Chapter-26

Author's POV,

After half an hour, Pihu stirred, her eyelashes fluttering as consciousness gradually returned. Her head throbbed with a dull ache, a reminder of her exhaustion and the ordeal she had been through, followed by a sense of disorientation. It took a moment for her to register her surroundings - the sterile cabin, the low hum of the jet's engines, and the soft glow of the cabin lights.

As her gaze wandered, it landed on the IV line attached to her arm. Panic surged through her groggy mind. Her first instinct was to remove it, to rid herself of the invasive needle.

However, before she could fully act on her impulse, Rudra, who had been sitting by her side, acted swiftly. He caught her hand in a firm but gentle grip, his voice carrying a mixture of amusement and concern as he asked, "What do you think you're doing, Pearl?"

Pihu's response was a sleepy pout, a combination of exhaustion and determination. Her earlier anger and defiance towards Rudra were momentarily forgotten as needles were her arch-nemesis, and she wanted nothing to do with them. "Please remove this. I don't want this. I don't like it. It hurts," she mumbled, her words slurred by sleepiness.

Rudra couldn't suppress a gentle smile at her childlike protest. He was well aware of Pihu's strong aversion to needles. His fingers moved through her hair in a soothing manner, a gesture intended to comfort her. "Come on, Pearl. It's just a tiny needle. It'll be over in a moment."

Pihu persisted in her protest, her determination unwavering. "No, just remove it. I hate it," she declared, squirming slightly within Rudra's grasp.

Rudra's reassuring smile remained as he continued to stroke her hair. "I understand, Pearl," he acknowledged, his voice laced with empathy. "But I'm right here with you, and it won't take long."

Pihu continued to squirm and wiggle in Rudra's hold, her displeasure evident as she maintained her protest against the needle in her vein. The seconds felt like hours to her, but finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the doctor arrived to remove the IV drip. Pihu's eyes remained tightly shut, her face contorted in anticipation of the impending discomfort.

Rudra, watching her closely, couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction. Her determination to avoid needles was endearing, and he found himself oddly charmed by her antics.

As the doctor skillfully removed the needle from Pihu's vein, she couldn't help but flinch, a reflex born from her aversion to needles. When it was finally over, she cautiously opened her eyes, her expression a mix of relief and lingering discomfort.

Rudra's chuckle deepened as he teased her gently. "See, Pearl? That wasn't so bad, was it?"

As Pihu saw her hand still held by Rudra's, she reacted with a sudden jerk, attempting to reclaim her hand from his firm grasp. However, Rudra's reflexes were lightning-fast, and he caught her hand before she could break free. His grip was both assertive and strangely reassuring.

Pihu, flustered and still reeling from the recent ordeal, tried in vain to pull her hand back, but Rudra's grasp remained unyielding. She finally averted her gaze, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

The doctor, observing this silent exchange, gently inquired, "Mam, are you feeling any discomfort?"

Pihu hesitated for a moment, her gaze still averted. She finally spoke, her voice soft and tinged with vulnerability. "Just a little headache."

The doctor nodded in understanding, offering her a kind smile. "You'll be alright by morning. Here are the medicines you need." He pointed towards a table where he had placed a small tray with medications.

After providing instructions on how to take the medicine, the doctor respectfully bowed to both Pihu and Rudra before leaving the private cabin.

The atmosphere in the cabin was thick with unspoken tension. Pihu's discomfort was evident, and Rudra's dominant presence had not diminished. As Rudra said "You should change." Pihu noodded.

The atmosphere in the private cabin remained charged as Pihu, still in her uncomfortable bridal lehenga, stood hesitatingly near the spacious bedroom. But when she surveyed the elaborate array of jewelry and pins that adorned her hair, she began to feel overwhelmed.

Rudra, ever the imposing figure, noticed her hesitation and took a step closer. "Let me help you," he offered, his voice carrying a hint of genuine concern. He could see that Pihu was still dizzy from earlier, and he didn't want her to strain herself.

Pihu's defiance resurfaced, and she protested, "I don't need help, especially yours."

Rudra's dominant nature, never too far from the surface, asserted itself as he issued a quiet but firm threat, his eyes locking onto hers. "Don't push me, Pearl."

Despite her protests, Rudra didn't back down. He moved closer, and with deliberate care, began to unfasten the intricate jewelry that adorned her neck, his fingers moving with a graceful precision. The delicate pieces were handled as if they were fragile treasures, and each clasp that came undone was met with a tender touch.

As he worked, Pihu's mind waged a silent battle. On one hand, she told herself not to seek any understanding or connection with a man she considered a monster, someone she was determined to leave as soon as she could. On the other hand, the tender and caring way Rudra was helping her contradicted her preconceived notions.

Once her neck was free of adornments except her mangalsutra, Rudra's attention shifted to her hands. He left the bangles untouched, as they were a symbol of their marriage, an emblem that, despite the turbulent circumstances, seemed to bring him a sense of peace. He watched them, gleaming against her delicate wrists, with a contemplative expression. Instead, he focused on removing the other jewelry, his fingers dancing delicately over her skin.

