chapter 69
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"Jaan... I'm... sorry..." Rudra whispered, a faint smile on his lips despite the blood, despite the pain tearing through him.
Ishni's tears fell faster, her hands trembling as she held his face, shaking her head desperately. "Rudra, no... please... kuch nahi hoga... I'll take you to the hospital, okay? Just stay with me... please, just stay still..."
Her voice broke with every word, panic rising in her chest as she tried to hold him together-like her hands alone could stop him from slipping away.
But Rudra just looked at her.
Really looked at her.
Like he was memorizing her.
"Jaan..." his voice was softer now, weaker, but still filled with that same love that never left, "it's late..."
A tear slipped from the corner of his eye, mixing with the blood on his face.
"I'm... sorry..."
She shook her head harder, almost angrily now. "No! Don't say that-don't say it like that! You're not going anywhere, do you hear me? You can't leave me... Rudra, please..."
Her grip tightened on him, as if she could anchor him back.
But his smile didn't fade.
It only softened.
"I love... you..." he whispered, each word slower than the last, his breath uneven, fragile. "And I will... always..."
Her heart shattered.
"Rudra..." she cried, pulling him closer, her voice cracking completely now. "No... please don't do this... I love you... I love you too... you can't leave me like this..."
His hand, weak and trembling, lifted one last time.
He wiped her tears with his thumb-clumsy, slow-but gentle.
The way he always did.
"Don't cry..." he murmured, barely audible now.
His eyes never left hers.
Not even for a second.
As if she was the only thing he wanted to see till the very end.
His hand trembled as it rose one last time, brushing weakly against her cheek, wiping a tear that wouldn't stop falling.
For a moment, he just looked at her really looked at her-like he was trying to take every piece of her with him.
Then slowly... he leaned forward.
And pressed a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead.
A goodbye.
Something that felt like forever... and the end at the same time.
Before she could stop him- before she could say anything more his eyes slowly closed.
The faint smile still resting on his lips.
"Ish..." her name barely formed and then-
nothing.
"No... no... no..." Ishni shook her head frantically, her hands gripping him tighter, as if she could force life back into him. "Rudra... Rudra, get up... please... this isn't funny... please..."
Her voice broke, turning into sobs as she pulled him closer, pressing him against her chest, her fingers digging into his shirt like she was refusing to let him go.
"Rudra... please..." she whispered, her tears falling onto his face, her entire body shaking.
But he didn't move.
Didn't respond.
Didn't breathe.
Something inside her snapped.
"NAHIIIIII!" her scream tore through the broken room, echoing off the blood-stained walls. "RUDRAAAAA!"
She clutched him tightly, rocking slightly as she cried, her voice raw, shattered, each sob ripping through her like glass.
The same man who stood like a storm...
who feared nothing...
who never fell was now lying lifeless in her arms. And for the first time-
Ishni wasn't strong.
She was just a woman
who had lost everything.
Holding onto the only person she ever truly loved... as he slipped away from her forever.
Two years later-
The night was quiet, almost too quiet.
Ishni stood near the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against her face as she looked up at the sky. The city lights flickered below, but her eyes were fixed on something far beyond them... somewhere she believed he still existed.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"I miss you, Rudra..." she whispered, her voice soft, fragile in a way it never used to be.
She quickly wiped it away, forcing herself to breathe.
To stay strong.
Slowly, her hand moved to her stomach.
Resting there.
Protective.
She closed her eyes for a second, a faint, bittersweet smile touching her lips.
"You didn't leave me completely..." she murmured under her breath.
Because a part of him still lived, Inside her.
Just then-
"Didi!"
The voice broke through the silence.
Ishni turned slightly, blinking away the remaining tears as Tara came rushing toward her, her presence lighter, alive-so different from the darkness that once surrounded them.
"Tara..." Ishni said softly, composing herself.
Tara stopped in front of her, looking at her carefully, her eyes instantly catching the faint redness. "You were crying again, weren't you?"
Ishni shook her head lightly. "No... just the wind."
Tara didn't believe it.
But she didn't push.
Instead, her gaze dropped to Ishni's stomach, and her expression softened instantly. "You should be resting," she said gently, stepping closer. "Doctor said you need to take care... not stand here alone and think too much."
A small silence passed.
