𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀

Ch22RudraniThe Shield of Rudraksh #2

And despite himself, he couldn't help but feel impressed.

Everything he believed girls of this generation lacked depth, restraint, rooted wisdom Rivanya possessed effortlessly. In every way, she was... perfect.

He had to admit it.

This girl has a sharp mind.

Rivanya glanced at Rudraksh and gave a subtle signal. He understood immediately.

"Guruji, Gurumaa," Rudraksh said respectfully, "please come and have your meal. Your daughter-in-law has prepared it herself."

Gurumaa raised an eyebrow.

"But you know we eat strictly satvik food, Rudraksh no onion, no garlic."

Rivanya spoke before Rudraksh could answer.

"Gurumaa, the food is completely pure and satvik. I even used brand-new, freshly cleaned utensils for cooking. Rudraksh told me you prefer eating on banana leaves, so I arranged that too. Please just wash your hands and come."

Her thoughtfulness made Guruji and Gurumaa even happier.

Gurumaa smiled and said,

"The food can wait, Rivanya. First, take me to your home temple. I wish to offer my prayers."

Rivanya nodded immediately and led Gurumaa and Guruji toward the prayer room. Rudraksh followed behind them.

Inside the temple, Guruji and Gurumaa worshipped Mahadev and Maa Gauri. Soon after, Rudraksh escorted Guruji to the living room, knowing Guruji couldn't stand for long.

Once they were alone, Gurumaa's expression turned serious.

"Rivanya," she said softly, "you truly are wise... but you do know about the curse of Vardhanpur, don't you?"

Rivanya hesitated.

"Gurumaa, I don't know much about it... no one has told me in detail."

Gurumaa's face hardened.

"You will understand its full meaning once you reach Vardhanpur. But for now, there are a few things you must know."

She paused.

"Vardhanpur is cursed... by a terrible curse."

Rivanya's brows knit in confusion.

"What kind of curse, Gurumaa?"

Gurumaa replied gravely,

"It is said that every King of Vardhanpur loses his life on his 28th birthday."

Rivanya's breath caught.

Gurumaa continued,

"But there is a remedy one Vardhanpur has followed for generations. They believe that if the King is married before turning twenty-eight, the danger meant for him transfers to his wife."

Her voice trembled.

"Countless Queens have sacrificed their lives for Vardhanpur... and for their husbands. Rudraksh's mother was one of them."

Rivanya stood frozen.

She had heard such things only in legends, in stories never imagined they could be real.

Gurumaa noticed her silence.

"What is it, Rivanya? Do you have a question?"

Rivanya spoke hesitantly, fear lacing her voice.

"Gurumaa... does that mean every King... I mean Rudraksh... does the future King's life also face danger?"

Gurumaa looked at her intently.

"I thought you would ask about your life," she said softly. "But instead, you asked about your husband first. Truly, Rudraksh is fortunate to have you."

Rivanya pressed urgently,

"But you didn't answer my question, Gurumaa..."

Her heart was pounding.

Gurumaa lowered her gaze, sorrow filling her eyes.

"Yes, Rivanya... Rudraksh's life is also in danger."

Tears instantly welled up in Rivanya's eyes.

Fear gripped her completely.

Gurumaa wiped her tears gently and said,

"But there is hope. According to the records of Vardhanpur's history, the curse is said to end with the 100th generation. Rudraksh is the 100th King. There is a possibility that his life will be spared...but..."

Rivanya whispered,

"But... Gurumaa?"

Gurumaa swallowed hard.

"It is not certain. It may still be that instead of Rudraksh... you will face the danger."

Without hesitation, Rivanya replied,

"Gurumaa, I don't care about my life. As long as nothing happens to him even a hundred lives of mine are a small price to pay."

Overcome with emotion, Gurumaa broke down and pulled Rivanya into her arms.

"Don't worry, my child," she cried. "Have faith in Mahadev. Even death bows before him this curse is nothing in comparison."

Gurumaa stepped back slowly, her aged fingers gently wiping away Rivanya's tears each tear carrying fear, devotion, and a destiny far heavier than her years. Her voice softened, but the weight of her words grew graver.

"Rivanya," she said, her gaze steady and unwavering, "Rudraksh's life now rests in your hands. It may be that in breaking this curse, fate will spare you as well but for that, you must follow one vow without faltering. For an entire year, you must not be away from Rudraksh for even a single moment.

You must remain beside him awake or asleep, near or far. You are no longer just his wife; you are his kavach, his shield, his divine protection."

Rivanya listened, her breath uneven, her heart pounding not with fear for herself, but with the terror of losing him.

