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Hey readers! Before diving into this chapter, I just wanted to set the stage a little. In this part of the story, we start to see deeper layers of Anaya's struggle as she grapples with her complicated marriage to Rudra. It's a pivotal moment where she's caught between her growing frustrations and her desire to make things work, both personally and professionally. Her hesitations and fears play a significant role in this chapter as she faces the daunting task of approaching Rudra, a man who's so emotionally guarded. I hope you enjoy this chapter as we unravel a bit more of their complex relationship!
______ Penola.s
The garden, once peaceful after Rubi and her mother's departure, now buzzed with a different kind of energy as Anaya sat with Ria and Misha. Their earlier lighthearted banter had given way to a more serious conversation. Ria leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, her usual playful expression replaced by a look of mild frustration as she spoke to Anaya.
"Anaya," Ria began, her voice slightly exasperated, "why don't you just talk to Rudra? I mean, you're his wife. If you need an internship, he's the best person to help you."
Anaya felt a knot tighten in her stomach at the mention of Rudra. The memory of last night flashed before her eyes—the coldness in his tone, the way he had dismissed her, and the unspoken tension between them. She hadn't shared any of this with Ria or Misha, and the idea of asking Rudra for a favor now felt impossible.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Anaya said, her voice soft but firm, trying to hide the discomfort she felt at the thought of confronting Rudra. "I... I don't want to bother him. He's busy enough as it is."
Ria frowned, clearly not understanding the weight behind Anaya's words. "Busy? Come on, Anaya. He's always busy, but that's no reason not to ask for help. He's the CEO of Singhaniya Enterprises, for crying out loud. He has the power to get you into any internship program you want. Why make it harder for yourself when you can just talk to him?"
Anaya remained silent, her mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. Ria made it sound so easy, but they didn't know the full story. They didn't know how distant Rudra had been, how cold their relationship felt, and how unsure she was of what her place in his life even was.
Sensing Anaya's hesitation, Misha, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "Ria's right, you know," she said gently, her tone more measured than Ria's. "Rudra may seem difficult to approach, but you're his wife now. If this internship is important to you—and I know it is—he'll listen. He might not show it, but Rudra's not heartless. He takes care of the people in his life."
Anaya swallowed hard, feeling the pressure of their words weighing down on her. She could sense that they were trying to help, but the idea of confronting Rudra again—especially after the tense interaction the night before—felt unbearable. She didn't want to think about Rudra, didn't want to relive the coldness of his voice or the way he had dismissed her without a second thought.
"I don't know..." Anaya trailed off, her fingers twisting together nervously in her lap. "It's just... it's not that simple."
Ria raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Why not? You're his wife. That gives you more leverage than anyone else. You're acting like you don't have a right to ask him for help."
Anaya's frustration began to bubble to the surface, and before she could stop herself, the words came tumbling out in a loud, almost desperate tone.
"I can't! I can't ask him!"
Her voice rang out louder than she intended, and both Ria and Misha blinked in surprise, taken aback by the sudden outburst. Anaya's heart raced, her pulse pounding in her ears as she realized she had drawn their full attention. The garden seemed too quiet now, the only sound the distant chirping of birds.
Ria leaned forward, her eyes wide with concern. "Why can't you, Anaya? What happened?"
Anaya hesitated, her throat tightening as she felt the weight of their stares. She hadn't intended to reveal so much, but now that the words had escaped her, there was no turning back. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but her emotions were still too raw from the events of the previous night.
"I just... I don't think Rudra wants to help me," Anaya said, her voice softer now, almost defeated. "He doesn't... he doesn't care about things like this."
Ria frowned, clearly not convinced. "That doesn't make any sense. Why wouldn't he want to help you? You're his wife. It's in his best interest to support you."
Anaya shook her head, her heart sinking as she realized she would have to explain everything. She hadn't told anyone about the tension between her and Rudra, about how distant he had been, about how she felt like a stranger in her own marriage. But now, with Ria and Misha waiting for an explanation, she felt like she had no choice but to tell them the truth.
