chapter 71
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The hours felt endless.
Every second outside that operation room stretched painfully, the silence heavier than anything Rudra had ever faced. He stood there the entire time-sometimes pacing, sometimes just staring at the door, his mind running through every possible thought.
Tara sat beside Vipul, her hands tightly clasped, whispering silent prayers. Even Vipul, who rarely showed it, looked tense-his eyes constantly shifting toward Rudra.
And then-
the doors finally opened.
The doctor stepped out.
Rudra turned instantly, his steps quick, almost unsteady as he reached him. "Doctor..." his voice came out lower than usual, almost afraid.
The doctor smiled slightly.
"Congratulations, Mr. Rajput... it's a baby girl."
For a second everything stopped.
Rudra didn't react.
Didn't move.
Like his mind couldn't process it.
A girl.
His daughter.
Then suddenly, his breath hitched. "My wife?" he asked immediately, his voice breaking just a little.
"She's fine," the doctor reassured calmly. "Both mother and baby are healthy."
That was it.
That one sentence.
And Rudra collapsed.
Not from weakness.
From everything hitting him at once.
Tara gasped, immediately rushing forward with Vipul as they both caught him before he hit the ground.
"jiju!" Tara said, panicked.
But Rudra wasn't unconscious.
He was overwhelmed.
His hands trembled slightly as tears filled his eyes-tears he didn't even try to stop.
"I'm..." he let out a shaky breath, almost laughing through the tears. "I'm a father..."
His voice broke completely now.
"It's a girl..." he whispered, shaking his head in disbelief, a smile forming through the tears. "My princess..."
Tara's own eyes filled instantly as she smiled through her tears. "Didi is fine... and you have a daughter," she said softly.
Vipul placed a firm hand on Rudra's shoulder, steadying him. "Congratulations," he said, his voice calm but warm.
Rudra looked up, his eyes still wet, his smile still trembling.
For a man who had faced death without fear this moment broke him.
Because now he wasn't just Rudra Singh Rajput. He was someone's father.
"Vipul..." Rudra looked at him, still sitting on the floor, his eyes filled with tears and disbelief, a smile he couldn't control forming on his lips. "I'm a father... my... princess..."
Vipul smiled softly, his grip firm on Rudra's shoulder, grounding him. "Yes, boss... your princess," he said, a rare warmth in his voice.
Tara wiped her tears quickly, her face glowing with happiness as she looked at him. "Jiju... go," she said gently, almost pushing him up. "Go and meet them."
Rudra blinked, like he needed that reminder.
Like he needed permission to believe this was real.
Slowly, he stood up, his steps slightly unsteady-not from weakness, but from the weight of the moment. His heart was racing in a way it never had before.
He looked once at Tara and Vipul.
They both nodded.
He turned and walked toward the door.
Each step felt heavier... yet lighter.
The door opened.
The room inside was calm now.
And there on the bed-
Ishni lay, tired but peaceful, her eyes slowly turning toward him the moment he entered.
Rudra stopped.
Right there.
Because in her arms...was the smallest little bundle. His breath caught.
For a second, he forgot how to move.
Ishni smiled faintly, her voice weak but filled with warmth. "Rudra..."
He walked toward her slowly, like he was afraid the moment would break if he moved too fast.
"Jaan... you..." Rudra tried to speak, his voice breaking before the words could even form.
Ishni looked at him softly, already understanding, her tired smile gentle and reassuring. "I'm fine, Rudra..." she whispered.
That was all he needed to hear.
His gaze slowly shifted back to the baby in his arms.
For a moment, he just stared.
Like he couldn't believe she was real.
Like the world had stopped right there.
His lips trembled, and before he could stop it-tears spilled freely down his face.
"Mera baccha..." he whispered, his voice filled with something deeper than anything he had ever felt before.
He slowly bent down beside the bed, almost like his legs couldn't hold him anymore, still holding her carefully.
Then gently-so gently
he took her tiny feet in his hands.
So small. delicate.
He pressed them against his forehead, his eyes closing as his shoulders shook.
And he cried.
