Rakshash Aur Rajkumari (The Devil And The Princess)

24•त्यजतु

As the morning sun cast its golden glow across the living room of Rudraksha and Ambika's sacred sanctuary, the scent of sandalwood incense mingled with the aroma of freshly made aloo ka Paratha, filling the air with a sense of warmth and comfort.

Ambika, draped in a serene blue and white kalamkari printed mulmul saree, stood before the kitchen, her usual lively expression replaced by a mask of indifference and dejection. Though her sindoor, once vibrant, now sat subdued upon her forehead, and her sleek mangalsutra and heirloom bangle were the only adornments adorning her form, she remained an epitome of grace. A small black bindi adorned her forehead, reminiscent of her dark kohl eyes.

Rudraksha, clad in a pristine white dhoti and kurta, approached her with a radiant smile, balancing two plates laden with breakfast delicacies.

"Good morning," he greeted cheerfully, his voice filled with warmth.

But Ambika's response was devoid of its usual enthusiasm as she accepted one of the plates with a stoic expression. "I would like to eat alone," she stated quietly, her gaze drifting towards the balcony as she moved away.

Rudraksha felt a pang of confusion as Ambika retreated to the balcony, her demeanor distant and subdued. He was tempted to approach her and inquire about her mood, but later he realised
It must be because of last night's rejection. He had pushed her away, warned her of the dangers of getting too close to him, and now she was withdrawing into herself.

As he watched her from afar, a flicker of hope mingled with guilt surfaced within him. Perhaps, he thought, she had finally realized the futility of chasing after him, of trying to break through the walls he had erected around his heart. Maybe now, she would understand that it was better for her to focus on herself, to prioritize her own well-being above all else.

Rudraksha silently wished that Ambika would find the strength to move on from him, to forge a path of her own where she could thrive and flourish without being weighed down by his darkness.

As the birds chirped, the Ganga flowed, and the city bustled with energy, Ambika sat on the balcony chair like a mechanical puppet, mechanically eating her food.

"Rakshas?" She mulled over Rudraksha's words from the previous night. He called himself a Rakshas? But which Rakshas had ever shown kindness to a woman like he had to her?

Despite his claim, everything Rudraksha had done for her had been nothing but good. A Rakshas couldn't care for others, yet he had cared for her deeply, consistently, every single day.

"He's lying," Ambika concluded, her thoughts racing. "It's just an excuse. He must already be in love with someone else, unable to share his feelings for the other woman with me, which is why he's spewing all this nonsense."

But then why had he toyed with her emotions? It was so out of character for him. A man like Rudraksha wouldn't play with women's hearts for no reason. So why had he done it?

"Maybe he acted impulsively at the time, then regretted it and came to me like a knight in shining armor," Ambika reasoned, searching for a logical explanation amidst the chaos of her thoughts. "That must be it. There's no other explanation."

Rudraksha approached Ambika with cautious steps, his voice soft as he spoke. "You're not going out?" he inquired gently.

"It's Monday," she replied tersely, her tone carrying the weight of her emotions.

Understanding dawned on Rudraksha as he nodded. Monday was their institution's day off.

"I don't feel like going out for work either. I'll just crash at Kush's place... If you need anything, just call us. I'll make sure they keep the door open or something," he offered, his words filled with concern.