𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀

Ch32 The Fearless Mrs. Vardhan

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Vyom had already told Rudraksh everything that had happened the previous day. Rudraksh listened carefully, understanding exactly how Rivanya must be feeling right now.

Every person standing in that room was protective of Rivanya in their own way.

Vyom, as an elder brother, cared deeply for her.

Dev and Raaj respected her like a mother figure.

As for Rudraksh, it would be too soon to give a name to his concern for her, but no matter how much he denied it, he worried about Rivanya constantly.

It was strange, because Rudraksh had never cared this much about anyone before. Or perhaps it was because he had never needed to. His family was powerful enough that he rarely had to personally worry about protecting someone. But when it came to Rivanya, something inside him changed.

It wasn't that there weren't people to protect her.

Her uncle was there. Even Rudraksh's father loved her dearly and would never let any harm come to her.

But Rudraksh didn't just want to protect Rivanya.

He wanted to make her so strong that she would never need anyone's protection.

He wanted her to be able to stand on her own against any storm.

Vyom, Dev, and Raaj sat beside him in silence. After a long moment of thought, Rudraksh finally spoke.

"Rivanya isn't weak, Vyom. She's incredibly strong."

Vyom nodded before replying, "I know that, Rudraksh. Rivanya is very strong. But after everything that happened yesterday, anyone would be scared. We may be used to bloodshed and violence, but Rivanya isn't. She gathered the courage to save you, but in doing so, she also brought trauma upon herself.

"

Raaj, who had been listening quietly, immediately said, "So what if Bhabhisa is scared right now? That doesn't make her weak. And even if she does become weak for a while, we're all here for her. As long as we're around, nothing will happen to her."

The moment Raaj finished speaking, Rudraksh looked at him and said,

"And how long will we always be there, hmm? What if someday a situation comes where none of us are around? Then how will Rivanya protect herself?"

His question left everyone silent.

Rudraksh continued, "I know all of you want to protect her. I do too. I really do. Rivanya is... she's a genuinely good person. She doesn't deserve all this pain. She only deserves happiness."

The three brothers exchanged surprised glances.

This side of Rudraksh was completely new to them. Never before had they seen him think so deeply about someone else's well-being.

Unaware of their shocked expressions, Rudraksh remained lost in his own thoughts and continued speaking.

"You know, your Bhabhi is crazy. She never thinks about herself. Every single time, she thinks about everyone else first. And that's exactly what she needs to learn that you can't always live for others. Sometimes, you have to be selfish for yourself too."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"But I have to admit something. That's what makes Rivanya special. She may do everything selflessly for the people she loves, but she also knows her worth. She knows that the moment her self-respect isn't valued somewhere, she should never return there. And that's what makes her different."

He paused before continuing.

"The way she moves forward fearlessly... the way she stands beside her loved ones... the way she carries herself with dignity even after everything she's suffered... all of it makes her extraordinary."

For a moment, silence filled the room.

And for the first time, Vyom, Dev, and Raaj realized something.

Perhaps Rudraksh himself didn't know it yet...

But the way he spoke about Rivanya wasn't the way a man spoke about someone he merely cared for.

It was the way a man spoke about someone who had already found a place in his heart.

Rudraksh then spoke again,

"I have no doubt about Rivanya's capabilities. My only concern is this what if someday none of us are with her? How will she protect herself then?"

Vyom looked at him thoughtfully and said,

"Rudraksh, tell me clearly. What exactly is going on in your mind?"

Rudraksh fell silent for a moment before speaking.

"You know, Vyom, my mother, Rani Agnishikha Vardhan, was one of the bravest women I have ever known. She knew how to handle everything. She always taught that a woman is never weak. I have seen her teach countless women to stand for their self-respect.

She showed this male-dominated society that a woman is second to none."

The moment he spoke about his mother, his eyes softened with emotion. For a few seconds he seemed lost in memories, but then he composed himself and continued,

"And that is exactly what I want Rivanya to realize. I want her to understand that she is no less than anyone. Just like every woman of the Vardhan family, I want Rivanya to be independent. I want to give her the courage to stand alone in this world.

I want her to know that if a woman can be Maa Gauri, then she can also be Maa Kali."

