HIDDEN HEARTS

chapter 86 . First move

Shimla

Adhya was busy directing the house staff, ensuring the menu of the day . Orders flowed from her lips with practiced authority, her mind already overwhelmed with a hundred unfinished tasks. Meanwhile, Rudra sat in the living room, his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke to someone in a calm, measured voice.

Suddenly, soft footsteps echoed across the marble floor.

Rudra paused mid-conversation when he felt a tiny hand tug at his knee. He turned to his side and found Rudransh standing there, looking up at him with big, pleading eyes. The child lifted both his arms in silent demand, signaling Rudra to pick him up.

But what truly startled Rudra was the fact that his beloved grandson was standing in nothing but his innerwear.

“Dadu…” Rudransh whispered sweetly.

Rudra chuckled softly and lifted the little boy into his arms. “Bunny, where are your clothes?” he asked in surprise.

“No clothes… no more clothes,” Rudransh shook his head firmly.

Rudra frowned slightly, not fully understanding what the child meant until a familiar, furious voice rang from the corridor.

“Oh! So you ran straight to Dadu, huh? Just wait till I catch you!”

Rudra looked up to see Adriti approaching them, several tiny festive outfits draped over her arm. The irritation on her face made it clear that some serious mischief had taken place.

The moment Rudransh spotted his mother, he quickly buried his face into Rudra’s neck and whispered in panic, “Dadu… help me.”

Rudra immediately understood his little troublemaker had definitely done something to make Adriti this furious. As she reached them, Rudra gently intervened.

“What happened, beta? If he doesn’t like one dress, just make him wear another,” he said calmly.

Adriti let out a frustrated sigh. “It’s not about liking or disliking, Dad. These are all the outfits we bought for him to wear during Adira’s wedding functions. And this boy isn’t ready to try even one properly!”

“Dadu… Mom is lying,” Rudransh protested instantly. Then he lifted his tiny fingers and began counting seriously. “Sheven dresses pehni maine… par ab nahi pehnunga.” (i already tried seven of them but will not try any more )

Rudra smiled in amusement at the child’s earnest defense. He gently patted Rudransh’s back, then turned to Adriti.

“It’s okay, dear. Let him take a break for now. He can try the rest later. But Bunny, at least wear some clothes. I can’t let my grandson roam around the house like this.”

Adriti sighed heavily but nodded. She had no other option.

The moment Rudransh realized the danger had passed, he wriggled out of Rudra’s arms at lightning speed and ran not toward his room, but straight toward the lawn.

“Bunny! At least wear some clothes!” Adriti shouted as she chased after him.

“No… main kaple nahi pehnunga! Nanga ghoomunga!” Rudransh yelled gleefully as he escaped farther.( I will not wear clothes rather i will roam  naked )

Rudra burst out laughing at the chaotic scene. “This boy is dangerously mischievous,” he remarked fondly.

Adhya, who had witnessed the entire drama, walked toward Rudra and said with a pointed tone,

“At least someone in this house is taking this wedding seriously. The bride herself doesn’t seem bothered at all.”

Rudra stiffened slightly. He had been hearing this complaint almost daily ever since Adira had left for Mumbai. Every discussion somehow always ended with him being blamed.