Ch 34 Kahe Sataye Re Piya #2
"'I need to get her medical evaluation done immediately. Otherwise, one of these days, the headlines will read that the most feared Asian Mafia head met his demise because his wife hurled a rolling pin at him. God, the sheer embarrassment of dying by a kitchen utensil!' '
By the time Rivanya emerged from the bathroom, Rudraksh had already dressed immaculately, sitting quietly like a well-behaved child.
Inside the bathroom, Rivanya had stood under the freezing spray of the shower, letting the cold water sting her skin to ground her erratic emotions.
The cold therapy worked, allowing her to lock away her scandalous thoughts and regain her composure before changing into fresh clothes.
When she walked back into the bedroom, she noticed Rudraksh was completely absorbed in his laptop the digital entity she often jokingly considered her rival for his attention.
Without uttering a word, Rivanya walked over to the vanity mirror, neatly completed her morning routine and makeup, and quietly exited the room.
Rudraksh had intended to say something, but once his hyper-focused mind locked onto his work, the rest of the world ceased to exist, leaving him glued to his screen.
Downstairs, the grand hall was already bustling with the rest of the family members. Before joining them, Rivanya paid her respects at the household shrine, offering a sincere morning prayer to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Once finished, she walked over to the living area.
Noticing her approach, Dadaji gestured warmly toward a seat. "Come, Rivanya beta, sit with us."
As she settled down among them, Pratap addressed her with a gentle, reassuring tone.
"Beta, have you given any thought to what Maha Guruji discussed last night? You belong to a modern, highly educated generation. We will entirely support whatever choice you make. If you do not wish to perform this puja, please know there is absolutely no pressure from our side."
The moment he finished, Rivanya replied firmly, "Papa, I may be a modern, educated woman of today's world, but my upbringing has taught me to deeply respect our faith, traditions, and values. When it comes to Rudraksh's safety, I wouldn't hesitate to perform a thousand rituals, let alone just one.
In fact, I have decided to observe a strict fast and keep the Gauri Puja this very evening."
Dadimaa's face lined with immediate concern. "But Rivanya, you are already exhausted from looking after an injured Rudraksh. Is it wise to rush into such a demanding ritual today? You could easily postpone it by a few days."
Rivanya offered a reassuring smile. "I understand your concern, Dadimaa. But the sooner this dark shadow is lifted from Rudra, the better it is. Besides, I have all of you here to look after me, don't I?"
Dadimaa's worries melted into a proud smile. "Alright then. Tell us, what needs to be done?"
"Most of the groundwork is already done," Rivanya explained efficiently.
"I have ordered the necessary items, and the staff should be bringing them in shortly. I've requested a complete set of traditional bridal adornments, and the priest has promised to send over the exact list of ritual ingredients."
Dadimaa nodded but raised a practical concern. "That covers the materials, but Rivanya, how will we manage to gather enough married women on such short notice for the communal blessings?"
Rivanya smiled gently. "Why do we need to look outside, Dadimaa? We have you, myself, and I have already requested all the married women working as our household staff to join the ceremony. The priest's wife will be attending as well, which gives us more than enough participants."
A wave of profound respect washed over Dadimaa's face. "Rivanya, it warms my heart to see your egalitarian mindset. Anyone else in your position might have hesitated to include the domestic staff in a sacred family ritual."
"Dadimaa, they are simply earning an honest living by working here," Rivanya replied softly but firmly.
"No profession is superior or inferior, and it is unfair to judge someone's character or status based on their job. The only requirement for this ritual is the presence of married women, and they perfectly fit the essence of it."
Delighted by her wisdom, Dadimaa added, "In that case, let me extend an invitation to our family Guruji and Gurumaa as well. Their presence and blessings will only make the occasion more auspicious."
"Yes, absolutely," Rivanya agreed.
Pratap, who had been quietly listening to the entire conversation, couldn't help but smile widely. As Rivanya excused herself to tend to some chores, Dadaji caught sight of his son's happy expression.
"What is it, Pratap? Why are you smiling so fondly?" Dadaji inquired curiously.
Pratap looked toward the corridor where Rivanya had disappeared, his eyes reflecting a deep sense of nostalgia.
