"Innocence and Intrigue"

Part 35

Rudransh's POV:

I woke up feeling like I got hit by a truck, body aching from head to toe. But then I saw her, my butterfly, sleeping peacefully, and suddenly, everything else faded away. She looked so serene, so beautiful, it calmed me down instantly.

I got dressed in my gym gear and headed to the gym, hoping a good workout would shake off some of this stiffness. Raj was late today, and when I asked him why, all I got was a half-hearted apology. I shrugged it off and focused on my own exercises.

But then I heard Raj yelling at Vikram. It seemed like he was always looking for a fight, that guy. Vikram, being older than Raj by a year, didn't seem too bothered though. He just kept to himself and continued with his workout.

I couldn't be bothered with their drama. I finished up and left the gym, leaving them to their own devices.

Nitya's POV:

My peaceful slumber was rudely interrupted by some noise, and I groggily opened my eyes, feeling irritated. Who could possibly be knocking at this ungodly hour? I dragged myself out of bed and trudged to the door, only to find Sunitha aunty standing there.

"Good morning, aunty," I greeted her, trying to shake off my sleepiness.

"Good morning, beta," she replied, her smile as warm as ever.

We both entered the room, and I watched as aunty summoned the maid, instructing her to come inside. Then, she handed a bag over to aunty.

As I stood there, Auntie approached me, handing over a bag and instructing me to get ready in the saree inside. I nodded in acknowledgment, replying with a simple "Okay, Aunty." But her response caught me off guard.

She told me, "Beta, why do you call me Aunty? You're just like Rudransh to me. If you want, you can call me Maa or Mom, whatever you're comfortable with. And don't ever feel like you're a guest here. This is your home, and everyone here is your family. If you ever face any problems, you can come to me, Rudransh, or anyone in the family, and we'll help you through it, okay?"Her words touched me deeply, and tears welled up in my eyes. They were accepting me unconditionally, without even knowing my story. I made a silent vow to myself that I wouldn't let them down, not for as long as I lived.

With a shaky voice, I managed to say, "Okay, Maa," as she left the room, mentioning she had some tasks to attend to. She assured me that if I needed any help, I could call her, and if she was occupied, I could reach out to Priya or Ishu. I affirmed her with another "Okay, Maa."

After she left, I composed myself and proceeded with my morning routine. I headed to the bathroom, completing my daily rituals, and then carefully draped the saree. Now, I stood in front of the mirror, drying my hair, feeling a warmth in my heart from the newfound sense of belonging in this family.

Rudransh's POV:

As I opened the door, the sight before me stole my breath away. She looked irresistibly stunning in that red saree, radiating a captivating allure. All I wanted was to shield her from the harshness of the world that seemed to prey on innocence like hers. My gaze traced the curves of her figure, the way her hair cascaded down to her hips, a vision of ethereal beauty.

Lost in my thoughts, I was jolted back to reality by a sound. I turned to see her, my butterfly, scolding herself. Even in her moments of self-doubt, she appeared adorable to me. Watching her apply sindoor to her hairline filled me with a sense of possessiveness, a declaration that she belonged to me and no one else.

Entering the room, she turned towards me, seeking my opinion on her appearance. I was at a loss for words. Should I tell her she looked irresistibly sexy or confess that she was causing a turmoil within me? Seeing her pout, I couldn't help but smile. How could she think for a moment that she was anything less than breathtaking?

Drawing closer to her, I reassured her, telling her she looked beautiful and urging her not to doubt herself. Her cheeks flushed crimson at my words, and I realized how delicate her confidence could be. I watched her intently as she absorbed my compliment, her smile a testament to the impact of my words.

As she prepared to leave, I reminded her to be careful on the stairs, unwilling to risk even the slightest harm befalling her. With a nod and a smile, she acknowledged my concern, her trust in me evident in her every gesture.

All I desired was to preserve that smile on her face, to shield her from the darkness of the world. I vowed to protect her happiness at all costs, to ensure that her radiance never faded away.

Nitya's POV:

Stepping into the hall, I greeted Rudransh's grandparents with respect, seeking their blessings before turning to see his father descending the stairs. I repeated the gesture, seeking his blessings as well. Just then, Rudransh's mother emerged from the kitchen, approaching me with warmth.

She reminded me that it was my "pehli rasoi," my first time cooking for the family. She suggested I prepare something sweet, offering her help if needed. However, I assured her that I knew how to cook and insisted on handling it myself. I remembered Rudransh mentioning everyone's favorite dishes when he introduced me to their family photos, but I was uncertain about his preferences.

My thoughts were interrupted as his mother guided me towards the kitchen. I took the opportunity to ask her a question that had been lingering in my mind. "Maa, what is Rudransh ji's favorite food?" I inquired, hoping to prepare something special for him. Her response surprised me.

She explained that Rudransh didn't have a specific favorite dish; he simply enjoyed homemade food over restaurant meals. Encouraged by her words, I felt relieved of the pressure to impress him with a particular dish. With her guidance, I entered the kitchen, greeted by the kitchen staff whom she introduced to me. She assured me of her support, reminding me that she was just a call away.

With a sense of determination and gratitude for her support, I began my task, ready to cook with love and sincerity for Rudransh and his family.

***********************************************************************************************Author's Note:English is not my native language, so I appreciate your understanding if there are any errors in my writing. Your feedback is valuable to me, so please let me know in the comments if you enjoyed my story or if there's anything I can improve upon. Thank you for your support, and I look forward to seeing you again soon!