Chapter-61

Author's Pov,

She made her way to her parents' room, finding her mom sitting on the bed, lost in thought. Pihu quietly walked over and lay down, resting her head on her mother's lap. Her mother, surprised at first, soon began to gently stroke her hair, the simple gesture instantly soothing Pihu's frayed nerves.

They sat in silence for a while, the only sound being the soft rustle of the curtains as the night breeze slipped through the slightly open window. Pihu closed her eyes, savoring the moment, feeling like a child again under her mother's care.

But her mother's voice soon broke the silence, filled with a mix of concern and love. "Pihu, you're sure about your decision, right?" she asked gently, her fingers continuing their soothing motion through Pihu's hair. "You're not giving him a chance out of sympathy or any type of fear?"

Pihu opened her eyes and looked up at her mother, seeing the worry etched in her face. She smiled softly, reaching up to take her mother's hand. "Mom," she began, her voice steady but tender, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't sympathize with him because of his past. I forgave him partly because I understood the darkness he came from wasn't something he chose for himself. It was something that was forced upon him—a cruel destiny that tried to pull him under. When he finally saw a way out, when he saw the light... he grabbed onto it with everything he had, without thinking of the consequences."

Her mother listened intently, her hand still caressing Pihu's hair, encouraging her to continue.

Pihu took a deep breath, her voice growing stronger with conviction. "But it's not just about sympathy, Mom. It's about the man he's become. I'm not saying I changed him—because you can't change someone unless they want to change themselves. That light was always within him, but circumstances dimmed it. I just helped him find it again, and he chose to embrace it. He's becoming the man his mother and sister always believed he could be. He's not perfect, and I don't expect him to be. But he's trying—really trying. He's changed so much, and I can see how deeply he loves me. It's not about control or possession anymore. It's about respect, understanding, and wanting to build a life together."

Her mother smiled, her eyes softening as she looked at her daughter. "You're right, Pihu. It sounds like he's truly trying to be the man you deserve, and that's what matters most. I'm proud of you—for seeing the good in him, but also for standing up for what you need and deserve in a relationship."

Pihu nodded, feeling a deep sense of peace settle over her. She snuggled closer, letting the comfort of her mother's presence soothe her. For the first time in a long time, she felt truly content with the path she had chosen, ready to embrace the future with Rudra by her side.

On the Terrace:

While Pihu was nestled in the warmth of her mother's lap, seeking comfort and reassurance, Rudra and her father found themselves on the terrace of the grand mansion. The night was quiet, the air cool and filled with the distant hum of crickets. The stars dotted the sky, offering a serene contrast to the heavy conversation that was about to unfold. Pihu's father, an ordinary man who had seen enough of the world's harsh realities, stood on the terrace of Rudra's grand mansion, his thoughts weighing heavily on his heart.

Rudra joined him, the silence between them thick with unspoken concerns. Both men understood the significance of this moment. Pihu's father, though not a man of many words, had requested this private conversation to understand the man who had caused his daughter so much pain, yet who now claimed to be her protector, her future.

After a long pause, Pihu's father finally spoke, his voice steady but tinged with the weight of his worries. "Rudra, I've seen the changes in you, and I don't doubt that you care for Pihu. But there's something I need to know—something that's been on my mind since she accepted you again."

Rudra nodded, remaining silent as he waited for Pihu's father to continue.

"You've promised to leave the darkness behind, but we both know that's easier said than done," Pihu's father began, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "You have enemies—dangerous ones who won't just disappear because you've decided to change your ways. What happens if they come for you again? Or worse, if they use Pihu as a pawn, like they did before? How can you guarantee her safety, Rudra?"

Rudra took a deep breath, understanding the gravity of the question. He knew this was the moment where his intentions, his resolve, would be put to the test.

"You're right, Uncle," Rudra began, his voice calm but resolute. "I can't erase my past, and I can't entirely leave behind the world I was once a part of. The truth is, no matter how much I want to, my enemies won't forget who I am or what I've done. They'll see Pihu as a way to get to me, whether we're together or not."

Pihu's father remained silent, his face impassive, but his eyes were sharp, taking in every word.

"But I can promise you this," Rudra continued, his gaze unwavering. "I've already taken steps to distance myself from that life. I'm cutting ties with those who operate in the shadows, but I know that I can't sever all connections. Some ties need to remain—not for power, but for protection. I've ensured that I have the right people watching our backs, people who can protect us without resorting to illegal activities."

