Heyy my beauties i hope you all are well let's start the chapter

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Author  POV

“The beeping of the hospital machines echoed in Ruhanika’s ears as she sat beside Avni’s bed, holding her fragile hand tightly. Tears welled up in her eyes seeing her best friend in these conditions

“Avni… tu theek ho jaayegi. Main tujhe akela nahi chhodungi, main tujhe apne saath le jaaungi.”Ruhanika said with softly, broken voice

Avni, weak but trying to smile, blinked at her with gratitude. Before she could speak more, the door opened—Rudraksh stepped inside, his sharp eyes falling on the two girls.

For a moment, Ruhanika hesitated. She knew asking him was like inviting a storm, yet her heart wouldn’t let her leave Avni alone. R.... Rudraksh can we take Avi with us

Rudraksh’s jaw tightened. His silence was heavy, his gaze unreadable. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

Why not in fact I also think about that. Rudraksh said

Ruhanika’s eyes lit up with relief. She nodded instantly, hugging Avni with trembling arms.

They didn’t know the truth. They didn’t know that the girl whom Ruhanika was protecting as a sister… was once shivansh secret bride. A hidden bond… a buried past… that now silently walked into Raizada Villa.

The real storm was yet to begin.

♥♥♥

The heavy iron gates of Raizada Mansion opened as Rudraksh’s car stopped at the porch. Ruhanika quickly stepped out, carefully supporting Avni, whose weak steps trembled with every move.

Inside, the grand hall was lit with warm chandeliers. All family members were already gathered, their curious eyes following every movement as Rudraksh, Ruhanika, and the unknown girl entered together. Only Shivansh was missing.

Ruhanika’s hand never left Avni’s. She whispered softly, encouraging her,

Ruhanika: “Bas thoda aur… tu andar aa gayi hai Avni, ab sab theek hoga.”

The Raizada family exchanged questioning looks, whispers flowing like ripples. Who was this third girl?

Before anyone could bombard questions, Rudraksh’s deep, commanding voice echoed:

Rudraksh: “Take her to the  room.”

Ruhanika nodded quickly, leading Avni upstairs, her protective arm wrapped around her frail shoulders.

As their footsteps faded, the silence of the hall cracked. Maina, Rudraksh’s mother, finally asked with concern:

Maina: “Rudraksh… yeh ladki kaun hai?”

Rudraksh’s expression didn’t change, his tone clipped and calm.

Rudraksh: “She is Ruhanika’s best friend. We heard she was ill, suffering from fever. That’s why we brought her here.”

For a moment, there was a hush. But then, a sharp, cold voice cut through—his Bua, Ambala. Her words dripped with disdain.

Ambala: “Ohh… toh iska matlab Raizada Mansion ab orphanage ban gaya hai? Jo chahe yahan aa kar reh sakta hai? Ek ladki se tumhari zindagi already bojh bani hai… aur tum ek naya bojh lekar aa gaye ho?”

The hall froze. The words stung, echoing like poison in the air.

Ambala’s cold words hung heavy in the grand hall. Every eye turned toward Rudraksh—waiting, wondering if he would stay silent like always.

But this time, he didn’t.

Rudraksh’s fists clenched, his voice thundering through the silence:

Rudraksh: “Enough, Bua! Ek aur shabd us ladki ke khilaaf kaha, toh yeh mat bhoolna ki tum kis se baat kar rahi ho.”

Ambala’s face stiffened at his tone, but he continued, his anger sharp as a blade.

Rudraksh: “Yeh Raizada Mansion hai… orphanage nahi. Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi ki hum insaaniyat ko tala laga dein. Agar Ruhanika apni dost ko yahan laayi hai, toh woh yahan rahegi—aur uski zimmedaari main uthaunga.”

Maina, shocked at the sudden outburst, tried to calm him.

Maina (softly): “Rudraksh… gussa thoda kam karo, sab ke saamne…”

But Rudraksh’s eyes burned, his voice lowering but still deadly.

Rudraksh: “Main kisi ko bhi yeh haq nahi dunga ki woh Ruhanika ke faisle par ungli uthaye. Usne kaha Avni ko yahan jagah chahiye… toh yeh jagah uski bhi hai.”