In love so overwhelming that it broke him completely.
"I'm here..." he whispered again, his voice trembling. "Papa is here..."
Ishni watched him, her own eyes filling with tears, her hand slowly reaching out to touch his hair, to comfort him like he had always comforted her.
"You did this..." he said softly, still holding their daughter close. "You gave me everything..."
Ishni shook her head slightly, her voice weak but full of warmth. "We did this... together."
Rudra looked up at her then, his eyes red, his expression soft in a way only she could bring out.
Then he leaned forward carefully, pressing a kiss to her hand.
"Thank you," he whispered.
But Ishni just smiled through her tears.
Rudra slowly lifted his head, his tears still falling, but softer now... quieter.
His gaze moved to her face.
To those tiny eyes that were barely open... to that little life that had just entered his world and changed everything in a single moment.
With trembling hands, he carefully took her into his arms again-so gently, like even the air around her mattered.
For a second, he just held her close... memorizing her.
Then a small, broken smile appeared on his lips. "Princess..." he whispered, his voice still shaking.
His thumb brushed lightly against her tiny hand, afraid yet unable to stop himself.
"I'm... your daddy..." he said softly, almost like he was introducing himself. "And daddy will always protect you... always..."
His voice cracked again.
"But... thank you..." he whispered, tears slipping down again. "Thank you for coming into our life..."
He paused, his forehead gently touching hers.
"Thank you... for choosing us..."
And then he kissed her tiny forehead.
Like a promise sealed with love.
Ishni watched everything from the bed, her eyes filled with tears but her lips curved into the most peaceful smile. Her hand rested near them, her fingers lightly touching his arm, grounding him in that moment.
Just then-the door opened softly.
Tara peeked in first, her eyes already teary, and Vipul followed behind her quietly.
They both stopped at the door.
For a moment they didn't say anything.
Then Tara's lips trembled into a smile as she whispered softly, "Didi..."
Ishni looked at her and nodded gently, her smile widening just a little.
Vipul crossed his arms lightly, a soft expression on his face as he looked at Rudra. "Boss..." he murmured under his breath, almost in disbelief.
Rudra didn't turn immediately.
He was still looking at his daughter, still lost in her.
"Jiju... please let me hold her also," Tara said, stepping closer slowly, her eyes glued to the baby, completely in love already. "I'm her masi after all..."
"Yeah, me too," Vipul added immediately, trying to peek from the side. "At least let me see properly."
Rudra tightened his hold on the baby just a little, instinctively protective, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at both of them.
"No," he said firmly.
Tara blinked. "What?"
"I'm not giving my princess to anyone," Rudra repeated, pulling the baby just a little closer to himself like someone might actually steal her.
Vipul let out a small disbelief laugh. "Boss... it's me."
"Still no."
"jijuu" Tara gasped dramatically. "I'm her masi!"
"Congratulations," he replied calmly. "Look from there."
"Didii!!" Tara complained instantly, turning to Ishni like a child.
Ishni, who had been watching all this quietly, couldn't hold back anymore-she laughed, soft but full, her eyes shining.
"Rudra..." she called gently.
He looked at her.
"Give her to Tara," she said, smiling.
Rudra frowned slightly, clearly not liking the idea. "She's too small..."
Tara immediately stepped forward. "I'll be careful!"
Vipul added, "We won't drop her, relax."
Rudra gave him a look. "That doesn't help."
Ishni shook her head, still smiling. "She's her masi... let her."
There was a small pause.
Rudra looked at his daughter again.
Then back at Tara.
Then again at his daughter.
Like he was negotiating with himself.
Finally very slowly-very carefully-
he stood up and moved toward Tara.
"Support her head," he instructed seriously.
"I know!"
"Careful."
"I said I know!"
"Don't move too much."
"JIJU"
Ishni laughed again, covering her mouth slightly. With extreme care, Rudra finally placed the baby into Tara's arms.
The moment Tara held her-
she froze.
Her expression softened instantly, her eyes filling with tears. "Oh my God..." she whispered. "She's so tiny..."
