chapter 59
We turned our heads toward the door.
Tara was standing there with both her hands covering her eyes, the door wide open.
For a second... none of us moved.
Then suddenly-
She ran away at full speed.
"TARA!" I shouted, immediately sitting up. "Aisa kuch nahi hai!"
I quickly got off the bed, completely flustered.
But Rudra looked absolutely calm.
In fact... he looked amused.
"Arey jaan," he said casually while getting up, fixing his shirt, "why are you getting so tensed? We're husband and wife."
"Rudra!!" I groaned in embarrassment. "Why do you never close the door?!"
He raised one eyebrow slowly.
Then a mischievous smirk spread across his face.
"Ohooo..." he said teasingly.
"So you wanted to do something something behind closed doors, hmm?"
My face turned completely red.
"RUDRA!" I snapped, grabbing the nearest pillow and throwing it at him.
He caught it easily and laughed.
"Arre, I'm just saying..." he teased, stepping closer again.
"But if that's what my wife wants, I can happily close the door next time."
I covered my face in pure embarrassment.
"Bhagwan... give me patience," I muttered.
Meanwhile, Rudra was still laughing softly at my reaction.
Author's POV
Tara came running down the stairs at full speed, holding her head dramatically.
"Hey Bhagwan... hey Bhagwan... hey Bhagwan!" she kept mumbling to herself, completely flustered.
In her panic, she didn't even notice where she was going.
Thud.
She bumped straight into Phoenix, the huge jaguar sitting near the staircase.
Phoenix lifted his head slowly and looked at her with his golden eyes.
Tara grabbed his face gently, still breathing fast.
"Tumhe pata hai? Tumhe pata hai?" she started saying excitedly.
Phoenix blinked once... clearly confused.
"I just walked into something very dangerous," she whispered dramatically.
Phoenix tilted his head.
Tara sat down beside him and leaned closer like she was sharing the biggest secret in the world.
"Your mom and dad..." she whispered.
"...were about to kiss."
Phoenix just stared at her.
Tara covered her face again.
"Not just kiss... full romantic scene chal raha tha!"
Phoenix slowly looked away like he didn't sign up for this conversation.
Tara sighed loudly.
"I swear I didn't see anything! I closed my eyes immediately!"
Phoenix flicked his tail lazily.
"And now Ishni didi will think I'm spying on them!" she groaned.
Phoenix simply yawned and rested his head back down like none of this was his problem.
The moment Tara saw Ishni, her eyes widened dramatically. "Arey wah, didi! You look so beautiful today!" she said instantly, clapping her hands softly in admiration. The red saree, the sindoor, the soft glow on Ishni's face it was impossible not to notice.
But the moment Ishni heard Tara's voice, she instantly remembered what had happened earlier. Her ears turned slightly red. She cleared her throat awkwardly and quickly tried to explain.
"Tara... whatever you saw earlier... it's not like that," Ishni said a little nervously. "This man just slipped and fell on me, that's all."
Rudra, who was standing beside her, didn't say a single word a slow amused smirk playing on his lips, clearly enjoying the situation.
Tara looked at both of them... then slowly nodded with an exaggerated understanding expression.
"Ohhh... slipped and fell," she repeated.
For a second there was silence.
Then Tara waved her hand awkwardly. "It's okay, it's okay... I'm so sorry for disturbing," she said quickly, looking everywhere except at them.
Rudra's smirk widened even more.
Ishni glared at him quietly, already knowing he was enjoying this too much.
Tara picked up the glass of water and started drinking like it was the most important task in the world, trying very hard to act normal.
But the awkward tension in the room was so obvious that even the servants passing by were trying not to smile.
Trying to change the topic before the embarrassment grew worse, Tara quickly asked, "By the way... where are you both going?" she said, finally looking at them normally.
Ishni adjusted the edge of her saree and replied softly, "Today is Mahashivratri. We're going to the temple."
Rudra glanced at Tara and added casually, "Your didi goes every year."
Tara was still sitting at the dining table, trying very hard to act normal after the whole awkward explanation. When Ishni mentioned they were going to the temple, Tara nodded thoughtfully.
"Ohh... acha," she said, tapping the spoon lightly on the table as if she was seriously thinking about it. Then she shrugged casually. "Thik hai, anyway today I don't have college... you guys go."
Ishni gave her a soft smile. "Take care," she said gently.
But before leaving, she turned her head slightly and shot Rudra a sharp glare clearly warning him not to say anything about the earlier incident.
Rudra noticed it and only raised his eyebrows innocently, though the corner of his lips still held that teasing smile.
Tara watched the silent exchange between them and quickly looked away, pretending she saw nothing.
