Ch23 When the Past Begins to Stir #4
Nandini(Nani Maa) froze in shock.
"What?" she exclaimed. "But why? Why did you give it to her so soon?"
He let out a weary sigh.
"Soon?" he repeated. "Nandini, Rivanya is not a child anymore. She has her own home now, her own family. And before someone else tells her the truth about her mother's past in a twisted or cruel way, it is better that she learns it directly from her own mother.
That is exactly why those letters were written."
Tears welled up in Nandini's eyes.
"But she is alone there," she whispered. "How will she handle all of this by herself?"
"That is what frightens me too," he admitted, his voice breaking slightly.
"But this truth has to come out one day. Otherwise, this burden will stay on my heart forever that Rivanya never knew the truth about her mother, even when her mother herself wanted her to know. That is why she left those letters behind. My only fear is... after reading everything,
Rivanya might start hating me. She might believe that I wronged her mother."
Nandini shook her head through her tears.
"Why would you think that? What happened was never your fault."
"How was it not?" he asked bitterly.
"I failed to understand my own daughter. I couldn't read her heart in time. And the price for that mistake was paid by my daughter... and by my Rivanya as well who lost her mother at such a tender age."
Nandini held him closer, resting her hand on his shoulder, silently sharing his grief.
Time moved quietly, almost unnoticed. A whole week slipped by, and before anyone realized it, the day had arrived the day of Rudraksh Vardhan's grand success party at Vardhan Mansion.
From early morning, the entire staff was busy with preparations. Every corner of the mansion buzzed with activity. Vyom personally supervised every arrangement, ensuring tight security checks at every entry point. Nothing was left to chance.
Inside his office, Rudraksh sat immersed in work. The world could turn upside down, but Rudraksh Vardhan's discipline never wavered. Perhaps that was the very reason he had become one of the most powerful names in India today.
As he worked, a thought unexpectedly crossed his mind.
Rudraksh (in his thoughts):
"Rivanya hasn't been seen since morning. She hasn't even stepped out of the room. This has never happened before. What is she doing?
And strangely... for the past two or three days, she hasn't even disturbed me. How is that possible?
Is she unwell? No... if that were the case, I would have known.
Then what is it? Is she missing her family? That could be it. Or maybe she's worried about her career. Yes... that's possible too."
Just as these thoughts swirled in his mind, his phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen and saw Dadi Maa's name. A faint smile touched his lips as he answered the call.
"Pranam, Dadi Maa. How are you?"
"I'm fine, Rudra beta," her warm voice replied.
"But tell me how are you? And how is my dear daughter-in-law? You're not troubling her too much, are you?"
"She's fine, and so am I," Rudraksh replied lightly.
"And as for troubling your daughter-in-law troubles me, not the other way around."
Dadi Maa laughed.
"Good then. She has every right to trouble her husband. But remember if you trouble her even a little..."
"Ah, so you've switched sides now, Dadi Maa?" Rudraksh teased.
"I haven't switched sides," she replied fondly. "I was always on my daughter-in-law's side."
"That's unfair," Rudraksh said, shaking his head.
"Now leave all that," Dadi Maa continued.
"We're all coming to Mumbai for Shivratri. There will be a havan for you at the ancient temple there, where you and Rivanya will sit together. You don't have any objection, do you?"
"What are you saying, Dadi Maa?" Rudraksh replied instantly.
"How could I object? This is your home come whenever you wish, do whatever you want. Just... if possible, ask Dev and Raj to come too. It's been a long time since I've met my brothers."
"You don't need to ask," she smiled.
"They were already ready to come to you. No matter what, they would have come. Only your two uncles and aunts won't be able to join us. Everyone else will be there."
"Why won't they come?" Rudraksh asked.
"You know how grand Shivratri celebrations are in Vardhanpur," she explained.
"If everyone leaves, who will manage things here?"
"That makes sense," he agreed.
After a brief pause, he added thoughtfully,
"Dadi Maa... should I invite Rivanya's family from Kashi as well? I feel... maybe your daughter-in-law is missing them."
"Of course," Dadi Maa replied warmly.
"Invite them. We'll get to meet her family too, and the entire family can perform the puja together."
"Then it's settled," Rudraksh said. "I'll call them."
By the time night fell, Vardhan Mansion had transformed into a vision of royal luxury.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the halls, golden lights adorned every arch and pillar, and fresh flowers perfumed the air.
The mansion stood radiant ready to host a night that would change more than just appearances.