Ch37Drenched in His Hue๏ผHoli Special๏ผ
Dear Readers, ?
Your love is the heartbeat of this story.
Every vote, every comment, and every little reaction encourages me to write the next chapter with even more passion.
If this chapter made you smile, cry, or feel something special, let me know in the comments and don't forget to vote. Your support keeps Rudravanya alive. ??
Rivanya leisurely finished every last bite of her lunch, feeling completely rejuvenated. Setting the empty tray aside, she stepped out of the bedroom. Driven by a quiet curiosity, her feet automatically guided her down the quiet corridor toward Rudraksh's private home office.
Poking her head through the door, she saw him exactly as expected deeply engrossed in a mountain of corporate paperwork.
Taking a soft breath, she walked inside.
The moment he registered her presence, Rudraksh did something completely unprecedented: he calmly closed the file in his hands and pushed it to the side.
Rivanya blinked in sheer shock. This was the man who wouldn't halt his work for the prime minister, yet he had effortlessly paused his empire the second she walked in.
Looking up at her, Rudraksh's sharp features softened. "Did you finish your lunch, Sugarplum?"
Rivanya nodded, a small smile playing on her lips before a sudden wave of self-consciousness hit her. "Yes, I did. But Rudra... I slept for so long today. Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"
Rudraksh leaned back in his leather chair, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Why? Is it a crime to sleep according to your own comfort in your own house?"
Rivanya sighed, adjusting the simple border of her light yellow kurta.
"No, but when your in-laws are staying under the same roof and the daughter-in-law keeps sleeping until evening... it doesn't look good, does it?"
Standing up from his chair, Rudraksh walked around the heavy mahogany desk, stopping just a step away from her.
"That might be true for other families, Rivanya, but my family doesn't look at you as a daughter-in-law. To them, you are a daughter. So stop overthinking all of this. You haven't been taking proper care of your health over the past few weeks,
so what's the big deal if you got a few extra hours of sleep?"
A warm, genuine smile spread across Rivanya's face, her heart melting slightly at his uncharacteristic protectiveness. Shaking her head to clear the emotional weight, she looked at him mischievously. "Rudra... can you please lend me my Sautan for just a little while?"
Rudraksh's brow furrowed in utter confusion. "Your Sautan ? Meaning?"
Rivanya burst into a melodious laugh.
"I mean your first love your laptop!"
Rudraksh stared at her for a beat before a rare, amused chuckle escaped him. "Unbelievable. What goes on in that head of yours? Fine, I'll give it to you, but what exactly do you need it for?"
"Actually, I need to apply to a few prominent law firms," Rivanya explained, her eyes lighting up with professional ambition. "My own laptop is still packed away at my old house, and I really don't feel like stepping out today. So, I figured I'd borrow yours."
Rudraksh nodded instantly. "Alright, no problem. You can take it whenever you want."
With that settled, Rudraksh stepped back and reopened his files, immediately plugging back into his billionaire mindset. Rivanya smiled quietly and turned around, heading downstairs to explore the rest of the house.
The moment Rivanya reached the grand ground-floor hall, the light atmosphere shifted slightly. Sitting on one of the opulent royal sofas was Pratap Vardhan, looking every bit the serious, imposing patriarch.
As soon as his eyes caught sight of Rivanya walking down the stairs, his expression adjusted and he gestured for her to come closer. "Rivanya, come here for a moment."
Suppressing a sudden spike of nervousness, Rivanya walked gracefully across the marble floor and stopped beside his sofa, folding her hands respectfully. "Ji, Papa. Please tell me... did you have some work for me?"
Pratap gave her a rare, warm smile. "No, there's no urgent work, beta. But I wanted to give you something before I head back to Vardhanpur."
Rivanya's face instantly fell with disappointment. "Papa, you are going back to Vardhanpur already? Why? Please stay for a few more days."
Before Pratap could speak, Dadimaa walked into the hall from behind them.
"Rivanya beta, your Papa is the Ranasa of Vardhanpur, after all. Tomorrow is *Holika Dahan*, and in our Rajputana traditions, this ritual holds immense sacred importance. As the ruler, Pratap's presence is absolutely mandatory for tomorrow's royal puja. But don't be sad,
the rest of us are staying right here to celebrate your very first Holi with you."