Rudra paused, letting his words sink in before continuing with even more conviction. "I won't be involved in anything unlawful. No more violence, no more killings—unless it's the absolute last resort, and only to protect Pihu. My focus is on building a life where she can be safe, where we can be safe."

He turned to face Pihu's father directly, the sincerity in his eyes undeniable. "If I were to leave her, it wouldn't make her safer. It would only make her more vulnerable. My enemies wouldn't care that we're no longer together—they'd still see her as a way to get to me. That's why, even if Pihu wanted to leave, even if she no longer wanted to be with me, I couldn't just let her go. I'd still have to protect her, from a distance if necessary, but always."

Pihu's father exhaled slowly, the reality of Rudra's words hitting him hard. He had known this would be the case—had known from the beginning that his daughter's life would never be free of the shadows that clung to Rudra. But hearing it spoken so plainly, with such honesty, made the situation all the more real.

"You're asking a lot, Rudra," Pihu's father said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of a man who understood the complexities of the world. "You're asking me to trust that you can protect my daughter, despite everything. That you can keep her safe in a world where safety isn't guaranteed."

Rudra's voice softened, becoming more personal as he continued. "I know that I can't guarantee that she'll never be in danger. But I've learned that protecting someone isn't just about shielding them from harm—it's about giving them the freedom to live their life, to make their own choices. That's what I want for Pihu. And I swear to you, I will protect her with everything I have. I will make sure that the darkness never touches her again."

The older man looked away, his gaze drifting towards the stars. He knew the world Rudra spoke of—he had seen it from afar, and he knew how ruthless it could be. He also knew that, despite the risks, there was little he could do to change the course of his daughter's life now. He studied Rudra for a long moment, the silence between them stretching on as he considered everything that had been said. He knew his daughter wasn't naive; she understood the dangers that came with being with Rudra. But she had still made her decision—a decision based not only on safety, but on the man Rudra had shown himself to be.

Finally, Pihu's father nodded, his expression softening, though the concern in his eyes remained. "You've proven yourself, Rudra. I can see that you're committed to changing, to being the man Pihu needs. I don't like the risks, but I also know that you're right. She wouldn't be safer without you—if anything, she'd be in more danger."

Rudra felt a weight lift off his shoulders, but he knew this was only the beginning. He had a long road ahead, but he was ready to walk it—no matter how difficult it might be.

"All I ask," Pihu's father continued, his voice steady but filled with emotion, "is that you keep her happiness and safety at the forefront of every decision you make. If you ever feel like the darkness is creeping back in, you do whatever it takes to protect her, even if it means making the hardest choices."

Rudra nodded, his heart heavy but resolute. "I promise, Uncle. I will protect her with everything I have."

Pihu's father looked at him for another moment before finally placing a hand on Rudra's shoulder, a gesture of acceptance. "Let's go inside. It's getting late."

Pihu returned to her room after spending time with her mother, her heart a mix of emotions—comfort from the warmth of her mother's presence, and the lingering unease from thoughts about the conversation between Rudra and her father on the terrace. As she stepped inside the room, she was met with a calm and quiet space.

The room was dimly lit, with the soft glow of a bedside lamp casting warm, golden hues across the walls. The tranquility of the room offered a stark contrast to the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind, making her feel both at ease and restless at the same time.

She took a deep breath, trying to clear her thoughts. After a moment, she decided to change into something more comfortable. Opening the closet, she pulled out a simple, soft nightgown and quickly slipped into it, savoring the cool, soothing fabric against her skin. As she tied her hair back into a loose ponytail, she heard the door click open behind her.

Pihu turned around to see Rudra walking into the room, dressed casually in a pair of sweatpants and a plain t-shirt. His hair was slightly damp, as if he had just washed his face to freshen up. There was something incredibly comforting about seeing him in such a relaxed state, stripped of all the formality and tension that often surrounded him.

Rudra smiled softly at her as he entered, his eyes scanning her face as if checking to make sure she was truly okay. "Pearl," he said, his voice low and soothing. "Did you have a good talk with your mom?"

Pihu nodded, offering him a small smile in return. "Yes, I did. It was... nice to just be with her for a while." She paused, searching his eyes. "What about you? How did things go with Papa?"

Rudra walked over to her, closing the distance between them. "It went well," he said honestly. "We talked about a lot of things—about us, about the future. He's worried, of course, but he also understands the situation. I think he just needed to hear from me that I'm committed to keeping you safe, no matter what."

