chapter 70
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Slowly, she walked closer, her fingers lightly brushing the petals.
"Who..." she whispered.
Before she could finish a familiar presence came from behind her.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her gently but firmly against a chest she had once known too well.
Her entire body froze.
That voice low... broken... and impossibly close.
"Jaan..."
The word didn't belong in the present.
It belonged to a memory she had buried deep, locked away because it hurt too much to carry.
Ishni's fingers went still on the flowers.
Her heartbeat stopped for a second.
Slowly, almost afraid of what she'd see, she turned her head slightly.
And everything in her world paused.
The bouquet, the room, the wedding chaos outside all of it faded.
Because behind her... holding her like he had never let go...
was Rudra.
She turned fully, and for a moment she just stared at him-like her mind refused to believe what her eyes were seeing.
Rudra stood there, calm, real, breathing.
Watching her like he had never left.
Her breath broke.
Her eyes filled instantly, tears slipping down before she could stop them, and in the next second she crashed into him.
Arms wrapped tightly around his chest, holding him like if she let go, he would disappear again.
"I'll break your legs if you ever go for an Italy trip again!" she said through tears, voice shaking, half angry, half overwhelmed. "You took months there... months, Rudra!"
For a second, there was silence.
Then Rudra's arms finally came around her-careful, firm, like he was making sure she was real too.
A faint, tired smile touched his lips as he held her closer.
"Noted," he murmured softly, his voice warm against her hair. "Next time... I'll take you with me."
Ishni pulled back just slightly, still crying, still looking at him like she was scared he'd vanish again if she blinked too hard.
"You better not joke," she sniffed.
"I'm not," he said quietly.
And then his hand gently brushed her face, wiping her tears with a tenderness that hadn't changed-even after everything.
"I came back," Rudra added, softer now. "Didn't I?"
Ishni shook her head slightly, still holding onto him.
"You shouldn't have left in the first place," she whispered.
Rudra didn't argue.
He just pulled her back into his arms again.
And this time he didn't let go.
As if she was still deciding whether to scold him.
.. or just hold him tighter.
In the end-
she chose both
.
Her fingers tightened slightly on his shirt as she leaned closer, resting her head against his shoulder.
"You're not going anywhere again," she muttered softly, almost like a warning.
Rudra let out a quiet breath, his hand still resting over her stomach, his thumb moving in slow, absent circles.
"I'm not," he said simply.
Time skip-
The room that once held silence was now alive with noise, laughter, and pure chaos. The door burst open without warning, and Tara walked in dramatically, already irritated and glowing at the same time.
"Well, jiju, if you're done with your romance, can we start my wedding?" she said, placing her hands on her waist like she had been personally suffering because of them.
Ishni couldn't help but laugh softly, shaking her head, while Rudra looked completely unbothered, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Of course," he said casually, standing up and gently helping Ishni up with him, his hand instinctively supporting her as if it belonged there.
Vipul stood beside Tara, watching the two of them quietly for a moment. His eyes met Rudra's, and for a second, everything around them faded-the past, the fight, the unspoken loyalty. Rudra stepped forward without a word and pulled him into a tight hug.
A proper one.
The kind that didn't need explanation.
Vipul blinked once, surprised, then smirked slightly and hugged him back just as firmly. "Good to have you back, boss," he muttered.
Rudra pulled back and gave him a look. "Not boss," he said simply.
Vipul raised a brow.
Rudra's lips curved slightly. "Family."
Vipul nodded once, softer this time. "Hmm... don't get emotional now."
"Too late," Tara cut in dramatically. "I'm already emotional and annoyed. Can we please go? I have a whole wedding waiting and clearly no one is taking me seriously."
"I am taking you seriously," Ishni said, trying not to smile."You're laughing!"
"Because you're funny."
"I'm not funny, I'm stressed!"
Vipul sighed loudly. "See? This is what I was talking about. Lifelong mission."
Tara gasped. "Vipul!"
Rudra let out a quiet chuckle while Ishni just shook her head, holding her stomach lightly as she laughed, the moment warm and full in a way she hadn't felt in years.
"Come on," Rudra said finally, slipping his hand into Ishni's and giving it a gentle squeeze.
