Chapter-37

Author's POV,

Night enveloped Pihu in a shroud of uncertainty, her hands trembling as she cradled the brand-new phone gifted by Rudra. After he departed, she lingered in the room, a silent witness to her own internal turmoil.

As Pihu gazed at the phone, a storm of conflicting emotions raged within her. The device, gleaming in its newness, felt heavy with the weight of choices she was yet to make. "I don't know what I should feel," she whispered to the quiet room, her voice barely audible over the haunting silence, her eyes blurs with tears. "Since the day I arrived here, my heart yearned to speak to my family, to unveil the depths of my torment—the brutal encounters in the basement, the stifling absence of freedom, and the silent screams echoing in this mansion."

Her fingers danced nervously over the phone's surface, tracing its contours as she grappled with the decision ahead. The room held its breath, waiting for her resolve. On the other hand, she clutched a locket given by Veer, and her gaze lingered on the photo of her family nestled within its delicate frame.

"But now, as the chance presents itself, I'm paralysed," she continued, her words weighed down by the gravity of her situation. "If I reach out to them now, I fear I'll say my all miseries in their presence. And what good would it do? They can't protect me from Rudra's tyranny. I won't subject them to the anguish of helplessness. Perhaps it's better if they believe I'm gone—dead. I can't bear the thought of casting my misery upon them."

A whirlwind of emotions danced in the depths of her eyes, and a lone tear escaped, tracing a path down her cheek, as she grappled with her conflicting desires. A desperate longing for escape clashed with the fear of causing her family more pain. But still a question lingered in her some corner of her brain "Why is Rudra resorting to this? Is it merely another trick, a new tactic born out of his boredom with torment? Is this his way of gaining control over me, yet again?"

The room held its secrets, absorbing Pihu's internal struggle as the night unfolded, leaving her trapped between the yearning for freedom and the burden of protecting those she loved.

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The next morning, the clock displayed 9 o'clock. Pihu lay on the bed, sleeping alone. The internal turmoil of the previous night left her indecisive about reaching out to her family.

Rudra entered the room, visibly worn out from spending the entire night engaged in work or more likely, tormenting someone. His eyes immediately sought Pihu, a flicker of amusement danced in his irises, like fireflies playing behind a mountain shadow upon seeing her peculiar sleeping position.

The exhaustion that clung to him dissipated as he observed her comical sleeping pose. She had managed to sprawl across the bed, claiming it as if she were a starfish taking over the ocean floor. Her hands reached out on both sides, fingers splayed, occupying every inch of space. Clad in panda-printed pajamas, she resembled a unique blend of innocence and rebellion.

Her clenched fists and the slight pout on her lips added a touch of drama to the scene. It was as if she was reenacting a miniature version of a wrestling match with the invisible forces of sleep. Rudra couldn't help but marvel at the contrast—how she could effortlessly transition from resembling a cute, cuddly child one moment to embodying the spirit of a fierce lioness the next.

Approaching her with a lingering softness in his eyes, as if he were tracing every contour of her soul, he sat beside her, gently removing the hair from her face and stroking her cheek lovingly. "Pearl, how much peaceful you look when you sleep. I want to see that same peace when you are with me. I thought my love was enough for both of us, but I know now I want you to love me the same way. And I will make it happen."

Bending down, he kissed her crown, his lips lingering as if sealing a promise. He contemplated waking her up, to execute the palns which can improve their relationship. However, before he could do so, Pihu, awakened by a presence, opened her eyes. The peace in her sleep transformed into fear as she sat up, distancing herself a little from Rudra.

Rudra, witnessing her immediate shift from peaceful sleep to guarded wakefulness, maintained a calm demeanor. He noticed the fear in her eyes but chose not to comment on it directly. Instead, he greeted her with a soft smile, attempting to bridge the gap that had grown between them.

"Pearl, Good Morning. Did you sleep well?" he inquired, his tone gentle, as if trying to convey that their interaction could be normal and devoid of tension.

Pihu, however, remained silent, nodding her head slightly, her eyes cautiously studying Rudra's every move. The room, once again, became a silent witness to the underlying currents of their complex relationship. Undeterred by her guardedness, Rudra continued to smile, hoping to break through the barriers that separated them. He added, "It's good you woke up, Pearl. Get ready; we are going out. I'll be in a different room to get ready. Just get ready quickly. I have a surprise for you."

With that, he left the room without waiting for Pihu's reply. Annoyance replaced the fear on Pihu's face as she contemplate his order. "What does he think of himself? He's like a Ravan."

As Pihu got ready, Rudra returned to the room, his reaction a mixture of satisfaction and anticipation. His eyes softened as he saw her preparing, a flicker of hope lingering in his gaze. "You look beautiful, Pearl," he remarked as always, a genuine compliment escaping his lips.

However, Pihu was seething with anger beneath her composed exterior. She got ready not because she wanted to go out with him, but because she felt suffocated within the mansion after being confined for over a month. The desire to escape this cage even for a short time fueled her actions.

She remained silent, her focus solely on getting ready, ignoring Rudra's compliment. He observed her indifference but remained determined to break her silence. Standing behind her, he took a hairbrush from her hand, intending to get a reaction from her.

Pihu tried to reclaim the brush, but Rudra held it above her reach. Frustration flashed in her eyes as she demanded, "Rudra, give it back. What are you doing? Can't you see I am getting ready?" Rudra, with a mischievous smile, taunted her, "Why, Pearl, can't you take it? Oh, I forget you are like Lilliput."

