Ch33 The Shield of Devotion #4
Guruji explained, "The core rituals will follow the traditional Vedic methods. However, you must invite devout married women to join the prayers. Following the ceremony, you must offer them the sacred bridal adornments as a ritual blessing.
Perform the complete holy bath and worship of Maa Gauri's idol. Once the prayers conclude, collect the sacred vermilion from the Goddess's feet, apply it to your parting, and pray for your husband's longevity. Only then, perhaps, will this fatal planetary defect be severed."
Tears rolled down Rivanya's cheeks, but her resolve didn't waver for a single second. Folding her hands reverently, she promised, "Guruji, I will fulfill every single ritual precisely as you say. I will do whatever it takes to ensure not even a single scratch ever touches my husband."
Maha Guruji stood up to take his leave, placing his hand upon her head one final time. "Sada Suhagan raho, beti. May your marital bond remain immortal."
With those parting words, Guruji began walking out. The remaining family members bowed to take his blessings and accompanied him down to the entrance to see him off.
However, witnessing the staggering depth of Rivanya's love for Rudraksh left a heavy, aching silence in everyone's heart.
They were deeply worried for her. It broke their hearts to see how selflessly she was honoring this sacred bond, standing ready to fight death itself for a husband who hadn't even fully accepted her yet, silently enduring an ocean of emotional pain all on her own.
Rivanya's fingers instinctively flew to her neck, gripping her sacred mangalsutra tightly as fresh tears welled up and spilled over her eyelashes.
Overwhelmed by a sudden, suffocating fear, she didn't utter a single word to the family.
She turned around and hurried straight back upstairs to their bedroom.
Inside the room, Rudraksh was sitting shirtless, waiting to get his fresh injuries dressed.
The moment his gaze landed on Rivanya and her tear-stained face, all his stoicism vanished.
He stood up abruptly, his voice laced with genuine panic and concern.
"Rivanya, what happened? Why are you crying? Did someone say something to you? Just give me a name, and I will personally deal with them. Talk to me..."
Ignoring his questions, Rivanya walked past him, sobbing silently as she stepped out into the attached balcony. Rudraksh followed her immediately.
Night had completely taken over the estate.
A gentle, crisp breeze was blowing through the air, and the moon cast a soft, ethereal glow over the landscape.
Down below, the sweet fragrance of night-blooming flowers drifted up from the garden, filling the balcony.
Yet, Rivanya stood there, completely oblivious to the serene night, unable to stop her tears.
Stepping up behind her, Rudraksh placed a gentle, comforting hand on her trembling shoulder. "Rivanya, please look at me. Tell me what's wrong."
Rivanya spun around. Without a word, she threw her arms around his waist, burying her face into his bare chest and clinging to him as if he were her absolute lifeline.
Stunned for a fraction of a second, Rudraksh's protective instincts took over.
He wrapped his strong arms tightly around her, pulling her close into his embrace, shielding her from the world.
"Shh... it's okay. What happened, Rivanya?" he murmured softly, his hand gently stroking her hair. "Everything is alright. Tell me why my brave girl is crying so much."
This was a complete departure from Rudraksh Vardhan's usual fiery, short-tempered persona. The man who usually got irritated by the slightest things was now cradling and soothing Rivanya with the utmost tenderness, treating her like a precious child.
Choking back her sobs against his chest, Rivanya poured her heart out, recounting every single word that Maha Guruji had spoken downstairs about his impending doom and the ritual she needed to perform.
As he listened to the prophecy, a surge of intense irritation and anger flared up within Rudraksh regarding the superstition.
However, looking down at Rivanya's distressed state, he consciously reined in his temper.
Softening his tone for her sake, he asked gently, "Rivanya, you are a modern, well-educated woman of today's generation. Do you really believe in all this nonsense?"
Rivanya pulled back slightly, lifting her tearful eyes to meet his. "Rudra, just because we are modern and educated doesn't mean we abandon our culture and values, does it? How can you call a threat to your life nonsense?"
Rudraksh sighed, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks with his thumb.
"Look, Rivanya, I don't possess even a shred of belief in these superstitious predictions. But... I deeply respect your faith. Even so, I am telling you, don't get entangled in my family's obsession with these curses. If you let them, they will drag you into a thousand rituals in the name of fate.
And remember one thing the man who can take down Rudraksh Vardhan hasn't been born yet. I will protect myself, and I will protect you. Nothing is going to happen to us."
Looking up at him with pure, innocent hope shining through her tears, Rivanya whispered, "Promise?"
Rudraksh looked deep into her eyes, his voice steady and resolute. "I promise. Cross my heart."