Tara immediately grabbed Ishni's other hand. "Careful, didi. Today you walk like a queen."
Vipul walked ahead, muttering, "And I'm the one getting married..."
"Shut up!" Tara threw back instantly.
Their voices overlapped as they walked out together-teasing, arguing, laughing.
The wedding was in full swing, the mandap glowing under soft golden lights, flowers hanging beautifully from every corner while the sacred fire flickered gently as the priest continued the rituals.
Everyone's attention was fixed there-everyone except Rudra.
He was looking at Ishni
Continuously.
Ishni finally turned toward him, catching him staring again, her brows narrowing slightly. "What?" she asked.
Rudra didn't even try to hide it. "Nothing."
"Then why are you staring?" she questioned.
He leaned a little closer, his arm resting behind her chair, his presence slowly surrounding her. "Because I can."
Ishni rolled her eyes, trying to stay unaffected. "People are watching."
"Let them," he replied smoothly. "They should learn something."
She raised a brow. "Learn what?"
"How to look at their wife properly."
For a second, she blinked at him, completely caught off guard, before quickly looking away, a small smile threatening to appear. "You've become very talkative."
"Only when you're around," he said casually.
"That makes no sense."
"It doesn't need to."
She lightly hit his arm. "Focus on the wedding."
But before she could pull her hand back, Rudra caught it, his fingers closing around hers, holding it firmly. She tried once to pull away, glancing around nervously. "Leave my hand."
"No," he said simply.
"Rudra..."
"Hmm?"
"People are here."
He leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping just enough to make her breath hitch. "Then behave like my wife."
She turned to him, eyes widening. "What does that even mean?"
"Sit close," he murmured, a faint smirk on his lips. "Hold my hand... and stop fighting me for five minutes."
"I don't fight you," she argued immediately.
"You're doing it right now."
She opened her mouth to respond-
then stopped , He smiled, satisfied.
Shaking her head, she finally gave up, shifting just a little closer to him, her hand still in his. "Happy?" she muttered.
"Very."
At the mandap, Tara and Vipul were in their own world entirely. Tara kept stealing small glances at him, only to look down the moment their eyes almost met, her fingers nervously adjusting her dupatta again and again.
Vipul, trying hard to look serious, kept glancing at her too, his composure slipping every few seconds.
During one of the rituals, their hands brushed.
Both froze instantly.
Tara pulled her hand back quickly, her cheeks turning pink, while Vipul cleared his throat, pretending nothing happened.
"I didn't do anything," he whispered awkwardly.
"I didn't say anything," Tara whispered back.
A small silence passed-
and then both of them smiled, shy and soft.
Finally, the wedding came to an end.
The mandap that was once filled with chants and rituals now held a different kind of silence-one that comes right before a goodbye. The lights still glowed, the flowers still looked beautiful... but the air had changed.
It was time for Tara to leave.
Her smile faded the moment the realization hit.
She turned toward Ishni-and in the next second, she ran into her arms, hugging her tightly, like she didn't want to let go.
"Didi..." her voice broke instantly as tears rolled down her cheeks. "If it wasn't for you... I wouldn't have this family... I wouldn't have this life... thank you... for everything..."
Ishni's eyes softened, her own tears finally slipping out as she wrapped her arms around her just as tightly.
"I'm the one who's grateful, Tara..." she whispered gently, holding her close. "You're not just family... you're my sister."
Tara cried harder at that, holding onto her like a child, not caring about anything else around her.
Just them.
Slowly, Ishni pulled back, cupping her face and wiping her tears with a soft smile. "Now don't cry like this... your makeup will get ruined," she teased lightly.
Tara let out a small laugh through her tears. "I hate you..."
"I know," Ishni smiled.
Beside them, Rudra stepped forward, his expression calm but warm as he looked at Vipul.
"Take good care of her," he said firmly.
He simply nodded, serious, respectful. "With my life."
Rudra held his gaze for a second then gave a small nod.
That was enough.
Tara looked between them and wiped her tears again, taking a deep breath as she held Vipul's hand.
But before leaving-she turned once more toward Ishni.
Their eyes met, Just love.
Just understanding.
And then slowly, she walked away.
With her new life.
With her new beginning.
