For us ✔️

Escape to Eternity

After eloping from her home through the window, her feet carry her instinctively to Raman's grandmother's house, the one place she believes he might be. The anticipation of seeing him again drives her forward, but as she arrives, the sight before her is heartbreaking.

Raman, pale and weak, lies on a cot. His once vibrant figure now appears fragile, and the sight of him in this condition shatters Rukmini's heart. His grandmother, with tears streaming down her face, tends to his wounds, trying her best to heal the damage inflicted by Rukmini's father. The atmosphere is heavy with sorrow, and Rukmini's chest tightens with the fear of losing him.

Without a second thought, she rushes to Raman's side, desperately trying to wake him. Her hands shake as she touches him, calling his name, but he remains unresponsive. The concern in her eyes deepens, and her heart pounds inside her ribcage, each beat echoing her growing anxiety. She knows she must do something, anything, to help him.

Rukmini quickly grabs the medicines and joins his grandmother in treating his wounds. Her hands move with a mix of fear and determination as she applies the remedies, her mind racing with thoughts of what might happen if Raman doesn't recover. Every second feels like a lifetime, and the weight of the situation presses down on her.

As they work together, Raman's grandmother, her voice filled with concern, asks, "What will you do now? He's injured, and tomorrow is your marriage—who's going to help you?" The question hangs in the air, a reminder of the difficult reality Rukmini faces. But Rukmini, despite her fear, is resolute. "Now it's on me," she replies, her voice steady with determination. "I'll save myself. I promised him, and I'll not break my promise." Her words are a declaration of her resolve to protect herself and Raman, no matter the cost.

The night passes in a blur of worry and care, and soon, the morning arrives. This day, meant to be a new beginning for Rukmini, is instead filled with an overwhelming sense of dread. As she prepares for the marriage she never wanted, her mind is consumed with memories of Raman—the days they spent together, their shared moments of joy, and the love that blossomed between them. These memories replay in her head like a repeated telecast, reminding her of everything she stands to lose.

When she is finally called to the mandap, the air is thick with tension. Rukmini's face is pale, her heart heavy with the weight of what lies ahead. But as she arrives, the atmosphere shifts. There is no sign of the groom, and soon, the devastating news spreads through the gathering—he had died the previous night. The announcement sends shockwaves through the crowd, shattering the hopes and expectations of Rukmini's father, who had planned this marriage to secure her future.

But while the news crushes her father, it brings Rukmini a sense of quiet triumph. She smiles, a small but victorious smile, knowing that the path her father tried to force her down has been destroyed. Her fate is no longer in the hands of others; she has taken control, even in the face of such dark circumstances.

As the guests begin to murmur and talk amongst themselves, their attention is soon drawn elsewhere, providing Rukmini the perfect opportunity to slip away unnoticed. Seizing the moment, she elopes from the venue, her heart racing with the need to escape.

Rukmini runs with all her might, her destination clear—the cliff, a place that holds deep significance for her and Raman. The journey is fueled by a mix of fear, hope, and love, and as she reaches the edge, she is greeted by a familiar figure—Raman. He appears as if out of a dream, running towards her with open arms. When he reaches her, he pulls her close, his presence a soothing balm to her restless spirit.

"Why are you so restless? See, I am here by your side. Calm down," Raman reassures her, his voice filled with calm and certainty. His words bring Rukmini the comfort she so desperately needs, grounding her in the moment and reminding her that they are together, no matter what.

This moment at the cliff, charged with emotion and significance, becomes a turning point for Rukmini. It symbolizes the edge they have both been pushed to, the brink of despair, and the cusp of a new beginning. Together, they stand at the edge, ready to face whatever the future holds, united by the bond they share and the promises they have made to each other.

To be continued .............................................