Rakshash Aur Rajkumari (The Devil And The Princess)

43•सत्यं

Ambika's eyes fluttered open, her body still heavy with sleep. A cool sensation on her inner thigh drew her attention, and she slowly became aware of the morning light filtering into the room. The sun had risen, casting a soft blue hue across the walls. She felt exhausted, her body yearning to drift back into slumber, but a nagging curiosity about the sensation below kept her awake.

As she looked down, she saw Rudraksha, his upper body naked, revealing his chiseled muscles and messy hair falling across his forehead. His eyes, bloodshot and weary, held a mixture of emotions as he sneezed and sniffed, indicating he had been crying. He held a wet towel in his hand, gently wiping her thigh with tender care.

"What are you doing?" Ambika asked softly, her voice still thick with sleep.

Rudraksha flinched at the sound of her voice and paused, looking up at her with a mixture of worry and shame. "I was washing you up," he replied, his voice hoarse. "W-Was I too rough last night?"

Ambika's heart twisted at the sight of him. She wanted to agree, to tell him he was not too rough physically but mentally, but the words caught in her throat. She hated the feeling of confusion that lingers, she hated how used she feels but the sight of his distress left her tongue-tied. "Uh... um..." she stammered, unsure of what to say.

"I am so sorry, Ambika," Rudraksha choked out, his voice thick with emotion. With trembling hands, he withdrew, his eyes downcast as if he could not bear to meet her gaze. "I... You don't deserve this," he continued, his words laced with anguish. "You don't deserve any of it..."

As he spoke, his eyes, red-rimmed and wild, finally met hers. His hair, usually neatly kept, fell in disheveled locks across his forehead, giving him a rugged, untamed appearance. In that moment, he looked like a tormented soul, caught between his emotions and his fierce possessiveness. "But I can't let you go. . .  you're mine, right?" he said, his voice softening as he searched her eyes for answers.

Ambika's thoughts raced as she processed Rudraksha's sudden declaration. Of course, no one would dare lay a finger on me except you, she thought, her eyes hardening. But before she could respond, he moved with surprising swiftness, wrapping her in a tight embrace.

The feel of his strong arms around her was startling. Rudraksha, the indomitable man she knew, was now reduced to tears, his body shaking with each sob. It was a peculiar sight—his colossal frame, usually a source of strength and power, now trembled with raw emotion. The very man who once seemed impervious, whose muscular build and stoic demeanor exuded an almost intimidating confidence, now seemed so fragile, so human.

Instinctively, Ambika returned his embrace, her fingers gently stroking his back in an attempt to soothe him. Shouldn't I be the one crying? she wondered, her heart becoming confused. The memory of last night played in her mind, a stark reminder of the pain and disappointment he had caused her. She had felt betrayed, her trust shattered by his actions. And yet, here he was, seeking solace in her arms, his vulnerability laid bare.

"I can't leave without you, Ambika," he sobbed, his voice muffled against her neck. "You're too precious to me. I love you so much... I love you, more than I love myself."

Ambika froze at his confession, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. Had he just professed his love for her? The words she had longed to hear now hung between them, heavy with significance. Did he truly love her? she wondered, her mind reeling with a mix of joy and confusion. His words echoed in her ears, mingling with the cacophony of her thoughts and emotions. She had spent so many nights yearning for such a declaration, yet now that it was here, it felt almost surreal, as if spoken in a dream.

As she sat there frozen, holding him, she found herself questioning his very essence. Who are you, Rudraksha? she thought. Who are you truly? Why can't I fathom the depths of your soul? His actions had painted him as a complex figure—both a protector and a source of hurt. The juxtaposition of his strength and his tears left her grappling with a whirlpool of feelings. She wanted to believe in his love, to embrace the joy that his words promised, but she doesn't even know the man she is sharing this intimate moment with.