𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀

Ch4The Bond of Fire #2

I turned away, ignoring her glare, and walked straight out of the Bedi mansion. Without looking back, I got into my car and drove off, leaving behind the suffocating air of bitterness and false pride.

After Rivanya left, Alisha stood frozen in place, her fists clenched in anger. Just then, her mother, Samita, walked up to her. Though Alisha's face was still burning with rage, Samita's expression held a strange mix of determination and pride.

"Mom, do you know what Rivanya just said to me?" Alisha snapped, her voice trembling with fury.

Samita waved her hand dismissively.

"I don't care what that girl says. Her words mean nothing to me. All I want is to see you married to Rudraksh Vardhan and sitting on the throne as his queen. Do you even realize, Alisha, how much I've done to make this match possible? How many tricks I've played,

how many lies I've woven just to convince the Vardhan family that the horoscope which matched Rudraksh's fate was yours."

Her voice dripped with ambition, and her eyes gleamed with a dangerous fire as she added,

"I've sacrificed too much to let this slip away. You will become the queen of Vardhanpur no matter what it takes."

Alisha:

"What did you do with the kundali, Mom? I clearly remember Pandit ji saying I wasn't the girl destined for Rudraksh Vardhan. Then how did you manage to make that match?"

At her daughter's question, a sly, devilish smile spread across Samita's face.

Samita:

"You're right. Rudraksh's kundali didn't match with yours... it matched with Rivanya's. I still remember Pandit ji saying that Rivanya's destiny was too powerful, too untouchable. He even warned me once that if she ever cursed someone in anger, fate itself would bend against them. That's why...

every time I tried to get rid of her, she somehow survived. But this time..."

Samita leaned closer, her voice low and cold, "...this time, I played my game so perfectly that the curse died, yet no one suspected a thing."

Alisha (shocked):

"What exactly did you do, Mom?"

Samita's eyes hardened, her smile cruel.

Samita:

"That's none of your concern. You focus only on Rudraksh on his name, his wealth, his throne. Leave the rest to me. And listen carefully, Alisha... that girl Rivanya must not set foot here until your wedding is over."

Alisha (pouting with arrogance):

"But why, Mom? I want her here. I want her to see me become Rudraksh Vardhan's queen with her own eyes. I want her to burn with jealousy when I sit where she could never dream to. After all, in front of Rudraksh, Papa is nothing. Once I'm queen of Vardhanpur, she'll know her place."

Samita's tone turned sharp as a knife.

Samita:

"Foolish girl. Rivanya's presence is dangerous far more than you can understand. She must not be here. Let her burn later, after you've secured your position. For now, keep your eyes only on Rudraksh and the crown that's waiting for you."

The palace of Vardhanpur was buzzing with activity.

Wedding preparations for Rudraksh were in full swing-the scent of fresh flowers, the glint of polished ornaments, and the sound of hurried footsteps filled every corner.

Yet, in his office, Rudraksh sat alone, papers spread across the desk, his mind elsewhere.

There was a calm about him on the surface, but behind his eyes, a storm of emotions raged.

Suddenly, the door creaked, and Viswraaj and Devaditya stepped inside.

"Bhai sa, can we come in?" Devaditya asked hesitantly.

Rudraksh looked up, his gaze sharp. "You don't need to ask permission to enter my room."

The brothers exchanged glances, then stood firm. "Bhai sa, we need to talk to you. It's important," Viswraaj said.

Rudraksh tapped his fingers on the laptop, eyes still on the screen. "Alright. Speak. What is it?"

Viswraaj took a deep breath. "Bhai sa... are you truly happy with this marriage? With this wedding?"

Rudraksh froze for a moment, his hand hovering over the laptop keys. Slowly, he looked up, voice calm but tinged with something deeper. "When have I ever thought about my own happiness? Why would today be any different?"

Devaditya stepped forward, concern etched across his face. "Bhai sa... we know you don't want this marriage. So... why did you agree?"

Rudraksh set the laptop aside and stood, walking toward them with measured steps. "I did it... for Maa. For her."

Viswraaj blinked, confused. "For Maa? What do you mean, bhai sa?"

Rudraksh took a deep breath, his hands clenching at his sides.

"Last night... I received a letter from Maa. One she wrote the moment I was born. In it, she told me her deepest wish-that I become a great king, that I bring honor to Vardhanpur, and that I uphold our family's legacy. That was her dream for me... her unfinished wish."

Devaditya's eyes widened. "A letter? What did it say, bhai sa?"

Rudraksh's voice softened, heavy with emotion.

