𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐰𝐢

"3.From Anger to Regret"

"Bahaut juda hai auro se
mere dard ki kahani,
Zakhm ke nishaan nahi
Aur dard ka ilaaj nahi"

A full week had passed since Rudraksh had last been home, leaving Ruhanika alone in the vast mansion with only a few servants for company. When he finally returned, his face was etched with anger, and Amandeep trailed silently behind him. Rudraksh stormed into the living room, his frustration palpable. He angrily threw his blazer onto the couch, then sank into it, clutching his head in a gesture of exhaustion and exasperation. The tension in the air was thick as he grappled with whatever had been troubling him

Amandeep: "Sir, calm down. Everything will be..."

As Amandeep began to speak, Rudraksh's furious gaze shot up, silencing him instantly. His eyes, bloodshot with anger, bore into Amandeep, who immediately stopped mid-sentence, knowing better than to push any further. The tension in the room was palpable, and it seemed like the very air had thickened with Rudraksh's unspoken rage. Suddenly, a tray with a glass of water appeared in front of him, interrupting the volatile moment. Without a second thought, Rudraksh grabbed the glass and drank the water in one go, trying to quell the fire inside him. He placed the glass back on the tray with a soft clink and finally looked up to see who had offered him the water. His fiery gaze softened instantly, as if someone had flipped a switch. Standing before him was Ruhanika, his wife. She was dressed in a modest yellow anarkali suit with full sleeves. The simplicity of her attire only enhanced her natural beauty. The dupatta draped around her neck slightly revealed her mangalsutra and her hairline was filled with bright red sindoor, signifying her marital status. Her hair was neatly braided, and her face was free of makeup, allowing her delicate features to shine through.  She wore no jewelry, and her face was devoid of makeup, yet she looked stunning in her simplicity. Ruhanika stood there quietly, holding the tray, her eyes cast downward. She didn't meet his gaze, because she sensed the storm brewing within him. Her presence, however, had an immediate calming effect on Rudraksh. The sight of her, so serene and composed despite his anger, brought him back from the edge. His heart, which had been pounding with fury just moments ago, began to steady. He couldn't tear his eyes away, forgetting to even blink as he stood mesmerized by her understated beauty.

Amandeep: "Sir??"

Rudraksh: "Yellow.."

Amandeep: "What??"

Rudraksh remained silent, his eyes fixed on Ruhanika. She stood there, expressionless, with no trace of emotion on her face. For reasons he couldn't quite understand, the sight of her emotionless demeanor unsettled him. It wasn't just the lack of a smile or a frown; it was the emptiness in her gaze that bothered him deeply. He found himself wanting—no, needing—her to look at him, to acknowledge his presence, and to show some sign of what she was feeling.

Amandeep: "Sirr....."

Amandeep, noticing Rudraksh's distant gaze, called out to him a bit louder. The sound pulled Rudraksh out of his reverie, and he began to look around, reorienting himself to his surroundings. He stood up, taking a deep breath to compose himself and regain his focus, the weight of his earlier emotions still lingering as he tried to steady his thoughts.

Rudraksh: "Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho??"
(What are you doing here??)

Ruhanika glanced at Rudraksh and subtly directed her eyes towards the empty water glass on the tray. Despite the simplicity of her gesture, her face radiated an air of innocence and calm. Rudraksh, still grappling with his own emotions, could only see the genuine, unadorned simplicity in her expression.

Rudraksh: "Tumhe bola tha na meri taraf nahi dekhna."
(I told you not to look at me.)

Ruhanika lowered her eyes and gave a small nod. udraksh, despite his previous agitation, found himself unable to raise his voice at her. There was something about her calm and gentle presence that tempered his frustration.