was not noticed by anyone or may be it was.
Ruhani cursed herself, forcing her mind to focus solely on the dance. Everyone watched her, captivated by her graceful steps but her skin burned with a certain someone's gaze, so intense.
Rudra's eyes stayed fixed on Ruhani's figure, her deep pair of blue eyes captivated him. He felt a strange pull towards them. Her red anarkali suit flowed in a perfect circle as she twirled, the fabric swirling around her like a soft wave of color and motion. Each spin sent soft ripples through the layers, catching the light and adding grace to her every move.
His eyes searched for her deep blue eyes but what bothered him the most was the cloth which kept her face hidden from his eyes. He wanted tobsee her face but was not able to because of that piece of cloth. He felt a unknown urge to see her face, to know about her.
"Kon hain ye, jinhe hum nhi jaante" he thought his mind racing with her thoughts. He had never seen anyone here with blue eyes.
(Who is she whom I don't know)
As the song continued, the dancers moved to the beats gracefully. Everyone was captivated and impressed by the dancers but Rudra? His eyes only focused on Ruhani.
"Bhaiya, aapka phone baj raha hai" yug shook his shoulder, bringing him back to the reality. Rudra glanced at the called Id, it was his pa, Aarav singha. He got up, ready to head out as he could not talk here, because of the loud music.
(bhaiya, your phone is ringing)
As the music took the pace, Ruhani twirled in a circle, her dress flowing around her in a perfect circle. At the same time Rudra was about to pass by her. As she twirled, her feet twisted causing her to lose balance.
Rudra's arms wrapped around her waist just in time catching her in the mid air. A sudden pin drop silence felled over the hall. Music stopped, the laughter died down, the clicking of the glasses stopped.
They knew that the girl was now dead because Rudraveer Rajvanshi didn't like any girl near him, not even 5 feet near him. They waited for the storm to unfold.
Rudra's eyes locked with Ruhani's deep blue eyes which somehow attracted him towards them. His arms wrapped around her waist kept her hang in the mid air. Ruhani's hand clutched Rudra's shirt tightly in her fist, her eyes staring in his.
They stared at each other totally unaware of their surrounding, ruhani's face still hidden behind the net cloth. Rudra's eyes dropped a fraction lower on the net cloth like he wanted to unravel that piece of cloth which kept her beauty hidden from him. The time seemed to slower down for them.
Everyone watched, waiting for the storm to unfold but it was like the storm was caught up in a gentle wave of wind. Rudra, as if the reality of the situation hit him like a splash of cold water, he immediately made her stand on her feet, withdrawing his hand back.
Ruhani too gained her consciousness, her eyes lowering in embarrassment. She moved back, her lead hang lower as she apologised.
"Hume maaf kariyega, Raja sa. Hamara per phisla gaya" she muttered and that's when her voice caught rudra's attention. He instantly recognized her voice. She was the same girl from the morning.
(please forgive me, raja sa. My leg slipped)
Now the urge to see her face grew deeper. He wanted to get a glimpse of her, just one glimpse. As if god heard his inner plead which he didn't heard himself, the net cloth loosen and fell down, finally allowing him to see her face.
Rudra's heart stopped beating for a moment as he saw her face. The world around him blurred, the time seemed slower down for him. His eyes travelled on her every inch of her face.
The slight high cheekbone, sharp jawline, pointed small nose. Her long eyelashes casted a shadow on her cheekbone as she kept her eyes lowered. Her eyes darted around in nervousness and fear as she saw every eyes watching them.
Ruhani's heart started beating faster, she knew rudra would shout on her or worse fire her. She fisted her dress, praying to her shivji to save her for this last time because she could not afford to lose her job.
Rudra's eyes dropped on her pink full soft rosy lips as she bite them nervously. He looked away, almost instantly, clearing his throat.
"It's okay" that's the two word uttered before heading out, not glancing her way away. Ruhani sighed in relief, her breathing slowing down.
She felt every eyes watching her, curious and shock. Everyone watched in shock, they expected some drama, well the world always wants drama. Yug too was shock, he thought his brother would fire this poor girl instantly but he didn't and that's what shocked him to the core.
