THE PRINCE WHO LOVED ME

19

As the minutes ticked by in the hospital room, Yamini remained by her mother's side, her gaze fixed on Vasuki's peaceful yet fragile face. Rudransh and Priya, sensing the deep personal moment Yamini was having with her mother, quietly stepped away to give her the space she needed.

They lingered just outside the room, standing in the hallway. The soft hum of hospital equipment and the distant murmur of other visitors filled the air, but it was an uncomfortable silence between them. Rudransh, who had seen Yamini in a myriad of situations, strong, confident, and often unshakable now saw her vulnerable and fragile in a way he hadn't expected.

 Turning toward Priya, he hesitated for a moment, then asked quietly.

Rudransh : Why... why isn't Yamini close to her mother ? I mean, I know they might've had their differences, but this... this seems like something deeper.

Priya shifted uncomfortably at the question, her gaze momentarily falling to the floor as if trying to find the right words. After a few seconds, she sighed, her expression becoming more somber. 

Priya : Yamini's never really talked about it openly, but... I guess you could say it's because her mother left her father when she was still just a kid.

Rudransh raised an eyebrow. 

Rudransh : Left ? 

Priya : Yeah ! 

Priya continued and her voice is soft but steady, 

Priya : Yamini's mom, Vasuki aunty and her yamini's father got divorced when Yamini was about ten or eleven. They lived in their ancestral village and then one day, her mom just... packed up and left. She moved to Mumbai, started a new life with yamini and left her brother behind with their father."

Rudransh's brow furrowed, his heart going out to Yamini. He had known her as a woman who fiercely guarded her independence, but he had never fully understood the pain behind that fierce exterior.

Rudransh : Her father...

He began and his voice is trailing off as if trying to piece things together. 

Rudransh : What happened to him ? 

Priya shook her head. 

Priya : Her dad.......he's always been there for her. In fact, Yamini was 'very' attached to him as a kid. She was a total daddy's girl, you know ? But when her mom left,  it shattered her. She couldn't understand why her mom would leave her dad. It was hard on her......really hard.

Rudransh is processing this, took a moment to let it sink in. 

Rudransh : So that's why she's so distant with her mom ? Because of the divorce and... leaving her dad ? 

Priya : Exactly ! 

Priya confirmed. 

Priya : Yamini could never forgive her mom for doing that. For leaving her father, and especially for leaving her brother behind. I think that hurt her more than she ever lets on. As a kid, she just couldn't understand it. And now, it's like it's just... become this wall between them.

Rudransh's heart ached at the thought. Yamini had always been so bold , so strong, but now, hearing this, he realised how much of that strength had come from the need to protect herself from a pain so deep, it had never fully healed. It made sense now, the cool exterior, the guardedness, the occasional flashes of anger when her mother's name came up. He had always thought it was just the past she was running from, but it was much more than that. It was a fracture in her very identity, one she'd never fully come to terms with.

Priya continued, her tone gentle, almost sympathetic,

Priya : It's been 18 years since she last saw her father. 18 years, Rudransh. She was just a little girl when she left. She's carried that pain with her for so long that she doesn't know how to let it go. I think the divorce... the whole thing just tore them apart. And when Yamini's mom started her own life in Mumbai, Yamini felt abandoned. Around 10 years ago she moved to Hyderabad and Soon aunty also moved here.

Rudransh was silent for a long moment, the weight of the story heavy on his chest. It was clear now why Yamini always kept her emotions so tightly controlled. She had built walls to keep everyone at a distance, protecting herself from the heartache that had started when she was just a child.

Rudransh : That's... that's a lot for anyone to carry.

 Rudransh murmured and  his voice is filled with empathy.

Priya nodded, her expression is softening as she looked toward the hospital room. 

Priya : Yeah. I don't think she's ever fully dealt with it. But at least she's here now, with her mom. That's something.

Rudransh gave a thoughtful nod, his gaze distant. 

Rudransh : I think Yamini's stronger than she realizes. 

He said quietly, almost to himself. 

Rudransh : But I also think she's not done healing yet. She carries so much more with her than anyone knows.

Priya turned to him, her eyes sharp. 

Priya : You're right. She's been so focused on keeping it all together for so long that she hasn't allowed herself to feel or face the hurt. Maybe this is the moment she needs to start doing that.

Rudransh felt a stirring of something, sympathy, maybe even admiration for Yamini. She had built herself into the person she was, a woman who was capable and driven, but at the same time, she had been carrying a heavy, unhealed wound inside her. And now, seeing her with her mother in this fragile state, he couldn't help but feel that this was a turning point, not just for Vasuki, but for Yamini as well. Maybe this was the start of the healing process for both of them.

After a few moments of silence, Rudransh spoke again. 

Rudransh : I can't imagine what she's going through right now. The mixed emotions, the history... it must be overwhelming.

Priya gave a small smile. 

Priya : Yeah. But if anyone can handle it, it's Yamini. She's always been strong. Even when she didn't want to show it.

Rudransh turned to Priya, his expression thoughtful. 

Rudransh : You're right. I can see that now. But... I hope she knows she doesn't have to do it alone. Not anymore.

Priya glanced over at the door, where Yamini was still sitting next to her mother's bed, quietly holding her hand. 

Priya : I think she knows. She's got people who care about her. And I think that's the first step toward healing.

Rudransh nodded, feeling a quiet resolve settle in his chest. Yamini had a long road ahead of her, but for the first time, he felt hopeful that she might not have to walk it alone.

............

How's the chapter ?

Yamini's past is partially revealed. 

Rudransh is feeling bad for her. Why he is getting emotional ?