8

Usne usse itna pyar kiya ki usne uske zakhmon ko bhula diya, lekin ab voh khush hai aur voh uske zakhmon mein doob rahi hai

Rudra moved even closer towards avni and started to take her clothe off, just then he heard driti voice from the room. "Pappa I am here."

Rudra let out a tired sigh, running a hand through his damp hair. "Driti, Pappa is busy," he called out, his voice firm but soft.

Driti, standing impatiently in front of the closed bathroom door, knocked again. "Avi mamma? she demanded, her small voice echoing through the door.

Avni glanced at Rudra, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "We should go. She's been calling for a while now," she said gently.

Rudra looked at her with a mix of exasperation and affection. He sighed again, heavier this time. "Alright, alright," he muttered, raising his voice so Driti could hear. "We're coming out, bacha. Just give us a minute."

After a few moments, Rudra and Avni finally emerged from the bathroom, both fully dressed. Driti stood with a pout on her face.

Rudra bent down to her level, ruffling her hair. "See? Pappa and Avi mamma are here. What do you need, my little troublemaker?" he asked.

Driti huffed but smiled despite herself, her earlier frustration melting. She looked up at Rudra with wide, innocent eyes and lifted her shirt slightly, revealing her small tummy. She gave it a soft pat.

Rudra crouched down to her level, his expression softening as he placed a hand on her belly. "Is my bacha hungry?" he asked gently.

Driti nodded enthusiastically, her eyes lighting up.Rudra smiled and stood up, offering his hand. "Alright then, let's get you something to eat."

They headed to the kitchen, where Rudra pulled out some ingredients, and within minutes, he had whipped up a simple but satisfying meal for his daughter. He sat her on a stool, feeding her small bites with a spoon, watching her eat with care.

As he was finishing up with Driti, Avni came into the kitchen. She leaned against the counter, watching them with a soft smile. "I'm hungry too," she said, playfully nudging Rudra's arm.

Rudra looked up at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Oh, are you now?" he teased.

She nodded, her smile growing wider. "Make me something, please," she asked sweetly.

Rudra chuckled and reached for the bread and fillings, quickly making a sandwich for her. As he handed it to her, Avni took it, but instead of eating, she looked up at him with a playful glint in her eyes. "Feed me too," she requested.

Driti, sitting nearby, immediately joined in, nodding her head eagerly. "Yes, Pappa!".

Rudra shook his head with a smile. He tore off a piece of the sandwich, holding it out to Avni. She leaned forward, taking the bite from his hand, her eyes never leaving his as she smiled.

"Happy now?" he asked, pretending to be annoyed but clearly enjoying the moment.

Avni nodded, swallowing the bite before answering. "Very happy."

Rudra continued feeding Avni, piece by piece, as she ate the sandwich with a playful glint in her eyes. But as he held out another bite, she leaned in and, instead of gently taking it, playfully bit his fingers.

"Ouch!" Rudra exclaimed, pulling his hand back quickly. He shot her a teasing glare, rubbing his fingers. "You're not supposed to eat my fingers!"

Avni giggled, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Sorry," she said with an innocent smile, but her eyes sparkled mischievously.

Rudra raised an eyebrow and leaned in closer. "Oh, so that's how it is, huh? You think you can get away with biting me?" He shook his head dramatically. "Now I'm going to do the same to you!"

Avni's eyes widened, and she took a step back, still laughing. "No, you won't!" she said, trying to dodge him.

But Rudra moved quickly, pretending to lunge forward as if to take a playful bite of her hand. Avni squealed, pulling her hand away and laughing even harder.

Driti watched the whole thing with wide eyes, clapping her hands and giggling loudly. "Pappa bite Avi mamma!" she squealed.

Rudra grinned and, instead of biting Avni's hand, he pulled her into a light hug, resting his chin on her shoulder. "You're lucky I love you too much," he murmured with a smirk.

Avni smiled, leaning into him, her laughter dying down to a soft, contented sigh. "Lucky me," she whispered back.

Driti, still giggling, climbed down from her stool and took her baby steps over to hug them both, wrapping her little arms around their legs.

The three of them stepped outside into the cool night air, making their way to the garden. They sat down, the stars twinkling above them. Driti nestled on avni, her little eyes starting to droop with sleepiness.