Ruhani picked up the cloth from the floor, wanting to get away from every eyes as soon as possible. She covered her face and quickly left from there.
"Har baar bas Vo hi kyu aa jaate hain hume bachane ?"
(why does only he comes to save me every time)
...............
Kaira ate her dinner quietly while her parents watched her with warmth. Rajesh cleared his throat, wanting to say the thing he wanted to say from long.
"Kaira...' he called her name warmly, his tone full of fatherly love.
"Yes...?"kaira answered, looking up from her plate.
"Beta, you are already 21 and you know about the contract right?" he asked, his urgent and convincing. Kaira nod her head, already knowing where it was going.
"Beta, you will have to get married in a month or your all property will go to your orphanage " rajesh continued, trying to make her understand the urgency of the situation.
Kaira put down her spoon, the sound eoching in the quiet room. She looked up at him, her face devoid of any emotion.
"I know and I don't have any problem with my share of property going to the orphanage" she stated, her voice cold and holding finality in them.
Rajesh and Reshma glanced at each other, the tension clearly written on their face.
"Beta, think about it. It's not about thousands or lakhs, it's about crores, you cannot just give it away like it's nothing" Rajesh tried to make her understand but his words didn't had any effect on kaira.
"I know it's about crores and it's not like you guys will throw me out of the house if I don't have anything with me. I always have you both....right?" Kaira softly said, her face having a warmth as she looked at them.
Rajesh and Reshma glanced at each other, their faces pale, they didn't wanted her to think anything like that.
"Never, you always have is our child"bRajesh said, his fatherly love visible in his eyes.
"But why you don't want to marry kaira" Reshma asked, her curiosity visible. Somewhere deep down she already knew the answer.
Kaira froze, her mind went blank, the color draining from her face. Her heart clenched but she compose herself.
She washed her hands and got up from the chair, behaving normal like Reshma's question didn't hit a nerve.
"Good night" she wished them and turned around to leave but Reshma's voice stopped her.
"Are you still waiting for .....him ?"
These mere words hit kaira harder than expected l. She clenched her fist and blinked her eyes few times to control the tears that threatened to escape.
"I never Stopped...."
She said, her voice cold and something close to longing. She left upstairs for her room without waiting for their response.
She closed the door of her room, wanting to shut her off from the outer world. She went to the bed and layed down, switched off all the lights and stared at ceiling blankly. The moonlight coming from the balcony falled over her face, making her look more serene.
Their words reopened the wounds that never healed in the first place. Her eyes fluttered closed, a tear slipping from her eyes as the memories resurged.
...Flashback...
"I am leaving, Ira" A boy, 13 years old whispered, his innocent voice carrying a pain, a pain of being seperated from her.
"Leaving but why?" A girl, 6 years old, whispered. Her hazel brown eyes immediately filled with tears, her lips trembled as she tried to control her sobs.
"Dad has some work but i promise, i will come to meet you again during Diwali vacations" he promise, pincing the skin on his throat as if swearing to return back to her.
"You will come na, pakka promise" the girl innocently asked, heldind out her pinky finger. The boy interlocked his pinky finger with hers, his dark brown eyes staring in her tearful hazel brown eyes.
"I promise, Ira, I will come back to you" he promised and turned, walking away glancing at her for one last time.
... Flashback Ends...
Kaira opened her eyes, her tearful eyes filled with hurt, longing and a hope that she carried from the age of 6.
"You broke your promise, you didn't came. You never came back" She whispered, a set of fresh tears falling from her eyes but she didn't whipped it, she didn't wanted to erase the pain.
She heart clenched painfully, twisting with pain like someone was scratching her heart with a sharp dagger. She was now habitual of living in this pain.
God, it was just a statue for her, made of stones. She didn't believe that God exists because if God really existed, he wouldn't have been this harsh on her.
He wouldn't have snatched the people she loved the most, he wouldn't have filled her life with this much pain, wouldn't have made her feel this lonely.
"I hate you, I-I hate you so much. You left me, Y-You also left me and never came back" she whispered, her voice trembling.
The tears slipped continuously but she didn't whipped it. Her soft, broken sobs was the only sound that could be heard in the room.
She closed her eyes, her heart stinging. Her heart was paining but there was no balm to relief it, to erase the pain.
