Chapter- 30

Author's POV,

Pihu's night had been filled with restless thoughts and an overwhelming sense of entrapment. Standing near the window, bathed in the soft moonlight, Pihu's tear-stained face had transformed. The ethereal glow of the moonlight seemed to wash away some of the pain she had been harbouring all day. Her tears had dried, leaving her with a sense of quiet determination.

She couldn't help but wonder if there was a way to escape from this gilded cage, but the uncertainty of success loomed large in her mind. The mansion's imposing walls seemed to close in on her, leaving her feeling trapped. As the night wore on, Pihu's exhaustion caught up with her.

Around midnight, Rudra entered the room. He had been trying to restrain his impulses from her, but as he saw Pihu sleeping uncomfortably on the couch, his heart softened, and his caring nature took over. He couldn't bear to see her in such discomfort.

With gentle but firm hands, Rudra lifted Pihu from the couch, cradling her in his arms. She stirred slightly in her sleep but didn't wake. He carried her to the large bed, carefully laying her down. Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a serene glow on her peaceful face.

Carefully, he slid into the bed beside her, his arm wrapping protectively around her as she continued to sleep, seemingly undisturbed by the presence of her enigmatic husband due to exhaustion. He watched her intently for a while, his own turbulent thoughts and feelings keeping him awake.

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The gentle morning light seeped through the curtains, painting the room in a soft, ethereal glow. As Pihu stirred from her slumber, her gaze fell upon the sight of Rudra sleeping beside her, his arm securely wrapped around her waist. Confusion and fear swirled within her, but she hesitated to confront him, wary of provoking unintended reactions. Instead, she made an attempt to disentangle herself from his possessive hold.

Pihu's fingers delicately worked to pry Rudra's arm away, but his grip, though subtle, tightened in response. Her heart quickened its pace as she realized that he was starting to wake. His dark eyes fluttered open, a trace of amusement dancing within them. It was evident that he had been acutely aware of her movements throughout the morning.

His hold on her waist tightened ever so slightly, pulling her a little closer to him. His voice, husky from sleep, carried a teasing note as he spoke, a playful smile gracing his lips. "Trying to escape from your husband, Pearl?"

Pihu's heart raced within her chest, torn between fear and anger. She maintained a facade of calmness, her words carefully measured. "Let me go, Mr. Rathore."

In a swift movement, Rudra shifted his position, now resting on top of her. Pihu instinctively placed her hand on his bare shoulder, attempting to create some distance, but the sensation of his warm skin beneath her fingertips sent a shiver through her. She quickly withdrew her hand, shielding herself protectively.

Rudra, relishing the power he held over her, observed her reaction with a playful grin. "I'm all yours, Pearl. You can do more than just touch me."

Pihu's eyes flashed with frustration and anger. She demanded, "Get up, Mr. Rathore. How dare you touch me like this while I'm asleep?"

Rudra, however, remained resolute in his actions ignoring her question, his grip on her wrist unyielding as he leaned closer, his voice carrying a subtle warning. "How many times must I tell you to stop calling me Mr. Rathore? Just call me Rudra."

Determined to break free, Pihu tried to push him away, but Rudra swiftly caught her hand and pinned it beside her head. Pihu's frustration grew, and she began to shout, "Let me go, Mr. Rathore!"

Unfazed by her protests, Rudra remained steadfast, his face inches away from hers. "I'll let you go when you call my name, and only my name," he declared, his voice firm and unwavering. He leaned even closer, their lips almost touching, causing Pihu to close her eyes in fear. Instead, Rudra surprised her by starting to tickle her relentlessly.

Rudra's fingers danced across Pihu's sides, relentlessly tickling her until she was nearly out of breath. She squirmed and giggled uncontrollably, unable to catch her breath as tears of laughter welled up in her eyes. In the midst of her helpless laughter, Rudra leaned in closer, his voice a playful yet challenging undertone.

"Would you still call me, or not?" he teased, his fingers hovering, ready to continue the tickle assault. Pihu, gasping for air, was too overwhelmed to respond immediately.

Seeing her struggle, Rudra couldn't resist the temptation to prolong the playful torment. "Alright, we can do this all day," he threatened, his fingers poised to tickle once more. Pihu's eyes widened in realization as she desperately searched for a way out of this ticklish predicament.