Avni glanced at Driti and, sensing her drowsiness, began telling her a few soft, soothing stories. Her voice was gentle and melodic, and as she spoke, she carefully scooped Driti into her arms, cradling her close. Driti's head rested on Avni's shoulder, and before long, the little girl's breathing grew slow and even-she had fallen asleep.

A few minutes later, Rudra walked over and noticed Driti fast asleep in Avni's arms. A tender smile crossed his face. "Looks like she's out for the night," he whispered, crouching beside them.

Avni nodded, whispering back, "Yeah, I didn't think it would take long. She was so tired." She looked down at their sleeping daughter and smiled softly.

"I'll put her in her crib," Rudra offered, reaching out to gently take Driti from Avni's arms.

Avni carefully handed her over, watching as Rudra cradled their daughter with the utmost care. "Alright," she whispered, "I'll head to the kitchen to clean up."

Rudra nodded as he stood up with Driti in his arms. "Okay. I'll meet you in a bit," he said quietly, careful not to wake their daughter.

As Avni made her way to the kitchen, Rudra carried Driti inside, softly humming to her as he walked. Once in her room, he gently laid her down in her crib, pulling a light blanket over her. He stood there for a moment, watching her sleep peacefully, his heart full of love. With a contented sigh, he kissed her forehead and quietly left the room, heading back to find Avni.

Avni was busy cleaning up in the kitchen, her hands moving efficiently as she wiped down the counter. The house was quiet, with only the faint hum of the night outside breaking the stillness. She didn't hear Rudra approach until he was right behind her.

Without a word, he slipped his arms around her waist and pressed a soft kiss to the back of her neck, causing her to pause and smile.

"Rudra," she whispered, her voice a mix of surprise and affection. "What if somebody sees us?"

Rudra chuckled against her skin, resting his chin on her shoulder. "It's already midnight, sweetheart," he murmured in her ear. "Everyone's asleep. It's just you and me now."

Avni turned slightly in his arms, looking up at him with a playful smirk. "Still, you never know," she teased, though she leaned into him, clearly enjoying the moment.

Rudra grinned and kissed her cheek, his arms tightening around her slightly. "Let them see," he whispered with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'm not hiding anything."

Avni laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," he teased back, placing another kiss on her forehead.

She smiled, her eyes softening. "Maybe I do," she admitted, resting her hands on his, savoring the peacefulness of the moment between them as the rest of the world slept.

Rudra, still holding Avni close, suddenly lifted her with ease and placed her on the kitchen counter. Avni gasped in surprise, her hands instinctively resting on his shoulders as she laughed softly.

"Rudra, what are you doing?" she asked, amusement dancing in her eyes.

Without answering, he leaned in and nibbled gently on her neck, causing her to shiver at the unexpected sensation. "I'm taking my revenge," he murmured against her skin, his voice low and teasing.

"Revenge?" Avni asked between giggles, her heart racing a little. "For what?"

He pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes with a smirk. "You bit my finger when I was feeding you earlier. Did you think I'd just forget about that?"

Avni laughed, playfully pushing at his chest. "That was an accident!" she protested, though her grin gave away how much she was enjoying this.

Rudra shook his head with a mock-serious expression. "An accident or not, I still have to take my revenge," he said, lowering his lips back to her neck and gently biting again, though this time with a playful gentleness.

Avni gasped softly, her hands gripping his shoulders as she tilted her head back, giving him more access.

He kissed the spot he had bitten, leaving a trail of soft kisses down her neck, his touch both playful and tender.

Rudra's kisses grew deeper, more insistent, as he held Avni close. Each touch was filled with a quiet intensity, their connection deepening with every shared breath. Avni's soft gasps and moans met each kiss.

His hands gently traced the fabric of her clothes, sliding them off with care, revealing more of her to him. She responded in kind, helping him as his shirt fell to the floor, their movements unhurried yet filled with desire.

Rudra kissed her again, his lips exploring every inch of her skin, savoring the closeness.

Rudra's gaze softened as he leaned closer to Avni, their breaths mingling in the stillness of the night. His touch was tender but filled with longing, and Avni's response was immediate, her body trembling with anticipation. As they moved together, the intimacy between them deepened, and Avni let out a soft moan, her hand instinctively rising to cover her mouth.

Rudra noticed and paused, his eyes meeting hers. "Why are you covering your mouth?" he asked in a gentle whisper, his voice full of affection.

Avni bit her lip, her eyes flickering with concern. "What if someone hears?" she whispered back, her words barely audible in the quiet kitchen.

