7.

Rudra was in his room, going through Ketki's details which aryan had finally been able to gather and hand to Rudra. Rudra was all smiling seeing Ketki's sweet smile. It was the thing that made him crazy.

'Chashni your smile makes my heart beat crazy what is happening to me?'

Rudra took a few breaths to calm his beating heart.

He continued reading Ketki's details when his gaze landed on a name. His soft gaze turned cold just reading the name. He clenched the tablet tightly, trying to squish it with his bare hands. He gritted his teeth.

"Samarth Kulkarni,"

he spoke, gritting his teeth.

"Why do you have to be his sister chashni? Why?" Rudra murmured, he closed his eyes to control his rage.

What he felt for Ketki was pure but his hatred of Samarth was uncontrollable. "I better stay away from her... She is innocent and got stuck between these mafia games" he threw the tablet away and lay on the bed. He closed his eyes, and the moment he closed his eyes her smiling face came in front of you

'Rudra'

he heard her whisper. He knew he was just hallucinating. He smiled his eyes still closed. It was a beautiful dream other than those nightmares he always gets.

Suddenly her expression changed, and with teary eyes, she looked at him.

"Help me, Rudra..."

Rudra shot his eyes open. he sat up leaning on the headboard. He rubbed his temple

'Why would dream something like this... Is she in danger?'

Rudra just shook his head and sighed

'Rudra just forgets about her, you don't deserve her'

He opened the drawer next to his bed and took out a bottle of pills, she popped a few pills in his mouth gulping them with water. Rudra was habitual of eating and sleeping pills cause he had bad insomnia.

He lay back again and closed his eyes, this time finally drifting off to sleep.

Next day:

Rudra woke up before his alarm rang and went to do his morning routine. He wore his gym outfit and went to the gym which was in the basement of his mansion.

He did some cardio first but that dram of was making him feel uneasy. He sighed and put on his boxing gloves.

He started punching the punching bag realising all the bottled-up anger in him. Rudra knew Ketki was in danger he still didn't know her connection with 'him' the man who was the reason behind all the mess.

He knew Samarth was incapable of protecting Ketki, he knew he had to stay away from her but also he knew he was the only one who would be able to protect her.

He sighed and continued punching the punching bag until it broke and fell. Rudra breaths heavily trying to calm himself down.

He sat down on a chair wiping his sweat, maria passed him the bottle of water. Rudra gave her a small smile and took the bottle gulping it down.

"Thinking about that girl?"

Maria asked patting Rudra's head. Rudra sighed and kept the bottle aside.

"Why is it happening, Maria? The more I want to stay away from her, the more I end up in front of her."

Rudra ruffled his messy hair making them messy even more.

"You can't fight destiny Rudra... if that girl is your destiny you won't be able to stay away even if you want destiny will bring it in front of her even in a most weirdest way"

Rudra went silent hearing her, seeing Rudra's silence Maria continued.

"Don't fight your destiny, Rudra, embrace it, it will lead you to the most beautiful path"

Maria patted his shoulder and went to prepare breakfast for her.

Rudra stayed seated there contemplating Maria's words. After thinking a lot he finally took a decision.

He hated Samarth no doubt but he genuinely cared for Ketki and would go to any extent to protect her. Even if it means helping Samarth.

He got up and went to his room to get ready for the day. He took a warm shower which calmed his nerves. After showering he got dressed into his usual black tailored suit.

He sets his hair and goes down to have his breakfast. Maria serves him breakfast. He quietly starts eating while going throw business news.

"Rudra your aunt said she found some girl for you and wants you to meet her"

Maria broke the news to Rudra, he clenched his fist tightly. When he was all alone no one came to him everyone left him to survive alone.

Now that he has made a name for himself everyone wants to take advantage of him. He was sure that the girl his aunt chose must be some gold digger.

"Tell her I am not interested. Also when she calls again don't attend it"

Rudra spoke sternly and finished his breakfast.

He got as aryan was already there to pick him up for work. Rudra got in the car aryan closed the door and got into the driving seat.

"Aryan doesn't go to the office we need to stop by at Kulkarni and co" aryan frowned, "boss?" Rudra just gave him a small nod.

"Just do as I say, I need to talk to the CEO" Aryan didn't need to be told again he started driving to the location his boss asked him to.

Soon they reached Kulkarni and Co, aryan went in to inform the receptionist.

"How may I help you sir?" the receptionist asked,

"Inform your boss that Rudra Chauhan is here to meet him"

Aryan spoke in a monotone. His eyes were sharp, his voice devoid of any emotions. Rudra has trained aryan just like him. So his presence was just the same as Rudra when it came to dominating people around him.

The receptionist knew how big the name Rudra Chauhan was, so she quickly intercom Samarth's secretary informing him about Rudra's unexpected arrival.

After speaking to Samarth's secretary the receptionist spoke.

"Sir please ask Mr. Chauhan to wait in the boss's cabin, the boss will wrap up the meeting and come"

Aryan nodded and soon Rudra was led to Samarth's cabin. Rudra looked around the cabin. It was nothing compared to his cabin.

But one thing that caught his eye was Ketki and Samarth's photo frame on his desk. A small smile formed on his lips seeing Ketki smile wide.

Soon Samarth walked into the cabin.

"Hello Mr Rudra" Samarth spoke not expecting Rudra to be here.

Rudra's eyes turned cold and he cleared his throat.

"Hello, Mr Kulkarni" Rudra spoke and took a seat in front of her.

"I hope you remember me and my sister Mr. Kulkarni" Hearing Rudra a pained expression formed in Samarth's eyes. He quickly masked it with a neutral expression.

"How can I help you Mr. Chauhan" Samarth went straight to the point he knew Rudra was not here to share pleasantries and just was here to make a deal.

"I want to marry your sister Ketki Kulkarni" Samarth eyes turned cold upon hearing Rudra, he grit his teeth and swiftly grabbed his collar,

"How dare you involve my sister, Rudra she is innocent, i get it was unable to protect your sister but don't do it to Ketki she is already suffering"

Seeing Samarth Rudra's collar aryan was ready to pull out his gun and shot the Samarth guy dead. Rudra stopped aryan and yanked off Samarth's hand from his collar and smoothened his collar.

"Right you were unable to protect my sister, then how are you sure you can protect Ketki?"

Samarth went quiet, rudra was right he was unable to protect Rudra's sister, and he was unable to protect his mother.

"But why marry ketki? What if you are using her to avenge me? How can I trust you?"

Rudra scoffed "I am not like you, only I can protect your sister from him... you know him better than me after all you both were partners once"

Rudra got up circling Samarth "You know what he can do and what not... be wise and think about it"

Samarth thought for a while, rudra stayed seated tapping the table with his fingers.

"Will you protect her? Make sure she'll be happy?" Samarth asked not sure if the decision he was taking was right or wrong.

"With my life" Rudra replied without any second thoughts.

"I'll ask her first if she agrees only then will give you an answer.." Samarth spoke,

"as you wish you have time till tomorrow"

Rudra got up ready to leave the cabin.

"Rudra" Samarth called him out, rudra looked over his shoulder.

"I am sorry for what happened to your family... And your sister.."

Rudra's expression turned cold,

"I am helping you protect her because I care for her, but that doesn't mean I forgive you...I want to protect her because you are incapable of doing it don't think otherwise I still hate you"

Samarth sighed and looked down before nodding.

"Alright I'll give you an answer by tomorrow"

Rudra without speaking anything left the cabin leaving Samarth lost in his thoughts.