54
RUDRAKSH
I sit at the head of the table, surrounded by my employees, the sound of their voices blending into an indistinct buzz.
The meeting is important, and I am trying to focus, I really am, but my mind keeps drifting back to Shivani.
I can still feel the softness of her lips, the way her body molded against mine this morning.
A small smile tugs at my lips just thinking about her.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glance at the screen, and a frown covers up my face—it’s Maa. A knot of worry forms in my stomach. She never calls during meetings unless it’s something urgent. I step out of the conference room, my chest tight with unease.
“Maa, what happened?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Raksh… Raksh…” Her voice is frantic, barely coherent. It just makes me worry more.
My heart pounds harder in my ribcage. “Maa, calm down and tell me what happened.”
“It’s Shivani…” she tells me frantically, her voice breaking. “T-They took Shivani.”
For a second, I can’t breathe. Ice floods my veins as my grip on the phone tightens. “Who took Shivani? What happened, Maa?”
“I don’t know, beta. They looked dangerous. We were at the jewelry store, and then—then there were gunshots. They took her, Raksh. You have to find her. Please, find her.”
Fear and rage swirl inside me, a toxic mix that makes my vision blur. “I’ll find her, Maa. I promise. Stay safe. I’m coming.” My voice comes out steady and firm.
I hang up and immediately dial Siddhant and Aryan. They pick up on the second ring, both instantly alert.
"Hey bro—" Aaryan chirps, but I interrupt him.
“Siddhant, Aryan— I need your help. Shivani’s been kidnapped.”
“What? When? How?” Siddhant’s voice echoes sharply, all business.
“Just now. They took her from Janki Jewelers. I need all the CCTV footage from the roads around the area. Every angle. Every camera. Can you get that for me?”
“We’re on it,” Aryan replies, and I hear shuffles in the background.
“Fast,” I snap. “I’ll find her, no matter what.
Even if I have to search every damn atom in this city—I will find her.
And I won’t spare the ones who took her.
” I end the call and head back into the conference room.
Everyone looks up. “I need to leave. There’s an emergency,” I announce, and they all quietly empty the office.
No one questions me. They know better than to ask.
As I drive toward the jewelry store, my mind races with nonstop questions. Who would dare take Shivani? What do they want? My hands tighten around the steering wheel, knuckles white. The anger bubbling inside me feels like it's about to explode.
Then it clicks in my mind. It must be Ranveer. It has to be. And an ugly feeling crawls in my gut at his name. I will kill him.
I won’t rest until she’s back in my arms, safe and sound. I won’t let anyone take her away from me. I promise myself—and her—silently: I’m coming to you, baby. Just hold on.
When I reach the store, it’s chaotic. Police cars. Shattered glass. People crying and shouting. I wander my eyes around and spot Maa. My heart twists at the sight of her tear-streaked face. “Maa,” I call out, rushing to her.
She clings to me, sobbing uncontrollably.
“We’ll find her, Maa. I promise,” I whisper, my voice cracking as I hold her tightly.
“Madhav ji didn’t survive,” she sobs into my chest. “He took a bullet for Shivani…”
A surge of grief and gratitude hits me all at once. Shivani’s going to be devastated—he meant a lot to her. I pat her head trying to calm her down, but Maa is shaken up pretty badly.
“I’m sorry, beta. I couldn’t save her,” Maa cries, and I rub her back soothingly. It's not her fault; I should have known this was coming.
“Maa, you need to go home and rest. I promise I’ll find Shivani. I’ll do everything in my power to bring her back.” My voice is firm, but inside, I’m shaking.
“But—” she begins, but I don’t let her finish.
“No, you are going home, and I am going to bring back Shivani. Nothing is going to happen to anyone. I won’t let it happen.” I assure her despite the nasty churning of my guts.
My phone buzzes, making me pull away from her. It’s Siddhant.
“We’ve got the footage. Sending it to you now. We identified the van, and now we’re tracking it.”
Hope. Just a flicker, but it’s there.
“Keep me updated. I’m heading to their location.”
“Raksh,” Aryan cuts in, “I know it’s hard for you to control yourself right now, but take some of your men with you. We don’t know who’s behind this—or how dangerous they are.”
“No, I don’t have time. You send a team. I’ll go ahead.” My voice is steely, unwavering. “And yes… it’s definitely Ranveer. I know he’s behind this.” I know I’m being reckless. But my mind is fixated on one thing—finding Shivani. If I die, I will be happy I died saving my wife.
I end the call and climb back into my car, pushing the engine harder than ever. The city blurs past as I weave through traffic. Quickly, I open the location they sent me, and I see them heading to the outskirts. I slam my foot down on the accelerator, willing the car to go faster.
Finally, I reach the location—a run-down bungalow, its walls stained with neglect.
I park a few yards away, pull out my jacket from the dashboard, and move quietly toward it, my heart pounding in my chest. The place reeks of danger.
But I don’t care. All that matters is my wife.
Fear of losing her crawls back to me, and I exhale a breath heavily.