Within a moment, Rudra and Ishni walked out of the dining hall together. Soon the sound of the main door closing echoed softly through the mansion.
As soon as they were gone, Tara slowly leaned back in her chair and exhaled dramatically.
"Hey Bhagwan... surviving in this house is harder than my college exams," she muttered to herself, shaking her head.
The moment Rudra and Ishni left the mansion, Tara immediately grabbed her phone and dialed Vipul's number. The call connected within seconds.
"Tumhe pataaaa haiii!" Tara said dramatically the moment he picked up.
On the other side, Vipul leaned back in his chair, already smiling because he recognized that exact dramatic tone of hers.
"Kyaaa huaaa, Miss Drama?" he replied lazily, amusement clear in his voice.
Tara lowered her voice like she was about to reveal the biggest secret in the world. "Rudra jiju is so romantic."
Vipul's smile slowly faded as his eyebrows narrowed in confusion.
"Aisa kya?" he asked suspiciously.
Tara gasped loudly from the other side of the call. "Arey you don't even know! Subah subah full movie scene chal raha tha."
Vipul straightened slightly. "Kaisa scene?"
Tara immediately started narrating with full energy. "I walked into the room and guess what I saw? Jiju literally on top of didi! Their faces this close like THIS close!" she exaggerated, pressing her fingers together to show how close.
Vipul almost choked. "TARA!"
"What Tara?" she replied innocently.
"Tum kisi ke room mein knock karke nahi ja sakti?" he said, half shocked, half laughing.
"Door open tha!" Tara defended herself instantly. "And anyway they are husband and wife... but still! I got traumatized!"
Vipul laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "Traumatized? Tum toh abhi excitement mein news reporter ki tarah sab bata rahi ho."
Tara huffed. "Of course! This is breaking news."
Vipul chuckled softly. "Accha... phir kya hua?"
Tara dramatically lowered her voice again. "Then I screamed 'I didn't see anything!' and ran away."
Vipul burst out laughing.
"Tara... tum pagal ho," he said between laughs.
She crossed her arms proudly even though he couldn't see her. "Thank you."
Vipul sighed, still smiling. "Aur tumhe kaise pata jiju romantic hai?"
Tara immediately replied, "Because didi was blushing like a tomato."
Vipul shook his head with a grin. "Tumhara observation level dangerous hai."
Tara smirked. "Obviously. Main hoon hi intelligent."
Then she suddenly added in a teasing tone, "Waise..."
Vipul hummed. "Haan?"
Tara grinned mischievously. "Kabhi kabhi mujhe lagta hai... tum bhi secretly romantic ho."
Vipul went silent for a second.
"...Kya?" he said cautiously.
Tara laughed loudly. "Pakde gaye!"
Vipul shook his head, still smiling as he listened to her endless dramatic narration.
"Tara... tum pagal ho," he said, rubbing his forehead lightly.
On the other side of the call, Tara gasped loudly like he had just insulted her dignity.
"Kyaaa? Main pagal hoon?" she said dramatically. "Main itni important news share kar rahi hoon aur tum mujhe pagal bol rahe ho!"
Vipul chuckled softly. "Important news?" he repeated. "Tum kisi ke private moment pe raid karke aa gayi aur ab mujhe live commentary de rahi ho."
"Arey door open tha!" Tara defended herself immediately. "Aur waise bhi main wahan jaan bujh ke thodi gayi thi."
Vipul laughed under his breath. "Haan haan, mujhe pata hai tumhari 'innocent accidents'."
Tara narrowed her eyes even though he couldn't see her. "Accha ji? Toh ab main suspicious ho gayi hoon?"
Vipul smiled. "Tum toh already suspicious ho."
Tara huffed loudly. "Very funny."
Vipul sighed dramatically. "Tara..."
"Haan?" she said innocently.
"Please mujhe unki love story ka live update mat do," he said, trying not to laugh.
Tara burst out laughing.
"Jealous ho kya?" she teased.
Vipul raised an eyebrow. "Main kyun jealous honga?"
Tara smirked to herself. "Kyuki tum bhi secretly romantic ho."
Vipul shook his head again with a helpless smile. "Sach mein... tum pagal ho."
Vipul shook his head, trying to sound serious despite the smile tugging at his lips.
"Tara, stop spying on other people's personal life and focus on your studies," he said firmly.
For a second there was silence on the call.
Then Tara replied very calmly, "Kyaaa... but all my focus is already on my boyfriend Vipul."
Vipul froze.
"...KYA?" he blurted out instantly.
Tara burst into laughter on the other side. "Arey relax! Main toh bas practice kar rahi thi."
Vipul pinched the bridge of his nose. "Practice? Kis cheez ki practice?"
Tara replied proudly, "Future confession."