Rudra smiled softly, leaning in to brush his lips against her ear. "Let them hear," he murmured, his voice a mix of teasing and reassurance. "I don't care about anyone else right now, just you."

With that, he gently pulled her hand away, his touch firm yet loving. Avni's heart raced as she looked into his eyes, feeling a sense of safety and desire in his words. She let herself relax, trusting in the moment as they lost in themselves.

Rudra, sensing the shift in Avni's body as they moved together, slowed down and looked at her with concern. Her breaths were quick, and he could see the tiredness in her eyes. Gently, he brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch soft and caring.

"Are you tired?" he asked, his voice full of tenderness.

Avni nodded, biting her lip as she looked into his eyes. She was trying to hold on, but her exhaustion was clear. Rudra's brow furrowed slightly in worry as he carefully studied her expression.

"Is it hurting?" he asked, his voice quiet and filled with concern.

Avni nodded again, her cheeks flushing slightly as she whispered, "It's my first time."

Rudra's heart softened at her words. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, his voice filled with understanding. "You should've told me earlier, sweetheart. We can stop if you want."

Avni shook her head softly, though her eyes were filled with trust. "No, it's okay," she whispered. "I just... I didn't know what to say."

Rudra held her even closer, his voice gentle as he reassured her. "We'll go slow," he promised. "You're in control. Tell me if you need to stop, alright?"

Avni nodded, feeling reassured by his words and the warmth of his touch. The tenderness and care in his eyes made her feel safe, and as they continued together, she knew that, no matter what, Rudra would always put her well-being and comfort first.

Rudra kept his movements slow and gentle, paying attention to Avni's every reaction. He wanted her to feel comfortable, safe, and loved. Each kiss, each touch, was full of care, and he made sure to ask her how she was feeling, giving her the space to guide them both.

Avni's earlier nervousness began to fade as she felt more connected to him. The pain eased, replaced by a sense of closeness she hadn't expected. Her breaths slowed, and her hands found his, their fingers interlocking.

"Are you okay?" Rudra whispered, his lips brushing against her cheek.

Avni nodded, her eyes closing for a moment as she breathed in the warmth of the moment. "Yes," she whispered, "much better now."

Rudra smiled softly, brushing his lips over hers in a slow, lingering kiss. "Good."

They moved together with a newfound rhythm, no rush, just a quiet exchange of love and tenderness.

Rudra carefully carried Avni in a bridal style, her laughter filling the air as he stepped through the doorway to their room.

Gently, he laid her down on the bed, his heart swelling at the sight of her, looking radiant and blissful. Avni's eyes sparkled with mischief as she watched him turn away, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion.

"Where are you going?" she asked, propping herself up on her elbows, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

"I'll be right back," he assured her, giving her a playful wink. "Just need to clean up a little."

He headed to the bathroom, his mind racing with thoughts of the night they had just shared.

Rudra returned with a warm, wet towel, his expression gentle. "Here, let me help you," he said, his voice soft as he sat beside her on the bed. He began to clean her up, his touch tender and careful. Avni closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of the towel against her skin and the care he was showing her.

"You don't have to do this," she murmured, feeling a mix of embarrassment and appreciation. "I'm fine."

"I want to," he replied, his tone firm yet affectionate.

After he finished cleaning her up, he picked up one of his favorite shirts from his cupboard and slipped it over her head, helping her adjust it so that it fell comfortably on her. The shirt was slightly oversized, the fabric soft against her skin, and she smiled at how it smelled like him-a comforting, familiar scent that made her heart flutter.

Rudra stepped back, admiring the sight of her in his shirt. "You look beautiful," he said, a warm smile spreading across his face.

Avni's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as she looked down at herself, feeling a mixture of shyness and joy. "Thank you," she replied softly, her heart racing at the way he looked at her.

■

Few days later

Rudra was in his room, deeply engrossed in a virtual call with his party members, discussing their next political move. The screen flashed with charts and talking heads, but just as he was responding to a question, faint voices from outside his room caught his attention. He paused for a moment, straining to hear who it was. The conversation outside grew clearer.

Curious, and slightly annoyed by the distraction, he excused himself from the meeting, muting his mic. As he stepped out of the room, he found Avni and Kritika standing in the hallway, talking. His eyes immediately landed on Kritika, and his expression hardened. Memories of their last interaction hit him, how she had accused him of using her.

Turning sharply, he made his way back toward his room, anger simmering beneath the surface. But before he could open the door, Avni quickly stepped in front of him, blocking his way.