No, this isn't the time to give in to my fear.
I inch closer, listening at the entrance. Faint voices filter through the door. Skillfully, I pull out my gun, check it, and push the door open slowly. The interior is dim and damp. My eyes scan every shadow, every room for any sign of her.
Then I hear her. A soft whimper, and my heart clenches at the sound.
I move forward, each step calculated and silent, as I follow the sound until I reach the farthest room.
And I see her. Shivani is tied to a chair, tears streaming down her face.
My breath catches in my throat and my vision blurs with fury as I take in her condition.
From the corner of my eye, I see a shadow. Ranveer. He’s leaning against the wall, a smug grin plastered on his face.
“I knew you’d come, lover boy,” he sneers.
“Good,” I reply coldly, stepping into the room. “Because this lover boy will finish you this time.” He steps closer, revealing a scar across his cheek—the one I gave him.
“Beautiful scar,” I smirk. “You remember the fire I set, right?” I tut. “You haven’t changed,” I state, my voice ice-cold as I shake my head at him in disappointment. “Still a coward. Hiding behind kidnappings and threats.”
He laughs—a harsh, mocking sound. “And you’re still predictable. Always running after your precious Shivani.”
I clench my jaw, and my fingers tighten on the gun. “Let her go, Ranveer. Redeem yourself. She’s your daughter.”
Every cell in my body wants to rush to Shivani to tear her away from this nightmare. But I need to stay sharp and alert. I can’t take any reckless steps; it's too dangerous.
Ranveer laughs, shaking his head. “And why would I do that? She took everything from me! She was a mistake. A weakness. And she became a liability when she chose you over her own father.” He steps toward her, his face contorted with rage.
His body is charged as he moves near her, and Shivani cowers back in fear.
“I told her not to snitch, but this bitch—” He slaps Shivani hard across the face, making her fall sideways. Rage explodes inside me, and I feel the heat of it engulfing me.
“Don’t touch my wife!” I roar, fury crackling in my voice.
Ranveer sneers. “Why? What will you do? I’m going to kill you both.”
He signals to his man, and a gunshot rings out.
The impact hits me square in the chest. I stumble—but I don’t fall as I grin through the dull pain. Thanks for the bulletproof jacket, which was kept in my car.
“You think I’m a fool?” I question him, taking a step forward slowly, like a predator surrounding his prey. “You think I came without protection? You don’t scare me, Ranveer. But if you touch my wife again—you’ll wish you never crawled out of hell.” I glance at his henchman.
“Varun,” I call the man calmly, “don’t you think it’s a mistake to go against Atharva’s orders? He’ll kill you.”
They laugh, throwing their heads back. But before they can reply, the door behind me bursts open. Aryan and Siddhant storm in with their men—guns raised.
Chaos erupts. Bullets fly, people yell, and the air is thick with smoke and noise. But I see only one person—Shivani. And the gun Ranveer is pointing at her head.
“Ranveer, no!” I shout, and before he can shoot, I raise my gun at him and aim a shot. My bullet hits his hand, throwing off his aim.
But it’s too late.
He has already pulled the trigger before falling, and it hits Shivani. My breath hitches, and I run towards her.
Shivani crumples to the floor, blood spreading across her stomach.
“Shivani!” I scream, running to her. Everything else fades away—the gunfire, the shouting, the chaos. Nothing matters except her. I fall to my knees, cradling her. Her eyes flutter open, pain twisting her beautiful face as she shakily grips my shirt in her grip.
“Rudra…” she whispers, her voice so faint I can barely hear her.
“Stay with me, Shivani,” I beg, pressing my hand to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding as she hisses in pain. “You’re going to be okay. Just hold on.”
“You’re my favorite person,” she whispers with a tiny smile.
Tears sting my eyes as I tighten my hold on her hand. “And you’re mine, baby.” I kiss her forehead.
“Be happy for me, okay?” She coughs and has blood on her lips.
No. No, this can’t be happening. “I can’t be happy without you,” I whisper, my voice breaking as my grip only tightens on her.
“Find someone beautiful. Have lots of kids,” she wheezes.
I shake my head, heartbroken. “I’m not having kids with anyone else,” I choke out. “Nothing’s going to happen to you.”
She’s slipping. I feel it in my bones. “I thought of a name… if it’s a girl… name her Rudrani. Rudraksh and Shivani,” she whispers.
Tears blind me. “Baby, no… Please…” She closes her eyes, and life escapes me.
No, no, no, no. No!
“No! Don’t close your eyes!” I yell. My hands are trembling as I see blood everywhere. Panic grips and I shake her, trying to wake her up. “Stay with me. Please, baby, don’t do this.”
For the first time in years, I let myself love someone fully—and now she’s slipping through my fingers.
“Help! Someone get a medic!” I scream, my voice raw.
“Hang on, Shivani. Please, hang on.” I rock her gently, my tears falling onto her face.
“I won’t let you go,” I whisper, as the chaos around us fades into a distant blur.
I just want her back. Alive. And if something happens to her, I might destroy this world.