𝐅𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐀 : 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮

Chapter - 26

THE DEPARTURE  OR REUNION OF ANOTHER WEDDING

The sky was painted in hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the palace grounds. Ekanksh's car rolled to a stop in front of the imposing gates, and he stepped out onto the gravel driveway, his mind filled with thoughts of the day's events.

As he approached the group gathered outside the palace, Ekanksh noticed the solemn expressions on the faces of the Udaipur and Jodhpur kings. Sensing something amiss, he quickened his pace, his heart pounding in his chest as he reached them.

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice laced with concern as he addressed the Udaipur king.

The king sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping with weariness as he met Ekanksh's gaze. "Ekanksh, we're leaving for Udaipur," he explained, his voice tinged with regret. "The wedding festivities in Jodhpur have come to an end, and we have responsibilities to attend to back home."

Ekanksh's heart sank at the news, a knot forming in the pit of his stomach as he realized what this meant. "But what about Vamika?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Is she coming with you?"

The Udaipur king shook his head, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I'm afraid not, Ekanksh," he replied. "Vamika has taken leave from the hospital to recover from her injury, but she'll be returning to work soon. She needs to be back in Udaipur to resume her duties as a cardiologist."

A wave of panic washed over Ekanksh at the thought of being separated from Vamika, his mind racing with a thousand unanswered questions. He had grown accustomed to having her by his side, her presence a source of comfort and strength in the midst of the chaos that surrounded him. The idea of being apart from her, even for a short time, filled him with a sense of dread he couldn't shake.

Without a word, Ekanksh turned and hurried into the palace, his footsteps echoing in the empty corridors as he made his way to the terrace. He knew that's where he would find Vamika, lost in her own thoughts as she gazed out at the fading light of day.

As he stepped onto the terrace, Ekanksh's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Vamika sitting alone in the gathering darkness, her silhouette outlined against the evening sky. He approached her slowly, his footsteps hesitant as he took in the sight of her, her posture slumped and her expression distant.

"Vamika," he called softly, his voice barely a whisper as he reached out to touch her shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Vamika didn't respond, her eyes fixed on the horizon as she continued to stare into the distance. Ekanksh felt a pang of frustration at her silence, his concern giving way to impatience as he repeated his question.

"Vamika, please," he urged, his voice tinged with desperation. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

But still, Vamika remained silent, her silence a barrier between them as thick as stone. Ekanksh felt a surge of anger rising within him, his frustration boiling over as he struggled to make sense of her behavior.

"Damn it, Vamika," he snapped, his voice tinged with frustration as he grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently. "Say something. Anything."

And then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed. As Ekanksh looked into Vamika's eyes, he saw a single tear slip down her cheek, her expression a mask of pain and sorrow. In that moment, all his anger and frustration melted away, replaced by a deep well of compassion and understanding.

Without a word, Ekanksh pulled Vamika into his arms, holding her close as she buried her face against his chest, her tears soaking through his shirt. He could feel the weight of her sorrow pressing against him, the burden of her pain a heavy load he was determined to share.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion as he held her tightly. "I'm sorry for everything. Please forgive me."

And as they stood together on the terrace, their hearts entwined in a silent embrace, Ekanksh knew that no matter what the future held, they would face it together, united in their love and their shared determination to overcome any obstacle that stood in their way.

Vamika's sobs echoed through the night air, her tears staining Ekanksh's shirt as she clung to him, her heart heavy with sorrow and longing. Ekanksh held her close, his own heart aching at the sight of her pain, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts and emotions.

"Shh, my love, it's okay," he whispered soothingly, his voice a gentle murmur in her ear as he stroked her hair, trying to calm her trembling form. "Please don't cry. Everything will be alright, I promise."

But Vamika's tears showed no signs of abating, her grief overwhelming as she struggled to find words to express the depth of her despair. "Ekanksh," she choked out between sobs, her voice raw with emotion. "I don't want to go. I want to stay with you. I want to be by your side, always."

Ekanksh's heart clenched at her words, a surge of love and tenderness flooding through him as he held her tighter, his own eyes stinging with unshed tears. He had never felt more helpless, more desperate to ease her pain and make everything right.

And then, in a moment of clarity, he knew what he had to do. He had to tell her the truth, to lay bare his heart and soul before her, and let her decide for herself what path she wanted to take.

"Vamika, my Jaan," Ekanksh began, his voice steady despite the tumult of emotions raging within him. "There's something I need to tell you. But first, please, stop crying. Take a deep breath and listen to me."

Vamika sniffled and wiped her tears, her eyes searching his face for any sign of what he was about to say. With a shaky inhale, she nodded, her expression a mixture of apprehension and hope.

"Before the wedding day of the prince of Jodhpur," Ekanksh continued, his gaze never wavering from hers, "the kings of Udaipur and Jodhpur came to me to discuss our marriage."

Vamika's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat as she processed his words. "Our marriage?" she repeated, her voice barely a whisper as the weight of his revelation sank in.

Ekanksh nodded solemnly, his heart pounding in his chest as he prepared to reveal the truth. "Yes, Vamika. They came to propose a marriage alliance between us, and I... I agreed."

A wave of disbelief washed over Vamika, her mind reeling with the implications of Ekanksh's confession. "But why?" she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "Why would you agree to marry me?"

Ekanksh took a deep breath, his resolve steeling as he met Vamika's gaze with unwavering determination. "Because I love you, Vamika," he declared, his voice ringing with sincerity. "More than anything in this world. And I couldn't bear the thought of being apart from you, even for a moment."

Tears welled up in Vamika's eyes at his words, her heart overflowing with a mixture of joy and disbelief. "But what about... us?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper as she gestured between them.

Ekanksh smiled tenderly, his eyes shining with love as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small ring box. "There is no 'us' without you, Vamika," he said softly, his voice filled with warmth and affection. "You are my everything, my soulmate, my partner in crime. And I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy."

With trembling hands, Ekanksh opened the ring box to reveal a sparkling diamond ring nestled inside. He took a deep breath and knelt down on one knee before Vamika, his heart pounding in his chest as he held out the ring to her.

"Vamika, will you marry me?" he asked, his voice filled with hope and love. "Will you be my wife, my partner, my everything?"

Vamika's breath caught in her throat at the sight of the ring, her heart soaring with joy at the realization of what Ekanksh was asking her. Through her tears, she managed to nod, her voice choked with emotion as she whispered her response.

"Yes, Ekanksh," she said softly, her eyes shining with love and happiness. "Yes, a thousand times yes."

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Vamika held out her hand to Ekanksh, her heart overflowing with love as he slipped the ring onto her finger. And in that moment, as they sealed their love with a tender kiss, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, united in their love and their commitment to each other.