Rudra Tara - A Love Bound By Duty

22.A LOVE WITHOUT IDENTITY

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Authors pov

Rudraksh walked down the corridor, his steps quick and purposeful as he approached Jaanki's room. The soft sound of his boots echoed against the marble floors, but all he could think about was her-his Jaanki. As he reached the door, he paused for a moment, steadying his breath before gently pushing it open.

And there she was.

Jaanki, propped up on the bed, her face pale but illuminated by the soft sunlight streaming in through the window. And she was smiling. That smile-weak, but real-instantly lifted a weight off his chest.

"Jaanki..." he whispered, barely able to contain the emotion in his voice. He moved closer, his heart thudding wildly in his chest. Seeing her smile after everything... it was more than he could have hoped for.

She turned her head slowly, her eyes brightening when they met his. "Hari..." she murmured, her voice soft but filled with warmth.

As the servants caught sight of Rudraksh standing in the doorway , they quickly realized the significance of the moment. The atmosphere shifted, a respectful silence settling in as they gathered their belongings, knowing they could no longer linger.

"Your Highness," one of the maids whispered so that janki couldn't listen and they can respect their yuvraj also, with a slight bow, her voice barely above a whisper. The others followed suit, offering their bows of respect to the yuvraj . Their faces held a mixture of admiration and warmth, recognizing the bond that seemed to radiate between the two.

Jaanki, still unaware of Hari's true identity as the Yuvraj of Udaygarh, watched the servants leave with a puzzled expression. "Why are they bowing to you, Hari?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "Is there something I should know?"

"Just a formality," he replied, brushing it off with a casual wave of his hand. "They respect me because of my position, that's all."

The servants quickly exited, their eyes flickering with understanding as they shared glances, fully aware of the prince's concealed identity. They left the door slightly ajar, allowing the soft sounds of the palace to drift in, but the space felt intimate and private.

Without thinking, he crossed the room in quick strides and knelt beside her bed, taking her hand in his. His fingers trembled as they brushed against hers, as if needing the reassurance that she was really here, really awake.

"You're smiling," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "I've been waiting to see that smile."

Jaanki's smile grew just a bit wider, though she still looked fragile. "It's because of you... I knew you would come."

He exhaled deeply, his forehead resting gently against her hand as relief surged through him. "I was so afraid, Jaanki... I thought I'd lost you."

She gave a soft chuckle, though it came out more like a faint whisper. "You're stuck with me, Hari. I'm not going anywhere."

He lifted his head, his grey eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. "You better not," he whispered, his voice raw. "Because I can't... I won't let you go."

Her hand squeezed his weakly, but the connection between them was strong, filled with unspoken words and feelings they didn't need to express out loud.

Rudraksh leaned in closer, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead. "Rest now. I'll be here. Always."

Rudraksh held her gently in his arms, her head resting on his chest as he breathed in the scent of her hair. His heart ached with both relief and an overwhelming love he could barely contain. He hugged her tighter, as if afraid that letting go might mean losing her again. His breath was warm against her skin, and she sighed softly, her body melting into his.