Ch33 The Shield of Devotion #3
"Well, then it's settled! This year, Holi will be celebrated with absolute grandeur right here in Vardhan Mansion. That is final."
The moment the declaration left her mouth, every single head in the room snapped toward Rudraksh.
The family waited with bated breath, utterly shocked that the man hadn't exploded yet.
After all, Rudraksh's hatred for colors was well known the stark monochrome palette of the entire Vardhan Mansion was proof enough of his aversion.
Yet, defying every expectation, Rudraksh merely leaned back against his cushion, looked around at the astonished faces, and muttered dryly, "What? Why are you all staring at me like that? Your beloved Rivanya is a fierce lioness. I certainly don't have the courage to clash with her.
Whatever she wishes will happen."
A wave of pure ecstasy rushed through the living hall at his words. Unable to contain his excitement, Dev practically lunged forward and threw his arms around Rivanya from behind. "Thank you, Bhabhi-sa! You are truly the absolute best!"
Rivanya laughed, gently patting Dev's cheek. "Holding out on me won't work, Devar-sa. Where is my ice cream?"
Dev immediately pulled out his phone to open a delivery app, but before he could tap the screen, the front doorbell chimed through the estate. A servant opened the door and walked into the hall carrying a massive, beautifully wrapped box adorned with a giant pink bow.
As the servant placed the package near Rivanya, Rudraksh spoke up calmly from the sofa, "There you go. Your ice cream. I ordered every single flavor available so you don't have to choose."
Rivanya stood frozen, looking back and forth between Rudraksh's completely indifferent face and the ridiculously oversized box.
The rest of the family sat in absolute, stunned silence.
None of them had ever witnessed this hidden, incredibly attentive side of Rudraksh Vardhan, leaving them to wonder just how deeply the icy head of the family was truly melting.
Rivanya stared at him in utter disbelief, her eyes wide. "Rudra... did you leave your brain behind in the Himalayas? What on earth am I supposed to do with this much ice cream?"
Rudraksh countered smoothly, "You are Rudraksh Vardhan's wife. Whenever you ask for something, you will always receive three times more than you expected. I have placed the order; what you choose to do with it now is entirely up to you."
With that, Rudraksh carefully stood up from the sofa and made his way back upstairs to their room, with Rivanya following closely behind him.
Just as the couple stepped inside their bedroom, a luxury car pulled up outside the gates of Vardhan Mansion.
The door opened, and Maha Guruji stepped out, accompanied by two of his disciples.
His sudden, unannounced arrival caught the family entirely off guard.
Moving quickly, the family members gathered to seek his blessings before respectfully guiding him to the sofa.
Maha Guruji remained silent, his sharp gaze intently scanning the energy of the Vardhan Mansion. Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Dadaji broke the silence. "Guruji, we believed you were out of the country. When did you return? Is there a specific reason for your sudden visit?"
Guruji replied with serene gravity, "Shrinath ji, we can discuss those details later. First, please summon Ranasa.
There are urgent matters that require our immediate attention. And additionally, I need Rudraksh's wife's birth chart brought to me right now."
Before anyone could move, Pratap stepped into the hall. Seeing the spiritual leader, he folded his hands respectfully. "Pranam, Guruji."
"Dirghayu bhava, Ranasa," Guruji blessed him calmly. "Please, sit. All of you, take your seats."
Since Raaj and Dev had some urgent work to attend to, they quietly excused themselves from the hall, leaving only Dadaji, Dadimaa, and Pratap with the seer.
Dadimaa quickly retrieved Rivanya's "kundali" and handed it over, her hands trembling slightly.
"Guruji, is everything alright? I hope no dark shadow or danger is looming over my children?"
Guruji placed Rivanya and Rudraksh's birth charts side by side, analyzing the planetary alignments with deep concentration.
After a long, tense silence, a gentle smile broke across his face.
"Ranasa, your daughter-in-law has entered this house as a true embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi. Her destiny is so remarkably powerful that her mere presence has cleared the lingering darkness from your household."
A collective sigh of relief washed over the family, and their faces brightened with joy. However, Guruji's next words instantly caused the color to drain from their faces.
