𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐰𝐢

"23. Butterflies and Blushes"

"Kuch ehsaas hai
Jinse vo anjaan hai
Meri jaan apne hi masoom
Uljhano se pareshan hai"

_fictionflare_
(Rudraksh)

Ruhanika: "Akshhhh, rukiye."
(Akshhhh, Stop)

Hearing Ruhanika’s urgent call, Rudraksh stopped in his tracks, turning towards her with wide, startled eyes. His gaze quickly shifted to her as he noticed the concern etched on her face, her brows furrowed, and her eyes squeezed shut as if she was bracing herself for something terrible. His heart skipped a beat. When she cautiously opened her eyes and realized that he had stopped just in time, she exhaled in relief. Without a second thought, Ruhanika hurried down the stairs, determined to reach him, her pace quickening as her concern took over. But in her haste, her foot caught on the edge of a step, and she tripped. Before she could even register what was happening, Rudraksh was already in motion. In the blink of an eye, he moved toward her, his arms wrapping around her waist securely, pulling her into his chest before she could fall. The strength and swiftness of his embrace held her steady, preventing what could’ve been a nasty tumble. Ruhanika found herself pressed tightly against him, her breathing uneven as the adrenaline surged through her. For a moment, the world around them seemed to blur, her heart racing not only from the near fall but from the intensity of the moment. Rudraksh, his face now inches from hers, gazed down at her with both relief and concern flickering in his eyes. His grip remained firm, ensuring she was safe in his arms.

Ruhanika looked up at Rudraksh, her heart still racing from the close call, and gently moved a little further away from the slick floor, guiding him with her. Her eyes flickered down to the floor, inspecting it for any more danger, but Rudraksh wasn't paying attention to the floor at all. He was completely captivated by her. His gaze was locked on her, lost in the details—the innocent, doe-like hazel eyes, the soft glow of her clear face, and how her open hair framed her features so perfectly. The way she had urgently called his name echoed in his mind, stirring something deep within him. There was a softness, a protectiveness in the way he looked at her, admiring the quiet strength and concern she had just shown for him. When she glanced back at him, her face was more serious now. To his surprise, she scolded him for the first time.

Ruhanika: "Akshh, kya karte hai aap, dekh ke chala kijiye na aise toh abhi gir jaate aap, aapko chot lag jaati na. Khayal rakha kijiye na."
( Aksh, what are you doing? Walk carefully, you almost fell. You could’ve gotten hurt. Please take care of yourself.)

She spoke to him in a voice that blended worry with a hint of strictness, her brow furrowing slightly as she voiced her concern. But Rudraksh barely registered her words; it was as if time had frozen the moment she began to scold him. His mind momentarily blanked, captivated entirely by the sincerity in her tone and the first word she spoke, Akshh. His eyes sparkled with affection, reflecting the deep love he held for her. As Ruhanika gently tapped his chest, he felt a surge of warmth wash over him. It was as if her touch had reignited his heart, which had momentarily skipped a beat at the sound of her calling him.

Ruhanika: "Areh aap sun bhi rahe hai ki nahi, hum keh rahe hai kuch."
(Are you even listening? I’m saying something here.)

He didn’t respond again, and Ruhanika’s brow furrowed in confusion.  Just then, a servant walked into the scene, glancing between Rudraksh and Ruhanika.

Servant: "Maaf karna Ruhanika bitiya, ye subah Rishwik baba ka protein shake gir gaya tha, main bas saaf karne ki aa raha tha."
(Sorry, Ruhanika Ma'am, this morning Rishwik Sir’s protein shake spilled, I was just coming to clean it up.)

Ruhanika: "Thik hai kaka aap kar dijiye."
(It’s alright, Kaka, you can do it.)

In the days that had passed, Ruhanika had started to feel more comfortable around the staff, though she still felt a twinge of fear when faced with strangers. With the unwavering support and encouragement from her family, she was slowly adjusting to her surroundings.  As the servant began cleaning the floor, Ruhanika turned her attention back to Rudraksh. Gently, she took his hand and led him towards the couch, guiding him to sit down. Once he was settled, she knelt beside him, her brow furrowed in concern as she examined his hands and feet for any signs of injury. Her touch was soft and careful, a testament to her worry for him.