Ch23 When the Past Begins to Stir #2
She looked up at him, her voice quiet but firm.
"If you don't accept me as your wife, Rudra... then how can anyone else?"
Anger flared within him, sharp and intense-but he restrained himself. Taking a deep breath, he spoke in control.
"Look, Rivanya. I've told you before-I don't accept this relationship, and that is a matter between the four walls of this house. Outside, I will never allow your dignity to be questioned. In the eyes of the world, you are my wife, and you will receive the respect that comes with that."
His voice hardened slightly.
"So stop saying such things. Be prepared. The party is in one week. You will be present there-as my wife. In fact," he added after a pause, "consider it our reception. Something the world needs to see."
Rivanya stood still, her gaze fixed on the floor, her shoulders slightly hunched as if the weight of his words had physically pressed her down. She did not argue. She did not protest. Silence was all she offered-and yet, that silence carried a thousand unspoken emotions.
Rudraksh watched her for a fleeting second, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. Then, as if deciding it was better not to stay any longer, he stood up and turned toward the door.
Seeing him leave without another word made something stir inside Rivanya. She lifted her head and stopped him, her voice gentle but trembling beneath restraint.
"Where are you going?" she asked softly. "At least have breakfast before you leave..."
Rudraksh didn't turn around. He didn't even slow his steps. His voice came back cold, detached-almost mechanical.
"I'm not hungry. You eat."
That was all.
The door closed behind him, and with it, whatever fragile strength Rivanya had been holding onto finally gave way. Her eyes blurred, and before she could stop herself, tears slipped down her cheeks-quiet, helpless tears that asked questions no one was there to answer.
She pressed her lips together and wiped her face angrily, scolding herself.
"Why are you crying, Rivanya?" she whispered to her own reflection in the glass.
"He doesn't care. No matter what happens to you, it won't matter to him."
Her chest tightened as the truth settled deeper.
"When he himself doesn't accept me as his wife, what difference does it make whether the world does or not?"
She sank onto the edge of the couch, her thoughts rushing uncontrollably.
"Everything happened so suddenly... my studies, my dreams, my future-I was trying to hold them all together. And then, out of nowhere, this marriage happened. And look at my fate... the man I'm married to doesn't even acknowledge me as his wife."
A painful smile curved her lips through tears.
"For Rudraksh, this relationship may be a game... a responsibility forced upon him. But for me, it isn't."
Her eyes hardened with quiet resolve.
"I will fulfill my duty as a wife. Whether he accepts it or not."
Slowly, she wiped her tears, straightened her posture, and stood up. She refused to let herself break any further. Walking toward her room, she felt a familiar ache stir in her heart-an unfinished thought, a forgotten weight.
Her mother's letter.
The memory struck her suddenly. While returning from Kashi to Mumbai, her grandfather had handed her that letter-her mother's final words. And yet, despite carrying it with her all this time, Rivanya hadn't found the courage to open it.
Somewhere deep inside, she feared it.
It felt as though that letter held truths she wasn't ready to face. Truths that might shatter the fragile balance she was barely maintaining.
"Is it about Papa?" she wondered silently.
"Or about something I don't know... something that will change everything?"
The answers waited inside those folded pages. But Rivanya knew-this wasn't the right time. She was already drowning in sorrow. Reading her mother's words now might pull her under completely.
And there was no one here... no one who would hold her if she fell apart.
So instead, Rivanya walked into the house temple. The soft glow of the diya flickered gently as she placed the letter at Goddess Gauri's feet. Joining her hands, she closed her eyes.
"Maa," she prayed silently, "when I'm strong enough... I'll read it then. Please give me strength till that day."
Time passed.
The clock showed 9 p.m.
Rudraksh sat in the office room with Vyom, files spread across the desk as they discussed business matters. Numbers, strategies, future plans-everything was handled with precision, just as always.
Eventually, Vyom brought up the subject of the upcoming party. Rudraksh explained the arrangements calmly, his voice firm and commanding. Then, as an afterthought, he added,
"Vyom, make sure there's no theme for the party this time."
Vyom paused, surprised.
"Alright... but why no theme, sir? Usually parties have one."
Rudraksh replied without hesitation,
"If there's a theme, it'll involve bold dressing. And I don't think your bhabhi would be comfortable wearing something like that."
Vyom frowned slightly, unconvinced.
"But sir... that should be bhabhi's choice, shouldn't it? What she wants to wear. Did you ask her?"
Rudraksh leaned back in his chair, visibly relaxed, as if the answer were obvious.
