Chapter-56

Author's POV,

"Pearl," he said softly, his voice gentling to a soothing murmur. "Are you alright?"

Tears welled up in Pihu's eyes, blurring her vision. Her body trembled uncontrollably, the adrenaline rush fading, leaving behind a bone-deep exhaustion. She opened her mouth to speak, but a choked sob escaped her lips instead. The horrors of the whole day were still fresh in her mind, the fear clinging to her like a shroud.

Sensing her distress, Rudra didn't wait for an answer. He scooped her up into his arms, his touch a comforting anchor in the storm. Her slight frame felt fragile against his broad chest, a stark contrast to the carnage that surrounded them. He held her close, his warmth a beacon of safety amidst the madness.

"It's okay," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm against the storm raging within her. "It's over now. You're safe with me."

He started to move towards the waiting car, intending to cradle her safely in the back seat. But Pihu clung to him, digging her face into his chest. Her voice, cracking with a child's vulnerability that pierced his heart, stopped him in his tracks.

"No!" she cried, her voice muffled against his shirt. The terror she'd held back finally erupted. "Why did you leave me, Rudra?" Her voice cracked with a child's vulnerability that pierced his heart. "Do you know how scared I was? I thought I was going to die today. Why did you leave without telling me? Why did you come so late? Why..Why..It's all because of you that I was in that dangerous situation."

The dam broke. The terror she'd held back, the silent scream trapped in her throat, came crashing down in a torrent of tears and choked sobs. Her small body wracked with tremors, she buried her face deeper into him, the echo of gunshots and shouts replaced by the ragged gasps of her own fear.

In that moment, the battlefield around them faded away. All that mattered was the fragile girl in his arms, the weight of his choices pressing down on him. He held her tighter, whispering reassurances that even he wasn't sure he believed.

"I'm so sorry, Pearl," he rasped, his voice thick with guilt and regret. Each word was a heavy stone dropping into the abyss of his heart. "I should have told you. I should have been there sooner."

Pihu's sobs grew louder, her body shaking with the intensity of her fear and exhaustion. "I thought I was going to die," she choked out, her voice barely audible between gasps. "I thought I was never going to see you and my family again."

Rudra's heart clenched painfully. He held her closer, trying to transfer some of his strength to her. "You're safe now, Pearl. I promise you, I will never let anything happen to you again."

Her tears soaked into his shirt, her cries echoing in the dark night. Rudra's men moved with practiced efficiency around them, securing the area. But all Rudra could focus on was the broken girl in his arms.

Rudra cradled Pihu in his lap as he sat in the car, her frail body trembling against his broad chest. Her tear-streaked face was buried in his shirt, muffled sobs wracking her tiny frame. Each choked cry echoed in the cavernous interior of the car, a stark contrast to the thrumming engine.

His heart ached with a helplessness that mirrored her sobs. He should have been there. He should have foreseen this attack. Every comforting word he whispered felt hollow, choked by the bitter taste of guilt. The devastation he saw reflected in her tear-filled eyes was a mirror to his own fractured soul. He'd failed her. He'd failed to protect the one person who mattered most – the innocent caught in the crossfire of his vengeance.

Rudra cradled Pihu close, her tiny frame trembling against his chest. Her sobs had morphed into small, choked whimpers, each gasp a testament to the terror she'd endured.

He brushed a stray tear from her cheek, his touch feather-light. "Pihu," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "Look at me, shona."

But her eyes remained squeezed shut, her face pale and drawn. He again whispered reassurances, empty promises meant to offer a shred of comfort in the vast emptiness of her fear. "It's okay now, sunshine" he said, his voice barely a rasp. "You're safe. I'm here. Pearl"

But Pihu didn't respond. The tremors in her body subsided, replaced by a stillness that sent a jolt of panic through him. He gently shook her shoulder. "Pearl?" he called out, a tremor of fear creeping into his voice.