Ishni stood there watching her go, her hand slowly moving to her stomach again, her eyes slightly teary but peaceful.
Rudra stepped beside her, his hand finding hers, holding it gently.
"She'll be okay," he said softly.
Ishni nodded.
"Yeah..."
A small pause.
Then she smiled faintly.
"She always was."
Time skip
Everything felt peaceful now.
Not empty... not quiet in a lonely way
but calm, warm... like life had finally settled.
Soft morning light slipped through the curtains, falling gently across Ishni's face as she lay comfortably on the couch.
Her legs rested on Rudra's lap, naturally, like it had always been her place.
Rudra sat there, relaxed, one hand supporting her legs while the other moved slowly, gently massaging them with so much care-like even the smallest discomfort of hers mattered to him.
Ishni watched him quietly.
There was no rush in him anymore.
In the past few days, he hadn't left her side. From making sure she ate on time, to bringing her whatever she craved, to waking up in the middle of the night just to check if she was comfortable
He did everything without being asked.
Not out of duty but for love.
Her fingers slowly moved, reaching for his hand.
Rudra immediately looked up.
"You okay?" he asked softly, his voice filled with concern.
She nodded gently, her eyes soft. "Hmm... I'm okay."
He didn't stop there.
His hand moved to her stomach, resting there carefully, protectively, like he was already connected to the life growing inside her.
"Jaan... I can't wait to meet our child," Rudra said softly, a gentle smile resting on his lips as his hand stayed over her stomach, almost like he was already trying to feel every little moment.
Ishni looked at him, her eyes softening at the way he said it-so simply, yet filled with so much love.
"Rudra, have some patience..." she said with a small smile. Then, tilting her head slightly, she added, "By the way... do you want a boy or a girl?"
Rudra didn't answer immediately.
Instead, his thumb traced slow circles over her hand, his gaze dropping for a second before lifting back to her.
"I just want them to be like you," he said quietly.
Ishni blinked, caught off guard. "Like me?"
He nodded, his expression calm but full of warmth. "Strong... stubborn... and kind in ways you don't even realize."
A small smile touched her lips. "That sounds difficult to handle."
Rudra's lips curved slightly. "I've been handling you just fine."
She lightly shook her head, but her eyes softened even more.
"And you?" he asked gently. "What do you want?"
Ishni looked down at her stomach, her hand slowly resting over his.
"Someone like you," she whispered.
Rudra's expression shifted, something deeper settling in his eyes.
"Protective... quiet... but loves without saying much," she continued softly. "Someone who makes people feel safe... just by being there."
Rudra leaned forward slowly, pressing a soft kiss against her forehead.
"Then we're in trouble," he murmured.
She frowned slightly. "Why?"
He smiled faintly. "Because they're going to get both of us."
Ishni let out a soft laugh, resting her head against his shoulder again.
"That's not a bad thing," she whispered.
Rudra's arm wrapped around her gently, holding her closer.
"No," he said quietly.
"Not at all."
Rudra was still comfortably leaning back, one hand resting over Ishni's, the other gently supporting her legs on his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Jaan... I'm serious," he said again, eyes bright with excitement. "What if it's twins? Or triplets? Imagine... little versions of you running around everywhere."
Ishni looked at him sideways, already trying not to smile. "Rudra..."
He ignored her tone completely. "And if it's only one, it's fine," he continued very casually, as if discussing daily routine. "We'll just plan the next one soon."
That was it.
Ishni turned fully toward him.
"...Plan?"
Rudra nodded like he was discussing business strategy. "Of course. We'll manage properly."
She stared at him for a second, then slowly shook her head. "You are talking like this is a project."
He leaned a little closer, completely shameless, completely serious. "It is a very important project."
Ishni blinked.
Then laughed under her breath. "You're unbelievable."
Rudra smirked slightly, squeezing her hand. "You love it."
"I do not-"
"You do," he cut in instantly, calm.
Ishni opened her mouth... then closed it again, because arguing with him was pointless.
Rudra, very satisfied with his victory, leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her fingers. "Also," he added casually, "I think we should aim for at least three."
Ishni almost choked. "Aim?!"
He nodded seriously. "Big family."
She shook her head, trying to hide her smile. "You're so shameless."
Rudra didn't even deny it.