"What's there to ask?" he said casually."Rivanya isn't that type. She won't wear anything bold. Leave it."
Unbeknownst to him, Rivanya stood near the door, holding a tray with coffee cups. She had come quietly-and ended up hearing everything.
Each word struck her sharply.
To her, it didn't feel casual. It felt like judgment. Like dismissal. Like he had already decided who she was without ever trying to understand her.
Her grip tightened around the tray as her heart thudded painfully. This time, no tears came. Instead, something stronger rose within her-hurt mixed with resolve.
Inside her mind, her voice was steady and fierce.
"Rudraksh Vardhan... you made a mistake by underestimating me."
"Just because I wear sarees and traditional clothes doesn't mean I don't know how to be bold."
Her lips curved into a determined smile.
"I'll show you my bold side-without abandoning my traditions."
Her eyes gleamed with quiet fire.
"Just wait and watch."
While the Vardhan Mansion buzzed with preparations for the upcoming party, there was one heart in Vardhanpur that refused to find peace. A heart weighed down by memories, fear, and silent prayers. That restless heart belonged to Dadi Maa.
Vardhanpur.
As every night, the city glowed under thousands of lights, shimmering like a jewel carved out of devotion and pride.
It is said that the true measure of a king's success is reflected in the happiness of his people, and Vardhanpur stood as living proof of that truth.
The faces of its people carried contentment, faith, and loyalty-something rare in this changing world.
Deeply rooted in Rajasthani traditions, Vardhanpur still followed its royal lineage. Though governance had changed with time, the hearts of the people still bowed before the Vardhan family. Even today, in this modern era, Vardhanpur breathed by the will of its Raja(King).
The royal palace echoed the city's beauty, illuminated by diyas and golden lights.
Yet, amidst this grandeur, Dadi Maa stood silently in the palace garden, her gaze fixed on nothing in particular, her mind lost in thoughts too heavy to voice.
She was so immersed in her worries that she didn't even notice Pratap Vardhan approaching her.
Pratap stopped beside her, his concern deepening when he saw her troubled expression.
Pratap:
"What is it, Kaki-sa? You look worried. Is something wrong?"
Dadi Maa slowly turned toward him, her eyes holding years of experience-and fear.
Dadi Maa:
"You are asking this even after knowing everything, Pratap?"
Pratap's face tightened slightly.
Pratap:
"That means I was right... You're worried about Rudraksh and Rivanya, aren't you?"
Dadi Maa nodded gently.
Dadi Maa:
"Yes. How can I not worry? After Gurumaa returned, I went to meet her. She kept praising Rivanya-she couldn't stop. She spoke of her virtues, her calmness, her strength."
A faint smile appeared on Pratap's lips.
Pratap:
"Our daughter-in-law truly deserves it, Kaki-sa. Rivanya has a heart that wins people effortlessly. Even Gurumaa couldn't remain untouched."
Dadi Maa smiled softly, pride mixing with affection.
Dadi Maa:
"Yes, Pratap. Even if we searched the world with a lamp in hand, we wouldn't have found a better girl for Rudraksh. It is Mahadev's grace. Fate may have sent her into his life through a compromise, but she was sent for a reason."
Her voice softened.
"I had almost lost hope that I would ever see Rudraksh smile again... but when I look at Rivanya, it feels possible. It feels like she might be the one to bring light back into his life."
She paused suddenly, her smile fading.
"But..."
Pratap immediately sensed the shift.
Pratap:
"But what, Kaki-sa?"
Dadi Maa's eyes filled with fear.
Dadi Maa:
"But I am afraid, Pratap. Afraid that something might happen to my children. That cursed prophecy... what if it returns and claims them?"
Pratap gently guided her to sit on the nearby couch and sat down near her feet, holding her trembling hands.
Pratap:
"I know, Kaki-sa. You're thinking about that curse the same curse that took everything from me. My life, my happiness, my wife... and Rudraksh's mother."
Dadi Maa placed her hand on his shoulder, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Dadi Maa:
"I miss her so much, Pratap. Every single day. And when I look at Rivanya, I see Shikha. Our Shikha... the pride of Vardhanpur. Maharani Agnishikha the soul of this palace."
Pratap swallowed hard, controlling his emotions.
Pratap:
"You're right. Rivanya carries so many of Shikha's qualities. Sometimes I feel that if Shikha and I had a daughter... she would have been just like Rivanya."
Dadi Maa nodded slowly, her fear deepening.
Dadi Maa: