Rudra Tara - A Love Bound By Duty

7.Thinking about him

Tara's POV

"When I woke up, it felt like the start of a new beginning. The sun's soft rays fell through the canopy of trees, warming my face, but my attention was drawn to the figure sleeping near my legs. His hand rested gently on me, as if even in sleep, he felt the need to protect me. My heart fluttered at the sight of him, vulnerable and unaware. I carefully slid out from under his hand, trying not to disturb him, yet part of me didn’t want to leave his side.

He had told me last night that he’d brought clothes for me, so I quietly gathered them and walked toward the lake to bathe. As I washed, I tried to focus on my prayers, telling myself that God is everywhere, even in these wild lands. Yet, my thoughts kept drifting back to him. How he had looked at me, how his voice carried both authority and gentleness.

The clothes he gave me were a soft rose color with intricate embroidery, delicate but strong, much like the feelings stirring inside me. The fabric felt almost royal—almost too fine for someone like me who was supposed to be living simply. Did he know? Was he beginning to sense that I wasn’t just the ordinary girl I claimed to be?

I dressed and mounted my horse, but just as I was about to leave, his voice called out from behind. 'Where can I meet you again?'

I turned, my lips curving into a small smile despite myself. 'If you ever want to find me, meet me at Suryagarh. There's a lake with the largest tree covered in flowers. Come on the next Ekadashi.'

His eyes brightened, but there was something more—a tenderness in his gaze that made my breath catch. 'I’ll wait for you,' he said softly, his voice filled with certainty. 'Don't break your promise.'

I laughed lightly, trying to mask the emotions his words stirred. 'I didn't make any promises,' I teased, though deep down, I knew I had given him more than just words.

'I'll still wait,' he called out, his voice growing fainter as I rode away, but I heard the sincerity in it. The weight of his words hung in the air, filling me with a strange mixture of anticipation and unease.

By the time I reached the palace, it was nearly afternoon. Everyone assumed I had returned from the temple after the puja. My mother saw me and beckoned me to join them for breakfast. I marveled at how effortlessly she managed everything—her grace, her composure, while I felt like a storm was brewing inside me.

After serving everyone breakfast, I rushed to my room, needing solitude to sort through my emotions. But as soon as I opened the door, I was met with Jaya’s furious glare.

'Where have you been?' she snapped, her voice barely above a whisper, but the tension was palpable. 'Do you know how long I’ve been covering for you? You could have been caught, Tara!'

'I’m sorry, Jaya! I really am,' I pleaded, though I couldn't hide the smile tugging at my lips as I thought of him. 'You’ve no idea what happened.'

Jaya crossed her arms and refused to budge. 'Oh, I know what happened—you disappeared! Left me to make up stories about you!'

She was right, of course. And though I felt guilty for lying, there was a part of me that didn’t want to share what had happened with anyone, not yet. It felt too... precious, too fragile.

Her eyes softened, and she let out a frustrated sigh. 'Fine, fine, tell me rajkumari what happened,' she demanded, her curiosity finally getting the better of her.

I hesitated for a moment before blurting out, 'I was attacked, Jaya. Five men—robbers. They tried to... but I managed to escape.' The words felt like stones in my mouth, heavy with the fear I had experienced.

Jaya’s expression shifted instantly, her anger melting away into concern. 'Attacked?' she whispered, stepping closer. 'Are you alright? How did you—'

I showed her my leg, where the wound had almost healed. 'He—he saved me. He... he took care of me.' My voice faltered as I said his name, a name that now held so much weight in my heart.

Jaya’s eyes widened, her mind racing with questions. 'He?' she repeated, her tone sharp with interest. 'Who is he? What does he look like? Is he a prince? A king? Tell me everything!'

I laughed despite myself, overwhelmed by her barrage of questions. 'You sound like a child, Jaya,' I teased, but I couldn’t hide the warmth in my chest at the thought of him. 'He’s just... someone. Someone kind.'

She wasn’t satisfied with my vague answer, but she let it go—for now. 'Fine. But if he’s just "someone," why are you smiling like that?' she asked with a knowing smirk.

I felt my cheeks flush. 'I don’t know, Jaya. I don’t know what to think,' I admitted, my voice softer now. 'He saved my life, and... I can’t stop thinking about him.'

Jaya shook her head, half-amused and half-worried. 'You’re hopeless,' she muttered, but I saw the concern in her eyes. 'Just be careful, Tara. Don’t let your heart get carried away.'

Her words struck a chord, but it was too late. My heart had already begun its journey, and I couldn’t stop it.

That night, as I lay in bed, I found myself tossing and turning, my mind replaying every moment with him and this pain was getting intense but

Dukh dard baad me piya piya o piya piya pehelee na taru baby
.....

The way his hands had gently bandaged my wound, the softness in his eyes when he looked at me, as if I were the only person who mattered in the world.

I sighed, frustrated with myself. How had I let this happen? How had someone like him, a stranger, taken root in my heart so quickly?

Then I felt something in my dupatta—a small pouch. I hadn’t noticed it before, but he must have slipped it in before I left. It was medicine for my wound. I held it tightly, feeling the care behind the gesture, and for the first time in days, I allowed myself to smile fully.

Jaya came in later to help change my bandages, and she caught the look on my face. 'You’re thinking about him again, aren’t you?' she asked, her voice teasing but gentle.

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I just smiled, my thoughts drifting far away to the lake, to the next Ekadashi, where I knew he would be waiting for me. And as the days passed, I found myself waiting for it too, with a heart that had begun to hope."