𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆- 𝑾𝒂𝒓 𝑶𝒇 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

𝟒𝟕. 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄

Author's Pov

The next day, Mrityunjay arrived at the Rudravanshi Villa when all his sources failed to trace Vidya. His car came to a halt in the long driveway, and the heavy doors of the mansion opened with quiet grandeur. The servants hurried inside to inform Shantanu and Akshita of his arrival.

Within minutes, they descended the staircase. Shantanu's face lit up in a cheerful welcome, as though he hadn't been a silent player in the contract marriage.

"Jamai sa..." Shantanu greeted warmly.

Mrityunjay didn't return the courtesy. He didn't even sit. He stood tall, his posture rigid, arms folded across his chest, his jaw set in unflinching resolve.

"Vidya kaha hai?" he snapped, his voice echoing in the hall.

"Pehle aap bethiye toh, jamai sa," Shantanu pleaded gently. "Akshita, lunch ready hai toh lagwao. Jamai sa bhi aaj humare saath lunch kar lenge."

Akshita nodded and turned, but froze halfway as Mrityunjay's voice cut sharp through the air.

"Hume kuch nahi khana. Bas jitna pucha hai uska jawab dijiye... kyuki esa toh ho nahi sakta ki aapko kuch pata na ho."

Akshita lowered her gaze. Shantanu exhaled, his tone dropping in defeat.
"Wo Turkey me hai."

Mrityunjay's chest tightened, but he gave no reaction. He turned on his heel, ready to leave, when Shantanu's voice followed him.

"Aap use wapas laane jaa rahe hai?"

Mrityunjay paused, his back still to them.
"Uske paas jaa rahe hai."

Shantanu's eyes softened with regret.
"Use kahiyega apne baap ko maaf karde."

Mrityunjay finally looked over his shoulder, his eyes sharp, steady, piercing.
"Maafi khud mange toh zyada asar karti hai. Chalte hai hum."

Without waiting for another word, he strode out, his footsteps echoing like thunder across the marble floor.

"Mrityunjay!"

Akshita's voice trembled as she ran after him. He stopped, his shoulders stiff, then slowly turned to face her.

"Use wapas le aana," she pleaded, her eyes glistening with desperation.

"Kaha?" His tone was sharp, clipped, yet beneath it lay a fracture of pain.

"Banaras. Tumhare ghar." She pressed, almost whispering.

His gaze hardened, and the words fell from his lips like a verdict.
"Humara ab kuch nahi hai yaha."

Her breath caught. Silence stretched between them for a minute as she tried to process what he had just said. She had watched the news-his abdication, his shocking decision-but hearing it from his own mouth sent a shiver through her. In her heart, she believed this was impulsive, that he would come back in a few days, reclaim his power, his throne, his name.

And yet... her thoughts drifted to Vidya.
Vidya always said, "Hume koi pyaar nahi kar sakta."
And here stood a man who had proved her wrong-who loved her more than himself, who carried her pain like his own shadow.

Akshita's lips curled into a small, bittersweet smile. Her sister, she realized, had found the best man-the perfect one.

Her chain of thoughts broke when his deep voice cut through the silence.
"Bholenath ke alawa."

Akshita blinked, startled.

He met her gaze, his eyes softening for the first time.
"Hum aur Anirudh bhi hai," she shot back, a faint smile tugging at her lips.