Chapter 60

Author's POV,

Rudra stepped forward, his eyes never leaving Pihu's, and handed her a bouquet of roses—red, yellow, and white. His gaze softened as he prepared to speak, his voice steady but rich with meaning. "Each color signifies something," he began. "Red for love, yellow for friendship, and white for new beginnings."

He paused, and when he spoke again, his voice grew quieter, almost as if the weight of his past mistakes bore down on him. "Pearl, the black roses I gave you before... they were a reflection of the man I was. A man consumed by his own darkness, by the fear of losing you, which pushed me to control everything around me." His voice wavered slightly, revealing the strain of his regrets. "I was so blinded by my need to keep you close, to make you mine, that I lost sight of what truly matters—your happiness, your freedom, your love for me."

He looked down at the bouquet, his thumb absently tracing the petals as he continued. "I used those roses to express my love, but they were also a symbol of my flaws, my inability to let go of the past shadows that haunted me."

When he looked back up at Pihu, his voice was softer, almost pleading. "But you... you changed everything. You brought light into my life—a light I had lost long ago, a light I didn't know I needed. You slowly began to burn away the darkness."

His tone became more tender, laced with both admiration and a touch of desperation, as he added, "My darkness had made me blind to emotions. I thought possession was love, but you showed me what it means to love someone without trying to possess them, to cherish someone without holding them captive."

Rudra's voice grew softer still, almost breaking with vulnerability, as he continued, "These roses I'm giving you now... they're different. The red roses still represent my love, but it's not the same as before. It's a love that's grown, matured. A love that's patient and kind, that understands the importance of trust and respect." His voice dropped to a near whisper, as if confessing a deeply personal truth. "The yellow roses are for friendship because I've come to realize that before anything else, I want to be your friend. I want to be the one you can turn to, laugh with, share your fears and dreams with."

He held up the white roses, his voice filled with hope but also a slight tremble of uncertainty. "And the white roses... they're for new beginnings. For the fresh start we both deserve. I want to leave the past behind, to move forward with you, side by side."

Rudra's voice was barely audible now, his emotions laid bare. "I've made mistakes—so many mistakes—but I'm not that man anymore. Now, I just want to be the man who makes you smile, who brings you peace and happiness. I want to be the man you can lean on, the man who stands by your side, not in front of you or behind you, but with you."

His hand trembled slightly as he reached out, gently taking hers. His voice was raw, filled with a mix of fear and hope. "Pearl, I know you've already forgiven me and given me a chance yesterday, but today I want to ask you again—for a chance to show you that I can be the husband you deserve. The partner who supports you, loves you, and respects you."

When he knelt on one knee, holding out the ring, his voice was thick with emotion, his vulnerability fully exposed. "Will you marry me again, Pearl?" he asked, his words carrying the weight of everything he was and everything he hoped to be. "Will you accept me as your husband in front of the world? Not as the man I was, but as the man I am now—the man who loves you with every fiber of his being."

Pihu's breath hitched, her eyes welling up with tears as she listened to his words. Each word seemed to reach deep into her soul, unraveling the layers of doubt and fear that had lingered there. She felt her world tilt as she remembered the first time Rudra had proposed. Back then, his aura had been dark, suffocating, as if he were ready to consume her whole. But now, standing before her was a man transformed—a man who wanted to live in the light she brought into his life.

She nodded, her voice catching in her throat as she whispered, "Yes, Rudra. I will."

Rudra's eyes shone with unshed tears as he slipped the ring onto her finger—a beautiful pearl ring with a delicate carving of a peacock in the center. He held her hand, his thumb gently tracing the outline of the ring. "This ring represents my eternal love for you," he said softly. "The pearl symbolizes the purity of my intentions, and the peacock... it's a symbol of renewal, grace, and beauty—everything you've brought into my life. I love you, Pearl."

As Pihu admired the ring, still processing the depth of his confession, a sound reached her ears—applause. She turned around, her heart leaping in her chest, and saw her parents, her brothers, Shivani, and Veer standing there, clapping and smiling warmly.

Tears streamed down her face as she realized what this meant. She hadn't seen her family in nearly a year, and now, they were here, witnessing this moment of profound significance in her life.

"Whe..." she tried to speak, but her throat was choked with emotion, the words stuck in her chest.

Rudra, sensing her unspoken question, stepped closer and gently took her hand. "You remember you said you didn't want them to meet me unless you were sure about your feelings towards me?" he began, his voice soft and understanding. "So, when you accepted me yesterday, I knew it was time. I brought them here so they could be part of this moment—our new beginning."

Pihu's tears turned into sobs of joy as she ran to embrace her family. Her mother hugged her tightly, her father gently patted her back, and her brothers ruffled her hair in that affectionate way they always did. Shivani and Veer joined the group hug, their presence a reminder of the support and love she had missed so much.