There was no response. He stared at her face, his heart hammering a frantic tattoo against his ribs. Had the fear been so overwhelming that it had taken its toll? Fear morphed into a cold dread that coiled in his gut.

"Drive fast," he roared to the driver, his voice tight with a fear he hadn't felt since he was a child.

The car lurched forward, the roar of the engine a counterpoint to the frantic prayers echoing in Rudra's head. He kept his gaze fixed on Pihu's face, willing her to open her eyes, to squeeze his hand, anything to assure him she was alright. The silence in the car was deafening, broken only by the rhythmic thrumming of the engine and his own ragged breaths.

Minutes bled into an eternity as they sped through the night. Rudra's eyes stung with unshed tears, a cocktail of guilt, fear, and a fierce protectiveness churning within him. He had failed to protect her, and the thought was a bitter pill to swallow.

When they finally reached the hospital, the medical staff sprang into action. Pihu was rushed into the emergency room, and Rudra was left standing outside, his mind filled with worry and fear.

Rudra and Veer was waiting outside the room, the silence heavy with worry. The harsh fluorescent lights above did little to brighten their grim expressions. The sound of hurried footsteps and distant beeps filled the air, a stark reminder of the fragility of life in this sterile environment.

After sometime, Rudra spotted Laurent approaching, his face etched with exhaustion and concern. Rudra met him halfway, his voice urgent. "How are Claire and the baby?"

Laurent managed a tired smile, though worry still shadowed his eyes. "Both are safe, but they're weak. Claire lost a lot of blood, and the baby, being premature, needs special care."

Rudra nodded, guilt gnawing at him. "I'm sorry, Laurent. You and Claire were dragged into this chaos because of me."

Laurent placed a reassuring hand on Rudra's shoulder. "It's not your fault, Rudra. This is the world we live in. By the way, how is Pihu?"

Rudra glanced towards the closed doors of the room. "She lost consciousness on the way here. The doctors are still checking on her."

A heavy silence settled between them until the doctor finally emerged, his face grave but not without hope. Rudra and Laurent straightened, their hearts pounding.

"Pihu sustained some injuries to her back and legs, also her hand is sprained, but she's stable now," the doctor began, consulting the chart in his hands. "The wound in her back was aggravated, causing significant pain and stress, but fortunately, there is no permanent damage. She will need plenty of rest and continued physiotherapy to aid in her recovery."

Rudra exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Can I see her?"

The doctor nodded. "Yes, but she's still unconscious. It might be a while before she wakes up, but you can stay with her."

He stepped inside, his heart aching at the sight of her so still and vulnerable. He pulled a chair close to her bed and sat down, gently taking her hand in his. The room was quiet, save for the soft beeping of the monitors and the soft hum of the air conditioning.

"Pearl," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm here. And I'm so sorry. I promise I will make this right. I'll never let anything happen to you again."

As the hours passed, Rudra stayed by her side, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest, the only sign of life in her still form. The hospital staff came and went, but he remained, his grip on her hand unwavering.

As dawn broke, the first light of the sun began to filter through the window, casting a soft glow in the room. The night had been long, filled with worry and regret, but Rudra hadn't moved from Pihu's side. He watched her face intently, hoping for any sign of consciousness.

Suddenly, Pihu stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, but her awakening was not peaceful. Her breathing quickened, her eyes wide with terror as memories of the past night crashed over her. She sat up abruptly, her gaze darting around the room, disoriented and frightened.

"No, no, no," she whimpered, her voice shaking. "Blood... there's blood everywhere... Ma...Marriee.. bloo...." Her cries echoed in the room. She complained and blabber like a scared child "Marri..ee..dieed.. T...ey s..ot..h..e.r. and C..la..re.."

Rudra was beside her in an instant, his arms wrapping around her trembling form. "Shhh, Pearl," he murmured, holding her tightly. "It's okay. You're safe now and Claire is also safe. Just thought it is a nightmare."

Pihu clung to him, her sobs wracking her body. "I was so scared, Rudra. I thought... I thought I was going to die."

