55

can't believe RwR ended today. Yuvraaj went from my least liked characters to my most favourite ones. It's like he fell in love to show the world how it's done.

enjoy this sweet surprise while I go weep in the bathroom ✨

-• the beginning of an end •-

Taranya

Rudra left.

It's been four hours, and there's no news of him. He isn't picking up my calls, isn't answering my texts, isn't letting me know where he is. I've no means to reach him, and I'm bursting my head over his abrupt disappearance. It has something to do with the man Virendra brought along. That's when the shift happened, that's when Rudra appeared far away, despite being right next to me. I couldn't do anything when he ripped his hand out of mine and walked out, without glancing back. I don't think he was even aware I ran after his car until the gates, that the guards had to hold me back when he drove out at an insanely fast speed it made my heart climb my mouth in fear.

"The number you're trying to-"

Clicking my tongue, I pull the phone away and cut the call, redialling again.

"Is he still not answering?" Niharika asks softly.

I shake my head.

She inhales a deep breath, pacing back and forth in front of me as I stay seated on the end of the bed, shaking my leg anxiously. I wouldn't be this paranoid if his reaction wasn't so out of the character. Rudra is a brave man. He doesn't run away. He doesn't go into hiding. And he certainly never shuts me off so suddenly. There has to be something that drove his thoughts far out of control that he didn't even notice me screaming and running after his car. This has never happened-

"I'm sorry."

"God, I'm so sorry, Taranya."

"I want this, but- but I don't know-"

The realisation sinks in. I slap a hand over my mouth. Niharika stops pacing the room and looks down at me curiously. I meet her eyes, my own wide, and I blink in shock.

"Wha- What's wrong?" She whispers, concern coating her rich timbre.

"This is Manohar Jadega."

"Do you remember him?"

"How would he, Virendra?"

"He was a child back then. Only eight or nine years old. And he was always fast asleep whenever I stopped by to meet him."

I drop my face in my hands as the undisputed reality of my husband's past crashes down on me. My chest constricts and a heavy, loud sob breaks through my mouth, muffled in my hands as I hunch over, unable to hold myself together. My knees crash to the floor and I struggle to breath through the unceasing cries. Niharika rushes over to me, sinks to her knees in front of me and takes me in her arms, wrapping them around me as I weep hard. I hold onto her, scared that if she lets me go, I might just break down in pieces. It isn't empathy that I'm feeling. Neither is it pity. It's his grief, as if the tunnel that I had once begged to be between us so his pain could be transferred to mine is finally opened, and I'm feeling every last detail of his heart-rending past.

"Tara, you're scaring me. What is it?" Niharika runs a hand down my back, trying her hardest to calm me down, but failing because having a shoulder to cry on makes me feel guilty, for the man I love is alone somewhere, caught up in the storm of his childhood.

The man I love.

The man I love. Oh God, the man I love.

I love him.

"I love him," I gasp out softly, struggling to breath as I pull away. "I love him," I tell her, because I need to tell someone, I need to hear myself say those words, and let the feeling settle in, embrace me, "I love him so much." She smiles wistfully, nodding at me slowly.

"You should," her chin trembles. "He's made to be loved."

That makes me break down again. Because why didn't I realise that before? Why did I not tell him how much I love him, how much he matters to me, how much he means to me? Why did I not tell him that I'd break my constellation and fall to his feet if he ever wished for my light? Why did I not tell him that deep in my soul, from the first moment of my existence, to the last time I breathed, and to all the times my heart will go on, I was always his, will remain his?

I sit on the floor, my back to the bed end and I sniffle, wiping the quiet tears that continue to roll down my eyes. "He must be in so much pain."

She rubs my arm soothingly.

"God, he must be in so much pain." I cup my face and my shoulders shake again. I sob in the cup of my palms. "I hate this. I hate the thought of him suffering those memories again, alone, as if he doesn't deserve to be consoled and loved."

Niharika frowns, but doesn't pry deeper. It's not her place to ask. And it's not my place to tell her anything. We both understand that as we keep each other company for the night.

Niharika falls asleep on the bed late in the night. I slide the balcony doors closed and step outside in the cold air. Holding the phone in my hand, I scroll through the contacts and press on Amir's number. He answers on the first ring.

"Did you find him?"

"No, Ma'am. I've been driving around for six hours now. He's nowhere. Neither at his offices, nor at the family farmhouse." He answers, sounding disgruntled.

"Is there some place he prefers to go to when he's stressed or feeling down?"

"None that I know of," comes his reply.

I let go of a troubled breath. "Alright, I'll try calling my brother. Maybe he knows something?"

"Sure, and if you get in touch with him first, please let me know. I'll keep searching around the city until then."

"Okay, thanks," hanging up, I pull the phone away and scroll deeper until I find Yuvraaj's number. The ring goes on until the call disconnects on its own after an automated voice note. I try again, crossing my fingers in hope that he picks up his phone and gives me the answer I'm dying to hear.

"Hello,"

A stifled breath leaves my mouth hearing his voice. "Bhai," I whisper nervously.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Is Rudra with you?" I ask softly.

He goes quiet for a split second, and I reach for the sliver of hope that shows through the darkness, "No," its snatched from my hand before I could even catch it. "He called me this afternoon asking me about one of the test subjects. That's all. What's wrong?"

"Nothing -"

"Taranya," he cuts me off, addressing me sternly.

"Something happened, and he left and he hasn't returned home yet."

"How long has it been?"

"Over seven hours?" I assume.

"Seven?" Yuvraaj repeats incredulously. "That's not like him. He won't go off grid for that long without notifying me. What happened exactly?"

"Virendra brought one of his friends home. It has to be that man." I state.

"What man? What are you talking about? Be precise."

I release a strangled breathe. "Rudra and I were coming back from a date. That's when Amir stopped us in the hallway to inform about the friend Virendra brought along. The men were sitting in the living room when we showed up. Rudra didn't want to stay around to exchange pleasantries or greetings but Virendra stopped him. He introduced his friend as Monohar Jadega, and asked if Rudra remembers the man. Manohar said that's not possible since every time- every time he stopped by to meet the boy he was fast- fast-" I choke up on the last word, holding the iron grill as I lean over and try to take deep breaths.

"Fuck." Yuvraaj swears under his breath. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I need to know where he is. I'll call you later. Don't worry, I'll find him. Okay? I'll find him. He'll come back to you. He's okay."

"What if he's not?" I whimper as tears spill out of my eyes.

"He has to be. He has spent over a decade building himself to be the man he is now. He won't collapse so soon. Listen to me, Taranya, Rudra is a force to be reckoned with, do you hear me?" I nod, the breath hitching in my throat as I hum. "He's indestructible. His past is not changing that. I'll find him. And I'll bring him back to you." Conviction reflects in his tone. It makes breathing easier again. "That's my promise to you." Then he hangs up and I lean over, bracing the railing as I burst out in tears for the umpteenth time.

Sliding down, I sit on the floor and hug my knees to my chest, resting my temple on the iron bar as I stare out in the direction of the palace gardens.

He's here.

That man is under the same roof as me.

Maybe he's laughing, enjoying a drink, remembering how he used a defenseless, innocent kid for his fleeting pleasures.

I work my jaw, clench my hands into fists and take deep breaths. The rage makes me see red, but I've to act wisely. He's going to pay. I'm going to make him pay.

The revenge my husband wants?

It's about to start, and what's more beautiful than sacrificing a life for a greater cause, for a grand beginning?

Getting up from the floor, I walk back inside the room and go to my closet, opening his wardrobe and checking through the drawers. The black glock sits proudly inside, nestled next to its cartridge. Bless my brother for teaching me how to shoot, and bless him more for teaching me how to fight.

I never learned self defense.

That's not what I'll ever call it.

I learned how to fight, and fighters attack first.

I wrap the gun in a black scarf and stuff it inside my purse, hiding it underneath my wristlet bag and water bottle. Zipping it close, I put it in the shelf and walk out of the closet, trying not to overthink my decision.

The next morning, Niharika wakes up to see me fiddling around with Rudra's computer. I spent two hours trying to find something, but every time I open a folder or a file or an application, it asks for password and I fail to come up with anything. Rudra is not dumb like the normal folks to use names or birthdays as passwords.

"Still no news?" She asks through a yawn.

I shake my head, mindlessly moving the cursor along the screen.

"He's an adult, Taranya. Don't worry so much. I'm sure he's fine. Maybe he just needs time and space. He'll be back." She gets off the bed, patting my shoulder in reassurance before leaving the room to get ready for the day.

I force myself out of the chair and take a long shower, bracing my hands on the wall as I duck my head underneath the lukewarm water. It sprays down my head and back, warming up my stiff muscles. I go lax against the wall, pushing my long hair back, and tilting my head up. When I step out of the shower stall, the sweet bruises on my skin stand out in my reflection, scattered across my body like freckles. The imprints of his hands on my hips, his teeth marks in the nook of my neck, and reddish purple hues spread all over my collarbones and chest. I feather my fingers over them, some of them sting, and instead of pain, I remember the pleasure.