Vipul sighed deeply, trying to act unaffected. "Tum na... bilkul serious nahi ho."
Tara hummed happily. "Bilkul nahi."
Vipul shook his head, though he was smiling again. "Tumhari exams aane wali hai aur tum yahan boyfriend girlfriend ka script likh rahi ho."
Tara leaned back in her chair dramatically. "Kya karu... inspiration mil rahi hai ghar mein."
Vipul raised an eyebrow. "Rudra sir aur Ishni ma'am se?"
Tara giggled. "Exactly."
Vipul sighed again but couldn't hide the softness in his voice. "Tara..."
"Haan?"
"Padhaai karo."
Tara immediately replied, "Ji boyfriend."
Vipul nearly choked.
"TARA!"
She laughed loudly again while he just shook his head helplessly on the other side of the phone, wondering how this girl managed to turn every conversation into chaos.
Author's POV
In no time, Rudra and Ishni reached the temple. The peaceful atmosphere wrapped around them the moment they stepped out of the car. The sound of temple bells echoed softly in the air, and the faint fragrance of incense and flowers filled the surroundings.
Ishni stopped by a small stall outside and bought fresh flowers and a small thali for prayer. Holding it carefully, she walked beside Rudra as they both stepped inside the temple.
The temple was glowing with soft golden light. Right in front of them stood the beautiful statue of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati beside him, calm, divine, and powerful. The sight alone filled the place with a strange sense of peace.
Rudra and Ishni stood together in front of the idol. Both quietly joined their hands in prayer.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Rudra looked at the statue of Lord Shiva, his expression turning serious, almost emotional.
"At one point," he said slowly, his deep voice quiet but steady, "I stopped believing in you... because you took everything away from me."
Rudra's eyes softened as he glanced at her standing beside him.
"And now... I have my everything back," he continued.
"And if this time... anyone tries to take her away from me," he said quietly, looking back at the idol of Shiva, "I won't hesitate to fight with them."
He paused for a second.
Then added softly, almost like a warning to fate itself "Even if that 'anyone' is you."
Standing beside Rudra, Ishni slowly closed her eyes and joined her hands in front of the idol.
The calm presence of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati seemed to fill the temple with a sacred silence.
The ringing bells, the faint chants, and the flickering diyas created a moment where time itself felt slower.
Inside her heart, Ishni prayed quietly.
"Shiv ji..." she whispered in her mind, her fingers tightening slightly as emotions rose within her. "I already lost so many things in my life... my best friend... my child..."
A faint ache passed through her chest, but she continued her prayer.
"But now... I don't want to lose Rudra. Please... please keep him safe. Always protect him. Whatever blessings you have... give them to him"
Her lashes trembled slightly before she slowly opened her eyes again.
Beside her, Rudra was still standing calmly with his hands joined, his gaze steady on the idol.
After a moment, both of them bent slightly to take the blessings. The priest applied sacred ash on their foreheads and gave them prasad.
Rudra gently held Ishni's hand as they stepped outside the temple together. The morning light fell softly around them, and the temple bells continued ringing behind them, as if sealing the silent prayers they had just offered.
After coming out of the temple, Rudra and Ishni slowly walked down the stone steps. The morning air was calm, and the soft sounds of temple bells still echoed behind them.
They were talking about random things-small, ordinary conversations that somehow felt precious between them.
Ishni was saying something when suddenly-"Ouch!"
Her body stumbled slightly as she lost balance for a moment.
Before she could fall, Rudra instantly held her by the waist, steadying her.
"What happened?" he asked quickly, concern flashing across his face.
Ishni looked down at her feet and frowned slightly. "I think... my saree got stuck," she said, trying to move her foot.
Rudra followed her gaze and noticed the fabric caught in the thin strap of her heel.
"I'll check," he said calmly.
Without caring about the people around, Rudra bent down in front of her.
His fingers carefully lifted the delicate pleats of her red saree and gently untangled the cloth from her heel.
Ishni looked down at him, a little surprised.
Here he was-the powerful Rudra Singh Rajput, a man people feared even speaking to-yet he was kneeling on the temple steps, patiently fixing his wife's saree as if nothing else in the world mattered.
Just as Ishni was about to take a step forward, something caught her attention. Her eyes instinctively lifted ahead-and in the very next second, they widened.
Two men dressed completely in black were walking toward them.
Their movements were slow... deliberate... and something about them felt terribly wrong.
A sudden chill ran down Ishni's spine.
"Rudra!!" she called out sharply.
Rudra immediately looked at her, sensing the urgency in her voice.
The moment he followed her gaze and saw the two men approaching, his expression changed instantly.
The warmth that had been in his eyes seconds ago disappeared, replaced by a cold, dangerous calm.