Her eyes lids grow heavier and she didn't realised when she driffed off, crying.
Rudra, Yug and Aadhiya entered the hall, the lights were off except a dim light, signing everyone has already retired to their respective rooms.
Yug and Aadhiya too left for their rooms, exhausted as they enjoyed with their friends to tha fullest.
Rudra went and sat on the couch. He threw back his head, closing his eyes. As soon as he closed his eyes again same pain of deep blue eyes flashed in mind.
He snapped his eyes open, his breathing uneven. What was happening to him?. The restlessness grew deeper inside him.
'No...I can't think about her, I can't think about anyone. I don't have that right' he thought, his jaw clenching.
Suddenly someone placed a hand on his shoulder, statling him though he didn't flinched.
He turned and saw his grandfather. He moved aside giving him space to sit. Adhiraj sat beside his grandson. Rudra kept his eyes down while Adhiraj kept staring at him.
"Aap aise kab tak rahne wale hain ?, Rudra" he began, his concern lacing through his words.
(Till when you are going to live like this, Rudra)
He knew what Rudra was feeling and his grandson's distant behaviour was troubling him. He knew Rudravwas getting lost in his darkness and he has to pull him from the darkness before he completely get lost.
Rudra was caught off guard, his jaw clenched but he didn't said anything. From out he looked so calm and composed but only he knew what he hides behind that calm facade.
Adhiraj sighed seeing his grandson's silence but he knew today he had to talk, take a action.
"Rudra, aap hamesha aise nahi jee sakte. Aapko apne past se bahar aana hoga. Aap apne aapko uss chiz ki saza de rahe jo apne ki hi nahi" Adhiraj said, his concern for his grandson clear.
(Rudra, you can't live like this always. You need to come out of your past. You are punishing yourself for the thing that you never did)
Rudra kept his eyes fixed on the floor, still saying nothing. He knew what his grandfather was saying was true but he could do anything. He could not let go of his past, the mistake he did, not yet.
"Hum aapko jeete dekhna chahte hai, Rudra. Aapko isse nahi dekh sakte hum. Aap uss wajah se jeena nahi chhod sakte." Adhiraj tried to make him understand.
( I want to see you living, Rudra. I can't see you like this. You can't stop living because of that reason)
His words hit Rudra harder than expected. Yes, his grandfather was right, he has left living his life. He was breathing but living? He left it 5 years ago.
"Aap kya chahte hai?, dadaji" Rudra asked, his tone quite and subtly submissive like he was now tired of everything.
(What you want, grandfather)
" Shaadi kar lijiye, Rudra" the words dropped like a bombshell on him. He snapped his head towards Adhiraj, like he has said something that was forbidden for him.
(Get married, Rudra)
"Nahi...Nahi hum ye nahi kar sakte. Hum kisi ki bhi zindagi bigad nahi sakte, ye hum nahi kar sakte" he stammered, the weight of his past heavy on his heart.
(No..no i can't do that. I can't ruin someone's life, I can't do this)
"Aap kyu nahi kar sakte shaadi?. Aap apne aapko saza bhi uss baat ki de rahe hai, jo aapne kabhi ki hi nahi. Aap unse pyaar nahi karte the Rudra, aapki koi galti nahi thi" Adhiraj raised his voice slightly, his voice filled with concern and a rage at his grandson's behaviour.
(Why can't you marry?. You are punishing yourself for the thing you never did. You didn't loved her Rudra, you didn't did anything wrong)
"Par-Par unke sath jo hua usme —" he shuttered, the guilt eating him from inside. The wrong of his past was too heavy. It was like a wall built around him from which he could not break free.
(But-but whatever happened with her in that—)
"Nahi!! Usme aapki koi galti nahi thi. Aapne kuch galat nahi kiya tha. Aap ye baat samjhte kyu nahi Rudra??!" Adhiraj said cutting him off, his voice raised to pass through the walls Rudra has built around himself.
(No!! There was no mistake of yours in that. You didn't did anything wrong. Why don't you understand this, Rudra)
"Par dadaji, him aapna vachan nahi Tod sakte. Hum kise se bhi shaadi nahi kar sakte" he shook his head like even the idea was scandalous, forbidden.
