𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀

Ch18 Wrapped in Memories #3

Rudraksh joined me from the other side, settling beside me, his hand brushing against mine, reassuring and steady.

The driver started the car. I rolled down the window, waving goodbye, my eyes catching every face, every tear, every smile.

Slowly, steadily, my home began to disappear in the distance.

My heart felt heavy, yet full carrying the love, blessings, and memories of everyone I held dear as I embarked on this new chapter of my life, hand in hand with my husband.

Rudraksh took out his handkerchief and, handing it to me, said gently,

"Here... wipe your tears."

I took the handkerchief and silently wiped my tears.

After a few moments, Rudraksh spoke again,

"Honestly, yaar... after crying, your face looks like a squished tomato."

I glared at him in anger and replied,

"And even without crying, your face looks like a plain boiled potato. Did I ever comment on that?"

Rudraksh said,

"Why are you getting triggered? I just stated a fact."

I shot back,

"And I answered your fact with another fact. Just wait till we reach home I'll show you. Big man, letting me leave my own house...and you didn't even just wait."

Rudraksh suddenly leaned closer to me, his voice low and deep,

"And after reaching home, what exactly are you going to do, Sugarplump? Tell me..."

The moment he came closer, I froze. My breath hitched half stuck in my throat and his intoxicating voice wrapped around me like a spell. Somehow, gathering my senses, I placed a single finger on his chest and pushed him back lightly, saying,

"You'll find out once we reach home, Mr. Vardhan."

I knew very well that Rudraksh was a hundred times stronger than me, yet he actually stepped back with just my tiny shove. That surprised me... and somewhere inside, a strange tingling sensation fluttered through me.

Then Rudraksh asked,

"By the way, today you called your Mama and Mami 'Maa' and 'Papa'. Why? And why did they get so emotional?"

I answered softly,

"After my mother passed away, Mamaji and Mami raised me like their own daughter. I always knew they wanted to hear me call them 'Maa' and 'Papa', but I never said it... I didn't think much about it back then.

Later, when I grew older and understood things, I felt embarrassed... I thought after ignoring their feelings for so long, how could I suddenly call them Maa and Papa?

But today... for the first time, I gathered the courage to say it. And seeing the happiness on their faces... I can't even explain it."

Rudraksh nodded quietly and didn't say anything.

After a few minutes, I spoke,

"Rudra..."

He looked at me,

"Yes? Tell me."

I said,

"I need to tell you something important."

Rudraksh's expression sharpened,

"Tell me. What happened?"

I said firmly,

"Once we reach home, please make sure the guards never allow Naresh Bedi near the house. After what he did today, I don't even want to see his face. He means nothing to me now."

Rudraksh replied instantly,

"As you command, Ranisa..."

He said it with a smirk, looking straight at me, and I lowered my gaze shyly.

But his piercing eyes were still fixed on me, making me restless. So I gathered courage and asked,

"What are you staring at?"

Rudraksh smirked again,

"Just noticing... you're so tiny, yet so fearless. The way you fought Naresh Bedi and Alisha today... I saw everything."

I said,

"Of course I fought back. Even though you are a big khadus and look like a sad potato, they have no right to question your character."

Rudraksh raised his eyebrows and leaned closer to me again,

"Watch your tongue, Sugarplump..."

His proximity sent a shiver down my spine again. I quickly said,

"Are you looking for excuses to come closer to me? There's so much space on that side please go sit there..."

Rudraksh replied casually,

"You're the one who keeps saying you're my wife. So I have the full right to sit close to you."

I didn't know what to say to that. If I agreed, I'd be trapped. If I disagreed, I'd still be trapped. So saying nothing was safer.

Besides, who wants to fight with this half?wild man? One puff of breath and my tiny soul would fly away.

His "puff" reminded me of something, so I asked,

"Those people who attacked me today who were they? And what did you do to them?"

Rudraksh leaned his head back, eyes closed, speaking in that same relaxed tone,

"Nothing much. Some of my rivals sent them. And don't think too much... your brain is small, it will get overloaded."

Now he was crossing limits. I burst out,

"What did you just say? My brain is small? Mind your words, Mr. Vardhan!"

But he kept his eyes closed and simply smiled, as if mocking me. I clenched my jaw in frustration and turned to look outside.

The sun was rising slowly. Everyone had asked Rudraksh to stay the night, but he had some urgent work, so we left late at night itself.

Now we were on our way to the airport, from where we would take his private jet back to Mumbai.

I glanced in the car's mirror and saw twelve black cars following us in a straight line Rudraksh's guards.

Ahead of us were almost ten more cars.

And we were right in the center... protected on all sides.

I called out softly,

"Rudra..."

With his eyes still closed, he replied in that calm, lazy tone,

"Yes, Mrs. Vardhan... I'm listening. What happened?"

I asked, "You don't have to reach Mumbai immediately-right-now, right?"

He opened his eyes and looked at me.

"Why? What happened? Why are you asking that?"

I said,

"There's a small pond a little ahead... I've been going there since childhood. And now I don't know when I'll come back to Kashi again... so can we stop there for a while?"

Rudraksh nodded.

"Alright... whatever Ranisa wishes."

Then he told the driver to stop near the pond and leaned back again, resting his head on the seat and closing his eyes.

Now I was getting bored.

Expecting a conversation from this aadi manav is clearly useless.

So I removed the dupatta from my head, relaxed into the seat, and started using my phone. This was the first time I logged into Instagram after three months because of exams, I wasn't using it.

Without even opening his eyes, Rudraksh said,

"You're on social media?"

I almost jumped.

What is he some ten?headed Ravan?

How does he hear and sense everything happening around him?

I replied,

"Who isn't on social media these days?"

He said,

"The ones who have discipline."

I asked,

"Oh really? Like who?"

He said,

"Me. I'm not on any social media."

I stared at him in disbelief.

"Unbelievable. No fun at all... old man."

Rudraksh opened his eyes and glared at me.

"Watch your tongue, Mrs. Vardhan. You're talking too much. You're not scared of me anymore, are you? Be careful... what if I just eat you alive?"

I glared back with equal attitude.

"You don't have that much courage. If anything happens to me, my Sandeep Papa will break your legs, and Bapusa is two steps ahead of him... so no, you cannot eat me."

Rudraksh muttered,

"You talk too much nonsense."

And he closed his eyes again, resting his head back like he was ignoring me.

I knew my words had irritated him.

So, just to annoy him a little more...

I played a song on my phone:

'Main kya karu Ram, mujhe buddha mil gaya...'

----

I honestly cried while writing this chapter.

I tried my best to reflect everything my upbringing has taught me and to pour those emotions into this story.

If at any point I went wrong or something didn't come out as intended, please forgive me.

Your love and support mean the world thank you for always being here and sharing this journey with me.