chapter 72
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Ishni's POV
People?
I frowned slightly, confused, my gaze shifting toward them.
A few people stood there-simple, humble... some elderly, some with children, all looking unsure but hopeful.
I looked back at Rudra.
He just gave a small nod and gestured them to come forward.
Before I could understand what was happening, a few staff members brought trays-filled with food, clothes... neatly arranged.
Rudra adjusted our daughter in his arms carefully.
Then he did something that made my breath pause.
He gently brought her tiny foot forward... and made it touch the food and clothes.
Like a blessing.
Like she was the one giving.
And then he handed those things to the people, one by one.
"Please..." his voice was soft, respectful in a way I had rarely seen him with anyone outside. "Bless my princess with lots and lots of happiness."
Just a father.
The people smiled, their eyes lighting up as they gave their blessings, hands raised, words filled with warmth and sincerity.
"Bhagwan usse hamesha khush rakhe..."
"Lambi umar ho..."
"Nazar na lage..."
I stood there, watching everything.
My heart felt too full.
I had seen Rudra as many things.
Dangerous.Powerful.Unbreakable.
But this, this was something else.
This was love... in its purest form.
I walked closer slowly, my eyes never leaving him.
He looked up at me.
And for a moment we didn't need to say anything.
Because I understood.
He wasn't just celebrating her birth.
He was welcoming her into the world with blessings from those who needed it the most. And in that moment I didn't just fall in love with him again.
I felt proud.
Proud of the man he had become.
Proud that he was the father of our child.
At that moment-
I didn't just see him...
I felt him.
My eyes stayed on Rudra, and something inside my chest tightened so deeply it almost hurt. He stood there, holding our daughter like she was the most sacred thing in the world, his head slightly bowed as he asked for blessings-not as a powerful man, not as someone feared-
Just a father
This is my husband...
The words echoed inside me, not as a thought-but as a feeling. A truth. A pride that ran through my veins.
My man.
The same man the world trembled before...
was standing there today with so much softness, so much humility, so much love-
for our daughter.
My eyes filled instantly, tears blurring my vision as I watched him. There was no control over them. No stopping them.
A warmth spread through me, steady, grounding, powerful.
I chose him.
And for the first time I didn't question anything.Not the chaos we had been through.
Because standing there, watching him like this...everything felt worth it.
To this man... who didn't just love me
but honored the life we created together.
My gaze dropped to our daughter, so small in his arms... so safe.
And something inside me settled.
A quiet, unshakable peace.
She is safe.
Not just because he can protect her-but because he will love her.The way he loves me.Fiercely.Completely.Without limits.
My lips trembled into a soft smile, tears still falling as I looked back at him.
There was pride in my eyes.
The kind only a wife feels when she looks at her husband and realizes...she chose the right man.
And in that moment I didn't just feel lucky.
I felt proud.
Proud that he is mine.
Proud that I am his.
Proud that my daughter...
will grow up calling this man her father.
"Jaan...? What happened?" Rudra asked, his voice soft, his eyes immediately searching mine.
I looked at him.
Just... looked.
All those feelings pride, love, respect they were still rushing inside me, too heavy, too deep to put into words.
So I didn't say anything.
I just smiled.
But one that held everything.
Rudra frowned slightly, confused, but then his expression softened. He didn't ask again. He just looked at me for a second longer... like he understood more than I said.
---
After some time, we all came inside.
And that's when the real chaos began.
Tara and Vipul had clearly decided they needed to hold the baby.
"Jiju, bas ek minute!" Tara pleaded, following Rudra around like a shadow. "Please... just one minute!"
Vipul stood on the other side, trying his luck. "Boss... I haven't even held her properly."
Rudra, however was not even slightly convinced.
"No," he said calmly, adjusting the baby in his arms again. "She's sleeping."
"She's been sleeping since one hour!" Tara argued.
"Exactly. Don't disturb her."
Vipul sighed. "Boss, you're acting like we're kidnappers."
Rudra gave him a look. "I don't trust you."
"Wow."
Tara crossed her arms dramatically. "Didii!! Dekho na!"
I couldn't stop laughing at this point, sitting comfortably while watching all of them.
"Rudra..." I called softly.
He immediately turned to me. "Hmm?"
"Let them hold her."
He shook his head without even thinking. "No."
Tara gasped loudly. "You're so possessive!"
"She's my daughter."
Vipul rubbed his forehead. "This is going to be difficult."
I smiled, watching him my stubborn, overprotective husband who wouldn't let go of his daughter even for a second.
"Rudra," I said again, a little firmer this time but still soft. "They're not going to take her away."
He looked at me.
Then at the baby, back at me.
A small pause.
Finally, with great reluctance, he walked toward Tara.
I laughed again, shaking my head.
Slowly, very carefully, he placed the baby in Tara's arms-but he didn't step away.
Not even an inch.His eyes stayed locked on her. Watching.Ready.
As if at the slightest discomfort, he'd take her back instantly.
Vipul leaned closer, smiling softly. "Boss... relax. She's safe."
Rudra didn't reply.He just stood there.
Watching his daughter like his entire world was in those tiny hands. And honestly it was.