"It's not that simple," Anaya repeated, her voice trembling slightly. "Rudra... he's distant. He doesn't talk to me. He barely even acknowledges me most of the time. I don't think he even wants to be married to me."
There was a long pause as her words sank in, and both Ria and Misha exchanged glances, clearly trying to process what Anaya had just revealed.
Misha was the first to speak, her voice cautious. "What do you mean, Anaya? Did something happen between you two?"
Anaya swallowed hard, her hands shaking slightly as she thought back to the night before. The tension, the coldness in his voice, the way he had dismissed her without a second thought. She could still feel the weight of his indifference, the way it had made her feel small and insignificant.
"Last night," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I went to his office. I wanted to talk to him, to try to connect with him. But he just... he shut me out. He didn't even want to talk to me. It's like I don't even exist to him."
Ria's expression softened with understanding, and she reached out to place a hand on Anaya's arm. "Anaya, I'm sorry. I didn't know it was that bad."
Misha, however, looked thoughtful, her brow furrowing as she considered Anaya's words. "Rudra's always been like that," she said quietly. "He's not the type to open up easily. But that doesn't mean he doesn't care. He just... he has a hard time showing it."
Anaya shook her head, her frustration growing. "It's more than that, Misha. It's not just that he's cold or distant. It's like... he doesn't even want me here. Like he married me out of some obligation, but he doesn't actually care about me."
Ria's eyes widened in shock. "He said that? Did he actually say that to you?"
Anaya hesitated, her mind flashing back to the coldness in Rudra's voice, the way he had brushed her off. "Not in so many words," she admitted. "But it's how he acts. Like I'm just... a responsibility. Something he has to deal with."
There was a heavy silence as the weight of Anaya's confession hung in the air. Ria looked at her with a mixture of sympathy and frustration, while Misha seemed deep in thought, her mind clearly turning over everything Anaya had said.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Misha spoke, her voice calm but firm. "Anaya, I know my brother. He's not the easiest person to understand, but he's not heartless. If he married you, there's a reason. He may not show it, but he wouldn't have done it if he didn't care, at least in some way."
Anaya bit her lip, feeling the sting of doubt. "I don't know. I don't know why he married me. He never talks about it."
"Maybe you need to push him," Ria suggested, her tone more serious than usual. "If he's not opening up to you, maybe it's because he doesn't think you want him to. You said you went to his office last night, right? Did you try talking to him about anything personal?"
Anaya shook her head, her throat tightening again. "No, I... I didn't know how to. It feels like there's this wall between us, and every time I try to get close, he just... shuts me out."
Ria sighed, her frustration evident. "Men can be so frustrating sometimes. They don't get that we need to talk about things, need to understand where we stand. But Anaya, you have to make him talk. If he's not opening up, it's on you to make him see that he can't keep shutting you out."
Misha nodded in agreement. "Rudra's always been more closed off than the rest of us. He keeps everything inside, even when he shouldn't. But that doesn't mean you should give up. You're his wife now, and that means you have a right to ask him these things. He owes you that much."
Anaya felt a surge of emotion rise in her chest. She wanted to believe them, wanted to believe that there was more to Rudra than the cold, distant exterior he showed her. But the hurt from last night was still too fresh, too raw. She wasn't sure if she could bring herself to confront him again, not when she felt so small and insignificant in his presence.
"I don't know if I can," Anaya admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I can handle another rejection from him."
Ria's gaze softened as she looked at Anaya, the teasing edge she usually had gone. She reached out and gently squeezed Anaya's hand, offering her support.
"Hey, I know it's hard," Ria said, her voice more serious than usual. "But sometimes you have to be the one to push. Rudra can be like a brick wall, but if you don't try, he'll never know what you're feeling."
Misha nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "Rudra's difficult, no doubt about it. But he's also my brother, and I know he's capable of caring, even if he doesn't show it. You just have to make him realize that he can't shut you out forever."