“Rudra, wait,” she said softly but firmly. “Kritika’s here to apologize.”

His jaw tightened. “I don’t care what she’s here for. I don’t want to talk to her.” His voice was cold, laced with bitterness.

Just then, Kritika stepped forward, her face filled with regret. She hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice quieter than usual.

“Rudra… I’m sorry.” She glanced down at the floor, clearly uncomfortable. “I know I said some harsh things, but I misunderstood. I didn’t realize everything you were dealing with, all the things you were trying to manage…”

Rudra’s eyes flicked toward her, still angry but less intense. “Misunderstood? You didn’t even give me a chance to explain myself. You made up your mind about me from the start.”

Kritika nodded, swallowing hard. “I know, and I was wrong. I let my assumptions cloud the truth. But now… I see what you were doing. I see how much you’ve been juggling, and I realize I was unfair to you.”

For a long moment, Rudra said nothing, his expression unreadable. His fists clenched and unclenched by his side as he thought about her words.

Finally, his shoulders relaxed slightly. “You’re forgiven,” he muttered, though his voice lacked the warmth of true reconciliation. “But don’t expect me to forget it easily.”

Kritika nodded again, her eyes showing relief. “I understand. Thank you… for hearing me out.”

With that, Rudra turned and walked back into his room without another word, leaving Avni and Kritika standing in the hallway.

As Rudra disappeared into his room, Kritika let out a long breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. The tension in her chest eased, but the weight of her actions still lingered.

“Do you think he really forgave me?” Kritika asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Avni placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Rudra’s not the type to say something he doesn’t mean,” she replied. “But forgiveness doesn’t always erase the past. It’ll take time for him to fully move on from what happened.”

Kritika nodded slowly, her eyes lingering on the closed door where Rudra had gone. “I didn’t expect it to be this hard… I thought once I apologized, everything would be okay. But I hurt him. I hurt both of you.”

Avni gave her a small, encouraging smile, then glanced back toward Rudra’s door. “He’s been through a lot, you know. He doesn’t show it, but he carries more than anyone should.”

Kritika’s eyes softened. “I see that now. I wish I’d seen it sooner.”

Kritika finally broke the quiet, her voice hesitant. “Do you think… he’ll ever really trust me again?”

Avni sighed softly. “Trust is hard to rebuild, but it’s not impossible. It takes time, patience, and consistency. Just keep showing him that you’re here for the right reasons.”

Kritika smiled faintly. “I will. I owe him that much.”

Avni nodded and, after one last look at Rudra’s door, walked Kritika to the front of the house. As they reached the door, Avni gave her a light hug. “Thank you for coming, Kritika. It means a lot that you’re willing to mend things.”

Kritika hugged her back, then pulled away, looking grateful. “I should’ve done this sooner, but… better late than never, right?”

Avni smiled. “Right. Take care.”

Kritika stepped out into the cool evening air and gave a small wave before walking down the path. Avni watched her for a moment, then closed the door with a sigh.

She turned and headed back toward Rudra’s room, knocking lightly before entering.

“She’s gone,” Avni said softly, stepping closer.

Rudra didn’t respond right away. His fingers tapped absently against the edge of his desk as if he were trying to work through everything in his head.

“Do you really think she meant it?” he asked finally, his voice low.

Avni sat down on the edge of the bed, watching him closely. “I think she did. She seemed genuinely sorry. She also stopped her investigation on you. Now she knows how great politician you are."

Rudra glanced up at her, his gaze softening. “You always know what to say, don’t you?”

She smiled. “I’m just reminding you of what you already know."

■

After few weeks

It had been a long day. Driti and Avni had spent the whole day together, playing games, painting, and sharing stories. The house was filled with laughter and the sound of Driti’s joyful giggles. But as evening rolled around, the house started to quiet down. They had just finished cleaning up after another fun activity when Avni’s phone rang.

She glanced at the screen and smiled. It was Rudra.

“Hello?” she answered, wiping her hands on a towel.

Rudra’s deep voice came through, though there was an unmistakable urgency in his tone. “Avni, I left an important file in the cupboard in our room. I need it right away. Can you bring it to the office?”

Avni’s eyes flickered with concern, sensing how serious he sounded. “Of course, I’ll get it right now.”

But before she could hang up, Rudra’s voice softened. “Also… could you bring Driti with you? I’ve been missing her all day. I left for work early, and I didn’t get to see her. I haven’t had a moment to spend with her.”