Finally, after a moment of internal struggle, Pihu managed to muster the strength to speak. Her voice quivered as she stammered, "W-wait." She took a deep, shaky breath, her chest still heaving from laughter. Her lips formed the first syllable of his name, "R...RU..."

Rudra watched her intently, a mixture of anticipation and amusement in his eyes. He waited patiently, not pushing her further but giving her the space to collect herself.

Pihu took another deep breath, steadying herself. In a barely audible whisper, she finally uttered without making eye contact with him, "Please, get up, Rudra."

A triumphant smile spread across Rudra's face as he finally released her and sat up. "That's better," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction.

Pihu quickly scrambled away from Rudra as soon as he released her, making a beeline for the bathroom. Her heart raced, and she hastily locked the door behind her, seeking refuge and a moment of solitude.

Inside the bathroom, Pihu leaned against the door, her chest heaving as she tried to regain her composure. Her emotions were a turbulent mix of anger, frustration, and guilt. It was difficult for her to make sense of the conflicting feelings that had arisen during their playful encounter.

Pihu couldn't escape the overwhelming heaviness in her heart. How could she have allowed herself to laugh and play along with someone who had forcibly married her and subjected her to mental torment just the day before?

On the other hand, when Rudra woke from his sleep and saw Pihu in his arms, he felt content. It had been seven long years since that dreadful night, and for the first time, he had been able to sleep peacefully without the haunting nightmares that had plagued him. He just wanted to make sure that every coming morning would be like this. Because now, he couldn't imagine his life without his Pearl. She was making him feel sane again, human again. Emotions like happiness and peace, which he had forgotten after that day, were slowly returning to him because of his Pearl.

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After freshening up, Pihu moved towards the dressing table to adjust her hair. There, she noticed Rudra, already dressed and engaged in a phone call. Suddenly, Rudra ended the call and strode purposefully toward her, his eyes filled with determination. He was determined to adorn Pihu with the mangalsutra and vermilion, a task he had been unable to complete the day before.

Pihu watched as he carefully picked up the delicate mangalsutra, her mind flashing back to the harrowing events of the previous day. The memory of how Rudra had mercilessly tortured a man solely because of her defiance haunted her. In that moment, she grappled with the complex emotions swirling within her. She couldn't help but think, "I don't mind if he hurts me... It might even be better if he were to end my life. But I can't bear to see others suffer because of me."

Rudra, undeterred by the Pihu emotions, completed the task of tying the mangalsutra around her neck with delicate precision. He then took a pinch of vermilion and applied it to her parted hair. Pihu couldn't help but notice a small, almost tender smile creeping onto his face as he softly remarked, "Now you are ready and don't try to remove it."

Pihu, on the other hand, remained burdened by her emotions. She lacked the courage to defy him at this moment, especially given the events of the previous day. Her heart was heavy, filled with a turbulent mix of feelings that left her feeling powerless and conflicted.

Rudra leaned and kiss her forehead lovingly, his lips lingering on at her forehead for a second. He said "Pearl, Let's go for breakfast. After breakfast I will show you the mansion. I am sure you will like it."

Pihu, still grappling with her inner turmoil, allowed herself to be guided by Rudra without offering any resistance. Her silence was a protective shield, a way to maintain some semblance of control in this unfamiliar and overwhelming situation. She couldn't deny the allure of the mansion's interior, which she now saw more clearly than ever.

As they moved through the mansion's intricate corridors, Pihu couldn't help but marvel at its vastness and opulence. The grandeur of the place was unlike anything she had ever experienced. Every corner seemed to hold a testament to wealth and extravagance.

As they reached the dining area, Pihu was once again taken aback by the sheer size of the room. It was a grand space with a long, polished wooden table surrounded by elegantly upholstered chairs. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, warm glow over the room. The walls were adorned with intricate artwork, and large windows allow natural light to filter in, offering a view of the manicured gardens outside.

Rudra pulled out a chair for Pihu and gently guided her to take a seat. Like the first time she had arrived at the mansion, the dining table was adorned with a lavish spread of dishes, combining both Indian and Western cuisines. The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, making Pihu's stomach grumble, despite her emotional turmoil.