Ishni looked back at the sky for a moment... then down at her stomach again.
Her hand pressed slightly, lovingly.
"He would've been happy..." she whispered.
Tara smiled softly. "He is happy."
Ishni didn't respond.
But her eyes glistened again.
"By the way... I need your help," Tara said, trying to sound casual, though a small smile betrayed her excitement.
"Help?" Ishni turned slightly, raising a brow.
"Haan... I'm confused which colour would look good on me for my wedding," Tara said, a little shy now, a little nervous.
For a second, Ishni just looked at her.
Then ,she smiled.
A smile that hadn't fully returned in two years... but was slowly finding its way back.
"Come," she said gently, extending her hand. "I'll help you."
Tara took it immediately.
But instead of just holding it
she intertwined their fingers.
As if she knew... Ishni still needed someone to hold on to.
Slowly, step by step, they walked downstairs together.
The mansion looked nothing like it used to.
Tonight it looked like a bride.
Golden lights draped across the walls, flowers cascading from every corner, soft music echoing through the halls, filling the silence that once lived there.
Life had returned.
Vipul was sitting on the couch, going through arrangements, his usual serious expression slightly relaxed for once. As he looked up and saw them, a small smile appeared.
"Finally," he said, standing up. "The bride decided to show up."
Tara rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Vipul."
Ishni let out a faint chuckle-quiet, but real.
Vipul carefully guided Ishni to the couch, making sure she sat comfortably before stepping back with a dramatic sigh.
"Well ma'am, please help her," he said, looking at Ishni with mock helplessness. "She is stressing me so much... I wonder what will happen after marriage "
Ishni let out a soft laugh at that, the sound light-almost surprising even to her.
Tara immediately turned toward him, eyes wide. "Vipul shut up!" she snapped, though there was no real anger in it. "I'm marrying you doesn't mean you start complaining already."
Vipul raised both hands in surrender, but the smile on his face gave him away. "I'm just preparing myself emotionally," he said seriously. "Marriage is a lifelong mission, okay?"
"Mission?" Tara scoffed. "You're lucky I even said yes."
Ishni watched them, her lips still curved in a faint smile. Their bickering filled the room in a way that felt... alive. Warm. Real.
For a moment, she just leaned back into the couch, listening.
Not to the chaos.
But to the life around her.
Then softly, she said, "You two are worse than kids."
Tara immediately pointed at Vipul. "See? Even she agrees."
Vipul clicked his tongue. "Ma'am, you see how she gangs up on me?"
Ishni shook her head slightly, still smiling, her hand resting gently over her stomach as she watched them argue.
-----
They moved around the room together, fabrics spread across the bed, colors shimmering under the warm lights-reds, pastels, golds, soft embroidery catching every bit of glow.
Tara kept turning in front of the mirror, scrunching her nose at one outfit, smiling at another, while Vipul stood nearby pretending to be serious but clearly getting dragged into every opinion.
Ishni watched quietly at first, sitting comfortably on the couch, her fingers lightly resting on her stomach as she observed the chaos with a soft, patient smile.
Then her eyes landed on one lehenga.
A delicate shade, elegant embroidery, subtle but glowing-something that didn't scream for attention but naturally held it.
She picked it up gently, running her fingers over the fabric.
"This one..." she said softly, looking at Tara, "will look beautiful on you."
Tara paused, blinking at her.
"Me?" she asked, almost surprised.
Ishni nodded, her smile gentle but certain. "Yes... this suits you. It feels like you."
Tara slowly walked closer, taking the lehenga from her hands, holding it against herself in front of the mirror.
Vipul leaned in slightly. "Okay... I agree," he said after a second, nodding. "This one actually looks like it was made for you."
Tara glanced at her reflection, then at Ishni, a small smile forming on her face.
"You really think so?" she asked quietly.
Ishni's smile softened even more. "I don't just think," she said calmly. "I know."
For a moment, Tara didn't speak.
Then she stepped forward and hugged Ishni lightly, careful and warm.
"Thank you," she murmured.
Ishni froze for a second-then slowly returned the hug, her expression softening in a way it hadn't in a long time.
"It suits happiness," Ishni whispered.
"Didi, thank you!!" Tara said brightly, hugging her lightly, her excitement spilling into the room.
