Rudra Tara - A Love Bound By Duty

6.IS THIS LOVE?

Rudraksh's POV

Her eyes held a curious mix of concern and wariness, as if she wasn’t sure whether to trust me. I was a stranger to her, after all, and in this cruel world, trust was hard-earned. Yet, the way she handled my wound—gentle, yet firm—showed that she was capable of care, even for someone she barely knew.

I couldn’t stop myself from admiring the way she looked at me. Her gaze wasn’t like the others who only saw a prince, a warrior, or a man of power. There was something deeper in her eyes, something that made me feel... human. Vulnerable. It was as if, with just one look, she could see past the layers of ruthlessness that covered my heart, past the ambition, and the hunger for power. And under all that, she had unknowingly begun to stir feelings I thought I was incapable of—feelings that had no place in the life of a man like me.

I wondered how it was possible. After just one encounter, how could a complete stranger make me feel something in a heart that had only ever reached out for power?

I always dismissed the idea of love at first sight. It seemed like a fantasy, something spun from tales to soften the hardness of reality. Love was for poets and dreamers, not for men like me—men who had learned to build walls around their hearts, who understood that power, not love, was the true currency of this world.

But now... with her, everything feels different.

The moment her eyes met mine, something inside me shifted, as though she’d unlocked a door I didn't even know existed. When she bandaged my wound, it wasn’t just her hands that touched me—it was something deeper.

I could feel her concern in every delicate movement, the way her fingers lingered, the quiet tenderness in her gaze. She didn’t see me as a stranger, but as someone worth caring for.

And when she told me to remove my clothes—just to tend to my wound—I felt a strange disappointment. It was absurd, really, to wish for more, to long for her touch to be something beyond necessity. But I couldn't help it. As she wrapped the bandage, I knew she was concentrating, her eyes tracing every mark on my skin with a focus that unnerved me. It wasn’t lust that stirred in me; it was something far more dangerous.Was it that I wanted her to see more of me than just a soldier in need of care? Or was it because her touch stirred something within me, something I wasn’t ready to admit?
As I peeled off my upper wear, I noticed her gaze.

"When her fingers brushed against my skin, a jolt of electricity surged through me, igniting a warmth that spread from the point of contact, enveloping my entire being. It was as if her touch awakened something dormant within, a profound connection that transcended mere physicality, leaving me breathless and yearning for more."

"जब उनकी अंगुलियों ने मुझे छूआ, तो ऐसा लगा जैसे यह स्पर्श जाना-पहचाना है। हम दोनों एक-दूसरे को नहीं जानते, लेकिन हमारा दिल जरूर जानता है।"

Her focus was intense, her concentration unwavering as she carefully bandaged my wound. But there was something more, something that made the air between us feel charged.I was used to wounds, used to the quick and practical way they were treated. Yet, she was taking her time, far longer than necessary. I found myself wanting this moment to stretch even longer than it already was, her touch grounding me in a way I hadn’t expected.I wanted time to slow down. I wanted her touch to last longer, to extend beyond the moment. I’ve been through battles, bandaged my own wounds countless times, and yet this time… I found myself wishing the pain would stay, just to keep her near me a little while longer.

(Ye lamha yahi teher sa jaye ye dard yahi ruk jaaye mere jakham kabhi theek hi na ho taaki tum mere pass aur samay ruk sako aur tumhare is chune ke ehesaas ko mai thodi aur der tak mehesoos kar saku)
Ye maine likha hai... No cheating.. With time mai improve krne ki koshish krungi

After a while, I carried her to the temple, careful with each step, as if she was more fragile than she appeared. Once she was settled, I returned to prepare a meal. As I worked, I realized something—this was the first time I had prepared a meal to share with someone else. My life had always been solitary, driven by ambition, my every action focused on gaining power, protecting my kingdom. I was used to doing everything alone, even something as simple as cooking for myself. But now, here she was—a stranger—yet somehow she had found her way into this small, intimate part of my life.

Her presence has stirred something in me that I cannot name. I’ve never felt this before—this weight, this pull. I didn’t believe in love at first sight, but now I wonder if I was wrong. I don’t know if what I feel for her is love, but I know this: it’s more than mere attraction. Attraction is fleeting, shallow—based on what the eyes see, on the surface of things. But with her… it’s not her body that draws me in, though she is beautiful beyond words. It’s her spirit—her fierce, unyielding strength. The fire in her eyes speaks of battles fought and won, of a soul that refuses to be tamed.

And that gaze… those eyes. They undo me. Every time she looks at me, I feel exposed in ways I never have before. She sees me, not as a prince, not as a man of power, but as something raw, something real. And it terrifies me.

"उसकी आँखों में डूब जाने की ख्वाहिश लिए, मैं बेकरार बैठा था।
एक ही नज़र में सब कुछ लुटाने को तैयार,baitha tha
उस पल की गहराई में खुद को खोने का इंतज़ार कर रहा था।
हर धड़कन में उसका नाम था,
उसकी मौजूदगी ने मेरे अतीत के हर दर्द को मिटा दिया,
बस उसकी आँखों में छिपी गहराइयों में खो जाने का मन कर रहा था।".

(With a desire to drown in her eyes, I sat there restless.
Ready to give everything away in just one glance,
I was waiting to lose myself in the depth of that moment.
Her name echoed in every heartbeat,
And her presence erased every pain from my past.
I simply longed to get lost in the depths hidden within her eyes.") He whispered

Is this love? I don’t know. All I know is that she makes me feel more alive than I ever have, and yet more vulnerable than I’ve ever allowed myself to be. This is no simple desire. It’s a storm brewing inside me, and I’m not sure how long I can keep it at bay.