Chapter-57

Author's POV,

Next day,

The rhythmic hum of the jet engines lulled Pihu into a restless sleep beside Rudra. He worked on his laptop, his gaze constantly flickering between the screen and her peaceful, if fragile, form. Even the slightest stir from her had him reaching out, murmuring soft reassurances that coaxed her back to sleep.

The doctor's words echoed in his mind – the medication they prescribed was a necessary evil. While it helped Pihu sleep and avoid panic attacks, long-term use could have negative consequences. He knew she hated the bitter taste, a new addition to the list of medications she already took for her back injury. The doctor's stern warning about violence as a trigger echoed in his mind. He wouldn't let anything, not even a whisper of the past, threaten her fragile peace.

Rudra had taken these warnings to heart. He'd even relocated them to a different mansion, one devoid of the dark memories the previous one held. Rebuilding the old one would take time, and he couldn't risk anything that might worsen Pihu's mental health. This new haven, he hoped, would be a sanctuary for her, a place where she could heal and feel safe.

As the jet touched down in Mumbai, a wave of relief washed over Rudra. He meticulously packed away his laptop, his eyes lingering on Pihu's sleeping form one last time. He needed to move her carefully, mindful of her injury.

The moment he lifted her, however, Pihu stirred, her eyes fluttering open in a mix of confusion and apprehension. Her conscious mind screamed "danger," replaying his outburst at the hospital. Yet, a deeper, subconscious trust held her still. Rudra had become a strange anchor, a paradox of fear and a twisted sense of security.

He held her gaze for a fleeting moment, his expression unreadable. Then, gently cradling her in his arms, he carried her towards the plane door. The hum of activity outside grew louder as the door opened, revealing the bustle of the Mumbai airport.

A sliver of sunlight peeked through the doorway, and as Pihu's eyes adjusted, a wave of unexpected emotion washed over her. The sight of the familiar signage, the melodic announcements in Hindi, the cacophony of greetings and goodbyes – it all hit her at once. A hesitant smile played on her lips, a flicker of warmth battling the lingering fear in her eyes.

Rudra carefully placed her in the back seat of the waiting car, securing her with a gentleness that belied his usual stern demeanor. He slid beside her, his presence a constant, reassuring force.

As they started moving through the streets of Mumbai, Pihu felt an urge to go outside and venture into the city. But she felt a pang of helplessness, the inability to walk a constant reminder of her ordeal. However, she told herself it was just temporary and tried to enjoy the view.

Seeing her gaze wander wistfully out the window, Rudra decided to give her a surprise. He instructed the driver to take a detour to a restaurant with a panoramic view of Mumbai and the beach.

As they arrived, Pihu's eyes widened at the breathtaking sight of the cityscape and the shimmering ocean beyond. Rudra led her to a table by the window, the view a stunning backdrop to their meal.

"Pihu," Rudra said softly as they sat, "I thought you might enjoy this. It's a beautiful place, just like you."

Pihu managed a small smile, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of appreciation. "This is lovely. I've never seen the city from this height."

They enjoyed their meal, the beauty of the surroundings and the delicious food lifting Pihu's spirits slightly. For a moment, the horrors of the past seemed to fade into the background, replaced by the serenity of the present.

After a while, they continued their journey, but as they changed routes, Pihu got confused as it was not the way to the mansion. So she asked Rudra, "Where are we going?"

He replied, "To our new paradise to start a new life. Shh, Pearl, you will understand once we reach there."

As they arrived, Pihu saw the new mansion, which gave a royal feeling and was adorned beautifully. Rudra carried Pihu inside, as Madhu was standing at the entrance with an Aarti thal to welcome them. Pihu was so surprised and used to Rudra carrying her that she didn't even notice he was carrying her in front of everyone.

Madhu did the Aarti for them and invited them inside. Pihu's eyes widened in surprise. The mansion was beautifully decorated for her welcome. Flowers adorned every corner, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh blooms. There were soft, twinkling lights and a banner that read, "Welcome Home, Pearl."

Rudra settled her on a plush couch and knelt beside her. Pihu, after taking in her surroundings, looked at him and asked, "What is all this?"

Rudra took her hands in his. "Pearl," he began, his voice earnest, "This is our new home where I want to build my family with you. I want you to be my light so the darkness in me can find the light again. Please, Pearl, I want to be the man you deserve. What I did yesterday, I am sorry for it. I promise it was the last time. I really want you to give me a real chance without hesitation. I want to start fresh. I know I've made mistakes, but I want to make things right. You know I tried my best not to become part of the world which my mom hated, but I have the same blood as my father. That's why darkness flows in my veins, and somehow I became part of it even though I tried to resist. But I'm ready to leave my dark world behind, for you. You make me feel alive again. Please."

Pihu looked into his eyes, seeing a mix of sincerity and desperation, his voice breaking at last with tears in his eyes like a child who might break into a fit of tears if his mother denies him. "Rudra," she whispered, "Are you sure? Can you really leave it all behind?" Still trying to confirm. Because in these months, he tried his best to change himself and respect her wishes, so somewhere her heart had grown used to his presence, his care, his love, and his talk. She even found herself worrying about him when he left without telling her.

Humans and their hearts are the most complicated things in the world. One moment can make it hate a person for a lifetime. But one moment can also compel the heart to love and care for a person for a lifetime. If Pihu left aside yesterday's incident, from the time she was injured, Rudra never did anything that she didn't like or hurt her even in the slightest.

He nodded, his grip tightening on her hands. "Yes, Pearl. Just give me three months till you recover. If you still have any doubts, then I am ready to let you go."