Avni smiled, glancing at Driti who was now busy drawing something in her coloring book. She could picture how much Rudra had missed their daughter.

“Don’t worry,” Avni replied warmly. “We’ll be there soon.”

“Thank you, Avni. I really appreciate it,” Rudra said before hanging up.

Avni slipped the phone into her pocket and walked over to Driti. “Driti, we’re going to see Daddy at his office. He’s been missing you.”

Driti’s eyes lit up and she started to clap her hands in excitement.

Avni nodded, ruffling her hair. “Yes, he’s been thinking about you all day. And he needs something important from the house, so we’ll take it to him.”

Avni and Driti had just left the house. Before stepping out, Avni had stopped by the kitchen, where Rudra’s mother was busy preparing dinner.

“Ma, I’m heading to Rudra’s office,” Avni said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. “He called me earlier and said he left an important file at home. And he wants to see Driti, he’s been missing her since he left so early this morning.”

Rudra’s mother looked up from her cooking, smiling at the mention of her son. She nodded in approval, wiping her hands on her apron. “That’s good. It’ll be nice for Driti to see her father after a long day."

Avni smiled. “We’ll be back soon.”

His mother nodded again, then turned back to her task at hand. “Take care, beta. Drive safely.”

With that, Avni and Driti left the house, and the front door clicked shut behind them. Rudra’s mother didn’t give the situation much thought. It seemed normal enough, Rudra was always working, and it wasn’t uncommon for him to ask for something to be brought to the office. She returned to the kitchen, her mind focused on dinner preparations.

An hour passed by quietly. The house felt a little empty without the usual laughter and chatter that Driti filled it with. Rudra’s mother stirred the pot, humming softly to herself as she waited for everyone to return home.

Then the sound of the front door opening caught her attention. She wiped her hands and stepped out from the kitchen, expecting to see Avni and Driti back from their trip. But instead, it was Rudra who walked through the door.

He looked exhausted, his shirt sleeves rolled up. He slipped off his shoes with a tired sigh and made his way to the couch and he leaned back, rubbing his temples.

“Avni?” he called out, his voice muffled by his hands. “Where are you?”

His mother stepped into the living room, confused by his question. “She’s not here,” she said, glancing around as if expecting to see Avni in another part of the house. “She left about an hour ago.”

Rudra frowned, lowering his hands to look at her. “Left? Where did she go?”

“To your office,” his mother replied, her voice laced with confusion. “She told me you called her. Said you needed an important file and that you wanted to see Driti because you missed her.”

Rudra’s expression changed from confusion to concern. He sat up straighter on the couch, his mind immediately racing to piece together what she was saying. “Wait… what? She said I called her?”

“Yes,” his mother replied, her brow furrowing as she began to sense something was off. “She said you told her to bring the file to your office. And you wanted Driti to come with her.”

Rudra’s frown deepened. “But… I didn’t call her. I haven’t spoken to Avni all day. I was busy in the party meeting and didn't talk to her once today." His voice was sharper now, edged with worry.

His mother’s face went pale, the color draining from her cheeks as she realized what he was saying. Her hands trembled slightly, and she gripped the edge of her apron tighter. “What do you mean? Who else would’ve called her?” Her voice was soft, but the panic was clear in her eyes.

A heavy silence settled between them, thick and suffocating. Rudra’s mind raced, going over the events of the day, trying to figure out who could’ve called Avni, pretending to be him. And then, like a sudden strike of lightning, the realization hit him.

“Aryaman Singh,” he muttered under his breath, the name dripping with anger and unease.

His mother’s eyes widened in fear. She took a step closer, her voice barely a whisper now. “Aryaman Singh?” She could hardly believe what she was hearing. “But why would he… What does he want with Avni and Driti?”

Rudra clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. His mind was spinning with worry, but he couldn’t let it overwhelm him. Not now. He stood up from the couch, his face dark. “I don’t know,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “But I’m going to find out.”

His mother stood frozen, she watched as Rudra grabbed his phone, dialing Avni’s number with trembling hands. The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer.

“Come on, Avni, pick up,” he muttered under his breath, hitting redial. But still, no response.

To be continued

Only few chapters left before story ends so do vote, comment and let me know your reviews.

Are, tu ab tak idhar he? Toh kya dekre vote karo, comment Karo, bina kuch karke gaye toh agla chapter nai ayega.