Gurumaa continued, her voice now resonating with ancient belief and sacred truth.

"Before harm can touch the suhag of a true suhagan, even the gods hesitate. This is only a curse, child and curses are meant to be challenged. Again and again, through the ages, it has been a wife who has pulled her husband back from the mouth of death. Time and history bear witness to it.

You must do the same. The rest... you are wise enough to understand."

Rivanya wiped her tears with trembling fingers. Her voice did not shake when she spoke only resolve echoed in it.

"Yes, Gurumaa," she said softly yet firmly. "I will not allow even a shadow to fall upon my sindoor. Nothing will happen to him. I will protect him... at any cost."

Gurumaa smiled a smile filled with pride, reverence, and something close to awe.

"This," she said, placing her hand gently over Rivanya's head, "this is what it means to be Rudraksh's wife."

Then, with quiet power, she added,

"Rudraksh's wife... Rudrani."

Rivanya looked up, startled.

"Rudrani?" she repeated, the word unfamiliar yet strangely awakening something deep within her soul.

"Yes," Gurumaa replied. "Rudrani.

Another name of Maa Mahishasuramardini. Your given name, Rivanya, carries the essence of Maa Gauri gentle, pure, compassionate. But Rudrani is Maa Gauri in her Rudra form the force that rises when love is threatened, when dharma trembles."

Her voice grew solemn, almost sacred.

"Maa Gauri, who is softness itself, becomes Rudrani for Mahishasura.

Remember this, child never forget it. The beginning of creation is a woman... and so is the end."

Gurumaa smiled gently and said,

"And the rest of the path... Maa Gauri herself will show you."

After talking for a little while longer, Gurumaa and Rivanya stepped outside together. Rivanya soon excused herself and headed to the kitchen to check on the preparations. Not long after, Gurumaa and Guruji were seated on floor with banana leaves, as tradition demanded.

Rivanya served them with her own hands, her movements filled with warmth and devotion. Rudraksh stood beside her, quietly helping passing dishes, arranging bowls, occasionally glancing at her with an expression he himself did not fully understand.

Once all the food was served, Guruji and Gurumaa first offered the bhog with folded hands before beginning their meal. As they ate, they could not stop praising Rivanya her manners, her grace, the love with which she had served.

Watching Rudraksh and Rivanya welcome their guests with such sincerity filled their hearts with happiness.

After the meal, Guruji and Gurumaa said it was time for them to leave.

Rivanya immediately tried to stop them.

"But it's still early," she said softly. "Please stay a little longer."

Gurumaa shook her head with a knowing smile.

"We must return to Vardhanpur today itself. Evening will fall soon."

They blessed Rudraksh and Rivanya with heartfelt affection before leaving, their faces glowing with contentment.

Once they were gone, Rudraksh and Rivanya walked back inside the house.

Only then did Rivanya finally remove the pallu from her head something she had kept in place all day out of respect. The moment she did, Rudraksh found himself unable to look away.

He was staring.

Rivanya noticed and raised an eyebrow.

"What happened?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Rudraksh replied slowly, thoughtfully,

"How do you know so much, Rivanya?"

She frowned slightly, confused.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," he continued, "the questions Gurumaa asked today-even great scholars struggle to answer them. Yet you answered so easily. How?"

Rivanya smiled, a soft, nostalgic smile.

"Dhara and I grew up sitting beside our grandmother while she read the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayan. Listening to her again and again... understanding came naturally."

Rudraksh shook his head in disbelief.

"Are you sure you're only twenty-three? Where did you get such wisdom?"

Rivanya's eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Well, if you can be an eighty-year-old man at twenty-seven, why can't I be mature at twenty-three?"

Rudraksh frowned instantly.

"Are you calling me old again? Directly or indirectly?"

Rivanya quickly put on an innocent expression.

"Oh no, I shouldn't say such things... one minute."

She suddenly pulled out her phone and started searching for something.

"What are you doing now?" Rudraksh asked suspiciously.

Before he could stop her, music began to play

"Tu uncle lage, mar jaane main lagu athara ki..."

And just like that, Rivanya grinned and declared,

"You're a buddha uncle."

Rudraksh stared at her in pure disbelief.

The next second, he lunged forward to catch her but Rivanya was already alert. Laughing, she stepped back and ran away. Rudraksh immediately chased after her.

They ran through the mansion like children sometimes left, sometimes right Rivanya's laughter echoing through the halls. Servants stopped in their tracks, staring in shock at the sight of Rudraksh usually so stern and intimidating running around like a carefree boy.