"Upon their marriage, the generational curse of the Vardhan family naturally transferred from Yuvraj Rudraksh to Yuvrani Rivanya, just as it has happened for generations. However, the mortal danger over Yuvraj Rudraksh has not been averted. His charts indicate a severe threat of an untimely,
accidental death."
A suffocating fear gripped the room. Pratap's heart skipped a beat, a cold dread washing over him. Gathering his shattered composure, he begged, "Guruji, there must be a remedy. Surely there is a way to protect the lives of both my children?"
Guruji sighed heavily. "I pray that Rivanya's exceptionally powerful destiny can overwrite the tragic fate of the Vardhan lineage. But the dark shadow over Rudraksh can only be severed by his wife provided she possesses the profound love, devotion, and fierce determination of Savitri.
Given the turbulent circumstances under which this marriage took place, I fear such absolute devotion might be impossible to achieve."
Pratap shook his head, his voice ringing with absolute conviction. "Guruji, the marriage may have happened under unfavorable circumstances, but our Rivanya accepts this bond with all her heart and soul. I might doubt my own son for a moment, but I have absolute, unwavering faith in Rivanya."
Suddenly, the delicate, rhythmic chiming of anklets echoed from the grand staircase, signaling Rivanya's descent. Within moments, she walked into the living hall, approaching the gathering.
The moment Guruji's eyes fell upon her, a look of profound astonishment crossed his face. He turned to Pratap and breathed,
"Ranasa... your daughter-in-law carries the divine grace of Goddess Gauri herself. The celestial radiance on her face speaks volumes of her purity and strength."
As soon as Rivanya approached, Dadimaa smiled softly and introduced him. "Rivanya, beta, this is our Maha Guruji. He is the revered mentor of the Guruji and Gurumaa who visited us previously."
Understanding the immense spiritual stature of the seer before her, Rivanya immediately pulled the pallu of her saree over her head out of respect, bowed down, and touched his feet to seek his blessings.
Maha Guruji raised his hand gently, a serene look in his eyes. "Akhand swabhagyavati bhavah, beti. May you always remain blessed with a long and happy married life."
Dadimaa patted the spot next to her, gesturing for Rivanya to sit, and she complied.
Guruji then turned his attention back to Pratap, his tone turning grave once more.
"Listen to me closely, Ranasa. Advise Rudraksh to remain extremely vigilant. The threat of an untimely death looming in his birth chart could trigger at any moment, and it poses a fatal risk to his life."
Hearing this, a cold wave of shock and terror washed over Rivanya.
Her breath hitched as she spoke up, her voice trembling.
"Guruji... what are you saying? A threat of untimely death over Rudra? But how is that possible? The ancestral curse of the Vardhan family was supposed to transfer to me. The danger to life was meant to be mine, so how is my husband's life in jeopardy now?"
Guruji looked at her with profound empathy.
"No one has ever truly conquered the lines of destiny, beti. It is true that the generational curse of the Vardhan family now rests upon you. However, this particular affliction is born of Rudraksh's own planetary alignments. What is written in destiny cannot be easily altered by mortal hands."
Refusing to accept this, Rivanya stood up abruptly, her eyes blazing with fierce determination despite her fear.
"No! That is absolutely impossible. Nothing will happen to Rudra I will never let anything happen to him! Guruji, please, there must be a remedy, a way out. Tell me what needs to be done. I am willing to go to any lengths, but please give me a solution!"
Seeing her fierce, unyielding protective instinct for her husband, the last lingering doubt in Guruji's mind about Rivanya's devotion vanished. He now saw the profound depth of her love for Rudraksh.
He spoke calmly, "Perform the sacred rituals for Amar Suhagan Maa Parvati, beti. Pray to Her with an undivided heart to shield your husband's life. In this battle against fate, it is only the sheer power of your devotion and your sanctity as his wife that can act as his shield."
Rivanya nodded fervently, wiping a stray tear. "Yes, I am ready to do absolutely anything. Please guide me, Guruji. How should I perform this puja?"