Rudra, attentive to her needs, served her a bit of everything, placing the various dishes on her plate. He then filled a glass with fresh juice and offered it to her with a warm smile. "Please, Pearl, try a bit of everything which you like. I want you to enjoy your breakfast."

Pihu's gaze flickered between the sumptuous dishes laid out before her, her earlier emotional turmoil slowly giving way to a rekindled appetite. She gingerly selecting a morsel, and allowed the flavors to dance on her palate. Despite the complicated circumstances, she couldn't deny the exquisite taste of the food.

As Pihu began to eat, the tranquil ambiance of the dining room was disrupted by Veer's arrival. With the grace of a seasoned host, he greeted both Rudra and his reluctant bride with a polite and measured, "Good morning, Rudra. Good morning, Pihu."

Pihu couldn't suppress the involuntary stiffening of her body as her memory echoed Rudra's clear warning which he gave the day before and also she had no desire to interact anyone related to Rudra. In response, she lowered her head, her long hair serving as a protective curtain to shield her from any unnecessary contact or conversation with Veer.

Veer, sharp-eyed and deeply observant, couldn't help but notice Pihu's tense reaction. His gaze shifted to Rudra, and he glared at him with silent accusation. The message conveyed through his eyes was crystal clear: "Look at what you've done. All my efforts from yesterday have gone to waste. You've instilled so much fear in her."

Rudra, on the other hand, remained an island of impassivity in the stormy sea of emotions. He continued to focus solely on his food, his expression revealing nothing. It was as though he had mastered the art of detachment, impervious to the charged atmosphere around him.

Undeterred by Rudra's lack of response, Veer shifted his attention toward Pihu. His gaze landed upon the delicate locket she wore, the same locket he had thoughtfully given her as a token of his affection. Veer's voice, dipped in genuine warmth, pierced through the heavy silence that weighed down the room. His attempt at conversation was gentle, an olive branch extended in the face of adversity. "Oh, Pihu, you're wearing the locket I gifted you. I'm delighted to see you have it with you. It looks beautiful on you."

Pihu's heart wrestled with conflicting emotions as she heard Veer's gentle words. While she had no desire to engage in conversation, but her gratitude toward Veer tugged at her conscience. The locket he had gifted her held a precious photo of her family, something she had been deprived of since Rudra had brought her here forcefully.

Though she longed to express her thanks to Veer for this small but meaningful gesture, the fear of Rudra's reaction kept her silent. She remained trapped in a suffocating dilemma, unable to break free from the constraints placed upon her by her forced husband.

Pihu's inner turmoil deepened as Veer addressed her directly. His words, laced with reassurance and understanding, offered her a glimmer of hope. "If you are scared to talk to me because of Rudra, just don't. He won't be able to do anything to me. Right, Rudra?"

Rudra's continued silence spoke volumes. He didn't deny Veer's statement, and in that moment, it was evident that he carried a sense of guilt for his behavior the day before when he had lost control and frightened both Pihu and shouted on Veer. While Rudra's possessiveness over Pihu was clear, he also recognized that Veer treated her like a little sister. With this understanding, he didn't stop Veer from attempting to bridge the gap with Pihu.

Veer's warm smile and his reassuring words were a lifeline for Pihu in this sea of uncertainty. Still, she remained cautious, her trust in Rudra's intentions shaky at best. The breakfast continued in relative silence, the unspoken tension hanging in the air like a heavy cloud. Pihu, despite the lifeline of understanding offered by Veer, clung to her cautious stance, choosing silence as her shield.

As the breakfast came to an end, Veer excused himself and left for work, leaving behind a lingering atmosphere of unease. Rudra, determined to ease the tension, turned his attention to Pihu, offering her a small but genuine smile. "Come, let's explore the mansion, Pearl."

As they embarked on the tour of the grand mansion, Rudra made an effort to showcase every corner of the opulent residence. Yet, Pihu's disinterest remained evident throughout the tour, her mind preoccupied with her own conflicted emotions.On Rudra's part, he cherished this time spent with Pihu, even if it was marred by her reluctance.

"He had bound her with a marriage vow, but now he aimed to bind her heart with the strings of love."

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