Ch31The Beginning of Rudravanya #2
Within moments, the doctors rushed inside and started checking Rudraksh. The entire family also entered the room, and seeing Rudraksh conscious again finally brought life back to everyone's faces.
Even in that condition, Rudraksh was worried only about Rivanya, and Rivanya could think only about Rudraksh. The only difference was that one's concern came from love, while the other still believed hers came from responsibility.
The doctors properly examined Rudraksh and strictly advised complete bed rest for fifteen days.
They warned everyone that his wounds were extremely deep and if he ignored precautions or moved carelessly, the pain and complications could become dangerous for him.
Rivanya stood silently beside them, listening carefully to every single instruction as if she was memorizing each word for herself.
Seeing Rudraksh conscious again finally brought some relief to Pratap's heart too, but he knew very well that if he went near him right now, Rudraksh's anger might worsen his condition.
And at this moment, his son's recovery mattered more than his own emotions.
So, controlling the helpless father inside him, Pratap quietly walked outside and sat down.
With the doctors' help, Rudraksh managed to sit up slightly. Soon Dadaji and Dadima came near him. Dadima lovingly caressed his hair with trembling hands and said while crying, "Thank Mahadev you're safe, Rudraksh... Mahadev has truly shown mercy on our family today."
Rudraksh was in too much pain to speak much. He only gave a faint tired smile in response.
A few moments later Vyom, Dev, and Raaj came together and carefully hugged him. The moment Rudraksh looked at Vyom, he asked in a weak but serious voice, "I hope everything has been handled, Vyom?"
Vyom understood exactly what he meant and replied coldly, "Don't worry. Everything is done."
Standing nearby, Rivanya could only stare at Rudraksh in disbelief. Even after coming back from the edge of death, this man was still thinking about work and enemies.
That entire day everyone wanted to remain near Rudraksh, but the doctors eventually forced everyone outside because their medical team needed space around him constantly.
On Dadima's insistence, Dhara practically dragged Rivanya to another room.
Dragged because Rivanya simply refused to leave Rudraksh's side even for a second.
In all this chaos, she had completely forgotten about herself.
The moment they entered the room, Rivanya immediately said, "Dhara please... I want to stay with Rudraksh."
Dhara sighed helplessly and replied, "You can go later. But first look at your own condition, Rivanya. At least freshen up first, please. And you've been fasting since yesterday too. Eat something."
Rivanya looked at Dhara with teary eyes and said softly, "Dhara... do you really think I'll be able to eat when Rudra is lying there in that condition? He probably hasn't eaten anything either... how will food even go down my throat?"
Before Dhara could answer, Dadima entered the room and said, "And why won't it, Rivanya?"
Seeing Dadima, Rivanya immediately fell silent.
Dadima walked toward her lovingly, placed a hand over her head, and said gently, "Rivanya beta, the doctors said Rudraksh is stable for now. The entire medical team is with him and they themselves asked all of us to leave the room. And because of the anesthesia, he's sleeping right now.
Most importantly, he is safe at this moment. Then why are you neglecting yourself like this?"
Rivanya's eyes filled again as she replied, "But Dadima... I want to stay near him. He kept calling my name again and again... I just want to sit beside him."
Dadima smiled faintly and held her face with affection.
"Rivanya, first go freshen up and eat something. After that you can stay beside your Rudraksh the entire day, alright? If you don't take care of yourself, then how will this work, bacha? And, I know once you start taking care of Rudraksh, you'll completely forget yourself.
So let us take responsibility for you too, hmm? You are not just the daughter-in-law of this house, Rivanya... you are our daughter. Maybe even more precious than that. We will keep you with all the love in the world and take care of you too."
Hearing those words, Rivanya could no longer stop herself. She hugged Dadima tightly and cried softly against her shoulder. "Thank you, Dadima... Through all of you, Gauri Maa has given me everything... everything."
Dadima caressed her head lovingly and said, "Alright now, go freshen up."
Then she turned toward Dhara and said, "Dhara beta, you should freshen up too. You must be exhausted as well. And have breakfast properly, everything is prepared downstairs."
Dhara nodded respectfully. "Ji Dadima. I'll go after Rivanya freshens up first. In case she needs something, I'll stay here."
But Rivanya immediately shook her head. "No Dhara, you go. I'm fine now. I'll ask a maid to bring my clothes."
