𝐑𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐘𝐀

Ch8 Not Love, But Honor

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Grandmother and both his aunts escorted me to Rudraksh's room.

The moment I stepped inside, my breath caught in my throat.

The room was enormous, decorated with flowers and candles, and on the bed, rose petals were arranged into the words Just Married.

My heart began to race in fear rather than joy.

They made me sit on the bed and left me there, all alone in that vast, intimidating room.

Yes, it was beautifully decorated, but something about it unsettled me.

The walls, the furniture, the curtains everything was painted in shades of black.

Who in their right mind would design such a frightening room?

Not just the room, the entire house was soaked in black, cold and unwelcoming.

My heart longed for the narrow, colorful lanes of Kashi, where every street glows with vibrant hues and every corner feels alive.

Just the thought of Kashi brought back a flood of memories my Nanu, my Nani, Mamaji, Mamiji...

how would I ever tell them what had happened to me today?

I knew Mamaji's temper, and if he ever discovered the truth, his anger would burn down worlds.

Tears streamed down my cheeks until my skin stung with the rawness of constant crying.

My life had been shattered in a single day.

I was now married to a man I barely knew, a stranger whose name itself carried both fear and power.

And if that weren't enough, just before stepping into this house, I had learned the most devastating truth that I might not even live beyond a year.

And with that, the memories of earlier that evening came rushing back to me, piercing my heart all over again...

---

Flashback

The wedding rituals had ended, and I was on my way to my mother's room when I passed by Samita's chamber.

Just as I walked past, I heard laughter hers and a man's voice, familiar but sharp.

My steps froze. Something about their laughter felt wrong.

I leaned closer to the half-closed door and listened, my heart pounding with dread.

Samita's relaxed voice floated through the air.

"Truly, bhaiya, if you hadn't stepped in today, my daughter's life would have been destroyed."

Her brother's tone was serious.

"Behna, not everything is a joke. You know as well as I do Pratap Raj Vardhan must have spoken about the curse on this family before the wedding. Then how could you risk Alisha's life so easily?"

Samita gave a careless laugh.

"I thought it was all blind superstition. How could a bride simply die just because she marries into this family? Who believes such nonsense in this age? That's why I never told Naresh. But when you confirmed today that Alisha's life would truly be in danger, I acted quickly. I made her run away.

And then I cleverly manipulated Naresh into agreeing to Rudraksh marrying Rivanya instead."

My heart sank. Her every word was like a dagger.

She continued, her voice cold and calculating.

"This way, two things are achieved. First, in a year or two Rivanya will be dead, and all the wealth in her name will come to me. Second, after her death, Alisha will return, and I will have Rudraksh marry her. She will become the queen of his palace, living the life of royalty she deserves.

The curse will be broken, and our ambitions fulfilled without any sacrifice on our side."

Her brother chuckled darkly.

"Truly, behna, you are too clever for this world."

Both of them laughed together, their voices echoing like poison.

My world came crashing down. I stumbled back, tears blurring my vision. Somehow, I reached my mother's room, shut the door behind me, and locked it. My trembling hands clutched her photograph as I collapsed onto the floor, sobbing.

"Maa, why did you leave me alone? Why did you abandon me to such cruel people? They have already ruined my life, and now they even want me dead. If what they said is true, if this curse is real, then I... I will not survive this fate."

---

Flashback over

The tears would not stop. They kept flowing, soaking my face, my clothes, the pillow beneath me. I was drowning in my sorrow, and there was no one to save me.

I was lost in my thoughts when the sound of the door opening snapped me out of my daze. With tear-filled eyes, I looked up and my heart skipped a beat at the sight of Rudraksh standing there.

What would happen now...?

Rudraksh stood before me, his expression stern. My head was bowed low, and before I could react, he gently took my chin between his fingers and lifted my face up. The touch sent a current through me, making my heart race. Then he leaned down, close to my face, and said with a teasing smirk,

"All this crying... your face has turned completely red, like a ripe tomato, Mrs. Vardhan."

"Ro ro ke tumhara chehra ek dum pichka hua tamatar jesa ho gaya hai, Mrs. Vardhan."

I stared at him in shock and anger, my voice sharp. How dare he call me a tomato?! I met his gaze and shot back,

"Well, your face looks like a rotten potato. Did I say anything, Mr. Vardhan?"