Ishni smiled softly, adjusting her position on the couch. "Tomorrow is a big day for you," she said gently, her eyes warm as she looked at Tara.
Tara nodded quickly. "Hmm... but now it's time for your fruits."
Ishni immediately shook her head a little. "But I don't-"
Before she could even finish, Tara cut in firmly, already sounding like she had taken full responsibility. "Didi, no. You have to take care of your child and yourself."
Vipul, who had been silently watching all this like it was a serious mission briefing, immediately joined in. "Exactly, ma'am. No negotiations on this one."
Ishni blinked at both of them, slightly overwhelmed, then let out a small breathy laugh.
"You both are impossible," she murmured, but there was no real protest in her voice anymore.
Tara was already heading towards the kitchen like it was an emergency operation. "I'll get it right now!"
Vipul nodded seriously. "I'll supervise."
Ishni just sat back on the couch, shaking her head softly, a faint smile lingering on her face as she watched them rush around.
And somewhere deep inside that quiet moment it felt like life was gently, slowly, learning how to heal her again.
At night
The mansion was quieter now... softer somehow, like even the walls had learned to breathe again.
Ishni lay in her bed, the room dimly lit by the faint glow of the night lamp beside her. Her back rested against the pillows, but her eyes were open-fixed on the ceiling above.
Silent.
Lost in thoughts that never truly stayed quiet.
Her fingers rested lightly over her stomach, a familiar gesture now... protective, almost instinctive.
A small breath left her lips.
-----
Next day, the whole mansion was in chaos.
Decorators were rushing in and out, flowers were being adjusted for the hundredth time, voices overlapping with instructions, laughter, panic, excitement-everything blending into one beautiful mess of a wedding morning.
Ishni sat on her bed in her room, already dressed but still calm in the middle of all the noise outside, her fingers lightly resting over her stomach as she watched the chaos unfold with a faint, tired smile.
"Didi!"
Tara's voice came rushing in before she even appeared.
A second later, she stepped inside-and stopped dramatically at the door.
"Didi, please help na," Tara whined, looking like a complete disaster of excitement and panic. Her hair wasn't properly set, her jewelry was half-on, and her lehenga dupatta was clearly not cooperating.
Ishni blinked at her for a moment... then laughed softly.
It wasn't loud.But it was real.
Tara froze. "What? Why are you laughing? I'm suffering here!"
Ishni shook her head, still smiling as she patted the space beside her on the bed. "Sit," she said gently. "I'll help you."
Tara immediately rushed over and sat down obediently like a child.
"Honestly," Ishni murmured, carefully fixing her dupatta and adjusting her jewelry, "you're getting married in a few hours and you still behave like this."
Tara pouted. "That's because Vipul is worse. He's literally pacing like it's a mission."
Ishni smiled again, shaking her head as she fixed a stray strand of Tara's hair. "He cares," she said softly.
After some time, Tara stood fully ready-like a doll dressed in elegance. Her bridal outfit shimmered softly under the light, jewellery perfectly set, hair styled neatly, and her face glowing with the excitement of the day. She looked like a picture straight out of a dream.
Ishni looked at her for a moment... then smiled.
A real smile.
She stepped forward and gently kissed Tara's forehead. "No evil eye," she said softly, brushing her thumb lightly against her cheek.
Tara's eyes softened instantly. "Thank you so much, didi," she said, pulling her into a tight hug.
Ishni held her back for a moment, her expression warm but quiet, as if she was holding onto something fragile and beautiful at the same time.
When they finally pulled apart, Tara laughed lightly, wiping the corner of her eye. "Now you go and rest. I'll call you for the wedding... I don't want your child to think I'm making you work so hard," she teased, laughing.
Ishni shook her head slightly, amused. "You talk too much," she murmured.
Tara grinned. "That's my talent."
Ishni smiled again, softer this time, watching her like a sister would watch someone stepping into a new life.
Ishni went inside the bathroom, after sometime she came outside then stop in mid way
A huge bouquet of fresh flowers lay on her bed-white, soft pink, and deep red roses mixed together, arranged so beautifully it almost didn't feel real. The fragrance filled the room instantly, quieting everything else in the mansion for a second.
Her breath hitched.
Slowly, she walked closer, her fingers lightly brushing the petals.
"Who..." she whispered.
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