The hall fell into uneasy silence. Ambala pressed her lips, insulted, but dared not reply further.

Upstairs,

After laying Avni down gently on the bed, adjusting her blanket with tender care, Ruhanika quietly slipped out of the guest room. Her heart still raced from the tense atmosphere in the hall earlier. She didn’t know why, but all she could think about was him.

She hurried down the corridor, her dupatta fluttering behind, until she reached her own room.

Inside, Rudraksh was sitting lazily on the couch, one hand on the armrest, eyes sharp as ever. His presence filled the entire space like a storm waiting to break.

Ruhanika stopped at the door, clutching her dupatta nervously. For a moment, silence lingered—her hesitation, his unreadable gaze. Finally, she found her voice.

“Thank you…”Ruhanika softly, almost a whisper

Rudraksh’s eyes narrowed, his head tilting slightly as if those words were foreign on her lips. Slowly, he rose from the couch, his tall frame towering as he walked toward her.

“Thank you? Kis baat ka?”

Rudraksh low voice, intense

Ruhanika looked away, fingers nervously twisting her dupatta.

Ruhanika: “Aapne… Avni ke liye…"

Before she could finish, Rudraksh stepped even closer. His nearness stole her breath, his cologne mingling with the air between them.

“Tumhe lagta hai maine yeh sab uske liye kiya?”Rudraksh husky, dangerously close

Ruhanika’s eyes lifted, startled, meeting the fire in his gaze. Her lips parted, but no words came out.

He smirked faintly, leaning just enough for her heart to skip. Ruhanika. Jo kuch bhi main karta hoon… uski wajah tum ho.”

Her breath hitched. The room felt smaller, her pulse louder. She tried to step back, but his hand shot out, gently but firmly catching her wrist.

“Rudraksh…”Ruhanika whispering, trembling

Rudraksh bent near her ear, his voice dropping to a whisper that set her skin on fire.

Rudraksh: “Agli baar… thank you ki jagah… kuch aur kehna.”

She blinked, confused.

Ruhanika (softly): “Kya…?”

His lips curled in a half-smile, his eyes burning into hers.

Rudraksh: “I love you.”

The words left her frozen, her heart pounding wildly. He didn’t wait for her reply—he just let go of her wrist and walked past her, leaving her standing there, breathless and shaken.

Ruhanika’s heart is still thundered after Rudraksh’s words. She turned, only to find him right behind her again. His hand brushed against her cheek, slowly tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

Rudraksh (low, intense): “Tum samajhti kyun nahi ho… tum jitna mujhe door karne ki koshish karti ho, main utna hi tumhare kareeb aa jata hoon.”

Ruhanika’s breath caught, her back pressing lightly against the wall as he leaned closer. Their eyes locked—his burning with possession, hers drowning in confusion and unspoken longing.

Ruhanika (whispering, trembling): “Rudraksh… please…”

His thumb brushed against her lips, silencing her. His face inched forward, his breath mingling with hers. The air grew heavy, their lips just a heartbeat away…

And then—

Knock! Knock!

Ruhanika’s cheeks still burned as she pulled away, Rudraksh’s smirk making her heartbeat go wild. Just then—Purvi’s voice broke through the moment.

Purvi (teasing gasp): “Ohoo… kya scene chal raha tha yahan?”

Ruhanika’s eyes widened, and she immediately stepped aside, avoiding Purvi’s mischievous stare.

Ruhanika (stammering): “N-nothing… tum galat samajh rahi ho Purvi.”

Purvi folded her arms, a grin spreading across her face.

Purvi: “Galat? Arre bhabhi… main andhi toh nahi hoon. Mujhe sab dikh raha tha—mera bhai aapke itne kareeb…”

Ruhanika’s face flushed crimson at the word “bhabhi”.

Ruhanika: “Purvi! Bas karo, tumhe sharam nahi aati?”

Purvi giggled, leaning closer to Ruhanika, whispering just loud enough for Rudraksh to hear too.

Purvi: “Sharam toh mujhe nahi… lekin aap dono ko thodi zaroorat hai. Kya pata kab main phir se room me aa jaun.”

Rudraksh, instead of being embarrassed, walked to Purvi and ruffled her hair like an elder brother, though his eyes were still locked on Ruhanika.