Rudra's heart ached at her words. He held her closer, his voice soothing. "How can you die, Pearl? Till the time I am alive, nothing will happen to you. I'm here. I've got you."

She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking his shirt. Rudra stroked her hair, whispering words of comfort, his own eyes stinging with unshed tears. The room seemed to shrink around them, the outside world fading away as they clung to each other.

"It's over now," he repeated softly, rocking her gently.

Pihu's sobs gradually subsided, her grip on Rudra loosening as exhaustion overtook her. She looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen but filled with trust.

Rudra asked, "Are you feeling pain anywhere? Should I call the doctor?"

Pihu shook her head in "No." Rudra tried to make her lie on the bed, but Pihu clung to him by holding his neck. He understood that this time she was literally terrified. He picked up the glass of water and made her drink, then pressed the button on the table to call the doctor.

"Pearl, lay down. I am here." But seeing no response, he lay with Pihu beside her and started stroking her hair until Pihu finally fell asleep.

The doctor came and checked her, his expression one of professional concern. "She is traumatized due to incident. I recommend changing her environment to somewhere she feels safe and trying to deal with her gently. The familiar and secure setting will help her recover from the shock. Physically, her injuries will heal with time and rest, but the emotional scars will need careful attention."

Rudra nodded, his gaze never leaving Pihu's peaceful face. "Hmm, I'll make sure she gets the care she needs."

The doctor left, leaving Rudra alone with Pihu. He held her close, his mind racing with plans to ensure her safety and well-being. He couldn't let his guard down, not now, not ever. He had to protect her, no matter the cost.

As the sun continued to rise, casting a warm glow over the room, Rudra vowed to himself that he would never let her be hurt again. He would do whatever it took to keep her safe, to make her feel secure and loved. And in that moment, he realized just how deeply he cared for her, how much he needed her to be a part of his life.

He kissed her forehead gently, whispering, "I promise, Pearl. I will never let anything or anyone harm you again. And if again happen than it will be my last breath and you will be free from me."

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Two days had passed since the harrowing incident, and while Claire and her baby were recovering well, Pihu was a different story. Despite her physical recovery, the emotional scars ran deep. Every little sound seemed to trigger memories of gunshots and explosions, and her sleep was plagued with nightmares of blood and Marie's lifeless body.

Rudra entered the hospital room where Pihu lay staring blankly at the ceiling, her eyes haunted by unseen horrors. He carried a cake, hoping to lift her spirits. "Pearl, look, I brought cake for you," he said, trying to infuse his voice with cheerfulness. But Pihu didn't respond; she was lost in her thoughts.

Rudra gently touched her shoulder, causing her to flinch. She quickly composed herself, and he helped her sit up. Bringing the cake closer, he attempted to feed her while talking, "I know you don't like staying in the hospital. You'll be discharged today. Then we will go to the mansion I made especially for you. You can enjoy nature and the mountains there."

Pihu looked at him with distant eyes and said, "I want to go home."

Rudra's heart stopped for a moment. Her words reverberated in his mind, "She wants to leave me. She wants to go back to her parents. Everything I've tried to build is shattering in a moment. No, she can't leave me. I won't let her leave me."

Pihu observed Rudra's expression turn blank, trying to read his thoughts but failing. She called softly, "Rudra."

His thoughts shattered, and he stood up abruptly, a sharp edge in his voice, "You are not going anywhere. You are not leaving me. I know you are scared, but I promise you, I will keep you safe. I'm even ready to live a normal life with you, leaving this dark world behind. So, don't think about leaving me."

Pihu, confused and trying to clarify, said, "I am saying I want to go back..."

Before she could finish, Rudra threw the glass from the table, shattering it. He grabbed her cheek, not enough to bruise but tight enough to make his point. "Don't, don't, Pearl. If you want, you can kill me, but don't think about leaving me. Don't repeat those words again. Even if I'm changing, it doesn't mean I will leave you. You are mine till eternity."