Rudra watched the scene unfold with contentment. He remembered how, in the past, his insecurities had driven him to isolate Pihu from her loved ones, his obsession to possess her clouding his judgment. But now, as he stood there watching her reunited with her family, he realized that true love was about giving, not taking. His love for Pihu had transformed from a need to possess into a desire to see her happy, free, and surrounded by the people who mattered most to her.

As Pihu wiped the last of her tears, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw her mother, eyes brimming with the same emotions she felt. Despite their daily phone calls, seeing her daughter in person after so long was a different kind of comfort.

"How are you, beta?" her mother asked softly, her voice laced with both concern and relief.Pihu felt the warmth of her mother's words sink in, making her realize just how much she had missed her. She hugged her mother tightly, the familiar scent bringing a flood of memories and comfort. "I'm good, Ma," she whispered, though her voice trembled with the intensity of the moment.

One by one, her family members stepped forward, each taking a moment to ask how she was doing. Her father, his usual stern demeanor softened by emotion, placed a hand on her head in a gesture of silent support. "We've missed you, Pihu," he said, his voice thick with emotion.Her brothers followed, their teasing smiles masking the depth of their concern. "So, you're happy now?" one of them asked, his voice light but his eyes serious. Pihu could only nod, her throat tight with the weight of everything she wanted to say but couldn't.

Finally, she saw Shivani standing a little apart from the group, her eyes already filling with tears. Pihu couldn't hold back any longer. She rushed forward and hugged Shivani tightly, as if she could make up for all the lost time in that one embrace. "I missed you so much," Pihu murmured, her voice breaking.

Shivani hugged her back just as fiercely. "I missed you too, idiot," she said, trying to keep her tone light despite the tears that slipped down her cheeks.

After a few moments, Shivani pulled back slightly, her expression turning serious as she studied Pihu's face. "Are you sure this devil didn't blackmail you into accepting him again?" she asked, half-joking but with a hint of genuine concern in her voice.

Pihu shook her head, her eyes still wet with tears. "No, Shivani," she replied, her voice thick with emotion. "He didn't. This time, it's different. I chose this."

Shivani searched her eyes for a long moment before nodding, finally satisfied. "Okay," she said softly. "But you know I'm here for you, no matter what, right?"

Pihu nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude for the unwavering support of her friend. "I know," she whispered, pulling her into another hug.

As the emotional reunion continued, Rudra watched from the sidelines, his heart full as he witnessed the love that surrounded Pihu. He knew this was what she needed—what she deserved. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, his expression solemn yet filled with determination. He approached Pihu's parents, his head bowed slightly in respect.

Without hesitation, he bent down and touched their feet, a gesture of deep humility and repentance. "Aunty, Uncle," he said, his voice sincere, "I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I ask for it anyway. Thank you for accepting me today."

Pihu's parents placed their hands on his head, giving him their blessings. "We've seen the change in you, beta," Pihu's father said, his voice gruff but warm. "Actions speak louder than words, and your actions have shown us that you're trying to be a better man."

Pihu stood a few steps back, her brow furrowed in confusion. When had her parents accepted Rudra so completely? She hadn't been aware of any reconciliation between them, and the ease with which they now interacted with him left her puzzled.

Sensing her confusion, her mother smiled softly and began to explain. "Three months ago, Rudra came to Varanasi," she began, her voice gentle but filled with the weight of the past. "He knelt before us, Pihu. He apologized for everything—every pain he caused you, every mistake he made. He asked for our forgiveness, for our acceptance. But he didn't just ask. He promised us that he would leave behind his dark world, that he would be the man you deserve. He even said he was ready to accept any punishment we saw fit... anything but losing you—unless you wanted that."

Pihu's eyes widened in surprise. She had no idea Rudra had taken such steps, had been so vulnerable before her parents. She glanced at Rudra, who simply nodded, confirming her mother's words.

Her father continued the story, his voice gruff but carrying a note of reluctant admiration. "He said he couldn't imagine a life without you, that he would do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness and our blessing. We saw something in him that day—a man who was ready to fight his own demons, not just for himself, but for you."

Pihu's mother added, "He told us he wanted to change, and we could see he meant it. We decided to give him a chance, to support you both in this journey. But the decision was always going to be yours, beta. We knew you needed to make this choice on your own."

Pihu was speechless. Her parents, the same ones who had been so wary of Rudra, had come to accept him, even before she had fully made up her own mind. The realization filled her with a mix of emotions—relief, gratitude, and a deep sense of love for the man who had gone to such lengths to prove himself to her and her family.

But the story didn't end there. Pihu's mother continued, her tone becoming more serious. "Rudra didn't stop with us, Pihu. He went to Shivani's house too. But her father... well, you know him. His morals wouldn't let him entertain the idea of forgiving Rudra so easily. He threw Rudra out of the house."

Pihu looked at Shivani, who nodded, her expression unreadable. "It's true," Shivani said. "My dad wouldn't even listen to him. But Rudra didn't give up. He waited outside the house for hours until we finally agreed to meet him. He apologized to us, Pihu. For hurting you and me, for hurting my dad too. He told me how sorry he was for everything, and he asked for our forgiveness as well."

