Ch8 Not Love, But Honor #3
"But Dadi Maa, I don't need anything."
She smiled warmly.
"Now that it's a ritual, you must fulfill it. Ask for whatever your heart desires. Don't worry about Rudraksh he might be a little scared."
Rudraksh's serious, hardened face remained unchanged.
"Ask for whatever you want," he said firmly.
I hesitated for a moment, eyes still lowered, then whispered,
"I want just one thing."
"Yes? Ask," he replied, his tone unwavering.
"An idol of Gauri Maiya," I said softly.
He blinked, slightly surprised.
"What?"
"Yes. I want a statue of Gauri Maiya here in the house temple. So that Lord Shiva is worshiped with his consort, not alone."
Rudraksh paused for a moment, then said in his steady, commanding tone,
"In half an hour, your wish will be fulfilled, Mrs. Vardhan."
With that, he turned and left. For the first time that morning, a small, quiet smile appeared on my face.
After Rudraksh left, Dadi Maa called everyone to the hall. Once we reached and sat down, she looked at me warmly.
"Rivanya, come, let me introduce you to all the members of the house. You don't know everyone yet, do you?"
I nodded, following her instructions.
"This is your father-in-law, Rudraksh's father," she said. I went forward and touched his feet respectfully.
"And this is your father-in-law's Kaka-sa, My husband," Dadi Maa continued. I touched his feet as well, and he gave me his blessings. Along with the blessings, he handed me a small envelope as if it were a token, or sagun. I hesitated, but he insisted, saying,
"It's my blessing, so you must accept it."
Dadi Maa pointed out the next pair.
"These are Rudraksh's two uncles, your father-in-law's younger brothers."
I touched their feet respectfully. They gave me blessings and small gifts as well. I couldn't refuse, not after receiving their blessings.
"These are their wives your aunt-in-laws," Dadi Maa continued. I received their blessings as well.
Then she said,
"And now, let these two introduce themselves to their bhabhi."
Two young men, slightly resembling Rudraksh in features, stepped forward. They bent down to touch my feet. I was startled and stepped back slightly.
"What are you both doing? You're older than me, so why are you touching my feet?" I asked.
One of them laughed and said,
"Bhabhi sa, we are your devars Rudraksh bhaiya's younger brothers. Since you are now part of the family, it's only proper to give us your blessings as our brother's wife."
"I'm Viswraaj," he added.
The second one smiled and said,
"And I'm Devaditya."
Both touched my feet again together and said,
"Welcome to the family, Bhabhi sa."
I couldn't help but smile and said,
"It's a pleasure to meet you both, Devar ji."
Devaditya teased lightly,
"Now, Bhabhi sa, you're officially a Rajput too so now it's devar sa"
I smiled again,
"Alright, Devar sa."
It was probably the first time since yesterday that a small smile had appeared on my face.
Just then, my gaze instinctively drifted
upwards. On the upper floor, Rudraksh was standing there, his expression unreadable as always. As usual, he looked serious, almost immovable. I quickly lowered my eyes something inside me stopped me from meeting his gaze. I wasn't sure why, but despite everything, I couldn't look at him directly.
I knew his eyes were fixed only on me, but for some reason, I just couldn't meet them. There was something in his gaze that made my heart race, something that left me nervous... almost breathless. I couldn't even bear it for long.
Just then, Devaditya's cheerful voice broke the silence.
"Bhabhi sa, if you ever face any problem, don't hesitate to tell us. From now on, think of us as your brothers, alright?"
I smiled softly.
"Ji, zaroor, Devar sa."
Dadi Maa came closer and touched my shoulder.
"Rivanya beta, now it's time for your first rasoi ritual. If you need to go to your room or do anything, finish it quickly and then come to the kitchen, alright?"
I nodded and went upstairs. My anklets were pricking my feet, and I wanted to adjust them. On the way up, I saw Rudraksh still standing in the corridor, lost in thought. Gathering courage, I called out,
"Suniye...?"
He turned to me, his expression unchanging, and replied,
"Sunayiye..."
That single word in his deep voice it sent a flutter through my stomach, making butterflies go wild inside me. Somehow, I controlled myself and asked,
"What are you doing here alone? Everyone's downstairs."
With that same stern face, he answered,
"I prefer solitude. I don't enjoy these noisy family dramas. I'm fine being alone."
I said nothing, only quietly returned to the room. A question circled in my mind: How can someone stay so distant from their own family?
Sitting in front of the mirror, I was adjusting my anklet when I suddenly heard the door close behind me. I looked into the mirror and froze Rudraksh was standing there.
He walked toward me slowly and said,
"I want to ask you something."
"Haan, puchiye?" I replied softly.
His sharp eyes studied me.
"Out of everything you could've asked for, why did you only wish for a Gauri Maa idol?"
I lowered my eyes.
"Since childhood, I've always worshipped Maa Gauri. When I saw only Shivji's idol in the temple, I felt... incomplete. Shivji's beloved consort should be worshipped alongside him. And besides... I don't want anything from you."
For a moment, silence hung between us. Then, unexpectedly, Rudraksh bent down on one knee before me. My eyes widened in shock.
"What are you doing?" I whispered.
Without answering, he gently lifted my foot and placed it on his lap. I tried to pull it back, but his grip was firm, unyielding.
"You're my husband you can't touch my feet. Please... let go," I protested.
Instead, he pulled a small silver anklet from his pocket and looked at me.
"Rivanya..."
The sound of my name from his lips it was the first time he had ever spoken it. My breath hitched, but his face remained stern, unreadable.
"I don't believe marriage makes a husband superior and a wife inferior. I don't care much for marriage, love, or these rituals. But now... you are my responsibility. If I don't respect you, then why should anyone else?"
His voice was calm, but his words pierced straight into my heart.
"I may never give you all the rights of a wife... but I promise you this, Rivanya: you will always have your full dignity. That is the vow of Rudraksh Vardhan."
I lowered my gaze, but a small, helpless smile tugged at my lips. For the first time, I'd seen a glimpse of the man behind that hardened exterior and it left me speechless.