𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀

Ch5 The Bride Was Gone #2

The hall erupted in shock. Gasps, whispers, and disbelieving stares spread like wildfire.

Pratap's fury rose again.

"And what great reason do you have for this insult? Why should your bride be denied her sasural? Or is this just another excuse to defy tradition?"

Rudraksh's voice turned harder, colder.

"You are the king of Vardhanpur, yes. But I carry responsibilities far beyond these palace walls. In Mumbai lies the empire I built with my own blood and sweat. My business needs me now, and I will not abandon it not for rituals, not for traditions."

Choti Dadi stepped forward, her voice trembling with both concern and love.

"But beta, your Raaj Tilak... how can you ignore that? You are the heir of Vardhanpur."

Rudraksh turned his gaze to her, unflinching.

"That is exactly why, Dadi Maa. Before the Raaj Tilak, there is something in Mumbai I must finish. An important matter that cannot wait."

And with that, silence crashed into the room, heavy and suffocating. Everyone could feel it this was not just rebellion. This was Rudraksh declaring war against fate itself.

No one in that grand hall had the courage to interrupt Rudraksh. His presence was too commanding, his tone too sharp.

Rudraksh (sternly):

"Tonight, we leave for Mumbai... for the wedding. After the ceremony, all of you may return here if you wish. But I and the one I marry will live only in my Mumbai mansion. That is final."

Without waiting for a reply, Rudraksh turned on his heel, walked to his room, and slammed the heavy door shut behind him. His words still echoed in the silence he left behind.

Chhoti Dadi (anxiously, to Pratap):

"Pratap beta... Rudraksh is truly happy with this marriage, isn't he? This is his choice... right?"

Pratap inhaled deeply, his expression weighed down by a truth he didn't want to voice.

Pratap (gravely):

"Kaki Maa... whether it is his choice or not makes no difference now. This marriage must take place because it's not just about his life... it's about his survival."

Meanwhile, on the other side in Mumbai...

Rivanya stepped out of the bathroom, droplets of water glistening on her freshly washed skin. As she moved towards the mirror, she caught her reflection and paused. A faint yellow tint glowed on her cheeks, as though turmeric had been applied in a bridal ritual.

Rivanya (muttering to herself with a soft laugh):

"Oh God... this haldi isn't coming off at all. What do I do? Hmm... never mind. I'm not going out anywhere for the next two days, so it'll be fine."

Shaking her head, she picked up her phone and pressed the video call button. Within seconds, her grandfather's beloved face appeared on the screen.

Rivanya (brightly):

"Nanu! How are you?"

Nanu (smiling warmly):

"I'm fine, beta. But I miss you terribly. You tell me how is my little princess?"

Rivanya (with a gentle smile):

"I'm good too, Nanu... and I miss you all so much."

Nanu (serious suddenly):

"Beta, did you go to the Bedi Mansion?"

Her smile faltered. The pain in her eyes said more than her words.

Rivanya (quietly):

"Yes, Nanu... but you know very well how that mother and daughter are."

Nanu (shaking his head with worry):

"That's why I keep telling you not to go there often. After all... your father's wealth is clenched in that woman's fists."

Rivanya (sighing softly):

"Leave it, Nanu. You tell me where is everyone else?"

Nanu (tenderly):

"They've all gone to the temple for your well-being. Your Mamu and Mami organized a Maha Havan at the Shiv Mandir. They asked me to rest, so I stayed home. But, Rivu beta, why do your cheeks look so yellow? Did you apply haldi for some reason?"

Rivanya (laughing lightly to cover up):

"Haldi? Oh no, Nanu. I was cooking lunch and when I bent down, the jar of turmeric from the upper shelf fell on my head. That's why."

They continued talking for a while longer until Rivanya finally ended the call. She set the phone aside, lay down on her bed, and closed her eyes. Before she realized it, sleep claimed her.

In Kashi, at the Shiv Mandir, Rivanya's maternal uncle and aunt were seated for the puja, while Nani and Dhara were busy preparing to distribute the prasad to everyone.

During the hawan, a small murti of Mata Parvati, placed near Shiv Ji, somehow released its sindoor into the air. Carried by the breeze, it fell straight into the hawan fire.

The pandit looked astonished.

"What is this? Sindoor is a symbol of a married woman... then how-?"

Rivanya's maternal uncle, Sandeep, stepped forward, concern written all over his face.

"Pandit Ji, what just happened? Why do you look so shocked? And what does it mean that the sindoor fell into the hawan fire? Is my niece Rivanya safe?"

The pandit's voice carried a mix of awe and caution.

"Sandeep beta... what can I say? This puja is being performed in Rivanya's name. Every offering, every prayer, is for her well-being. And yet, for Mata Rani's sindoor to fall into the fire like this... it is a sign a very rare and powerful one."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"I told you before, didn't I? Rivanya's kundali is unlike any other in this world. She possesses extraordinary power. And her kundali also reveals that when she becomes a married woman, the power of her sindoor alone can even counter the forces of time and destiny. This...

this occurrence is an indication that Rivanya's marriage is soon approaching, and it is sudden, unexpected."

Sandeep's brow furrowed.

"But Pandit Ji, she isn't supposed to marry yet. And anyway, she isn't even here in Kashi..."

The pandit's voice grew solemn, carrying the weight of destiny.

"Sandeep, Rivanya's kundali is not meant for just anyone. The man whose name she will place in her sindoor... he is destined for her alone. Not only in this lifetime, but across lifetimes, he is the one who will be her eternal companion her soulmate, chosen for her by fate itself."

Suddenly, the pandit's voice rose to a reverent shout, echoing through the temple halls.

"The moment of the great union is near! Parvati is about to meet her Shiv! Rivanya is on the brink of her sacred sindoor ceremony!"

Sandeep, overwhelmed by the intensity and mystery of the moment, could only stand in stunned silence, unable to fully grasp what the pandit had revealed.

Time Skip - Night

Rudraksh had finally returned to his Mumbai mansion, the place where peace resided amidst the chaos of his life.

It was here, among these walls, that he could breathe, plan, and command without interruption.

For the wedding, he had strategically accommodated all guests and family at his largest farmhouse, far away from his own residence.

Every move was calculated; every detail, intentional. Control was his comfort.

Lost in his thoughts, a knock at the door snapped him out of his reverie.

Rudraksh: "Come in."

His voice was calm, authoritative short, precise, leaving no room for hesitation. The knock had been expected, but the command reflected his dominant aura.

Vyom entered, carrying a mix of duty, respect, and curiosity in his expression.

Vyom: "Boss, everything you asked for is ready. Tomorrow, as soon as you step into the office, everything will be set."

Rudraksh responded with a simple, measured "Good" enough acknowledgment, enough command. Every word he spoke was deliberate, reflecting the focused precision that marked his every action.

Vyom: "Sir... tomorrow evening is your wedding. And yet, you're busy with work here?"

Rudraksh allowed a faint smile, a rare, subtle softening of his otherwise stoic demeanor.

Rudraksh: "First, your duty for today is over. From now on, you're no longer my secretary. Be my friend again, Vyom."

Exhausted, Vyom collapsed onto Rudraksh's bed, a mix of relief and disbelief in his posture, and asked bluntly:

Vyom: "Alright, you bastard... why exactly are you doing this wedding?"

The question hung in the air, a natural reaction to Rudraksh's reputation. Everyone knew him as ruthless, unpredictable, and cold. Seeing him willingly prepare for a ceremonial marriage seemed almost illogical.

Rudraksh, in his own measured way, revealed the deeper reason: his mother's last letter. Here, his vulnerability surfaced, showing the reader that behind the carefully constructed walls of cruelty lay love, duty, and unfinished promises.

Vyom, ever the realist, reminded him of the obvious:

Vyom: "That's fair, but you know she Alisha Bedi is marrying you for your money, right?"

Rudraksh's reply was calm, sharp, and chillingly confident:

Rudraksh: "Of course I know. Let her do as she pleases. In time, I will divorce her. That is exactly why I intend to take her to Mumbai after the wedding, not Vardhanpur. There, she will have the title of my wife but nothing more. She loves my wealth? Fine.

I'll ensure her life becomes far worse than she imagines. Just... wait and watch."

See how bold she is she wants to betray me, Rudraksh Vardhan. But I'm no amateur; I'll ruin her life completely.

A sly, almost satanic smile crept across Rudraksh's face.

He wasn't merely imagining cruelty

the whole city knew what kind of man Rudraksh Vardhan was: cold, ruthless, the sort who erased anyone who stood in his path. It was madness for anyone to willingly marry him. Whoever was courting disaster by stepping into his world deserved whatever came next.

Meanwhile, in Kashi, Sandeep sat in the hall, troubled and lost in thought. His wife, Vasudha Rivanya's aunt was coming out of the kitchen and noticed the strain on his face. She walked over, sat beside him, and asked gently:

Vasudha: "What's wrong? Why are you so worried?"

Sandeep: "It's nothing... I'm just thinking, that's all."

Vasudha (softly, concerned): "It's been twenty-seven years of marriage. I know you very well. Tell me what is it that's troubling you?"

Sandeep took a long, heavy breath and said, "Vasu, I can't stop thinking about what the pandit ji said... about Rivanya."