Dhara looked at her carefully. "Are you sure, Rivu?"
For the first time since last night, a faint smile appeared on Rivanya's lips. "Yes Dharu... go. I'm okay now."
Both Dhara and Dadima looked slightly relieved hearing that.
Soon Rivanya entered the bathroom and stood under the hot shower. But even amidst the warm water falling over her, her mind remained trapped in last night's horror and in Rudraksh's pale, blood-covered face.
After some time, Rivanya got ready in a beautiful green saree. She filled her maang with sindoor once again and wore her mangalsutra carefully before immediately walking toward Rudraksh's room.
Outside the room stood Vyom, Dev, and Raaj. The doctors had locked the door from inside while continuing Rudraksh's treatment.
Rivanya walked toward them and said softly, "Vyom bhaiya... Chote Devar-sa... Bade Devar-sa... you all should go freshen up too. I'll stay here."
Vyom folded his arms and replied, "Dadima already told us you'd come here first, Bhabhi. So we received strict orders before you even arrived first you have to go downstairs and eat something. Only after that you can come back here. We're here anyway."
Rivanya tried to protest. "But Vyom bhaiya..."
Before she could continue, Vyom interrupted firmly yet affectionately. "Bhaiya said it once, Bhabhi. So now listen like a good younger sister. And technically I'm older than you too, so please go."
Rivanya looked at him helplessly before finally giving up. "Fine... but one thing. I've forbidden you from calling me Bhabhi. Call me Rivanya instead... like an elder brother."
A small smile appeared on Vyom's face. "As my sister wishes."
Rivanya smiled faintly in return before finally walking downstairs.
But before going anywhere else, she entered the mansion temple first. Standing before the beautiful idols of Shiv and Parvati, she lit a diya with trembling hands and folded her palms gratefully.
Then she took a little sindoor from Maa Parvati's feet and touched it carefully to her mangalsutra before whispering emotionally, "Keep my suhag safe, Maa..."
After finishing her prayers, Rivanya stepped out of the temple and walked toward the main hall where the entire family was seated together.
Exhaustion and worry for Rudraksh were clearly visible on every face.
The moment they saw Rivanya, they immediately called her over and made her sit with them.
Vasudha gently settled beside her while Rivanya looked around and softly asked, "Did any of you eat something or not?"
Before anyone else could answer, Pratap spoke with a tired smile, "How could we eat leaving you alone, beta? We were waiting for you."
Before Rivanya could say anything further, Dadima walked out of the kitchen accompanied by a maid carrying a tray of food. Dadima herself came and sat beside Rivanya while the maid carefully placed the plate in front of her.
Smiling lovingly, Dadima said, "Rivanya, I personally made this khichdi for you. All the children in our family love this one, and I hope you'll like it too."
Rivanya immediately looked at her with concern. "Dadima, why did you take all this trouble yourself? There are so many maids in the house... you could've just told me instead."
Dadima shook her head lovingly and replied, "Why? Is it only your right to care for us? Can't we take care of our daughter too, Rivanya?"
Rivanya quickly said, "No Dadima, it's not that, but..."
Before she could finish, Dadima interrupted firmly yet affectionately. "No 'but'. Just sit quietly and rest for once. Have you even looked at your own condition?"
Then Dadima picked up the spoon herself and smiled warmly. "Today I'm going to feed you with my own hands."
Taking the first bite carefully, she held it near Rivanya's lips and said softly, "Come on... eat properly."
That simple gesture of affection touched Rivanya deeply. Her eyes became moist instantly, but somehow she controlled herself and quietly accepted Dadima's love.
From a distance, Rivanya's Nani, Nanu, Mama, and Mami watched everything silently. Relief filled their hearts seeing that Rivanya was receiving the same warmth and unconditional love in her in-laws' home that she had always received while growing up in her maternal home.
People often say that sometimes God empties a person's hands only to fill them later with blessings far more precious.
Even though Rivanya had lost her mother early and never truly received her father's love the way she deserved, God had still gifted her a maternal family that loved her more than life itself...
and now a new family that cherished her not as a daughter-in-law, but as their own daughter.
Slowly, surrounded by Dadima's affection and everyone's silent care, Rivanya finally began feeling a little lighter inside.
After somehow finishing her meal, Rivanya hugged Dadima tightly and whispered a soft "thank you" before immediately hurrying upstairs toward Rudraksh's room.