Ch23 When the Past Begins to Stir
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That morning, which felt calm and composed for Rudraksh, was filled with unanswered questions for Rivanya.
Questions that refused to settle, questions that kept multiplying the more she tried to silence them.
No matter how much she searched within herself, the answers remained out of reach.
Rudraksh had already gone to the household temple to perform his morning prayers, while Rivanya stood in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.
Her hands moved mechanically, but her mind was elsewhere-lost in thoughts so heavy that she didn't even notice Vyom entering the kitchen and stopping right beside her.
"Bhabhi," Vyom said gently, his voice breaking her trance, "what happened? You look worried. Where are you lost?"
Rivanya startled slightly, quickly gathering herself. "Oh... Vyom bhaiya, when did you come?" she asked, forcing a faint smile.
Vyom's expression turned serious. "Just now-when you were completely lost in your thoughts," he replied. "Tell me honestly, bhabhi. Is something wrong? Did Rudraksh say anything to you?"
Rivanya was quick to deny it. "No, no... nothing like that. He didn't say anything. I was just... thinking."
Vyom shook his head slightly. "This isn't 'just thinking,' bhabhi," he said softly but firmly. "I may be Rudraksh's assistant and his friend, but I also share a relationship with you. I'm your devar-and you just called me bhaiya. So speak to me as a brother. Tell me what's troubling you."
His concern finally broke the wall Rivanya was holding up. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "Vyom bhaiya... if I ask you something, will you promise to tell me the truth?"
Understanding the weight of her question, Vyom replied calmly, "Yes, bhabhi. I won't lie to you. Ask whatever you want."
Gathering all her courage, Rivanya said, "I don't have the strength to ask this directly to your friend, so I'm asking you. Is it true that Rudraksh belongs to the underworld? I mean... is he really connected to the mafia?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Vyom stiffened. His expression hardened, and after a brief pause, he asked, "Who told you this, bhabhi?"
"When I was in Kashi," Rivanya replied quietly, "my mamaji told me.... He said Rudraksh belongs to the mafia world."
Vyom took a deep breath, as if choosing his words carefully.
"Look, bhabhi," he said slowly, "I can't tell you everything because of security protocols. But I also won't lie to you. One thing I can say with certainty-no matter how the world knows the name Rudraksh Vardhan, he has never done anything wrong. If his name surfaces anywhere,
there is a reason behind it, a reason I cannot share. All I ask of you is this-trust him. He neither commits wrong nor tolerates it."
Disappointment flickered across Rivanya's face as she said, "I trust him-that's why, even after knowing all this, I'm standing here, in his house, in front of you."
Vyom corrected her gently, "Not his house, bhabhi. Yours and his-both of yours. Just keep trusting him."
After a pause, he added gravely, "There will be many situations ahead where Rudraksh will appear wrong, and the world will push you to leave him. When that happens, remember this-Rudraksh can never do anything wrong. He worships Mahadev, and a true devotee of Mahadev can never wish harm upon anyone.
Whatever happens, don't leave his side."
Rivanya nodded, but the questions still tangled within her heart. Vyom made an excuse and walked away, but the moment he stepped outside the house, he dialed a number, anger blazing in his voice.
"What do I pay you people for, huh?" he snapped the moment the call connected. "You can't handle a single thing without creating a mess? How is this happening? How is information about Sir's mafia connections leaking out?"
His voice grew sharper. "Our power is such that no one can even know Sir's name without our permission. So how did this get out?" He lowered his tone dangerously. "Mark my words-if even one of you is betraying us, leaking information, I swear I'll cut off his head before Sir even finds out."
With that, Vyom ended the call abruptly. Turning around, he froze-Rudraksh stood behind him, his expression unreadable, his eyes cold and sharp.
Vyom walked up to him. Rudraksh spoke calmly, without emotion. "What happened?"
Vyom replied honestly, "Bhabhi's mamaji told her about your mafia connections, sir. She asked me about it today."
Rudraksh's jaw tightened. "How do you think this information got out?"
"Someone is betraying us," Vyom replied immediately. "Either they're cheating us or they've been bought by our enemies. But don't worry, sir. Whoever dared to betray you will be at your feet very soon."
Rudraksh nodded slightly. "Increase security," he ordered. "Especially around Rivanya. Nothing should happen to her. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," Vyom replied.