Pihu's anger showed on her face as she said, "How dare you call me that. It's not me who is Lilliput but you are like Godzilla." Rudra teased her further, "Oh, yeah, you are not Lilliput. But your height is 5.3 inches." Her face turned red due to anger, and he pinched her at a sensitive point, but she didn't say anything further, just glaring at him and thinking of a hundred ways to kill him in her mind. She thought, "This monster won't let me have any peace. It's like he is born to destroy my peace of mind."

Rudra, seeing her reaction, smiled wider, knowing the way she glared at him she was mentally cursing him. He said, "Okay, I will not tease you about your height. But if you want your hairbrush, just take it from here." He waved it above in his hand. "Or if you fail to do so, then be ready to fulfill my wish."

Pihu's brows furrowed, and she retorted, "Why would I even play this type of game with you? And why should I fulfill your wish? I won't play this game."

Rudra continued, "If you win, you can also make a wish." Pihu, intrigued, asked, "Any wish?" Rudra nodded and assured her, "Any wish." He was well aware of what she was thinking—her deepest desire to be free from him. However, he also believed he could change that wish soon. Despite the odds, he knew Pihu's innocence and bravery would compel her to try.

Pihu weighed her options, thinking, "I know it's nearly impossible to win against this Ravan, but even if there's the slightest hope, I will try my best."

Determined, Pihu began jumping to reach the hairbrush in Rudra's hand. She knew the odds were against her, and as expected, she couldn't even reach halfway up his arm. Frustration mixed with determination flickered in her eyes as she continued her futile attempts.

In the midst of her jumps, Pihu subtly coaxed Rudra, her movements becoming more unpredictable. Suddenly, she feigned dizziness, pretending her head was spinning, and acted as if she were about to faint. In an instant, Rudra's free hand caught her waist, and the hand holding the brush came to support her properly.

Seizing the moment, Pihu swiftly moved, her nimble fingers almost grazing the hairbrush. However, Rudra, ever watchful, thwarted her efforts once again, skillfully pulling the brush just out of her reach. Frustration etched across Pihu's face as Rudra burst into laughter, outsmarting her with his mafia instincts.

Pihu managed to free herself from Rudra's hold, standing straight. The room fell silent for a moment as both caught their breath. Rudra, triumphant, grinned at Pihu's playful frustration. "Nice try, Pearl," he teased, genuinely admiring her spirited attempts. Despite the banter, there was a subtle shift in the air—an acknowledgment of a connection beyond the surface.

Catching her breath, Pihu shot Rudra an annoyed yet amused glance. "You cheated!" she accused, her playful accusation attempting to conceal her acknowledgement of defeat.

Rudra shrugged nonchalantly, a smile adorning his face at her attempt to concede her defeat. "Now, accept your defeat, and it's time for you to fulfill my wish."

Color drained from Pihu's face as realization hit her. When she accepted the challenge, she had only thought about her own wish coming true, not pondering the idea of fulfilling his wish. However, as he mentioned it, she thought, "What more can he do if I don't fulfill his wish? He has already destroyed my life."

Rudra noticed her expression turning gloomy, sensing her thoughts. Without allowing her to dwell too much on the negative, he said, "I will ask for this wish later. But for now, stand here still and let me brush your hair." He held Pihu's shoulder, turning her towards the mirror before she could say something. As he started brushing her hair delicately, it was as if Rudra was a gentle breeze, tenderly caressing the wild tendrils of her spirit. Each stroke of the brush felt like a dance, a rhythmic symphony that unfolded the hidden chapters of her untold story.

Pihu remained silent, her gaze fixed on Rudra, who seemed completely engrossed in the task. It felt like he had done this before, with a familiarity that went beyond the confines of their complicated relationship. The gentleness in his touch, the way he combed through her hair with a rhythm that mirrored the beats of her heart, sparked a complex array of emotions within her.

Rudra's dual nature always surprised Pihu. One moment, he was arrogant, dominant, and selfish, and the next, he was sweet, gentle, and caring. She couldn't comprehend his nature.

She knew that his caring side, the one where he didn't order or act dominant, was learned from caring for some girl he called 'flower' in his sleep. While curiosity tugged at her to know more about this mysterious girl, Pihu reminded herself that it wasn't her concern.

Rudra's comment suddenly broke her thoughts. "You always look serene with your open hair, Pearl. Now, let's go." Rudra, holding Pihu's hand, started their today's journey.

As Pihu took a step out of the grand door of the mansion, a sense of peace enveloped her. The weight she felt just a moment ago seemed to lift, and the vastness of the world outside beckoned her. When she agreed to Rudra's orders, her singular focus was on leaving the mansion, even if only for a short time. She didn't dwell on Rudra's intentions or the nature of his surprises, as she had grown accustomed to expecting the unexpected from him.

The chauffeured cars stood ready, and as they stepped into Rudra's sleek vehicle, the partition separating them from the driver added a layer of privacy. Pihu settled into the comfortable seat, and Rudra, sitting beside her while holding her hand in his and gently rubbing his thumb on her hand, felt a peculiar satisfaction in offering her this reprieve.

Pihu noticed, but she knew it was impossible to take her hand back. Instead, she focused on the passing scenery outside the window as the car moved towards an undisclosed destination. Her thoughts were a mixture of contemplation and a subtle sense of liberation. The realization that she was leaving the mansion after more than a month brought a small smile to her lips.

As she looked out the window, her mind drifted into introspection. She marveled at the simple pleasure of being outside, away from the suffocating confines of the mansion. In that serene moment, Rudra stole a glance at Pihu, noting the delicate smile that graced her lips. He couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment, a quiet satisfaction that he had orchestrated an escape for her, even if only for a short while. Despite the complexities of their relationship, the ability to bring a genuine smile to Pihu's face became a small victory for Rudra.

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