Dabbing my skin dry, I put on a black bodycon dress, tie my hair in a pony and put on some light make up to camouflage the dark circles and pale cheekbones. Grabbing my purse from the shelf, I slip on the diamond studded pumps and saunter out of my room, descending the stairs slowly. The sound of heels makes me look over my shoulder. Dressed in black trousers and a white cashmere blouse, Niharika offers me a tender smile. I smile back, waiting for her as she joins me and we head to the dining hall together.

As she lifts her hand to push the door open, the familiar laughter booms from inside the room and my hand shoots up, stopping her abruptly. She eyes me in confusion. "What happened?"

I've to compose myself before I face those monsters again. They're laughing, priding on the fact that they ruin innocent lives, and selfishly put their greed above everyone's needs, unashamed and painstakingly cruel.

"Open it," I stand straight, nodding at her.

"You sure?" She asks, brushing off the sweat that rolls down my temple. I quickly snatch my handkerchief out of the purse and pat my face hurriedly. "I'm opening the door," she tells me. I nod. As she pushes the doors open, we stand face to face with three men that appear human like but are completely grotesque from the inside.

The Chairman smiles upon seeing Niharika and waves her over, welcoming me with a curt nod that I'm forced to return with a polite good morning. I sit down on my usual chair, and have to grip the plate tightly in case I smash it on the man's face who grins at me shamelessly. Ignoring the men, I pour myself a glass of fruit juice and have my usual breakfast. I don't eat, I just pretend to, because I need to play it normal.

"So, what are our plans for today?" The bastard asks Virendra.

He shrugs. "Whatever you want. We can go to the golf club, or hit a club."

I almost raise my hand to stab the fork in his eyes.

"Nah, I want to stay indoors and have fun." Manohar says, smiling brashly.

I can't believe this man.

How can he not realise the severity of his crimes? How can he not feel an ounce of guilt for molesting an innocent kid? Does he not have a conscience? How can he sleep knowing what he did? How can anyone ever live with that kind of sin on their hands?

"In the palace?" Virendra suggests.

I quickly pull my phone to my lap and hit a text to Niharika. She reads it and frowns at me. I nod at her subtly.

"Uhm, why don't you take your friend to the farmhouse, Uncle?" She leans over the table, looking at the men with a smile. "It's private, secluded from the hustle bustle of the city, and has an in-house bar. I'm sure your friend will love it."

"What do you say, Manohar? Like the sound of it?" Virendra turns to look at the likes of him he calls friend.

Manohar nods impressively. "Sure, let's go there."

"And Manohar, it's been so long since I last saw you. Where have you been?" The Chairman inquires.

"US, Uncle." Manohar smiles.

"And what brought you here?"

He shrugs. "Virendra called me. Said there's someone I'd love to meet again." His eyes flicker to me, then to the ring on my finger, referring to my husband. I curl my hand into a fist, covering my pious ring with my thumb. "Wasn't disappointed."

Virendra nods, smiling so huge I get goosebumps all over my arms.

"Thanks for the breakfast. Have a great day ahead." I get up from the chair and walk out of the dining hall.

"Taranya!" My feet halt hearing my fake father-in-law. I turn around, clutching my bag in a trembling fist as he approaches me. He stops in front of me, no trace of amusement in his eyes as he regards me with a serious look. "I didn't bring him here for fun. I brought him here because I wanted Rudra to know."

"Why?" I hiss, stepping closer. "Have you no fucking shame? What kind of man are you?" I growl out in a low voice.

"Selfish." Virendra sneers. "I know Rudra is planning to take down the entire Rajawat Corporation. I don't give a fuck. He can kill my father if he wants to. But I need something to survive, don't you think?" He tilts his head to the side. "Manohar doesn't know what Rudra is capable of. He still thinks I control that boy. He's so impudent and brave because he has no idea what he has walked into."

I clench my jaw. "What do you want?"

"Twenty Million Dollars."

My brows snap together in disbelief.

"It's not a big amount for your brother and husband. They won't give me because they know I'm of no threat to them. And I'm not. I admit that. But I feel I've done a great favour on your husband. And if you want him," he points over his shoulder, referring to Manohar, "I need the money."

I scoff out a mocking laugh. "You really think you deserve to live a life of luxury after the sins you've committed?"

"Of course, I don't." He says nonchalantly. "But has morals ever defeated the greed?"

I sigh. "Twenty Million Dollars?"

Virendra nods.

"Get him to the farmhouse first." I put on my sunglasses and walk out, dialing Amir's number on my way. He answers immediately.

"Yes, Ma'am?"

"I need your help, Amir. Are you available?"

"My duty is you, Mrs. Rajawat. I'm always at your service."

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote and comment. Makes my day.