His jaw clenched.
Without saying a word, he stepped slightly in front of Ishni, shielding her with his body.
The men didn't stop.
Instead, they suddenly lunged forward.
Within a second, one of them threw a punch toward Rudra.
Rudra reacted instantly.
He caught the man's wrist mid-air and twisted it hard, sending him stumbling sideways. The second man tried attacking from behind, but Rudra turned sharply and landed a powerful punch straight into his stomach.
The man groaned and staggered back.
Ishni's heart started pounding as she watched the sudden fight unfold right in front of the temple steps.
Rudra moved like a storm.
One of the attackers tried to grab him from behind, but Rudra elbowed him hard in the ribs before kicking him away. The other rushed at him again, but Rudra blocked the strike and slammed his fist straight into the man's jaw.
The sound of the hit echoed sharply.
Within seconds, both men were struggling to keep up with him.
But Ishni's instincts screamed something wasn't right.
This wasn't just a random attack.
Rudra turned back to her immediately after throwing the last man to the ground. The tension in his shoulders softened the moment his eyes met hers.
"Jaan... are you okay?" he asked, his voice suddenly gentle despite the chaos around them.
Before he could say anything more, Ishni rushed forward and held him tightly, her hands gripping his shirt as if she needed to make sure he was really standing in front of her.
"Yes... and you?" she asked, her voice slightly shaky.
Rudra was about to answer when something caught his attention.
A faint movement.
Across the temple yard, behind a large tree... a shadow shifted.
His eyes narrowed.
Everything happened in a split second.
The metallic click of a gun.
The flash of a bullet cutting through the air.
Rudra's instincts reacted faster than thought. He grabbed Ishni's shoulders and forcefully pushed her aside.
The gunshot echoed loudly.
The bullet tore through the air and struck Rudra's arm.
"RUDRA!!!!!" Ishni screamed.
He staggered a step back, his jaw tightening as the pain shot through his arm. Blood immediately began soaking through the white fabric of his shirt.
Ishni ran back to him instantly, her hands shaking as she grabbed his injured arm.
"Rudra... Rudra!" her voice trembled, panic flooding her eyes.
Ishni's eyes filled with tears the moment she saw the blood spreading through Rudra's white shirt. Her heart felt like it had dropped to the ground.
"Rudra... don't worry... I'm here," she said, her voice trembling as she quickly wrapped her arm around him to support his weight.
He was still trying to stay steady, but the blood loss was making him weaker.
With great difficulty, she helped him walk to the car. Her hands pressed against his arm to stop the bleeding, but within seconds her fingers were soaked red with his blood.
Her breath became uneven.
No... no... nothing will happen to him.
She opened the passenger door and carefully made him sit inside before rushing to the driver's seat. Her hands were shaking as she started the car.
The engine roared as she sped out of the temple road.
"Rudra... don't close your eyes... please talk to me," she said anxiously while driving, her voice breaking.
Beside her, Rudra leaned back against the seat, breathing a little heavier than usual. His arm rested against his body, blood still slowly dripping from the wound.
Despite the pain, he turned his head slightly toward her.
"Jaan..." he whispered faintly, trying to sound normal. "I have taken... bullets before... I'm fine... don't worry... please."
But his voice was weak.
Ishni quickly glanced at him, her vision blurring with tears.
Her hands tightened on the steering wheel.
"You are not allowed to leave me, Rudra Singh Rajput," she said, her voice shaking but firm. "So you better stay awake."
Within minutes, the car screeched to a halt outside the hospital. Ishni barely waited for it to fully stop before coming out and rushing to Rudra's side.
"Nurse! Help!" she shouted, her voice filled with panic.
Two nurses quickly ran toward them with a stretcher. With their help, Ishni carefully supported Rudra as they moved him onto it. His white shirt was now heavily stained with blood, and the sight made her chest tighten painfully.
They rushed him inside the emergency ward.
"Doctor... please do something..." Ishni said, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face.
The doctor quickly examined the wound while the nurses began preparing medical equipment.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Rajput," the doctor said calmly. "The bullet has only hit his arm. Nothing serious will happen."
Ishni's eyes flashed with anger and fear mixed together.
"Nothing will happen?" she snapped, her voice rising. "Are you kidding me right now?!"
Her hands were still red with Rudra's blood as she pointed toward him.
"Can't you see how much blood is flowing?!" she shouted, her breath shaking with panic and helplessness.
The doctor paused for a moment before speaking gently but firmly.
"Mrs. Rajput... we need you to stay calm so we can treat him properly."
Meanwhile, Rudra, despite the pain, looked toward Ishni. Even in that moment, his eyes softened seeing how terrified she was for him.