"Rudra Malhotra naam toh suna hoga ?"
Rudra is the epitome of charisma-outgoing, charming, and unabashedly playful. He has an infectious laugh and a quick wit that makes him the life of the party. His flirty nature often leads to playful banter and...
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I gazed at Rudra, my vision blurring as tears streamed down my face. His body, warm and relaxed, was wrapped around mine, his arms securing me like a vice. His legs tangled with mine, sending a wave of guilt and despair through me. Last night, I'd made a choice that now felt like a betrayal.
Rahul's message had changed everything. The image of my mother, alive and vulnerable, had shattered my resolve. I'd thought I'd escaped, but Rahul's grip remained tight. His words echoed in my mind: "If you don't comply, your mother will suffer."
In desperation, I'd laced Rudra's water with drugs, sacrificing my morals and our trust. The weight of my actions crushed me. Rudra, the one person who'd shown me kindness and love, now lay helpless beside me.
Tears fell silently as I mourned the loss of our relationship, the destruction of our bond. How could I face him when he discovered the truth? The thought of Rudra's anger and disappointment suffocated me.
My heart ached, torn between loyalty to my mother and love for Rudra. I felt trapped, caught in Rahul's web of manipulation. The pain I'd inflicted on Rudra, the man I loved, was unbearable.
As I gazed at Rudra's peaceful face, a sob escaped my lips. How could I have done this to him? To us? Our love, built on trust and vulnerability, now lay shattered.
As I mechanically changed into my clothes, my mind still reeled from the aftermath of my actions. With a heavy heart, I accompanied Mama-Mami on the journey to Banaras. The car's familiar comfort felt suffocating, unable to alleviate the guilt that gripped me. Mama's concerned voice cut through the silence, "Ruhanika, beta, what's wrong? Why did you tell us to lie about your grandmother ?" But I remained mute, tears streaming down my face like a relentless river.
Each inquiry from Mama punctuated my anguish, a stark reminder of the fabrication we'd spun. The fictional tale of my grandmother's illness, crafted to deceive Rudra, now seemed trivial compared to the crushing weight of my betrayal. My thoughts lingered on Rudra's trusting gaze, his gentle touch, and the bond we'd shared. The memory of drugging him, manipulating his trust, seared my conscience like a branding iron.
Mama-Mami exchanged worried glances, sensing my distress. "Ruhanika, what's troubling you, child?" Mami asked softly, placing a comforting hand on my arm. But I shook my head, unable to verbalise the turmoil ravaging my heart. Tears continued to fall, an emotional purge that refused to subside.
As the kilometres flew by, the scenery outside blurred into a kaleidoscope of colours, but my inner turmoil remained starkly vivid. The burden of my secrets threatened to consume me, and I felt lost, trapped in a labyrinth of my own making. With each passing mile, the distance between me and Rudra grew, and the ache within me intensified. Here's the rewritten paragraph:
I rushed towards the hospital ward, my heart racing with anticipation and fear. Rahul's driver had brought us here, but I still couldn't fathom why he was doing this. Hadn't he been my closest friend, my confidant? Why was he manipulating me, using my mother as leverage? Questions swirled in my mind as I pushed open the ward door.