Pihu, unable to see the darkness lurking in his eyes, believed his words. She saw the love and the promise of a better future. She also wanted to give him the first and last chance so that she could decide if she wanted to live with him or leave him. Before, she was unable to do so as she never wanted to become a part of the dark world, even if Rudra treated her right. But as he promised to leave the dark world, she was ready to give him a chance. "Okay, Rudra," she replied softly. "I'll give you a chance."

Rudra, hearing her words, was on cloud nine as he squealed in happiness, the biggest smile on his face as he hugged her and muttered thank you over and over, while kissing her whole face affectionately. Pihu, not expecting this sudden reaction, felt her whole face turn red and hot, her eyes cast downward.

He saw her shy expression but continued to give her assurance, not wanting this chance to slip away. His voice was gentle but firm, "Pearl, I promise you, you will never regret this decision. From the bottom of my heart, I will do everything in my power to make it right. I want to be the man you can rely on, the man who makes you feel safe and loved."

Rudra felt a surge of triumph and relief. He would make sure she never regretted this decision. He would hide his darker impulses, bury his obsession deep, and show her only the love and devotion she needed. For now, he would play the part of the loving husband, the man willing to change. And she, his Pearl, would be his forever.

As they sat together in the beautifully decorated mansion, surrounded by the soft glow of twinkling lights and the sweet scent of flowers, Rudra vowed to himself that he would never let anything or anyone come between them again, not even Pihu herself. He would protect her, cherish her, and love her with every fiber of his being. And she, in turn, would become the light that banished the darkness within him.

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Two months had passed since Rudra had hidden Yashvardhan and Rudraansh in his secret chamber. Each night, after ensuring that Pihu was asleep and her medication kept her nightmares at bay, Rudra would descend into the abyss of his mansion, where darkness and vengeance reigned unchecked.

The chamber was a realm of agony. The stone walls were stained with blood and echoes of torment, the air thick with the metallic scent of suffering. Torches cast flickering shadows that danced malevolently on the cold surfaces, creating an atmosphere of dread.

Yashvardhan and Rudraansh hung lifelessly from their restraints, their bodies battered and broken. Every night, Rudra would inflict fresh horrors upon them, deriving a twisted satisfaction from their suffering.

Tonight was no exception.

Yashvardhan, his voice a mere whisper from days of endless screams, begged hoarsely, "Please, Rudra, kill us... we can't endure more torture... please."

Rudra's face contorted with a sinister glee. He leaned in, his voice dripping with venom, "Why should I listen to you? Did you listen when my mother begged for her life? When my sister pleaded for mercy? Or when my Pearl cried in front of you? Did you or your son listen?" His words were a dagger, twisting deeper with each syllable.

Straightening up, his eyes burned with unholy fire. "How can you even think I would show you mercy?"

A cruel smile spread across his face, chilling in its malice. "But fine, I will fulfill one of your wishes. I will kill your son. But it will be the most brutal way imaginable, and you will witness it. Just as I witnessed my sister's death."

Rudra turned and bellowed, "Scar!"

From the shadows emerged Scar, Rudra's monstrous pet (Panther). The beast's eyes glinted with a predatory hunger, its movements fluid and terrifying. Rudraansh, suspended from the ceiling, was untied by the guards, dropping to the ground in a heap. He lay there, barely able to move, his eyes wide with terror as he shook his head in silent desperation, trying to crawl backward with what little strength he had left.

Yashvardhan's eyes widened in abject horror. "Please, he is your brother! Please, just kill us!" he pleaded, his voice breaking with despair.

Rudra's smile grew even more sinister. "Go," he said coldly, and Scar lunged forward.

The guards stepped back, creating a clear path for the beast. Rudraansh's body convulsed with fear as Scar approached, its teeth bared in anticipation. Yashvardhan's anguished cries filled the chamber as he struggled against his chains, desperately trying to reach his son.

Scar attacked with ruthless efficiency, its teeth sinking into Rudraansh's flesh. The sight was grotesque—Scar tearing chunks away, the sound of ripping flesh mingling with Rudraansh's silent screams. His voice was gone, his eyes the only testament to the agony he endured. Yashvardhan's screams echoed through the dungeon, a symphony of hopelessness and horror as he watched his son being devoured alive, piece by agonizing piece.

Rudra stood, a cold, detached spectator to the gruesome spectacle. His heart, once capable of love and compassion, was now a vessel for nothing but vengeance and darkness. As Scar continued its grisly feast, Rudra's mind briefly drifted to the sleeping form of Pihu upstairs, the only light in his life that he was desperate to keep untarnished by the darkness he harbored within.

"I will make sure she never knows," he thought, his gaze hardening. "She will never again see this side of me. She will only know the love I can give, not the monster I truly am."

With that vow, he turned his back on the carnage, his heart as cold and unyielding as the stone walls of the chamber.

Yashvardhan's screams grew fainter, the life draining from him as he watched his son being consumed. Scar, its maw dripping with blood, continued its feast, leaving nothing but a mangled, lifeless husk in its wake. Rudra's soul, however, found no solace in this macabre victory. His thirst for vengeance was insatiable, a bottomless pit that no amount of suffering could ever fill.

As he left the chamber, the door sealing shut behind him, the echoes of Yashvardhan's screams lingered, a haunting reminder of the abyss that Rudra had willingly embraced. And as he ascended the stairs, leaving the darkness behind, he steeled himself to don the mask of the loving husband once more. For Pihu's sake, he would hide his true nature, but deep within, the monster lurked, waiting for the next opportunity to unleash its wrath.

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TBC