Tears streamed down Pihu's face. His dark aura triggered memories of Yashvardhan and his men, their murderous eyes, and the haunting words. Suddenly, Veer entered the room and was taken aback by the scene—broken glass, Rudra's vice grip on Pihu's jaw, and Pihu crying.

Veer's blood boiled at the sight. He rushed over and pushed Rudra away, freeing Pihu. "What are you doing, Rudra? Have you gone mad?" he demanded, sitting beside the silently sobbing Pihu, trying to console her.

Rudra snapped out of his dark trance, realizing he had made Pihu even more frightened. He cursed under his breath, "Fuck, I am a bastard."

Veer, seeing the distress on Pihu's face, asked her gently. "What happened here, Sunshine? Do you want me to beat him?" he asked, chuckling at the end in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Pihu shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. She was about to speak when Rudra interrupted, his voice tight with regret, "She wants to go home."

Veer didn't even look at Rudra; his sole focus was on Pihu. Pihu tried to explain while controlling her hiccups, "I... I... hiccup... I want to go back to India. I just feel overwhelmed here."

Rudra, who had been berating himself for making her cry, now felt a surge to beat a shit out of himself for misunderstanding her. But as he replayed her words in his mind, realization dawned on him. His heart swelled with a bittersweet happiness—she had called his house "home." She wanted to go back to their home.

He took a tentative step towards her, but Pihu instinctively cowered back, trying to hide behind Veer. Seeing her reaction, Veer spoke softly, "Okay, Sunshine. You lay down and sleep. I'll make the arrangements, okay?" Pihu nodded, her eyes still filled with lingering fear and exhaustion.

Veer gently guided Pihu back to her bed, ensuring she was comfortable before turning back to Rudra. He saw the torment in Rudra's eyes, the realization of his mistake weighing heavily on him.

However, he took Rudra outside and, once they were away from Pihu and in the soundproof hallway, Veer unleashed his fury. "What was that? How can you lose your calm like that? Did you forget all your efforts to make her like you? Even if she wants to leave you, I can't let you  behave like a psycho again as I really regret it. If she cries again because of you, then I will take her away. Remember that. " By saying this he left.

Rudra didn't say anything, knowing he was wrong. The dark side he had tried so hard to hide these past months had resurfaced, making her believe he was changing. He felt a deep guilt for forcing her to marry him, for letting his obsession dictate his actions. Her simple desire to go home had shattered his carefully constructed facade.

However, If someone asked him again if he would forcefully marry her, his answer would still be yes. His obsession with her hadn't disappeared; he had merely become adept at hiding it, showing only the love that even confused Veer about his true nature.

The memory of Pihu's tear-streaked face, a reflection of his own monstrous behavior, ignited a fresh wave of self-loathing. He couldn't deny it – his obsession was a constant presence, a serpent coiled around his heart, its influence a subtle but undeniable force beneath his veneer of love. In his rage, he punched the wall repeatedly, not stopping even as his knuckles split and bled.

However, a dark truth remained, a secret he fiercely guarded. An apology, he knew, wouldn't erase the core of him. Pihu, in her innocence, might believe a change of heart was possible. She might offer him a chance if he abandoned this darkness. But Rudra knew better.

Rudra was the predator who had tasted blood, and the hunger wouldn't be easily satiated. Just like a lion, the darkness coursed through his veins, an inseparable part of him, a truth that would likely die with him. But his obsession with Pihu burned brighter, a possessive wildfire that even death couldn't touch. He would shield her from it all, this monstrous truth he embodied. The mask he wore would become his permanent reality, a carefully crafted facade that fooled even Veer, his best friend. He would do whatever it took, walk any path, to keep Pihu by his side, oblivious to the monster that lurked beneath the surface.

Even the darkness craved her light. He would be her sun, even if it meant burning himself to embers, as long as Pihu remained his moon, forever in his orbit.

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.TBC