Pihu's heart swelled with warmth at his words. She reached out and took his hand, lacing her fingers with his. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity, "for everything you've done. Thank You for again finding light in you."

Rudra squeezed her hand gently, his thumb brushing over her knuckles in a comforting gesture. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you're will live with me happily."

They stood there in comfortable silence for a moment, simply holding each other's gaze. There was something about this moment—so quiet and intimate—that made Pihu feel more connected to him than ever before.

Finally, Rudra broke the silence, his voice lighter as he asked, "Let's sleep. We've had a long day."

Pihu nodded, and together they walked over to the bed. Rudra climbed in first, propping himself up against the pillows, and Pihu followed, curling up beside him. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close so that her head rested against his chest.

As they lay there, the sound of Rudra's steady heartbeat in her ear, Pihu felt a sense of calm wash over her. The day had been emotionally exhausting, but being here, in this moment with him, made everything feel a little bit easier. She glanced at the ring on her finger, the beautiful pearl and peacock design catching the light. The symbolism of it, the depth of his words from earlier, all weighed on her heart, but in a good way—a way that made her feel loved and cherished.

Without thinking, she whispered, "I love you, Rudra."

Rudra, who had been gently caressing her hair, froze. His heartbeat quickened under her ear, and Pihu could feel the change in his breathing. She lifted her head slightly to look at him, her own heart racing as she realized the weight of what she had just said.

Rudra sat up slowly, pulling Pihu with him until she was straddling his lap, facing him. His eyes were wide, almost disbelieving, as they searched hers. "Please," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Please, repeat that, Pearl."

Pihu's whole face heated up, her cheeks flushing with both embarrassment and anticipation. She had just confessed her feelings, and now she was straddling him, their faces inches apart. But she didn't want to hold back anymore. She wanted him to know how much she meant every word.

"I love you, Rudra," she repeated, her voice steady despite the blush on her cheeks. "I didn't say it at the beach because I was nervous, confused, and shy... but I love you. I love the person who is now in front of me. I thought before that I would never fall for the heartless person you were. Even when I forgave you, I thought I would leave you. But you know, Rudra, the human heart is the most treacherous thing in the world. It's like a chameleon, changing its color according to the situation. It can hate the same person, curse them, even forgive and love them too. And I lost the battle against your determination to prove your love through your actions. I love you, Rudra, maybe not as intensely as you love me, but enough to spend my life with you."

Rudra's eyes softened, filling with so much emotion that Pihu felt her breath catch. His hands came up to cup her face, his thumbs gently brushing against her cheeks as he held her gaze.

"Pihu," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You don't know how long I've waited to hear those words from you."

Pihu's heart pounded in her chest as she looked into his eyes, seeing the raw sincerity in them. There was no more hesitation, no more fear. She knew what she wanted, and she knew he was the one she wanted it with.

Rudra leaned in slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to. But Pihu didn't move. Instead, she closed the distance between them, pressing her lips to his in a soft, tender kiss. It was different from the kisses they had shared before, which had often been filled with dominance and control—this one was filled with the promise of a future, with the love and trust they had built together.

Rudra's arms wrapped around her, pulling her even closer as he deepened the kiss, pouring all of his feelings into it. Pihu responded with equal fervor, her hands sliding up to his shoulders as she lost herself in the moment.

When they finally pulled back, both of them were breathing heavily, their foreheads resting against each other's. Pihu's eyes fluttered open, meeting Rudra's gaze. The love and adoration she saw there made her heart swell with happiness.

"I love you, Pearl," Rudra whispered, his voice full of reverence as if he was speaking to something precious, sacred.

Pihu smiled, a feeling of warmth spreading through her. "I love you too, Rudra," she replied softly, sealing her words with another kiss.

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other's arms, content to simply be together. After a few moments, Rudra shifted, gently lifting Pihu off his lap and settling her beside him on the bed. He pulled the covers over them, wrapping his arms around her as they lay down. Pihu nestled into his embrace, feeling the warmth of his body against hers, the steady rhythm of his breathing lulling her into a sense of security.

"Goodnight, Pearl," Rudra murmured against her hair, his lips brushing her forehead in a tender kiss.

Pihu smiled, her eyes fluttering shut as she drifted closer to sleep. "Goodnight, Rudra," she whispered back, feeling a contentment she had never known before. As she slipped into dreams, she after long time felt peace, her thoughts are clear, her emotions are not confused. She can see her future clearly with Rudra. As she is ready to future life with him wholeheartedly.

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The end.