Ch23 When the Past Begins to Stir #3
"And that is exactly what scares me, Pratap. I don't want Rivanya to face the same fate. That child has already suffered so much. Without thinking of herself, she married Rudraksh out of duty and she is fulfilling that duty with complete devotion."
Her voice trembled.
"God forbid she ever has to suffer the fate of the queens before her either sacrificing her life... or living as a widow."
Pratap stood up, determination flashing in his eyes.
Pratap:
"I understand your fear, Kaki-sa. The curse is dangerous. But please don't lose faith. We will do everything in our power to protect Rivanya."
Dadi Maa looked at him anxiously.
Dadi Maa:
"And Rudraksh, Pratap? Even Gurumaa said his death dosh is intensifying. No one knows when danger may strike."
Pratap took a deep breath and spoke firmly.
Pratap:
"Some things are beyond our control, Kaki-sa. But don't forget Rudraksh was born from Agnishikha's womb. My...
VEERAKSH PRATAP VARDHAN'S blood runs in him."
His voice grew stronger.
"Death will not claim him easily. Have you forgotten what happened at his birth? My son challenged death itself to breathe his first breath in this world."
Dadi Maa said softly, her voice trembling with memories,
"Do you remember, Pratap? How could I ever forget? Even in those fragile moments of childbirth, when pain was tearing Agnishikha apart, she still stood her ground and fought our enemies. Bleeding, breaking, yet unyielding... she brought Rudraksh into this world.
Rudraksh did not just take birth that night he claimed life from the very hands of death itself."
Pratap closed his eyes as the past returned to him with ruthless clarity.
"Yes, Kaki-sa," he said after a pause, his voice heavy.
"My Agnishikha never knew how to lose. Even when Rudraksh was being born, our enemies attacked us. But Maharani Agnishikha faced them head-on, shielding her womb, protecting her child. And in that chaos, amid blood and fire, she brought my Rudraksh into this world my home's only flame."
Remembering those moments filled Veeraksh's heart with a strange ache pain intertwined with an unexplainable peace. Agnishikha's face, her courage, her last smile... everything surfaced at once.
After a long silence, he spoke again, softer now.
"You know, Kaki-sa... Agnishikha used to say that Rudraksh was my reflection. Even when he was a child, she said she could see me in him his stubbornness, his fire, his strength."
As he said this, Veeraksh Pratap Vardhan's eyes brimmed with tears. Turning his face away, he wiped them quickly, trying to regain his composure.
"I don't even remember the last time my son called me Bapusa," he whispered.
"That cursed night didn't just take my love, my wife it took my son away from me too. Even today, Rudraksh believes that his mother died because of him. And perhaps... perhaps he isn't entirely wrong. Agnishikha gave her life while saving mine."
Dadi Maa immediately rose from her seat and placed a firm yet gentle hand on Veeraksh's shoulder.
"Veeraksh, don't say that," she said, her voice strong despite the tears in her eyes.
"Do not burden yourself with Agnishikha's sacrifice. She was the brave daughter of Vardhanpur a warrior queen. For her, her duty as a wife was everything. And Rudraksh... he is your blood. Stubbornness runs in his veins. You'll see Mahadev will soon return your son to you,
and Rudraksh will find his way back to his father."
Veeraksh nodded slowly.
"May God make that true, Kaki-sa."
"And it will be," Dadi Maa assured him. "Don't overthink anymore. And now, we also have Rivanya. She has already begun to steady Rudraksh."
Veeraksh's expression darkened slightly.
"Yes, Kaki-sa... I know Rivanya will handle Rudraksh. But what about her?"
Dadi Maa looked at him, confused.
"What do you mean?"
Taking a deep breath, Veeraksh said,
"Kaki-sa, Rudraksh does not accept this marriage. To the world, they are husband and wife but between them, there is no real bond. That much I could have tolerated. But I've learned something else... Rudraksh is even considering divorcing Rivanya."
The words struck Dadi Maa like lightning. She collapsed onto the couch in shock as Veeraksh rushed forward to support her.
"Kaki-sa, please... steady yourself."
"This cannot be," she said, shaken. "How can Rudraksh even think something so cruel about Rivanya?"
"That's exactly it, Kaki-sa," Veeraksh replied bitterly. "Who can ever predict what my son will think or do? But..."
"But what?" Dadi Maa asked urgently.
"But Rivanya has begun to love Rudraksh," Veeraksh said quietly.
"I can see it in her eyes. She has fallen deeply for him. And I've seen concern for Rivanya in Rudraksh's eyes too even if he doesn't admit it."
Dadi Maa folded her hands in prayer.
"May Mahadev bless Rudraksh with the same love for Rivanya. Because if he doesn't... Rivanya's heart will shatter. And that must never happen."
"I pray for the same, Kaki-sa," Veeraksh said firmly.
"But no matter what happens, if the time comes, I will stand against my own son for Rivanya. She has her father's full support. I will never allow anything unjust to happen to my child."
Dadi Maa nodded, her resolve firm.
"Yes. We are all with Rivanya. This time, even destiny will have to rewrite its rules. Rivanya deserves a life filled with happiness."
After a moment, Veeraksh added,
"Kaki-sa, I was thinking... the first Shivratri after Rudraksh's marriage will be their first festival together. Should we all go to Mumbai for Shivratri?"
Dadi Maa smiled through her tears.
"Is that even a question, Veeraksh? Of course we will go. And make sure arrangements are made at the old Shiva temple near Mumbai. That day, we will perform a havan. Gurumaa said it herself Rudraksh's planetary afflictions need to be calmed. Rudraksh will sit beside his wife, Rivanya,
and together they will perform Mahadev's Maha Abhishek as a divine pair."
Veeraksh nodded.
"That sounds perfect. This way, the world will also know who the elder daughter-in-law of the Vardhan family truly is."
As preparations for Shivratri began in Vardhanpur, destiny stirred elsewhere.
Far away in Kashi, Rivanya's Nanu stood silently by the window of his room, lost in deep thought unaware that the winds of fate were already shifting.
Rivanya's Nani Maa quietly entered the room. Seeing her husband standing lost in thought, she walked up to him and gently placed her hand on his shoulders.
"What is it?" she asked softly. "What are you thinking about so deeply?"
Rivanya's Nanu turned to look at her, his eyes clouded with worry.
"I gave Rivanya her mother's last letter."