Pihu's eyes filled with tears again, this time for the man who had gone to such lengths to make amends. She turned to Rudra, who stood there quietly, his head bowed, as if waiting for her reaction.

Pihu stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and took his hands in hers. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked softly, her voice trembling with emotion.

Rudra looked up, his eyes meeting hers, filled with both love and humility. "Because this was something I had to do, Pearl," he replied. "It wasn't about proving anything to you—it was about making things right, about facing the consequences of my actions. I didn't want you to feel pressured by what I was doing. I wanted you to make your decision freely, without knowing any of this."

Pihu's heart swelled with love for the man standing before her. The man who had gone from being a shadowed figure in her life, driven by obsession and control, to someone who understood the true meaning of love—selflessness, respect, and the courage to change.After the emotional confessions and heartwarming reunions, the group gradually composed themselves. Rudra, ever attentive, noticed that the intensity of the moment had drained Pihu. She needed a break, a moment of normalcy after everything they had just shared.

"We'll talk more while eating," Rudra suggested with a gentle smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's go enjoy a meal together."

The table set up on the beach was nothing short of breathtaking. Lanterns cast a soft, warm glow over the setting, and the sound of the waves gently crashing in the background added a serene rhythm to the evening. The food was laid out beautifully, a feast of dishes that catered to everyone's tastes. The scent of freshly prepared delicacies filled the air, mingling with the salty breeze.

Pihu took a seat beside Rudra, feeling a sense of contentment she hadn't felt in a long time. The moment was perfect, the kind she had only dreamed of. She glanced at Rudra, who was busily ensuring everyone had their favorite dishes on their plates. He moved with a natural ease, serving Pihu with a tenderness that didn't go unnoticed by the others at the table.

As he placed a serving of her favorite dish, gulab jamun, on her plate, Pihu's heart swelled with affection. She looked at him, her eyes softening as he met her gaze with a warm smile. "You always remember," she said quietly, touched by his attentiveness.

"Of course," Rudra replied, his voice low and intimate. "I know how much you love it."

The others around the table exchanged glances, silently admiring the transformation they were witnessing. Rudra, who was once known for his cold demeanor, now exuded warmth and care, especially towards Pihu. It was clear that he was dedicated to her happiness, and it was a sight that filled everyone's hearts with hope.

As they began eating, the conversation flowed easily. Laughter bubbled up as they shared stories and jokes. Pihu's brothers teased her about her childhood, much to her embarrassment, but she laughed along, enjoying the light-hearted banter. Shivani joined in, recounting some of their college antics, which made everyone at the table chuckle.

Rudra, despite being quieter, was deeply engaged in the conversation. He listened attentively, laughing along with the others, and occasionally contributing with his own dry wit. His focus, however, remained on Pihu, ensuring that she was comfortable and enjoying herself.

As the meal progressed, Rudra cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. His expression was serious but filled with a quiet determination. "As I said before I want to marry Pihu again," he announced, his voice firm. "In front of the world this time. I've already made the preparations, and if Pihu agrees, we can have the wedding next month."

There was a moment of silence as everyone processed his words. Pihu's family and Shivani exchanged glances, their surprise evident. But there was also a sense of approval in their eyes—approval for the man who was willing to publicly commit to the woman he loved.

Pihu, caught off guard, turned to look at Rudra, her heart racing. The thought of marrying him again, of starting fresh with the man he had become, filled her with a mix of excitement and nervousness. But as she gazed into his eyes, she saw the sincerity, the deep love that had driven him to this point.

Her father was the first to break the silence. "Well, Rudra," he said, his tone warm yet teasing, "it looks like you've got everything planned out. I can't say I'm not impressed."

Rudra smiled, a hint of relief in his expression. "I just want to do it right this time, Uncle. Pihu deserves the best, and I want to give her that."

Her mother nodded approvingly. "As long as Pihu is happy, we're happy too."

Shivani, unable to resist, added with a playful grin, "Just make sure you don't mess it up this time, Rudra. Pihu has had enough drama for one lifetime."

Laughter erupted around the table, and Rudra joined in, shaking his head at Shivani's teasing. "I'll do my best, Shali Sahiba," he promised, his tone light but sincere.

As the evening wound down, and the laughter and conversations began to fade into the night, Pihu's family and Shivani prepared to leave for Varanasi. But Rudra insisted they stay at his mansion for the night, especially since it was late.

"We have plenty of rooms," Rudra assured them. "Please, make yourselves at home. It's too late to be traveling now."

After some gentle persuasion, they agreed, and soon everyone was settling into the comfort of Rudra's grand mansion. Pihu, however, felt a tug in her heart to spend more time with her mother. The day had been overwhelming, and she craved the comfort only a mother's presence could bring.

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TBC