Rudraksh (smirking): “Purvi… zyada bolna achha nahi hota.”

Purvi raised her brows dramatically.

Purvi: “Arre waah! Bhai toh protect mode me aa gaye… matlab kuch toh gadbad zaroor hai.”

Ruhanika: “Purvi…!” (hiding her face in her palms)

Purvi laughed, skipping toward the door.

Purvi: “Theek hai, main jaa rahi hoon. Aap dono apni… ‘baat-cheet’ continue kar lo.”

She winked and shut the door behind her, leaving the room heavy with silence again.

Rudraksh turned back to Ruhanika, his smirk deepening.

Rudraksh's husky tone "so we start our work "

Ruhanika’s breath hitched, her heart betraying her with every beat.

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The long dining table of Raizada Mansion gleamed under the golden chandeliers. The family gathered for dinner, laughter and chatter filling the air. Silver bowls clinked softly, the aroma of rich curries and freshly baked bread surrounding them.

Rudraksh, who sat at the head of the table, glanced around. His eyes landed on the empty chair next to him.

where is shiva I haven't see his from past three days,  Rudraksh asked

“Woh business trip pe gaya hai, Rudraksh. Ek hafte mein wapas aayega.” Maina replied

Rudraksh nodded slightly, accepting her words, though his sharp eyes lingered a moment longer on the vacant chair—as if sensing it was hiding something more.

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One Week Later

Days flowed quietly, and with them, Avni’s presence in the mansion slowly bloomed. Her pale face gained some color, her shy silence softened into hesitant smiles. She began helping Maina in the kitchen, laughing softly with Purvi, even joining small family moments.

To everyone’s surprise, she became a part of the Raizada household. Everyone welcomed her warmth—everyone except Ambala Bua and Aarvi, who still threw sharp glances and whispered taunts behind her back.

But Ruhanika stood by Avni like a pillar. Every time Avni trembled under Bua’s cold eyes, Ruhanika’s hand tightened around hers, giving her strength.

Avni told everything that happened with her in the last few months

♥♥♥

The grand doors of Raizada Mansion opened, and Rudraksh stepped inside. His presence carried the usual authority—dark eyes sharp, his tall frame commanding silence even without words. The family scattered across the hall straightened almost instinctively.

But upstairs, in a quiet corner of the mansion, a soft melody drifted through the air.

Avni sat by the window in her room, fingers gliding over the strings of her guitar. Her voice, sweet and soulful, wrapped itself around the walls—gentle yet powerful enough to tug at the heart.

The song floated down the staircase, reaching ears that were never meant to hear it.

Shivansh.

He had just stepped in, wheeling his travel bag when his steps paused mid-hall. His eyes flickered upward, his chest tightening strangely at the unfamiliar yet mesmerizing voice.

Before he could ask, a cheerful voice broke the spell.

Aarvi: “Bhaii!”

She rushed down the stairs, throwing her arms around him.

Shivansh smiled, warmth filling his features as he hugged her back.

Shivansh: “Avi, how are you?”

Aarvi (grinning wide): “I am fine! Bohot miss kiya aapko.”

They settled on the couch, Shivansh still distracted by the faint sound of the guitar echoing in the background.

Shivansh (curiously): “Aru… yeh gaana? Kaun ga raha hai hamare ghar mein?”

Aarvi tilted her head, smiling.

Aarvi: “Ohh, woh Ruhanika bhabhi ki dost hai…. Pichle ek hafte se yahin reh rahi hai, jab aap nahi the.”

Shivansh’s brows furrowed slightly, the name striking him like a forgotten bell.

Before he could react, a delighted voice came from behind.

Maina: “Shivansh!”

Shivansh turned instantly. His eyes softened as he bent down, touching her feet with respect.

Shivansh: “Maa…”

Maina cupped his face with motherly pride before hugging him tightly. Relief and love colored her eyes—her younger son was finally home.

After the brief reunion, Shivansh excused himself and went upstairs to his floor. His

Footsteps slowed when he passed by the faintly open door… the same voice still lingering in the air. He closed his eyes in a heartbeat, allowing himself to feel it… before shaking it off and walking to freshen up.