(But grandfather, I can't break my promise. I can't marry anyone)
"Apne koi vachan nahi dia tha, Rudra. Aap apne aapko galat chiz ke liye doshi Maan rahe hai" Adhiraj's voice soften as he looked at his grandson. His heart was breaking seeing his grandson's vulnerability. He had to take a action and he will.
(You didn't made any promise Rudra. You are helding yourself guilty for the wrong thing)
"Hamare dost ki badi poti se aapki shaadi hogi aur vo bhi 3 din baad" The Adhiraj Rajvanshi was back, his tone held authority and command. It wasn't a request, it was an order that said 'dare you to refuse it'
(You will get married to my friend's elder granddaughter and that too in 3 days.)
"Aap hamare sath aisa nahi kar sakte!" Rudra got up, anger boiling inside him. He looked at his grandfather in disbelief, he neaver went against him but this, he could not accept his this decision.
(You can't do this with him!)
"Kya aap kisi se pyaar karte hain?" Adhiraj calmly asked.
(Do you love someone?)
Rudra shook his head.
"Kya aap nabalik hai?"
(Are you not an adult?)
rudra's eyes widen, he quickly shook his head.
"Kya aap apna kharcha nahi utha sakte?"
(Can you not take responsibility of your expanses)
Rudra's jaw tightened.
"kya aapki maanshik shantulan thik nahi hai?"
(Are you mentally unstable?)
Now Rudra shook his head and the then nod his head and again shook his head, either way he was declaring himself mentally unstable.
"Hum bilkul thik hain" He said, offended.
(I am totally fine)
"Then what's the problem?" adhiraj asked, leaning back casually.
"Par - Par hum shaadi nahi karna chahte. Aap samjh kyu nahi rahe. Aap hamari shaadi 3 din mein karna chahte hai?" Rudra said, his tone somewhat frustrated and disbelief.
(But - But I don't want to marry why are you not understand it. You want me to get married in 3 days)
"Aap kyu nahi karna chahte shaadi ? Aur rahi baat 3 din mein shaadi ki toh uski tension aap mat lejiye. Hum chahe to aapki shaadi 3 ghante mein kara de" Adhiraj said in a matter-of-fact tone like he would do it if needed.
(Why you don't want to marry and about the wedding happening in 3 days then you don't have to worry about it. If I want i can get you married in even 3 hours)
Rudra stared at his grandfather both in disbelief and shock. He clenched jis was, he knew arguing would be a waste of time but he wasn't ready to back down yet.
"I will not marry anyone" He stated firmly.
"Phir aap hamara mara hua muh dekhenge" Adhiraj said in the same time as Rudra's.
(Then you will see my dead face)
"Dadaji!! Aap hamare sath jabardasti nahi kar sakte" Rudra said, his voice raising slightly. His jaw clenched, teeth grinding against each other that it almost hurt.
(Grandfather, you can't force me!)
"Rudra ab nirnay aapka hai, ya to aap hume bhul jaaye ya apne bete hue kal ko" Adhiraj kept his tone calm. He was ready to go to any length for Rudra's well being.
(Rudra, now the decision is yours, either you forget about me or forget about your past)
"Thik hai, hum kisi se bhi shaadi kar lenge par hamari kuch shart hai" Ruhani accepted because he knew he could not win here.
( Fine, I will get married to anyone but i have some conditions)
"Say"
"Hum apne shaadi ke baare mein abhi kuch publicly nahi bolenge aur shaadi mandir mei hogi bina koi haldi ya mehndi ke. Aap shaadi ke baad hume kisi bhi chiz ke liye force nahi karenge or na hi hamare riste ko aage badhne ke liye hume majboor karenge"
"Manjoor hai " Adhiraj got up and turned to leave . Just as he reached little away, he stopped but didn't turned.
"Rudra, hum aapki bhalayi chahte hain. Kuch aisa mat kariyega unke sath jo aapko pachtana pade. Aapne andhere se unki bachi hui roshani mat chin ligiyega" and with that he left leaving Rudra rooted on his place with confusion and something he could not name yet.
'Unki bachi hui roshani mat chin ligiyega' the words eoched in his mind, leaving a restlessness behind.
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