Understanding the gravity of his royal duties, Rivanya offered a soft smile.
"Alright, I understand. But Papa, please promise me you will return very soon."
Pratap stood up, gently placing a blessing hand on her head.
"It will happen exactly as my daughter wishes. But before I leave, I have something for you. First, Kaki-sa," he turned to Dadimaa, "please call every family member down to the hall. This is something that needs to happen in front of everyone."
Following Dadimaa's instructions, the maids quickly notified the household.
Within a few minutes, Dadaji, Dev, and Raaj made their way down the grand staircase, followed closely by Rudraksh.
Rudraksh's jaw was tightly clenched, his mind racing with cynical thoughts: *I wonder what kind of new drama my father is about to orchestrate now. *
Once the entire family had gathered in a circle, Pratap quietly pulled a set of legal documents from his pocket and handed them directly to Rivanya. "This is for you, Rivanya."
Confused, Rivanya adjusted the papers and began reading the legal terms. As her eyes scanned the bold text, her breath caught in her throat. "Papa... all of this? But why?"
Sensing something suspicious, Rudraksh stepped forward, his eyes narrowing strictly at his father. "Rivanya, what exactly is written in those papers? Speak the truth. If he is trying to pull something underhanded, tell me right now and I will..."
"Rudra, please learn to understand the situation before jumping to conclusions!"
Rivanya interrupted firmly, cutting him off mid-sentence.
Turning to the family, she revealed, "These are share transfer certificates for Papa's core company. Papa has officially transferred thirty percent of his company's entire shares into my name."
Rudraksh froze, the hostile words dying in his throat. His mind immediately went into overdrive, trying to decipher what kind of chess move his father was playing.
Rivanya looked back at Pratap, her voice trembling slightly. "Papa, what is the meaning of this? What was the need for such a massive gesture?"
Pratap's expression softened with profound gravity. "There was an absolute need, Rivanya. Consider this your *Stree-dhan* your rightful wealth.
Your husband is far too stubborn to ever accept a single penny or asset belonging to my company, but you...
you deserve this by every right. These shares belong exclusively to you, making you an official partner in Pratap Vardhan's empire.
And I have had the legal clauses structured in such a way that even if you wanted to, you cannot transfer or gift these shares to anyone else. They are yours, and yours alone."
A wave of intense emotion crashed over Rivanya, and her eyes welled up with thick tears.
Her mind instinctively drew a painful contrast.
On one side was her biological father, Naresh Bedi, who had ruthlessly manipulated and emotionally blackmailed her just to snatch away the single house her late mother had left in her name.
And on the other side stood her father-in-law, a man who didn't share her blood, yet was securing her financial independence and respect on such a monumental scale.
As the tears finally spilled over her cheeks, Pratap stepped forward, gently wiping them away with his thumb.
"Beta, I know life has forced you to endure a great deal of pain. But no more. You are the child of this house now not my daughter-in-law, but my daughter. You know, I always deeply yearned for a daughter, but they say only the truly fortunate are blessed with one.
I used to believe it wasn't in my destiny... until you walked into our home. The moment I saw you, I knew I had found my daughter. And I will protect this daughter of mine from every single hardship in life. Not just me, but all of us."
As Rivanya quietly wept, overwhelmed by the pure affection, Dadimaa walked over and wrapped her in a warm embrace.
"Yes, Rivanya beta. You are the most cherished, beloved soul in this entire mansion now; our very hearts reside in you. What Pratap has done today is completely right. From this day forward,
not a single major decision whether regarding the household or the corporate empire will be finalized without taking your counsel and approval into account."
Viswraaj, who usually remained entirely detached and silent during family matters, stepped forward with a genuine, respectful bow. "Welcome to the corporate board, Bhabhisa."
Through her tears, a beautiful, radiant smile broke across Rivanya's face.
Throwing her arms around Pratap, she buried her face against his shoulder.
"I never truly understood what a father's love felt like, Papa... but from the moment you called me your daughter, that void in my life has been filled completely."
Patting her head soothingly, Pratap murmured, "These aren't just empty words, beta. You are truly my child. If anything ever troubles you, or if you ever find yourself in a crisis, just call for me once. Your father will always be standing right beside you."
Turning around, Rivanya then hugged Dadimaa tightly, basking in the overflowing warmth of the family.