As the tension of the night began to dissipate, Ram, always the one to lighten the mood, noticed Abhi and Sashi standing close, sharing a quiet moment together. A playful grin spread across his face, and he dramatically raised his hands to cover his eyes. “Hey, you two lovebirds! You might want to watch out—there are still a couple of bachelors lurking around here!” he teased, his voice full of mischief.
Sashi blushed slightly and laughed, while Abhi shook his head with a grin, pulling Sashi a little closer in a protective, yet affectionate gesture. Ram’s playful comment was just the kind of humor they all needed after the heavy emotions of the evening. Nand, always quick on the uptake, immediately realized that Ram was referring to both of them. He raised an eyebrow, pretending to take offense. “Hold on a second, Ram. You’re talking like we’re both in the same boat here. But I’ll have you know, I actually have a girlfriend. So that leaves only one realAs Rudra reached the door to the room, he paused, hearing the soft murmur of voices from within. He hesitated, his hand hovering just above the handle, and then decided to wait. Through the thin barrier of the door, he could make out Ambika’s soothing tone and Gnapika’s more anxious replies. Though he couldn’t catch every word, the snippets he heard made his heart swell with a mix of emotions. Rudra leaned against the wall, his mind replaying Sashi’s advice from earlier in the evening. Maybe she was right—maybe things could be fixed. Maybe, just maybe, the walls between him and his family could be slowly brought down. Listening to Ambika reassure Gnapika, hearing the faintest hint of hope in their words, he felt something stir within him—something that had been dormant for far too long. He waited outside the door, patience that had been hard-won over years of regret and longing now holding him in place. He knew this wasn’t the moment to intrude. This was a time for mother and dau
After listening to Rudra's heartfelt apology, Ambika remained silent for a moment, her mind racing with thoughts she had long buried. The air between them was thick with tension, the weight of fifteen years of pain and unresolved questions pressing down on them both.Finally, she broke the silence, her voice calm but tinged with a sharp edge. “Did you get what you wanted, Rudra?” she asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him. “Did you gain the powers you were so desperate to have all your life?”Rudra flinched as her words struck him with the force of the truth he had tried to ignore. He felt a deep sense of guilt wash over him, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his choices. Lowering his head, he replied in a quiet, remorseful tone, “Yes, Ambika. I got them.”Ambika’s gaze didn’t waver, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—disappointment, maybe even resignation. “And these powers,” she continued, her voice growing colder, “did you
The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm, golden light over the mansion. The air outside was crisp and fresh, with a gentle breeze that carried the scent of blooming flowers. Inside, the house was quiet, each occupant lost in their own thoughts from the night before. Ambika had risen early, unable to sleep after the intense conversation with Rudra. The stillness of the morning felt comforting, and she decided to busy herself in the kitchen, hoping that a familiar routine might help her clear her mind. She moved with purpose, her hands deftly gathering ingredients, her thoughts a whirl of emotions she wasn’t ready to confront just yet. As she worked, the aroma of fresh coffee and spices began to fill the kitchen. The smell was inviting, a blend of comfort and nostalgia. Ambika found herself humming softly, an old tune that she hadn’t sung in years. It was something about being in the kitchen, about preparing a meal for her
Rudra entered the kitchen, his face darkening as he saw Ambika busy at the stove. The sight of her working, her hands moving swiftly and efficiently, sent a pang through his chest. Memories flooded back—memories of how he had always insisted that she never lift a finger, how she had been the queen of his palace, cherished and protected from any form of labor. It was a jarring contrast to see her like this, cooking breakfast as though she hadn’t been the lady of the house but a woman who had been forced to fend for herself. His gaze shifted to the servants, who stood idly by the doorway, uncertain of what to do. Anger flared within him, and without thinking, Rudra lashed out. “What are you all standing around for? Can’t you see she’s working? Why aren’t you helping her?” His voice was sharp, his words biting as he directed his frustration at the nearest servant. The servants exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to respond. They knew better than to de
As the family gathered around the breakfast table, the mood was lighter, if only by a fraction. Gnapika was the first to greet everyone, her smile radiant as she took her seat. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, and Gnapika’s eyes lit up as she surveyed the spread before her.“Mom, you always make my favorite dishes,” she said cheerfully, her voice brimming with appreciation. “This looks amazing!”Ambika smiled softly at her daughter, finding a small sense of solace in the familiarity of the routine. Watching Gnapika enjoy the meal she had prepared was a comfort, a reminder of the life they had built together despite everything.As everyone began to eat, Abhi’s gaze wandered over the array of dishes on the table. He recognized the flavors, the combinations that had been carefully chosen. A thought crossed his mind, and he couldn’t help but voice it. “You know, Ambika,” he said, his tone playful but with a hint of insight, “for someone who’s b
After breakfast, the family slowly made their way to the hall, their spirits lifted slightly by the meal they had just shared. Gnapika, Nand, and Ram were already engrossed in playful banter, their laughter filling the room as they exchanged light-hearted jabs and inside jokes. The warmth of their camaraderie was a welcome distraction from the heavier emotions that had dominated the past days.Ambika, who had been quiet throughout the meal, finally broke her silence. She looked around at her family, her expression calm but resolute. “We should head back to Dharmagiri this evening,” she announced, her voice clear and steady.For a moment, the room fell silent as everyone processed her words. The shock on their faces quickly gave way to joy. Abhi was the first to speak, his tone enthusiastic. “That’s a great decision, Ambika! It’s about time we all went back home.”Rajeev and Gowthami exchanged happy glances, their hearts swelling at the thought of returning
As the family's excitement lingered in the air, Gowthami, who had been smiling moments before, suddenly turned serious. Her gaze shifted toward Rudra, and with a tone that immediately quieted the room, she spoke up. "Before we go back to Dharmagiri, there’s something I need to figure out." Rudra, whose thoughts were already swirling, looked at her with a mixture of confusion and concern. "What is it?" he asked, trying to gauge the seriousness in her voice. Gowthami took a deep breath before continuing. "I found a hidden room in my bedroom. When I opened it and went inside, I discovered some old photos. After seeing them, I passed out. I need to know who those people are." Her words hung in the air, casting a somber shadow over the group. Ram and Nand exchanged glances, recalling the incident when Gowthami had suddenly fallen unconscious. It had been a shocking moment, one that was quickly overshadowed by the whirlwind of
But Gnapika wasn’t so easily swayed. She had been watching her father closely, her instincts telling her that something wasn’t right. There was a tension in Rudra that she couldn’t ignore, a resistance that made her all the more suspicious. As much as everyone else seemed willing to let the matter drop, she wasn’t ready to do the same. “What’s the issue with having a quick look at those photos?” Gnapika asked, her voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. Her tone was calm, but there was an edge to it that made everyone pause. “I get that we’re heading back to Dharmagiri, but it won’t take long to check them out. It’s just a matter of a few minutes.” Rudra, who had been trying to think of a way to steer the conversation away from the photos, felt a wave of unease wash over him. Gnapika wasn’t backing down, and he knew she was perceptive enough to sense that he was hiding something. He searched for a plausible excuse, anything tha