PROMISE TO BE YOURS

CHAPTER 11

Rudhi woke with a start and remembered she had to get back to the hotel. Raghav was still asleep. She gently removed his tight arms around her body and patted him back to sleep when he stirred. She walked out and closed the door and went looking for JRS. He was in the sitting room staring at the blank wall. "Papa I need to get back to the hotel" "why" she let the why pass "I will come back first thing in the morning tomorrow" "why can't you stay here tonight Rudhi" 'what can she say that her baby is alone in the hotel with the nanny. "Papa please" "don't papa please me young lady, I am coming with you to the hotel and we are coming back home after you check-out". She knew when to not argue with JRS so bent her head and silently walked to the car that was parked in the portico. The drove towards the hotel once she gave the name in silence. "Are you married Rudhi" she shook her head no but he could see a fear in her eyes "why do I get this feeling that you are scared of something" 'if only he knew' Rudhi thought.

When they reached the hotel room Rudhi could hear Ragavi screaming at the top of her voice 'I want mamma" and Mrs Silva trying hard to pacify her. Rudhi forgot JRS was behind her and fumbled to open the door. As soon as she opened a wailing Ragavi rushed into her arms. "mamma, mamma" "shush baby, mamma is here my angel" she gathered a still crying child and rocked her to stop the crying. A stunned JRS stood at the door and looked at the other trying to pacify a still wailing child. "Rudhi why don't you nurse her she will calm down then" she looked up as if she just remembered what to do and walked with her child on to the bed and sat with her across her lap. JRS stepped out to give her the privacy and relentlessly ran his fingers through his salt and pepper hair. He was trying to gather his thoughts 'I am grandfather, Raghav has a child, Rudhi faced all this alone" Fresh fury ran all over his body. He could hear a whimpering child. Mrs Silva called him inside when Rudhi made the introductions. He tried to carry the half asleep child but she would not leave her mothers arms. He determinedly walked towards the phone on the wall and called the reception. "prepare the bill we are checking-out now". She looked at Mrs Silva and requested her to pack up. Rudhi was now seated in the sofa with a sleeping Ragavi on her lap.

He walked towards her and sat beside her. He gently ran his palm over her head. "shush princess it's okay" "I am sorry" "shhhhh......... what's her name" "Rudragavi" "What a beautiful name" he then got a call "oh holy" he turned to look at Ragavi "sugar, okay lock the main door and gate and don't bother about what he is breaking just don't go near him" He rushed Rudhi and Mrs Silva. When he reached the reception he called the manager gave his card and said they were rushing due to a medical emergency and the bill should be sent to his office in the morning" The literally ran to the vehicle "what happened papa" "the usual, he gets violent when we don't allow him to do what he wants" "violent" "yes Rudhi, he gets very violent and he has tried suicide several times" "Oh my god" The drove home at breakneck speed and they could hear the commotion inside the house" "you stay here Rudhi, let me see what he is upto" "But papa he will not hurt me" "I know but let me not take a risk"

JRS opened the main door and found Raghav screaming "she came here, my Rudhi came here and you let her go" Rudhi rushed forward and remembered she had Ragavi in her arms. She dumped her in Mrs. Silva's arms and ran forward towards Raghav "You stupid Singhania, I am here you fool" he looked at her with blood shot eyes then at his hand still holding a thick wooden pole, he then looked around the room and threw the pole "where did you go princess, I was looking for you" Rudhi took that time to reprimand him like a irresponsible child. "but you left me" "I went to get something Raghav" "okay, I am hungry Rudhi". A very emotional JRS covered his eyes with both his palms. His only son behaved like a normal human being after a very long time. Meanwhile he found a very contrive Ragavi whispering "mamma used a naughty word grandma" "I know baby, we will make her wash her mouth with soap okay" "okay" "she called daddy by name" "oh" she then looked at a amused Singhania who indicated with his eyes she should follow him. Rudhi led Raghav to his room and her eyes popped out when she saw its state. When she left this room was in some semblance but now it was in shambles with things thrown all over the place and tables and lamps and chairs toppled all over the place "What is the meaning of this mess Raghav" "They were not telling me where you left" She held his hand and led him to the bed. She helped him to get on the bed and sat on the side running her fingers gently through his matted hair. "I missed you baby girl" "I missed you too my darling, I missed you too" "Promise me you will never leave me" Rudhi was silent he pushed her aside and tried to get up "shhhhhh.........I promise you Raghav, I promise you I will never leave you again if this is what is going to happen when I leave you" "Good girl, I am hungry Rudhi" "Can I go and get some food" "No call them and ask them to bring it here and you will eat with me right" "yes I will eat with you"

JRS brought the food and sat while she fed him. She asked for his medical reports then asked him to get Mrs. Silva to bring her daughter. "will she be alright" "she will not sleep without me papa" he then informed her that Mrs Silva will have her own room and went to bring his granddaughter. JRS carried a sleeping baby and kept staring at her in wonder. A heedful of tiny curls hanging around her cherubic face. She looked so much like Raghav. Rudhi took her child and kept her on her side while Raghav slept on the other side. "will you be alright Rudhi" "yes papa. They both will not sleep without me" "I know baby girl" He got up and kissed Rudhi on her head and walked out.

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A.N: Peace and Harmony can be felt only when the waves touch the shore not when it is seen far at sea.