𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐰𝐢

"9. From Fear to Friendship"

"Main uljhan hu apni hi mushkilo me
Vo apne masoom sawaal le aayi
Main jeeta raha patthar sa
Vo mere seene me jaan le aayi"

-fictionflare_

As Rudraksh descended the stairs, each step reverberated with the intensity of his simmering rage. Ruhanika’s past had surfaced in fragments, but it was enough for him to grasp the unimaginable horrors she had endured under Vijaypratap and Sukriti Rathore. The fact that they had raised their hands on her, someone so delicate and innocent, set his blood boiling. He had already ordered Amandeep to dig up every shred of information about the Rathores. They had kept Ruhanika captive, mistreating her for years, and now Rudraksh was determined to make them pay.

But just as his mind swirled with thoughts of vengeance, he reached the living area, where Rishwik ran towards him and hugged him tightly. The sudden embrace softened the storm inside Rudraksh. His hard, angered expression melted as concern and warmth took over. Rishwik was the one person who could always bring Rudraksh back from the edge, grounding him with his innocence and love. Now, Ruhanika had joined that sacred space in Rudraksh’s heart, someone for whom he could set aside his fury, even if only temporarily. Rudraksh placed a protective arm around Rishwik, rubbing his back gently, the anger in his eyes giving way to softness.

Rudraksh: "Chote kya hua??"
(What happened, little one?)

Rishwik: "Bhai, just promise me Angel hume chod ke kabhi nahi jayegi."
(Bro, just promise me that Angel will never leave us.)

Rudraksh: "Rishwik"

Rishwik took a step back, his expression softening as he reached out to grasp Rudraksh's hand firmly.

Rishwik: "Bhai, after decades, I finally felt the emotions I used to feel with..."

Rudraksh: "Rishwik"

Rishwik: "Nahi bhai, aaj main nahi sununga aapki. Main nahi jaane dunga ab apni behen ko kahi bhi. Aapka pata nahi par Vo humesha yahi rahegi mere pass."
(No, bro, today I won’t listen to you. I’m not going to let my sister go anywhere. I don't know about you, but she will always stay with me.)

Rudraksh: "Chote, tu bas emotional ho raha hai, tujhe bhi pata hai humari zindagi kaisi hai aur agar vo is zindagi me aayi toh kya hoga.... Uski apni life pehle se bikhri hai aur hum use.."
(Little one, you're just being emotional. You know how our life is, and if she comes into this life, what will happen? Her life is already shattered, and we...)

Rishwik: "Exactly bhai, aapne dekha hai na kitni masoom hai vo, aur ye duniya kaisi hai ye bhi aap jante hai. Phir kyu dur kar rahe hai Angel ko khud se, kitna bharosa karti hai vo aap pe."
(Exactly, bro! You’ve seen how innocent she is, and you also know what this world is like. Then why are you pushing Angel away? She trusts you so much.)

Rudraksh: "Use bharose ke sath pyaar ki zarurat hai jo main use nahi de sakta, tu janta hai ye baat."
(She needs love along with trust, which I cannot give her. You know that.)

Rudraksh turned his face to the other side, deliberately avoiding Rishwik's gaze, his jaw clenched in quiet frustration. The weight of their shared past hung in the air, thick and unspoken. In the background, Ashvik and Amandeep remained silent, observing the exchange. Both were well aware of the Malhotra brothers' history and the burdens they carried. Neither dared to interrupt, fully understanding the complexity of the situation and the emotions at play.