Ch26 The Bow That Broke Pride #2
Watching Vyom's dramatic behavior, Rivanya tried very hard to control herself. But despite her efforts, a small laugh escaped her lips. The situation had become so ridiculous that she simply couldn't hold it in anymore.
Seeing both of them laughing, Rudraksh's expression darkened with irritation. He glared sharply at both Vyom and Rivanya, clearly annoyed by their amusement.
Without saying another word, he turned around and walked out of the kitchen.
Behind him, Vyom was still laughing uncontrollably, and Rivanya was trying very hard not to burst into laughter again.
Rivanya somehow managed to control her laughter, though the corners of her lips were still trembling. Taking a small breath, she looked at Vyom and spoke in a low, cautious tone, clearly aware of Rudraksh's temper.
Rivanya said,
"Vyom bhaiya, why are you waking a sleeping lion? If his anger bursts, it will fall on both of us."
Vyom, however, was completely unfazed. He laughed lightly, waving his hand dismissively as if it was nothing serious at all.
Vyom said,
"Arre bhabhi, don't worry. I've been dealing with his tantrums since childhood. He won't do anything."
Rivanya's curiosity immediately sparked at that.
Rivanya asked,
"So you've known Rudra since childhood?"
Vyom nodded proudly, a nostalgic smile appearing on his face as memories flashed in his mind.
Vyom said,
"Yes, bhabhi. We've been together since kindergarten. But your husband here was extremely sharp in studies. Because of that, he kept getting promoted to higher classes again and again. And just to stay with him, I had to study hard and get promoted too."
Rivanya's eyes widened slightly in surprise. She hadn't expected that.
Rivanya said,
"Wow... so Rudra was good in studies too?"
Vyom chuckled and shook his head as if that was just the beginning.
Vyom said,
"Not just studies, bhabhi. Your husband was ahead in everything-football, cricket, volleyball, high jump... you name it. Girls used to go crazy for him, but he never even looked at any of them. Not once. Rudra is very strict about his principles. He may not accept it,
but he is exactly like Pratap uncle."
Rivanya quietly listened to everything, her eyes softening slightly as she processed this new side of Rudraksh. There was a hint of admiration in her gaze.
Rivanya said softly,
"That's impressive... your friend is truly an all-rounder. I didn't expect this."
Then, remembering something, she quickly added with warmth,
Rivanya said,
"Vyom bhaiya, don't leave without eating today. I've cooked for everyone."
Vyom's face lit up instantly.
Vyom said,
"How can anyone leave food made by you, bhabhi? And anyway, eating together with everyone today will be so much fun."
The two of them were still talking when suddenly a familiar, authoritative voice echoed from the hall.
Dadi Maa called out,
"Rivanya... Rudraksh... where are you both?"
The moment Rivanya heard that voice, her face lit up with happiness.
Rivanya said quickly,
"Dadi Maa is here, let's go."
Without wasting another second, she turned off the gas and hurried toward the hall. As she ran, she quickly adjusted her saree and placed her pallu over her head.
Reaching the hall, she immediately bent down and touched Dadi Maa's feet, taking her blessings, and then hugged her tightly.
Dadi Maa smiled warmly, placing her hand lovingly on Rivanya's head before pulling her into a tight embrace, showering her with affection.
Rivanya stepped back slightly, her eyes filled with concern and love.
Rivanya said,
"Dadi Maa, how are you? Are you feeling alright?"
Dadi Maa smiled gently.
Dadi Maa said,
"Yes, beta, I'm fine. Tell me, how are you?"
Rivanya's face softened with happiness.
Rivanya said,
"I'm absolutely fine... and seeing you makes me feel even better."
Just then, a cheerful voice came from behind.
Dadaji said,
"So, bahu... will you only meet your Dadi Maa? Won't you meet me?"
Rivanya immediately turned, smiling brightly, and ran toward him. She bent down to touch his feet, and Dadaji lovingly placed his hand on her head.
Dadaji said,
"Stay blessed, beta."
As she stood up, Rivanya's eyes fell on Pratap, who had just entered. Without a second thought, she rushed toward him and bent down to touch his feet.
But before she could, Pratap gently stopped her.
Pratap said,
"No, Rivanya beta. Have you forgotten what I told you? You are my daughter... and daughters don't touch feet, they hug."
Hearing this, Rivanya's eyes softened. She immediately hugged him tightly.
Rivanya said softly,
"Sorry, Papa... I'll remember next time."
Pratap smiled, placing his hand on her head lovingly.
Pratap said,
"All your mistakes are forgiven, my child."
At that moment, Rudraksh also came downstairs, with Vyom following behind him. Both of them went forward to take blessings from Dadi Maa and Dadaji. Vyom also warmly hugged Pratap.
But as always, Rudraksh completely ignored Pratap.