"Aapki sakal bhi toh sadhe huye aloo jesi hai. Mene kuch kaha, Mr. Vardhan?"

He went quiet for a moment, then stepped back and said,

"Even though we're married, don't expect any love from me. Or from your husband."

I lowered my gaze and quietly asked,

"So... does that mean you won't love me?"

He replied,

"Not at all. And yes, after some time, both of us will be free from this bond..."

I looked at him, bewildered.

"What do you mean?"

He cast a cold glance at me.

"Nothing. You'll understand when the time comes. Oh, and... keep at least three feet of distance from me, alright?"

I lifted my chin, full of pride.

"I'll keep five feet of distance."

He smirked at me and said,

"Are you sure? Girls usually find some excuse to come close to me... will you really stay away?"

I stood tall, my voice steady.

"I don't know what kind of third-class girls you've met, but I am not like them. I have no desire to come near you. You keep yourself in check."

He went quiet and stared at me for a moment, then turned away.

Suddenly, voices came from outside. Curious, I went to the door and pressed my ear against it. I could hear Rudraksh's family talking.

"We should just hand Rudraksh over... wonder how he'll even talk to that poor girl."

"Yeah, she's already crying so much... Rudraksh shouldn't make her cry more."

My gaze drifted to a small mouse hiding behind a vase nearby. I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Rudraksh looked at me in surprise.

"Are you crazy? Why are you shouting? Everyone's outside!"

I screamed again and climbed onto the bed, jumping around in fear as the mouse scurried. The bed creaked under me.

Rudraksh stormed over, frowning.

"What happened? Why are you screaming? And get off the bed, you're going to hurt yourself!"

Trembling, I stammered,

"Th...th...there's a mouse... look!"

He frowned.

"What?"

"Yes, there's a mouse! It's so black, and I'm terrified of mice! Please... chase it away!"

He chuckled, annoyed.

"You're like a little cat yourself, and yet scared of a tiny mouse? Stop jumping around first."

I pouted,

"You better get it out, or I'll keep screaming... AHHHHHH!"

Rudraksh sighed in frustration, pinched his forehead, and finally caught the mouse in one swift move, throwing it out of the balcony.

"This house has no cleanliness. I'll see to it tomorrow," he muttered, then returned and stood near the bed.

"Do you even realize what everyone outside must be thinking while you're screaming? And the sound of the bed cracking damn it!"

I whispered,

"How would I know what they're thinking?"

He said firmly,

"First, get down. Slowly."

As I stepped off the bed, the bedsheet tore under my foot, and I nearly fell, letting out another scream. But Rudraksh caught me in his arms just in time. Staring at me, he muttered,

"Idiot... do you know what everyone outside will think? They'll think I'm the reason you're screaming... especially since this is our first night."

At first, I didn't understand, but when it hit me, my cheeks burned crimson with embarrassment.

As Rudraksh's stern gaze softened ever so slightly, I could feel my heart doing its own crazy dance. Why is my heartbeat acting like a drum solo every time he's near? I scolded myself silently. He's impossible... terrifying... and somehow... infuriatingly attractive.

Even as I tried to act proud and distant, my knees betrayed me, trembling slightly under his watchful eyes. He had this way of looking at me that made me feel exposed, yet oddly safe at the same time. Why do I feel like a cat cornered by a lion and somehow, I don't want to escape?

He stepped back just enough to give me space, and I straightened my shoulders, trying to pretend I wasn't quaking inside.

But the little incident with the mouse had left my hair messy, my cheeks red, and my heart thundering in a way that made me feel embarrassingly alive.

Great, Rivanya, first night, first fight, and you're already blushing like a schoolgirl.

Then his voice cut through my thoughts, low and teasing.

"You really are something else, Mrs. Vardhan... afraid of mice, yet so proud when standing up to me."

I clenched my jaw, cheeks burning, and muttered under my breath,

"I'm not afraid... I just... well, I just don't like vermin!"

He smirked, and I swear, the world tilted slightly. That infuriating smirk of his could make me melt and want to glare at him at the same time. Why is he so irritatingly perfect? Why does every word from him feel like a tiny shock to my system?