"She said... she wanted me to be a ruler even greater than Papa. That the people of Vardhanpur should always trust and respect the Vardhan family. And... she wrote another letter, one I would only receive after my marriage. That marriage... it has to happen, for her.

For her last wish to be fulfilled."

Viswraaj and Devaditya exchanged stunned glances, realizing the depth of their brother's sacrifice. Rudraksh, who appeared so composed, was carrying a weight far greater than any ceremonial title. He was surrendering his own happiness to honor his mother's memory.

Viswraaj finally spoke, voice barely above a whisper, "So... that's why you agreed, bhai sa..."

Rudraksh nodded, his jaw tight. "Yes. Not for wealth, not for status, not for anyone else. For Maa... only for Maa."

The room fell silent. The brothers could feel the gravity of Rudraksh's words, the burden of duty that had shaped every choice he made. For Rudraksh, this marriage was more than an alliance-it was the fulfillment of a mother's love, a son's devotion, and a family's legacy.

And in that moment, they understood: happiness was not what Rudraksh sought. Honor, duty, and love for his mother were everything.

Devaditya spoke cautiously, "Bhai sa... we understand why you agreed to the Raj Tilak-to fulfill Badi Maa's last wish. And honestly, we are glad. There could be no better king for Vardhanpur than you. But... Bhai sa, why did you agree to this marriage? As far as we know,

you never intended to accept this union out of love. Then why say yes?"

Rudraksh drew in a deep, steadying breath.

"Yes... even now, and in the future, I do not accept this marriage out of love, nor will I ever. But Maa... in her letter, she mentioned another letter-one I will only receive after my marriage. That's why this marriage is necessary, nothing else. And truthfully...

I have learned that the girl I am to marry only cares for my wealth. No one else knows this, not even anyone in the palace. Once I receive that second letter, I will divorce her and ensure she is left with nothing-cast out from my life entirely."

Viswraaj and Devaditya listened, stunned by the cold clarity in Rudraksh's voice.

Rudraksh continued, softer this time, his gaze settling on them. "But I cannot manage Vardhanpur alone. I need both of you by my side. You will stand with me, won't you? My brothers..."

Without hesitation, Devaditya and Viswraaj knelt before him, bowing their heads in unwavering loyalty. "Bhai sa... could it ever be possible that we would not follow your command?" Devaditya's voice was steady, filled with conviction.

Viswraaj added, "Yes, Bhai sa... you are our Ram, and we are your Bharat and Lakshman. Without you, we are nothing."

Rudraksh's eyes softened as he reached out, lifting both of them from their knees. He pulled them into a fierce embrace, holding them close. "Your place will always be here, right next to my heart."

If Rudraksh loved anyone more than his own life, it was his mother and his two younger brothers.

Though Viswraaj and Devaditya were cousins by blood, in Rudraksh's heart they were no less than his own flesh and blood.

The bond they shared went beyond duty or family it was devotion.

Both Viswraaj and Devaditya could, at times, disagree with their parents, but never with Rudraksh.

For them, his word was final. The three had grown up side by side, inseparable, and Rudraksh's very breath seemed to reside in those two boys.

Meanwhile, far away in the palace, Pratap Vardhan walked slowly toward the last chamber at the end of the grand corridor a room forbidden to all.

No one, not even the palace staff, was allowed inside.

Despite being the king himself, Pratap never let the servants clean it; he alone tended to this sacred space.

Reaching the door, he quietly set his shoes and phone outside, then unlocked the chamber and stepped inside.

The air was heavy, still, as though holding onto memories.

With a flick, he lit the lamps, revealing a magnificent room walls adorned with golden carvings of celestial beings, silk curtains flowing like whispers of the past, and a fragrance of sandalwood lingering in the air.

At the far end stood a large framed portrait, veiled with a fine piece of embroidered silk. Pratap walked to it with slow, deliberate steps. His hand trembled as he pulled the cloth away, and there she was Agnishikha.

Her face glowed with ethereal beauty. Deep black kohl-lined eyes that seemed to hold a universe of secrets, long dark hair cascading like rivers of night, lips as red as rose petals. She looked so alive, so radiant, that one could almost believe she would step out of the frame at any moment.

Pratap placed his palm against the portrait, his voice breaking as a single tear rolled down his cheek.

"Shikha... why did you leave me? The day you went away, happiness abandoned my life forever. Our son, Rudraksh... he despises me. He believes it was because of me that you left this world. And perhaps... perhaps he isn't wrong. You gave up your life to save mine."

He paused, his breath trembling.

"But what happened to us will not happen to our son.