Tara and Vipul were completely lost in her.
Their laughter filled the room as Tara gently rocked the baby in her arms, her face glowing with pure joy. "Look at her, Vipul... she's smiling!" she whispered excitedly, even though it was probably just a tiny reflex.
Vipul leaned closer, smiling in a way Ishni had never seen before. "Boss is gone now... officially," he teased softly.
I sat there, watching them... watching her... watching him.
My gaze slowly shifted to Rudra.
He was standing close, eyes fixed only on our daughter, his expression calm but so full... so complete.
I smiled.
"Thank you," I said softly.
He looked at me, a small smile appearing on his lips. "You don't have to," he replied just as gently.
But I did.
A comfortable silence settled for a second before Tara suddenly spoke again, still staring at the baby.
"By the way... what is our princess's name?" she asked curiously.
Rudra's gaze shifted.
From the baby-to me.Our eyes met.
And something unspoken passed between us.
A decision already made.
A feeling already shared.
He smiled.
"Aaradhya..." he said softly.
My lips curved instantly.
"Aaradhya..." I repeated, tasting the name, feeling it settle in my heart like it always belonged there.
Rudra looked at her again, his eyes softening even more.
"Our daughter will be worshipped..." he said quietly. "She's a blessing to us... just like her name."
The room fell into a soft silence.
Tara looked down at the baby, her eyes shining. "Aaradhya..." she whispered with a smile. "So perfect..."
Vipul nodded slowly. "It suits her."
I watched Rudra as he gently stepped closer, his fingers brushing lightly over Aaradhya's tiny hand.
Time skip-
Life had become... soft.
Peaceful in the most beautiful way.
The mansion that once echoed with tension now echoed with laughter-tiny footsteps running around, giggles in every corner, little arguments, bedtime stories...
Rudra sat with his laptop open, a few men around him discussing work. His face was serious, focused, the same powerful man everyone feared.
"Sir, the deal-"
Chhan... chhan...
The soft sound of anklets filled the room.
Rudra's fingers stopped.
His eyes lifted instantly.
"Pa... papa..." a tiny voice called.
And just like that everything changed.
At the door stood Aaradhya.
Her little anklets shining, her hair slightly messy like she had been running around, her cheeks a little puffed, and those big innocent eyes searching only for him.
The moment she saw him looking-
her face lit up.
"Papa!" she called again, this time louder, her tiny feet running toward him as fast as they could.
Rudra didn't even realize when he stood up.
The laptop?Forgotten.
The meeting?Gone.
The world?Didn't exist.
He bent down just in time and scooped her up into his arms, holding her close like he hadn't seen her in years.
"My princess..." he whispered, his voice instantly soft.
Aaradhya giggled, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck tightly. "Papa, I was look...ing for you!"
Rudra smiled, kissing her cheek gently. "I'm right here... where will I go leaving you?"
She pulled back slightly, her little hands holding his face. "You didn't come to play with me..."
There was a small pout.
Rudra immediately looked guilty.
"Oh..." he said softly, brushing her hair back. "My princess was waiting?"
She nodded seriously. "Hmm!"
He smiled, his forehead touching hers. "Then work is cancelled."
From behind, the men froze.
Cancelled??Just like that??
Rudra didn't even look at them.
"Meeting over" he said calmly.
They nodded quickly and disappeared.
Aaradhya clapped softly, excited. "Yay! Papa is mine now!"
Rudra chuckled, hugging her closer. "Always yours."
She then remembered something and quickly showed him her little hands. "Papa, I made drawing!"
He looked at it like it was the most important thing in the world. "Wow... this is so beautiful."
"It's you, me and mama," she said proudly.
Rudra's eyes softened instantly.
He kissed her forehead. "Best drawing ever."
She beamed.
Then suddenly leaned in and whispered, "Mama said you love me the most."
Rudra smiled, holding her a little tighter. "Mama is right."
"And you love mama?" she asked innocently.
He laughed softly. "More than you can count." She thought for a second... then nodded like she understood everything.
"Okay," she said seriously.
Rudra couldn't help but smile, completely gone in her little world.
The study room once filled with serious discussions, sharp decisions, and silence was now filled with laughter.
Papers were pushed aside, files forgotten, and the big table that once held deals... now had crayons scattered all over it.
Rudra sat on the floor.
Yes-the Rudra Singh Rajput sitting cross-legged, completely focused on helping Aaradhya build something out of her toys.
"Papa, nooo... like this!" she said, correcting him seriously as she fixed the blocks herself.
"Oh..." he nodded obediently. "My mistake."
She looked at him proudly. "You don't know anything."
Rudra smiled softly. "That's why I have you."
She grinned.
For a moment, they both just played-her laughter echoing, his quiet chuckles blending with it.
Then suddenly, she paused.
Her tiny fingers stopped moving.
"Papa..." she said softly.
Rudra looked at her instantly. "Hmm?"
"Where is mama?" she asked, her big eyes looking around like she expected Ishni to appear any second.
Rudra's expression softened. "Princess, your mama is working..."
Aaradhya frowned immediately.
A small pout forming on her lips.
