Ch22RudraniThe Shield of Rudraksh #4
He didn't respond. He finished dressing both her hands properly, wrapping them neatly.
Only after he was done did he look up.
Rivanya was still staring at him.
She didn't understand this man.
Moments ago, he had been distant. Now, he was kneeling in front of her, bandaging her hands as if nothing else mattered.
After a pause, she spoke quietly, almost hesitantly.
"How will I eat now?"
Rudraksh leaned back slightly, thinking.
"Wait," he said simply.
Before she could react, he picked up the spoon, took the first bite, and brought it toward her lips.
"Here," he said.
Rivanya froze.
She looked at the spoon. Then at him.
Her mind struggled to keep up with what was happening. Since when did Rudraksh start doing this?
Since when did he care enough to feed her himself?
Slowly, unsurely, she opened her mouth.
She ate from his hand.
Rudraksh didn't rush her. He fed her patiently, one bite at a time, watching carefully to make sure she was comfortable. And within minutes, she had finished her meal.
She swallowed the last bite and then looked at him.
"Rudra," she said softly, the name slipping out without thought.
"You eat too. You haven't eaten anything either."
For a moment, Rudraksh didn't reply.
Something stirred in his chest something unfamiliar, unsettling, yet warm.
He nodded slightly. "I will."
But even as he said it, his eyes stayed on her as if making sure she was truly okay mattered more than his own hunger.
And Rivanya sat there, watching him, her heart confused.
Sometimes he was harsh.
Sometimes distant.
And sometimes... like this.
A man who didn't know how to express care
but when he did, he did it completely.
Rivanya hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, her voice quiet yet heavy with concern.
She told him that Gurumaa had spoken to her today about the danger looming over his family.
At the mention of it, Rudraksh turned serious.
His casual expression vanished as he looked straight at her, his eyes sharp and searching.
He asked her what exactly Gurumaa had said.
Rivanya swallowed before answering. She told him plainly that Gurumaa believed his life was in danger.
Rudraksh took a deep breath, as though trying to steady himself.
Then he spoke in a controlled, firm tone.
He told her that he didn't know about others, but he did not believe in such things.
He reminded her that she was an educated, modern woman and urged her to think logically things like this didn't simply happen.
But Rivanya shook her head slightly, refusing to let the matter be dismissed so easily.
She told him that this wasn't about being educated or modern.
This was about his life. Even if he didn't believe in it, she asked what harm there was in staying alert.
This wasn't a small matter this was about his safety.
Rudraksh countered her words calmly but firmly.
He pointed out that if danger existed, it applied to her as well because she was his wife.
Then he brushed the topic aside, telling her not to waste her time on what he called meaningless fears.
He reminded her that becoming a lawyer was far more important and that she should focus on that above everything else.
Rivanya understood then that arguing further would lead nowhere. She chose silence instead, holding her worries inside as the conversation came to an end.
As time passed, the night slipped away quietly.
They say companionship leaves its mark, and the same was happening to Rivanya.
Slowly, without realizing it, she had begun adapting to Rudraksh's rhythm.
Like him, she now woke up at four in the morning.
That day, after bathing, the very first thing she did was plant a tulsi sapling in the courtyard and offer her prayers.
At the same time, Rudraksh was immersed in his routine yoga, meditation, and sword practice, his movements disciplined and precise.
After completing her prayers, Rivanya's gaze drifted toward him, and for a brief moment, she couldn't stop herself from staring at his sculpted form as he practiced.
The realization of what she was doing struck her instantly.
Embarrassed, she scolded herself under her breath and quickly turned away, retreating inside before her thoughts could wander any further.
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I have tried my best to portray the emotions, faith, and depth of this moment as honestly as I could. If, in the process, I have made any mistake whether in words, understanding, or depiction I seek your forgiveness. Everything written here comes from a place of respect, belief, and a sincere heart.
As usual, the early access chapter will be available in stck for purchase in the next 2-3 days.
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That's all for today! I hope you're enjoying this story.
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-Lime
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