Tangled Beliefs

Chapter-16: Storm Within

Even the strongest hearts have cracks where the hurt seeps in.

Rudraksh’s POV,

As Nandini stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her, I felt my blood boil. My jaw clenched as I turned to face Dad, who stood there like a wall of stone, unaffected by the chaos he had just unleashed. The air in the living room was heavy, tense, and suffocating.

“Dad,” I began, my voice firm, though anger bubbled beneath the surface. “What was that? Why do you always have to push her like this?”

“Rudraksh, I don’t need your lecture right now,” Dad said, his tone sharp and dismissive as he adjusted the cuffs of his shirt.

“No, you do need to hear this,” I retorted, stepping closer to him. “You’re forcing her into something she doesn’t want. She’s just started her career, Dad. Let her live her life!”

Dad glared at me, his eyes narrowing. “Mind your tone, Rudraksh. Behave yourself.”

“Behave?” I scoffed. “You expect me to stay quiet while you use my sister as a pawn for your business deals? She’s not some piece of property, Dad! She’s a person with her own dreams and choices!”

“It’s not just about business,” Dad snapped, his voice rising. “They’re a good family, Rudraksh. Do you think I’d choose just anyone for her? I’ve met the boy. He’s respectful, sensible, and perfectly capable of taking care of her. He’s the kind of man she needs in her life.”

“She doesn’t need anyone right now!” I shot back, my frustration spilling over. “She’s still young. Let her focus on her career. Why are you so hell-bent on rushing this?”

“That’s enough,” Dad barked, his voice echoing through the room. “This is not up for discussion. I’ve made my decision, and it’s final.”

I stared at him, my chest heaving with the effort to keep my anger in check. He wasn’t listening. He never listened. Every argument ended the same way—with his stubborn refusal to see anyone else’s perspective.

Prisha placed a gentle hand on my arm, her touch grounding me. “Let it go for now,” she whispered, her voice soft but firm. “We’ll talk later.”

I shot one last glare at Dad before turning away. “You’re making a mistake,” I muttered under my breath as I walked out of the room, Prisha following close behind me.

In our room, I paced back and forth, my mind racing with a mix of anger and helplessness. Prisha sat on the bed, her hands folded neatly in her lap, watching me with calm, understanding eyes.

“This is ridiculous,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “He’s treating her like… like some sort of bargaining chip. Does he even realize how much this is hurting her?”

“Rudraksh,” Prisha began gently, “sit down. Please.”

I stopped pacing but didn’t sit. “How can you be so calm?” I asked, exasperated. “You saw how upset she was. How can you just sit there like everything’s fine?”

Prisha sighed, her eyes softening. “I’m not saying everything’s fine. I’m just asking you to think this through calmly.”

“Calmly?” I snapped, throwing my hands in the air. “My sister is being forced into a marriage she doesn’t want, and you’re asking me to be calm?”

“Yes,” she said firmly, standing up and placing her hands on my shoulders. “Because yelling and arguing isn’t going to help her, Rudra. It’s just going to make things worse.”