"I want to talk to her," she said, her voice turning soft and stubborn at the same time.
Rudra smiled a little, already knowing what was coming.
"Call, call," she said, climbing into his lap without asking, holding his shirt and looking at him expectantly.
Rudra chuckled softly, adjusting her comfortably in his arms. "Okay, okay... we'll call mama."
He picked up his phone, but before dialing, he looked at her. "What will you say?"
She thought for a second... then smiled. "I'll say I miss her."
Rudra's eyes softened instantly.
He kissed her hair gently. "She'll like that."
The phone started ringing.
Aaradhya held it excitedly with both hands, almost bouncing in his lap.
The moment the call connected-
"MAMAAA!" she shouted happily.
Rudra pulled the phone slightly away from his ear, smiling.
On the other side, Ishni's voice came, warm and surprised. "Aaradhya?"
"I miss you!" she said immediately.
Rudra watched her, his heart melting at how easily she expressed love.
He leaned his head slightly against hers, listening quietly as she talked non-stop.
"Mamaaa... I'm playing with daddy," Aaradhya said happily, holding the phone with both hands, her voice full of excitement.
On the other side, Ishni smiled softly. "Achha? But don't disturb daddy too much, okay?"
Aaradhya nodded seriously, even though Ishni couldn't see her. "Okay mama... but daddy doesn't know how to play," she complained in her tiny, innocent voice.
Rudra raised a brow instantly.
Ishni chuckled lightly from the other side. "Is that so?"
"Yes!" Aaradhya said confidently. "I teach him."
Rudra shook his head slightly, a soft smile on his lips as he pulled her a little closer.
"Very good, teach him properly," Ishni said, amused.
Then her tone softened a little as she spoke to Rudra, "Rudra... don't forget to feed her lunch, okay? I might be late... today is the trial for the case."
Rudra's expression turned attentive instantly. "Hmm... don't worry. I'll take care," he said calmly.
Aaradhya, still holding the phone, frowned slightly. "Mama, you come soon ..."
There was a small pause.
"I will, baby," Ishni replied gently. "You be good, okay?"
"I'm always good," Aaradhya said proudly.
Rudra let out a soft chuckle at that.
"Okay, give the phone to papa," Ishni said.
Aaradhya quickly handed it to him, then leaned against his chest, listening quietly.
Rudra held the phone to his ear. "Take care," he said softly.
"You too," Ishni replied.
A small pause.
The call ended.
For a second, silence stayed.
Then Aaradhya looked up at him. "Papa... mama said I'm your kid too."
Rudra smiled, brushing her hair back gently. "You're my princess."
She grinned instantly and hugged him tightly. "Then you have to listen to me."
Rudra sighed softly, pretending to be helpless. "Looks like I have no choice."
"Yesss," she said happily, completely satisfied.
And just like that the study room turned back into her little playground again.
------
Rudra carried Aaradhya to the kitchen, her tiny arms wrapped around his neck, her anklets softly chiming with every step.
The moment he set her down on the counter, she looked around excitedly.
"Daddyyy... I want to eat noddles," she said in her cute, slightly broken voice, stretching the word.
Rudra raised an eyebrow immediately.
"Princess..." he said slowly, folding his arms. "Do you want me to get scolding from your mama?"
Aaradhya smiled sweetly.
The kind of smile that was clearly dangerous.
"Pleaaase... please... daddy," she said, holding his hand and shaking it lightly, her big eyes looking up at him with full innocence.
Rudra sighed.
"...Fine," he said finally, shaking his head. "But only a little."
Aaradhya gasped happily. "Yayyy!"
He pointed a finger at her immediately. "But-be a good girl and stay here. Don't move. Okay?"
She nodded quickly. "Okay!"
Rudra turned to start cooking, rolling up his sleeves slightly.
Every few seconds he glanced back.
Just to make sure she was still there.
And she was.
Sitting on the counter, swinging her tiny legs, watching him like he was doing something magical.
"Daddy..." she called again.
"Hm?" he replied without turning.
"You are best daddy."
Rudra paused for a second.
Then continued cooking, but a small smile appeared on his lips.
"Of course I am," he said calmly.
She giggled. After a moment, she leaned forward slightly. "Mama also best."
Rudra nodded. "Yes."
Then she added softly, "But you make noddles... so you little more best."
Rudra let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Don't tell your mama that," he said.
Aaradhya covered her mouth like it was a secret. "Okayyy."
And in that kitchen with messy counters, soft giggles, and a father cooking just to make his daughter happy.
Rudra was standing at the stove, fully focused, sleeves slightly rolled up, trying his best to make noodles that wouldn't get him scolded later. The kitchen smelled fine, everything was under control... maybe a little too quiet.
And that was the problem. Because Aaradhya being quiet? Never a good sign.
Behind him, she had quietly climbed down from the counter, her tiny anklets barely making any sound as she wandered toward the lower cupboard. Curiosity shining in her eyes, she opened it slowly... and there it was-a box full of white flour.
Her face lit up like she had discovered treasure. She pulled it out, struggling a little with her tiny hands. "What is this..." she mumbled to herself, trying to open it.
And then-
POOF.
The lid slipped.
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