As he carefully extracted the mangtika from her head, his touch brushed against her forehead in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. Then, one by one, he took out the pins from her hair, each movement executed with the skill of an expert.

With the last pin removed, Pihu's hair cascaded down her shoulders, a waterfall of ebony silk. She watched as Rudra carefully placed the jewelry and pins aside, his movements deliberate and unhurried. Despite her resolve, she couldn't deny the intimacy of this moment, the proximity that had left her heart racing.

As Rudra stepped back, Pihu couldn't help but meet his gaze, her eyes searching for answers in the depths of his. There was a complexity to him that she couldn't ignore, a contradiction between his dominant exterior and the tenderness he had shown.

As Rudra left the room, Pihu quickly changed into the red suit that had been laid out for her on the bed. It was a welcome relief from the heavy bridal attire she had been wearing earlier, and it allowed her some semblance of comfort in this unfamiliar situation.

Shortly after, Rudra returned to the room with a tray of food in his hands. The sight and aroma of the dishes were undeniably tempting, and Pihu's stomach rumbled softly in response. However, her pride and her determination not to give in to Rudra's wishes kept her from immediately indulging.

Rudra placed the tray of food on a nearby table in the private jet and gestured for Pihu to join him. His voice, though laced with a subtle hint of authority, held a genuine concern as he said, Come on, Pearl, eat something. You need to take your medicine."

Pihu, determined to maintain her defiance, folded her arms and retorted, "I'm really not hungry."

Rudra couldn't help but smirk at her persistence, his eyes gleaming with a hint of amusement. He pressed further, a subtle challenge in his voice, "So, what caused you to faint, then?"

Pihu's anger surged at his question. She shot him a withering glare, her voice sharp with irritation as she replied, "Even if I were hungry, I wouldn't accept food from you. Your feigned concern means nothing to me."

Rudra's patience had its limits, and he wasn't about to let Pihu's defiance compromise her well-being. He could see her stubbornness, but he also recognized her vulnerability in this moment. With a determined resolve, he moved swiftly, his dominant nature taking the forefront.

Before Pihu could react, Rudra gently but firmly pulled her towards him, guiding her to sit on his lap. Her initial shock and resistance were met with his unwavering strength. He held her securely, ensuring she couldn't escape his grasp.

Pihu's eyes widened in astonishment as she found herself sitting on Rudra's lap, her defiance momentarily quelled. Her heart raced, a mixture of confusion, irritation, and something she couldn't quite place.

Rudra, unfazed by her discomfort, picked up a morsel of food and brought it to her lips. His voice, commanding yet tinged with concern, resonated in her ears. "Open up, Pearl," he instructed, his gaze locked onto hers. "You need to eat."

Pihu hesitated, her eyes locked onto his. She could feel the heat of his body beneath her, the subtle rise and fall of his chest. Her defiance was challenged by a strange vulnerability that washed over her, one she couldn't quite comprehend.

With a reluctant sigh, she finally gave in, parting her lips to accept the food. The flavors exploded on her taste buds, and despite her reservations, she couldn't deny the deliciousness of the meal. Her stomach, weakened by stress and exhaustion, welcomed the nourishment.

Rudra continued to feed her, each bite met with a slightly less resistant response from Pihu. The proximity, the warmth of his body, and his unexpected gentleness began to affect her, stirring emotions she hadn't anticipated.

But even as she ate, her mind reminded her of the harsh reality that had brought her here. She couldn't forget the circumstances that had forced her into this situation—a forced marriage to a man like Rudra.

Once she had eaten a whole meal, Rudra offered her a sip of water from the glass on the tray. Pihu drank it, feeling the cool liquid soothe her parched throat. Then, with a sense of resignation, she finally accepted the medicine, swallowing it down with another sip of water.

After the meal was finished, Rudra carefully set the empty tray aside. He then scooped Pihu into his arms, cradling her gently, and carried her out of the bedroom towards their seats. The private jet was preparing for landing, and as they descended, Pihu's mind was a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts, each competing for her attention.

As the private jet touched down on the runway, Pihu and Rudra prepared to disembark. The sight that greeted them on the tarmac was nothing short of imposing. It resembled the grandeur and formality of Varanasi, but here in Rudra's territory, it appeared even more formidable.

A fleet of sleek black cars, each one pristine and polished to perfection, was meticulously arranged, mirroring Rudra's penchant for order and precision. The cars gleamed under the sun, a testament to his power and influence in this world.

A contingent of stern-faced bodyguards, impeccably dressed and with an air of unwavering vigilance, surrounded the landing area. Their presence was an imposing reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows, and their loyalty to Rudra was unquestionable.

Rudra, holding Pihu's hand securely, descended the stairs of the jet. His posture was commanding, and he exuded an aura of authority that left no room for doubt. Pihu, her gaze sweeping across the scene before her, couldn't help but sigh softly. She felt like an unwitting intruder in this world of opulence and control, a world she had never asked to be a part of.

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To be continued..........