His Rooh

14 | His Punishment

Rudraksh

The anticipation weighed heavily on me as the day of fixing the wedding dates arrived. Aruhi and her family would soon grace our palace with their presence, marking a significant step forward in our journey together. Yet, despite the excitement that lingered in the air, a sense of apprehension gnawed at the edges of my consciousness.

Yesterday evening, when Aruhi called, I couldn't bring myself to answer. I was engulfed in the shadows of my responsibilities as a king, dealing with matters that I wanted to shield her from. The darkness that lurked within my realm was not something I wanted to expose her to, especially when she was brimming with joy over her successful interview. I didn't want to taint her with the harsh realities of my world.

And this morning, I found myself running late once again, ensnared in the same web of obligations that had kept me from her call. As I hurried through the corridors of the palace, my mind churned with a myriad of emotions. Guilt, for making her wait, and worry, about what she might think of my tardiness, tangled together in a tumultuous whirlwind.

Arriving at the living room where everyone was gathered, I greeted her family with the respect they deserved as guests in our home. My father exchanged pleasantries with Aruhi's father, while my mother engaged in conversation with her mother. She sat beside her mother with that little devil in her lap, yes I was jealous of him.

My gaze naturally sought out Aruhi, my Rooh, the light of my life. She sat beside her mother with that little devil in her lap, yes I was jealous of him. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I caught her eye, but it widened even further when she ignored me. It was a playful jab, one that I welcomed wholeheartedly. After all, she had every right to be annoyed with me for missing her call and being late this morning.

As Pandit Ji arrived and began his calculations, I found myself stealing glances at Aruhi whenever I thought she wasn't looking. Her delicate features were a portrait of elegance, her eyes a window to the depths of her soul.

When Pandit Ji finally announced the auspicious date for our wedding, a wave of relief washed over me. Three months seemed like an eternity and yet, I knew it would fly by in the blink of an eye. As the room erupted in cheers and congratulations, I held Aruhi's hand in mine, intertwining her fingers with mine in silent reassurance.

After the initial excitement died down, my mother, suggested that I show Aruhi around the palace and my room. It was an opportunity I welcomed eagerly, a chance to spend some time alone with her amidst the chaos of wedding preparations.

Leading her up to my room, I couldn't shake the nervous flutter in my stomach. 

Once inside, I closed the door behind us, the click of the latch echoing in the quiet room. Turning to face her, I found myself captivated by the vulnerability in her eyes, the hesitance in her stance. It was as if she was teetering on the edge of a precipice, unsure of whether to take the leap or retreat into the safety of her own solitude.

Stepping closer, I gently pinned her against the door, a silent plea for her to let me in, to share her burdens with me. The air crackled with unspoken words, the tension between us palpable as we stood on the threshold of something raw and unspoken.

"Rana sa..." she began, but my finger pressed against her lips, silencing her.

"Why are you ignoring me, Aruhi?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart pounding in my chest.

"I-I," she stammered, my thumb brushed against her cheek.

"Tell me, Rooh," I whispered, my voice soft and reassuring.

Her eyes searched mine, a myriad of emotions swirling within their depths. I longed to ease her worries, to chase away the shadows that clouded her beautiful eyes.

"You didn't pick up my call yesterday," she whined cutely, melting my heart, "Text toh kar dete at least, I was so worried," She pouted.

A pang of guilt tugged at my heart as I watched her pout.

With a soft smile, I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, my thumb grazing her cheek. "Bass itni si baat? Mujhe maaf kardo meri jaan," I said, my voice filled with affection. "I was caught up in some urgent business, and I didn't want to worry you."

Aruhi's eyes widened at the endearment, a blush creeping across her cheeks. "Maafi chahiye?" she asked, her tone teasing yet shy.

I nodded like a lost puppy.

With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, Aruhi made a playful demand. "Toh phir, 20 push-ups karna padega aapko," she said, her tone playful yet firm.

I chuckled at her request, unable to resist her playful antics. "Challenge accepted," I declared, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips.

But then, an idea struck me. "Aur thoda interesting banate hain," I added with a mischievous glint in my eye. "Why don't you sit on my back while I do them?"

Aruhi's eyes widened in surprise, but a playful smile soon curved her lips. "Alright, Mr. Shekhawat. Let's see if you can handle it."

Dropping to the floor in a push-up position, I waited for her to sit on my back. She hesitated for a moment, then gently settled herself atop me, her weight barely noticeable.

"Comfortable?" I asked, looking up at her with a grin.

"Yes," she replied, her voice laced with amusement.

I began the push-ups, each movement smooth and controlled despite the added challenge. Aruhi counted each repetition, her laughter ringing in my ears, making the task feel almost effortless.

"One... two... three..." she counted, her voice growing more cheerful with each number.

By the time I reached the final push-up, I was slightly out of breath but still grinning. "There you go, madam," I said. "20 push-ups, just as you requested."

Aruhi laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Not bad, Mr. Shekhawat," she teased, her tone filled with playful admiration.

I rose to my feet, a sense of contentment washing over me.

 "And next time, at least send a text to let me know you're okay." she said, her voice filled with warmth.

Before I could reply, the door burst open and my siblings and cousins—Kiara, Kiaan, and Rishiraj—barreled into the room. They immediately surrounded Aruhi, their excitement palpable.

"Bhabhi sa!" Kiara exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "I can't wait to design your wedding outfits. I've already got so many ideas!"

Kiaan  leaned in with a charming smile. "And may I just say, Bhabhi sa, you're going to be the most beautiful bride ever."

Before he could continue, Rishiraj swatted the back of Kiaan's head. "She's our Bhabhi maa, Kiaan. Behave yourself," he scolded, making Aruhi giggle.

Even though a twinge of jealousy pricked at me that they took all her attention from me, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of happiness at seeing the bond forming between Aruhi and my family. Their acceptance and affection for her warmed my heart.

Kiara began to show fabrics and sketches from her phone, eagerly showing them to Aruhi. "Look at this, Bhabhi sa! I think this color would look stunning on you. And this design—absolutely regal!"

Aruhi's eyes sparkled with interest as she looked over the designs, her initial shyness melting away in the presence of my siblings' exuberance. "These are beautiful, Kiara," she said, her voice filled with genuine admiration.

Kiaan, not missing a beat, added, "Just wait until you see the jewelry we've picked out for you. You're going to be a queen, Bhabhi sa."

Rishiraj rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "Don't mind Kiaan, Bhabhi maa. He's just trying to impress you. But seriously, if you need anything, we're all here for you."

Aruhi's laughter filled the room, a sound so sweet and pure that it made my heart swell with pride and love. This was what I had hoped for her, here with me, with my family, united in joy, supporting each other through every step of this journey.