Vipul leaned in beside her, his usual calm completely gone. "Boss..." he murmured softly, "she's... perfect."
Rudra stood right there, not even taking a step back, his eyes fixed on his daughter, ready to take her back at the slightest wrong move.
"Careful," he repeated quietly.
Tara smiled through her tears. "Relax... jiju."
Ishni watched all of them, her heart full, her eyes soft.
The nurse walked in softly, her voice gentle but firm. "Please... let the baby and mother rest."
Everyone paused.
Rudra looked at his daughter one more time... then at Ishni.
Reluctantly-
he nodded.
Tara carefully handed the baby back, and one by one, they all stepped out, their eyes lingering just a second longer before the door closed.
---
Next day-
Morning light filled the room again, soft and warm.
Ishni sat on the bed, her daughter in her arms, carefully adjusting the tiny blanket around her. Her fingers moved slowly over the baby's cheek, a soft smile resting on her lips as she watched her sleep.
There was something different in her now.
Calmer.
The door opened gently.
"Good morning, didi," Tara walked in, cheerful as always but softer now, her eyes immediately going to the baby.
Ishni looked up and smiled. "Morning..."
Then after a second, she glanced around slightly.
"Where is Rudra?" she asked.
Tara walked closer, peeking at the baby with a small excited smile. "Pata nahi... jiju aur Vipul kahi gaye hai. Kuch kam bol rahe the," she said.
Ishni frowned just a little.
"kam?" she repeated softly.
It felt strange.
He hadn't left her side even once.
Tara noticed her expression and quickly added, "Don't worry, didi... he said he'll be back soon."
Ishni nodded slowly, but her fingers instinctively tightened around the baby just a little.
Her gaze dropped back to her daughter.
"Your papa..." she whispered softly, brushing her thumb against the baby's tiny hand, "can't stay away from you for long..."
Almost as if she was convincing herself too.
Tara smiled, sitting beside her. "Jiju toh ab bas aap dono ke hi ho gaye."
Ishni smiled faintly at that.
And just then outside the room footsteps approached.
After some time, the door opened and Rudra walked in, slightly out of breath but trying to act normal.
"Jaan-"
"Where did you go?" Ishni asked immediately, her brows slightly furrowed, her tone soft but questioning.
Rudra paused for a second.
"I... hmm... we'll talk later," he said, avoiding it gently, then smiled faintly. "Let's go."
Before she could ask more, he carefully picked up their daughter, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world, then extended his hand toward Ishni.
"Come."
Ishni looked at him for a moment, still a little suspicious... but then she placed her hand in his.
---
After some time-
They reached the mansion.
The car stopped.
Rudra stepped out first, then helped Ishni out carefully, one hand protectively around her while the other held their daughter close.
But the moment Ishni looked up, she froze.Her eyes widened.
The entire mansion...was decorated.
Flowers draped across the entrance, soft lights glowing even in daylight, ribbons tied beautifully around pillars. A few people stood in line on both sides, smiling warmly
and the moment they stepped forward
flower petals were thrown gently over them.
Ishni blinked, completely surprised.
"Rudra..." she whispered, looking around in disbelief.
Rudra just looked at her, a soft smile on his face.
"Welcome home," he said quietly.
More petals fell as they walked in slowly.
Someone from the staff stepped forward with a small thali, doing a light welcome ritual for both Ishni and the baby.
Tara and Vipul appeared from inside, both smiling brightly.
"Surprise!" Tara said excitedly.
Ishni looked at Rudra again, her eyes softening.
"You did all this...?" she asked quietly.
Rudra shifted the baby slightly in his arms, then looked at her.
"For my wife," he said simply.
Then his gaze dropped to the baby.
"And for my princess."
Ishni's eyes filled instantly.
She just smiled through her tears.
As they walked inside together flower petals still falling the mansion didn't feel like a place anymore.
It felt like a beginning.
A home ready to welcome its newest heartbeat.
Ishni looked at Rudra, her heart softening instantly.
"Boss, those people you asked for..." Vipul said, pointing toward a group standing a little away.
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