That one moment didn't go unnoticed. Pratap's face fell slightly, a quiet pain settling in his eyes.
Rivanya saw everything.
Her heart tightened, and without wasting time, she walked up to Rudraksh and spoke softly, yet firmly.
Rivanya said,
"Touching elders' feet doesn't make you smaller, Rudraksh. Go and take your father's blessings."
Rudraksh's expression hardened instantly.
Rudraksh said,
"I don't need his blessings. You've taken them, that's enough."
Rivanya frowned slightly, not backing down.
Rivanya said,
"How can you say that? Your father needs his son too, doesn't he?"
Rudraksh's tone turned cold.
Rudraksh said,
"He has never needed anyone, Rivanya. And stop arguing with me about this."
Rivanya crossed her arms slightly, her patience thinning.
Rivanya said,
"So you won't listen to me?"
Rudraksh replied without hesitation,
Rudraksh said,
"No."
A small smirk appeared on Rivanya's face, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Rivanya said,
"Fine... then I'll tell Dadi Maa everything that happened yesterday. The alcohol incident... and how you got kicked by me."
Rudraksh's eyes widened slightly in shock.
Before he could say anything, Rivanya calmly walked ahead and helped Dadaji and Dadi Maa sit comfortably on the sofa. Then she subtly gestured toward Rudraksh, silently threatening that she would speak any second.
Rudraksh clenched his jaw.
Left with no choice, he finally gave in.
With visible irritation, he walked toward Pratap... and bent down to touch his feet.
The entire room fell silent.
Everyone was shocked.
No one had ever seen Rudraksh do that. The man who never listened to anyone... today, he listened to Rivanya.
Pratap stood frozen for a moment. His eyes filled with emotion. After years... his son had finally touched his feet.
And it happened because of Rivanya.
Dadaji and Dadi Maa exchanged surprised glances. They couldn't believe what they had just witnessed.
Meanwhile, Vyom leaned closer to Dadi Maa and whispered with a grin,
Vyom said,
"Dadi Maa... your lion is no longer a lion. Now the lioness rules here."
Dadi Maa chuckled softly, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
Dadi Maa said,
"Yes, beta... I can see that. Truly, Rivanya will change our Rudraksh."
Both Vyom and Dadi Maa shared a playful high-five, silently celebrating the beginning of a change no one had ever expected.
Rudraksh narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at both of them, noticing their suppressed laughter.
Rudraksh said,
"What are you both laughing at?"
Both Vyom and Dadi Maa instantly became awkward, their smiles fading as they tried to control themselves, unable to come up with an answer. Before the silence could grow uncomfortable, Rivanya stepped in smoothly, her tone calm yet teasing.
Rivanya said,
"Dadi Maa, not everyone can be as grumpy as someone here. Everyone has the right to be happy. Please, you both continue... there's no need to be scared of anyone."
Her indirect jab was clearly aimed at Rudraksh. For a moment, the entire room went still. Everyone present instinctively held their breath, fearing that Rudraksh might lose his temper.
But what shocked them the most... was that he didn't say a single word.
He simply stood there, silent.
Rivanya then gently guided Pratap to sit down as well and signaled the staff. Within seconds, they arrived with glasses of water for everyone.
As Rivanya stood there, Dadi Maa noticed the pallu covering her head and smiled softly.
Dadi Maa said,
"Rivanya beta, there's no need to keep your pallu on your head. We are all your family, and you are our daughter. Don't follow such formalities."
Rivanya nodded respectfully and slowly let her pallu fall back from her head, her expression softening at the warmth she felt.
After a brief pause, something crossed her mind.
Rivanya said,
"Dadi Maa, where are my two devars? They were coming too, right?"
Dadi Maa smiled.
Dadi Maa said,
"Yes, they're on their way. They should be here any moment."
Just then, two cheerful voices echoed from behind.
Viswraaj and Dev said together,
"Not on the way... we're already here, bhabhi!"
Rivanya's face lit up instantly. She turned around with excitement just as both Raj and Dev rushed toward her. Without hesitation, they bent down to touch her feet.
Rivanya was taken aback.
Rivanya said,
"Arre, what are you both doing? You're older than me, why are you touching my feet? Please get up."
Dadi Maa chuckled softly at her reaction.
Dadi Maa said,
"Beta, in relation, Rudraksh is elder to them. So as his wife, you are elder too. It's only right for them to take your blessings."
Dev stood up, smiling warmly.
Dev said,
"Bhabhi sa, Rudraksh bhai sa is like a father figure to us... so you are like a mother too."
Raj nodded immediately.
Raj said,
"And no one can take away our right to seek blessings from you, bhabhi sa."
Rivanya's heart melted at their words, her eyes soft with emotion.
Rivanya said,
"Truly... seeing you both reminds me of Lakshman and Bharat."