Shourya was looking for Khushi, and he found her at the garden. Approaching her, Shourya saw her crying, and he immediately side-hugged her, murmuring sorry. She hugged him back.
After a few seconds, Khushi came out of the hug, wiped her tears, and said, "Shourya, do you know how much I want Maitree to be my sister? I have wished it a million times since the moment I met her," and with a big breath, she continued, "but if she isn't, my perfect dream will be broken with the truth." Looking at him, she said, "Let me just live in my perfect world for a little longer."
"I am sorry; I shouldn't have interfered in this. I didn't mean to hurt you. I am so sorry, Khushi," Shourya said, hugging her. Khushi cried a little longer in his embrace.
_______
"Where is Khushi?" Maitree asked Shourya, looking around.
"She is here somewhere," Rudra said, glancing around.
"I haven't seen her today," she said in a disappointed tone to Rudra and looked at her bangles, pouting.
"You are really excited about the bangles," Rudra said with a smile.
"Rudra, I have never belonged anywhere, and this tiny little thing is like I sort of have a place," Maitree said, shrugging.
Rudra wanted to tell her so badly that she might have a place, too, but the word 'might' is the only thing standing between him and saying it.
Rudra held her hand, and all he wanted to say was 'I am your home,' but instead, he said, "Do you wanna dance?" pointing at the guests, Aradhya, Varun, and Nalini dancing to 'Bole Chudiyan.'
"Yes," she said, dragging him to the dance floor to join the rest of them.
As the music swirled around them, Rudra and Maitree joined the lively dance floor. The vibrant beats of "Bole Chudiyan" filled the air, and they seamlessly blended into the rhythm.
Rudra, being a natural dancer, moved with grace and confidence. He twirled Maitree with finesse, creating a whirlwind of colors as her vibrant attire spun around. Maitree, despite not having as much experience, followed his lead effortlessly, her eyes sparkling with joy.
The dance floor became their own little world, away from the worries and uncertainties. Rudra and Maitree exchanged smiles, their movements synchronized
As the song reached its crescendo, Rudra pulled Maitree closer, their laughter blending with the music. The dance concluded with a flourish, and they found themselves in the midst of claps and cheers from the onlooker.
Rudra and Maitree shared a breathless moment, their smiles reflecting the joy of the impromptu dance.
As they stepped off the dance floor, Maitree couldn't help but gush, "That was amazing! I never knew dancing could be so much fun."
Rudra chuckled, "Well, you're a natural. It's all about enjoying the moment."
Maitree looked around, noticing Khushi. She went to see her, running past Rudra.
Approaching her, Maitree asked, "Where were you?" and then, noticing Khushi's eyes, Maitree asked, getting worried, "Did you cry? Is everything okay?"
"I am fine. I just got a little emotional," Khushi said, looking at Maitree, "about Anjali and the baby," Khushi said, touching Maitree's cheek.
Maitree smiled, not convinced. She raised her eyebrows, looking at Shourya, who was standing a few steps behind Khushi, silently asking, 'What happened?'
He just blinked and smiled, indicating, 'It's nothing.'
Maitree looped her arm around Khushi's and dragged her to the dance floor. Khushi hesitated at first, her emotions still lingering, but then she let go and danced with Maitree.
The rhythmic beats of the music, the laughter of both of them, and the vibrant atmosphere of the celebration enveloped them. As they twirled and swayed to the music.
Shourya and Rudra observed their smiling faces.
"How is Khushi?" Rudra asked.
"She's okay," Shourya said, nodding.
"Do you really think?" Rudra asked, still looking at the girls dancing.
"Maybe, maybe not. Either way, I don't want to know. Nobody wants to know. So, what's the point?" Shourya said, shrugging.
'What about Maitree's happiness? If Manasi aunty is her mom, she will want to know that she has a mom, a family,' Rudra thought, worried, looking at Maitree.
Shourya, sensing Rudra's internal struggle, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Sometimes, it's better not to unravel certain mysteries. Let them find their happiness, even if it means living with a little uncertainty."
Rudra nodded still uncertain and unconvinced.
_______
After godhbarai, Maitree changed and was sitting on the garden swing set in a white kurta and white pants, pulling her knees to her chest.
Rudra came with two mugs of coffee and handed one to her. She murmured, "Thank you," with a smile.
"You had fun?" Rudra asked, taking a sip.
Maitree nodded, smiling. "You are so lucky, Rudra. You have a wonderful family."
"That I am," Rudra smiled, nodding in agreement.Rudra, sensing her thoughts, said, "You're a part of this too, you know. They adore you."
Maitree looked at him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and a hint of vulnerability. "I've never had this before. It's new."
Rudra reached over and gently squeezed her hand. "You're not alone anymore, Maitree. You have us."
"Rudra, Vatsel is my ex-boyfriend," Maitree said with a small smile, touching the rims of the coffee mug. Rudra looked on, curious.
"He asked me out at a medical conference two years ago and then asked me to marry him, but he got married 24 hours later," Maitree said, looking at him with her eyes filled with tears.
"What?" Rudra said, a little shocked.
"It took a lot out of me. I was in shock. He promised me the world and then shattered without a second thought. I always thought, why me?" Maitree said, holding Rudra's hand.
"I finally know why. You had to come into my life to show me that not everyone is like him, that there are good people who care and stay true to their words," Maitree continued, her voice steady but filled with emotion.
"Maitree, I..." Rudra began to say something, but Maitree intervened, saying, "Please let me finish. You have always been the expressive one, but today it's going to be me. I love you, Rudra.I didn't plan for this to happen, but you came into my life, and everything changed. You've shown me what genuine care and kindness look like.I need you to know how much you mean to me. I've never felt this way before, and it scares me, but it also feels right. You're someone I can see my future with."
"Maitree, I love you too," Rudra said, looking into her eyes and chuckling a little. "I always knew I loved you but, I didn't know how much I love you until this moment." Cupping her cheeks, he continued, "Until I heard it from you. I love you so much, Maitree. I don't even know how to explain how much I love you..."
Rudra was about to continue when Maitree kissed him. Rudra, momentarily stunned, quickly surrendered to the warmth of the kiss. He put his arm around her, tangling his fingers in her hair, and reciprocated with equal passion.
As Maitree pulled away from the kiss, a whirlwind of emotions danced in her eyes. The kiss had been a culmination of unspoken desires. Her heart, which had been beating rapidly with vulnerability and anticipation, now seemed to synchronize with Rudra's. The world around them faded into insignificance, and all that remained was the lingering taste of the kiss—a sweet blend of coffee.
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Threads of Destiny
Romance"I'm not interested in you, so I don't want to know anything about you," Maitree stated firmly. Rudraksh, responded with a playful tone, "Well, maybe you should go on more dates with me. You might find yourself becoming interested once you get to kn...