He just looked at her, completely soft now. "Only with you."
That made her pause.
Her teasing faded a little.
She looked at him properly-at the way his thumb was still gently rubbing her hand, the way his eyes stayed on her like she was his whole world.
"...You're really happy, huh?" she asked quietly.
Rudra didn't hesitate for even a second.
"Yes," he said simply.
Then, leaning closer, he added in a lower voice, "I finally have my wife... my baby... and you stuck with me forever now."
Ishni smiled softly, her hand moving to cup his face. "You were always stuck with me."
Rudra leaned into her touch.
"Best problem I ever had," he murmured.
Ishni shook her head lightly, smiling now for real, before resting back against his shoulder again.
And Rudra, very satisfied with his "life plan," tightened his hold on her like he had no intention of ever letting go again.
-----
It was late at night, the mansion quiet and dim under soft moonlight.
Rudra sat on the couch with his laptop open, working silently but his attention never truly leaving Ishni. She was asleep in the bed, curled comfortably under the blanket, looking peaceful.
But suddenly-she shifted.
Restless.
"Rudra... Rudra..." she called softly.
In an instant, Rudra was on his feet.
"Jaan," he rushed to her side, sitting beside her on the bed immediately, his laptop forgotten. "Jaan... what happened?"
Ishni frowned, her hand moving to her stomach as her breathing changed slightly. "Rudra... my stomach..." she winced, gripping his arm. "It's hurting... ahh..."
Rudra's entire expression changed instantly.
All calmness gone.
"Hey-hey, look at me," he said quickly, gently holding her shoulders. "Breathe slowly, okay?"
She nodded weakly, eyes shut tight.
Rudra immediately reached for his phone, already dialing. "I'm calling the doctor."
Ishni grabbed his wrist faintly. "No... it's just... sharp pain..."
"Doesn't matter," he said firmly, but his voice stayed soft with worry. "I'm not taking any risk."
He helped her sit up slightly, carefully adjusting the pillow behind her back. His hand stayed on her stomach, warm and steady, as if trying to take away the pain himself.
"Talk to me," he said gently. "When did it start?"
"I... just now," she whispered, breathing uneven.
Rudra nodded, staying calm only for her sake. "Okay. You're fine. I'm here."
He brushed her hair back from her face, his thumb softly wiping the sweat forming on her forehead. "Look at me, jaan."
She opened her eyes slowly.
"I'm right here," he said again, firmer this time. "Nothing is going to happen to you or the baby, okay?"
Her grip on his hand tightened.
Rudra immediately kissed her forehead, lingering there. "Just relax. I've got you."
Within minutes, he was already instructing staff, calling the doctor, and sitting right back beside her like he hadn't moved at all.
And through it all his hand never left hers.
Because for Rudra...there was no calm until she was okay.
As the doctor advised them to rush her to the hospital, Rudra didn't waste a single second.
He carefully picked Ishni up in his arms, holding her close like she weighed nothing but meant everything. She winced softly, gripping his shirt as another wave of pain hit her.
"Rudra... ahh... it's hurting," she cried weakly, her voice breaking as tears slipped down her cheeks.
Rudra immediately tightened his hold just enough to keep her steady, his voice low and steady despite the panic in his eyes.
"Jaan... please hold on," he said gently, brushing her hair back from her face. "We're almost there."
He carried her straight to the car and sat inside with her still in his arms, not letting her go for even a second. The door closed quickly, and the driver started the engine.
Ishni buried her face slightly against his chest, breathing unevenly. Rudra shifted her carefully so she was more comfortable, one arm securely around her shoulders, the other resting protectively over her stomach.
"Look at me," he said softly.
She looked up at him through teary eyes.
"You're okay," he repeated, calm but firm. "I'm right here. Nothing is happening to you, alright?"
Another sharp pain made her grip his hand tighter.
Rudra didn't flinch.
He just held her closer.
"Good," he murmured. "Hold my hand tightly. Don't let go."
The car sped through the quiet streets, headlights cutting through the night.
But inside, Rudra stayed completely focused on her.
Wiping her tears.
Soothing her breathing.
Whispering softly every few seconds, "I've got you... I've got you..."
Because for him, nothing else mattered right now.
Only her.
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