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Isha was directing the kitchen in her usual sweet way, her voice a gentle guide for the helpers as they prepared for the evening meal.
"Nupur, make sure this dish is done exactly like this. We'll need it ready by nightfall," she said with calm authority, her hands carefully arranging the ingredients on the counter.
Just then, one of the maids came rushing in, her breath coming in short gasps as she reached Isha.
"Maharaj asked for you Rani Sa," she panted, her face flushed from the hurried run through the vast halls.
Isha nodded, offering a soft smile in thanks as she wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing. Her mind immediately began to wonder why Rudrakansh had summoned her so suddenly.
Without delay, she made her way up the long staircase, her pace measured but slightly quicker than usual. Her heart fluttered with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
As she entered their shared bedroom, her eyes were immediately drawn to the balcony door that stood slightly ajar, curtains swaying gently with the breeze.
Through the opening, she could see Rudrakansh standing on the outdoor balcony, his broad back facing her, the golden hue of the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow over him. He was dressed in casual yet luxurious attire, holding a glass of whiskey in his hand, his stance calm but commanding as always.
Isha sighed softly, her gaze lingering on him. She rarely saw him drink during the day. Concern filled her chest as she quietly approached him, her feet making barely a sound as she stepped closer.
"Rudra ji?" she called out softly, her voice gentle as a whisper, "Why are you drinking at this hour?"
Rudrakansh, sensing her presence, set his glass down on the railing without answering, his movements slow and deliberate. He didn't turn around, but she could feel the shift in the air, the tension that always seemed to follow him like a shadow.
Just as she was about to step closer, he suddenly turned and, in one fluid motion, pulled her onto his lap, his strong arms wrapping around her waist as he settled her against him.
A startled gasp escaped her lips as she clutched his shirt tightly, her small fists balling up the fabric as her heart raced.
"Why didn't you go shopping with the others?" he asked, his voice low and firm, cutting straight to the point. His eyes, dark and intense, locked onto hers, searching for answers.
Isha's heartbeat quickened. She had expected this question, but the truth behind her decision was something she wasn't prepared to reveal.
She couldn't tell him that she had chosen to stay behind simply because he wasn't coming along. She swallowed hard, her mind scrambling for an excuse.