After a brief pause, Rudraksh added, "We achieved a major success recently, but because of everything that happened, the celebration never took place. Arrange a grand party at the mansion after a week. Invite all our business partners-with their families. Everyone needs to see that she is now Mrs.
Rivanya Rudraksh Vardhan."
Vyom hesitated. "Sir, is it safe to host a party right now? We don't even know who our enemy is. Bringing bhabhi into the spotlight and inviting so many people into the house-are you sure that's wise?"
Rudraksh's lips curved into a dangerous smile.
"A lion doesn't stop hunting out of fear of jackals, Vyom," he said coldly.
"No one has the courage to step into my house. And bringing Rivanya forward is necessary-so the world knows whose wife she is. So no one even dares to look at her the wrong way."
Vyom spoke after a brief pause, his concern evident in his tone.
"But sir, won't this increase the danger even more? Our biggest enemy is already waiting in the shadows, constantly looking for a chance to defeat you... to bring you down somehow."
Rudraksh responded with the same cold, devilish smile that never failed to unsettle those around him. His voice was calm, confident, almost ruthless.
"Vyom, I am a Rajput. Turning my back has never been my way. Fighting face to face, with my chest forward, runs in my blood. I know exactly whom you are talking about-and that is precisely why I want to give him a chance. I want him to step out of the shadows on his own, to stand before me.
Only then can I end him... once and for all."
He paused briefly before continuing, his gaze darkening.
"As for bringing Rivanya into the open-her presence is necessary. Once the world knows that she is Rudraksh Vardhan's wife, no one will dare come anywhere near her. When her identity becomes known, there won't be enough courage in anyone to even think of harming her.
And if some coward still dares to try..."
his voice dropped dangerously low, "you already know what I am capable of doing to him."
Slowly, Rudraksh's reasoning began to sink in. Vyom nodded, finally understanding his intent.
"Alright, sir. If that's what you believe is right, I'll ensure that security is absolutely tight. But please... don't ask bhabhi whether she questioned me about your mafia connections or whether I told you about it. She's already scared of you."
Rudraksh shot him a sharp, mocking glance.
"She's scared of me?" he asked, disbelief laced with sarcasm. "Vyom, I think you're mistaken."
Vyom looked genuinely surprised.
"How could she not be? You're such a powerful man, and she's just my innocent, gentle girl."
Rudraksh narrowed his eyes and said bluntly,
"That same 'innocent' bhabhi of yours has the courage to slap me. Do you know that?"
The words slipped out in the flow of the moment-but the realization hit him instantly. His expression changed. If Vyom ever found out that the man who commanded thousands had been struck by a petite woman, it would be absolute chaos. Worse-Vyom would tell everyone in the house.
Seeing Vyom stare at him in shock, Rudraksh quickly corrected himself.
"I mean... she can slap. You never know what she might do. She's unpredictable."
Before Vyom could question him further, Rudraksh cut the conversation short.
"Come on. Let's have breakfast first. Then we'll leave for the office."
With that, he walked inside, leaving Vyom standing there, deeply suspicious.
Something definitely doesn't add up, Vyom thought, before following him in.
Inside the mansion, Rudraksh settled into the hall and instructed the maid to call Rivanya. The maid nodded and went to fetch her.
A few moments later, Rivanya stood before him, composed yet reserved.
"Yes? You called for me?"
"Yes," Rudraksh replied evenly. "I wanted to tell you something."
"Alright," Rivanya said quietly. "Please go ahead."
"Recently, our company cracked a very big deal," Rudraksh began. "It happened on the same day your uncle took you to Kashi. To celebrate, I'm planning a grand party here at the mansion-for all our business partners and investors."
Rivanya thought for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"That's wonderful news. Congratulations. Just let me know the date-I'll make sure to leave the house that day."
Rudraksh frowned, confused.
"Why would you leave the house? There's a party. Don't you want to attend?"
Rivanya lowered her gaze slightly before answering.
"You've said it yourself-you don't consider me your wife. So how can I stay here during such an event?"
Her words struck him harder than he expected. For a moment, Rudraksh found himself at a loss for words. When he finally spoke, his tone was serious.
"Rivanya, do you really think I'm so heartless that I'd host a party in my own house and ask you to leave simply because I don't accept this relationship?"