"Kaka-sa, sometimes when I listen to Rivanya and observe her progressive yet deeply rooted perspective on life, I am powerfully reminded of Agnishikha. Do you remember, Kaki-sa, how Shikha used to treat every single human being with the exact same equality and boundless respect?"
Dadimaa looked out into the distance, a wistful smile softening her aging features as she walked down memory lane.
"Yes, Pratap. How could any of us ever forget Shikha? She was extraordinary in every single aspect a perfect wife, an exemplary daughter-in-law, a nurturing mother, and a magnificent Queen. But above all, she truly understood the worth and dignity of women. In the entire history of Vardhanpur,
Agnishikha was undoubtedly the finest and bravest Queen we ever had."
Pratap nodded, his eyes shining with absolute conviction.
"And I have unwavering faith that our Rivanya will prove to be just as remarkable. Actually, she doesn't even need to try; she is already incredible. Haven't you noticed the profound changes in Rudraksh since her arrival? He has evolved so much,
and he is finally beginning to understand his personal responsibilities as a husband."
Dadimaa chuckled softly. "That is true, Pratap. But then again, Rudraksh has never been one to run away from his duties. If the Vardhan family stands united as one formidable force today, it is solely because of its head, Rudraksh Vardhan. You've seen it yourself from the youngest to the eldest,
no one dares to utter a single word of dissent against his decisions."
Just as those words left Dadimaa's mouth, Rivanya stepped back into the grand hall. Her curiosity piqued, she asked, "Dadimaa... Rudraksh is the head of the Vardhan family? How is that possible?"
Dadimaa smiled warmly, patting the vacant spot on the sofa next to her. "Come, sit beside me, beta. Today, I will answer all your questions."
Sensing the gravity of the conversation, Rivanya quietly sat down next to her grandmother. Meanwhile, Pratap excused himself to attend to some pressing matters outside, and Dadaji retired to his room for his afternoon rest, leaving the two women alone in the serene hall.
Dadimaa took Rivanya's hands in hers and began to explain.
"By law and tradition, Pratap should have been the head of the Vardhan family for as long as he lives. However, he voluntarily handed over all his ancestral authority and responsibilities to Rudraksh at a very young age, solely to keep him close to us."
Rivanya knit her brows in confusion. "To keep him close? What do you mean, Dadimaa?"
Dadimaa let out a heavy sigh, her gaze turning somber.
"Rudraksh was merely five years old when his mother passed away. But tragically, he witnessed her demise right before his very eyes. That horrific incident was enough to severely traumatize his innocent, young mind. After Shikha left us, Rudraksh completely withdrew into himself;
even while living under the same roof, he became emotionally detached from everyone."
She squeezed Rivanya's hands gently before continuing.
"As he grew a bit older, he was sent away to New York for his education. Vyom went with him, and the two of them spent their entire formative years there together. Back home, we missed him terribly Pratap most of all. Therefore, when Rudraksh finally returned from New York ten years later,
Pratap immediately coronated him as the head of the Vardhan family. Even though Rudraksh didn't want the position, he was bound by duty. And he honored that duty so spectacularly that the Vardhan family reached unprecedented heights of success."
Dadimaa's voice filled with a distinct note of pride.
"You see, Rivanya, our family owns multiple ancestral businesses, and Rudraksh has the sheer capability to manage all of them single-handedly. Yet, he absolutely despises the very mention of taking over the family firm. Pratap desperately wanted him to become the President of the Vardhan Empire,
but Rudraksh flatly refused. Instead, he handed that prestigious throne to Viswraaj and chose to build his own independent business from scratch. He achieved such astronomical success that today, the entire multi-billion dollar Vardhan Empire stands on one side,
and Rudraksh's independent empire stands equally powerful on the other."
Rivanya listened to every word in absolute silence, a profound ache blooming in her heart.
She could deeply feel the silent, immense pain Rudraksh had carried all his life.
In a way, she understood his grief better than anyone else after all, she too had watched her own mother take her final breath right in front of her.
The more Rivanya discovered about the enigmatic man she had married, the more her heart swelled with immense pride.
He wasn't just a powerful man born into luxury; he was a survivor who had carved out his own identity entirely on his own terms.
Staring blankly at the floor, she realized how much she truly had to learn from him.
Dadimaa kept talking, her eyes softening as she looked at Rivanya. "But Viswraaj is Rudraksh's blood after all. He flatly refused to sit on the President's throne.