Vyom, Dev, and Raaj listened carefully. By now, they understood exactly what Rudraksh was trying to say.

Rudraksh continued,

"Rivanya is still very young. In many ways, she is still innocent when it comes to the harsh realities of this world. I want her to realize her own strength. I want her to learn how to stand up for herself so that neither her father nor anyone else can ever take advantage of her again."

His voice grew firmer with every word.

"She still has dreams to fulfill. She wants to become a lawyer, and I want to see her become one of the best lawyers in India. I don't want the world to know her only as Mrs. Rivanya Rudraksh Vardhan. I want her to become Rivanya Vardhan a woman who creates her own identity."

The three men looked at him in surprise. Never before had Rudraksh spoken so much about someone else's future.

But Rudraksh was too lost in his thoughts to notice.

"I don't want her to be known only as someone's wife, someone's daughter, or someone's daughter-in-law. I want her to be known for who she is. A strong, independent woman who fears no one."

A small smile appeared on his lips as Rivanya's face flashed before his eyes.

"She has a pure heart, but this world isn't always kind to people like her. That's why I don't want to keep protecting her forever. I want to make her so strong that one day she won't need anyone's protection not even mine."

The room fell silent.

Vyom, Dev, and Raaj exchanged stunned glances.

Because for the first time, they weren't hearing Rudraksh talk like a husband fulfilling a responsibility.

They were hearing a man speak about a woman whose dreams mattered to him.

A woman whose pain affected him.

A woman whose future he wanted to build.

And perhaps the most surprising part was that Rudraksh himself had no idea how deeply Rivanya had already entered his heart.

Vyom thought to himself,

What an idiot this man is. He cares so much about this girl, yet talks about leaving her one day. I just hope that one day Rivanya changes that thinking of his too and brings out the Rudraksh he truly is...

Everyone was still talking when Rivanya walked into the room with a bowl of soup in her hands, smiling softly. The moment they saw her, everyone fell silent.

"What happened?" Rivanya asked. "Why did you all go quiet after seeing me?"

Dev quickly replied, "Nothing, Bhabhisa. We were just discussing some office work related to Rudraksh Bhaisa."

It was an obvious lie, but Rivanya didn't even notice. Her entire attention was on her husband, Rudraksh. Placing the bowl of soup on the nearby table, she said,

"The doctor said you can't eat anything heavy right now. You'll have to fill your stomach with soup for now. And yes, he has strictly advised complete bed rest, so you're not allowed to move even a little."

Rudraksh silently listened to her like an obedient child.

Seeing Dev, Vyom, and Raaj still standing, Rivanya said,

"Why are you all standing? Please sit down."

The moment Dev was about to sit, Raaj and Vyom stopped him.

Vyom said, "Rivanya, we have some work to do. You two talk. We don't want to become the third wheel."

Dev immediately protested.

"Huh? What do you mean? Leave me! I want to stay here with Bhaisa."

Rivanya laughed lightly.

"Arre, wait! Where are you all going?"

But Vyom and Raaj dragged Dev away forcefully like a child.

Watching them, Rivanya burst into laughter.

"They're still kids."

Rudraksh smiled.

"For me, Dev and Raaj will never grow up."

Sitting beside Rudraksh, Rivanya said,

"It must feel so nice to be an elder brother. Especially when you have such sweet younger brothers."

There was a sparkle in her eyes that Rudraksh didn't miss.

"Yes, it is," he replied, "but it's not easy either. From childhood till today, those two have demanded everything from me instead of their parents. They're practically like my children."

"Really?" Rivanya smiled. "You know, I always wanted to be an elder sister. I used to think how nice it would be if I had a younger sister. I would do her hair, get her ready, and talk to her about everything."

"You wanted to be an elder sister?" Rudraksh asked.

"Yes. I do have a sister, and she's my best friend too Dhara. But she's almost the same age as me, so she's definitely not younger."

A moment later, Rivanya suddenly remembered something.

"Oh no! Your soup will get cold. Come on, let me feed you."

Rudraksh immediately said,

"No. I'll drink it myself."

Without arguing, Rivanya simply nodded and handed the bowl towards him.

But the moment Rudraksh raised his hand, a sharp pain shot through his shoulder, and a painful hiss escaped his lips.

Rivanya instantly said,