Anaya looked between the two sisters, feeling a mixture of gratitude and fear. They were right, of course. She had to push Rudra to open up, to let her in. But the idea of confronting him, of laying her emotions bare, terrified her. What if he rejected her again? What if he truly didn't care? Could she handle that kind of pain?
"I'll try," Anaya said softly, her voice trembling. "But it's just... it's hard. He's so closed off, and every time I get near him, I feel like I'm walking on eggshells."
Ria sighed, leaning back in her chair. "You're right, it's not going to be easy. But you're stronger than you think, Anaya. And Rudra needs someone who's not afraid to stand up to him, someone who can break through that cold exterior of his. If anyone can do it, it's you."
Anaya looked at Ria, surprised by her confidence in her. "You really think so?"
"I know so," Ria replied with a firm nod. "He married you for a reason, even if he's too stubborn to admit it. Now it's time for you to remind him why he did."
Misha smiled softly at Anaya. "You have to give it a chance, Anaya. Sometimes, people like Rudra just need to be shown that they don't have to carry the weight of the world alone. You're his partner now, and that means you have the right to ask for more."
Anaya felt a surge of emotion well up inside her. She had been trying so hard to understand Rudra, to connect with him, but every time she got close, he pulled away. But now, with Ria and Misha's encouragement, she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could break through his defenses and find the man beneath the cold, distant exterior.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she knew she had to do. "I'll talk to him tonight," she said, her voice more resolute this time. "I'll ask him about the internship, and I'll try to get him to open up. But... I'm scared."
Misha reached over and placed a reassuring hand on Anaya's arm. "It's okay to be scared. We all are when it comes to these things. But the important thing is that you're willing to try. That's what matters."
Ria grinned, her usual playfulness returning. "And if he gives you a hard time, just let me know. I'll give him a piece of my mind."
Anaya laughed softly, feeling a little lighter for the first time that day. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but at least she wasn't alone. She had Ria, Misha, and even Rakhi on her side. And maybe, just maybe, she could get through to Rudra and find out where they really stood.
"Thank you," Anaya said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you two."
Ria winked at her. "Don't worry, sis. We've got your back. Now, let's focus on getting you that internship. And don't be afraid to ask for what you deserve."
---
That evening, Anaya found herself pacing nervously outside Rudra's office on the third floor. The mansion was quiet, the day's activities winding down as the staff finished their work and the family members retreated to their rooms. But Anaya's heart was pounding in her chest as she prepared to confront Rudra.
She hadn't seen him since the night before, when their brief interaction had left her feeling more confused and distant than ever. But tonight, things were going to be different. She wasn't going to let him brush her off or shut her out. She was going to make him listen.
Taking a deep breath, Anaya raised her hand and knocked on the door.
For a moment, there was silence, and she wondered if he was even in there. But then, she heard the familiar deep voice from the other side of the door.
"Come in."
Anaya swallowed her nerves and pushed the door open. Rudra was seated at his desk, his laptop open in front of him, the soft glow of the screen casting shadows across his sharp features. He didn't look up as she entered, his focus still on whatever work he was engrossed in.
"Rudra," Anaya began, her voice a little shakier than she intended. "I need to talk to you."
Rudra glanced up briefly, his eyes cool and unreadable. "What is it?" he asked, his tone calm but distant.
Anaya hesitated, feeling the familiar sense of intimidation wash over her. But this time, she forced herself to push through it. She couldn't back down now—not after everything Ria and Misha had said.
"It's about my internship," Anaya said, stepping closer to his desk. "I applied to a few companies, but... I got rejected."
Rudra's eyes flicked up to meet hers, a hint of something—interest, maybe?—in his gaze. "Rejected?"
"Yes," Anaya continued, feeling the tension between them grow. "I need this internship for my studies, but I haven't had any luck so far. And Ria suggested that... maybe you could help me."
Rudra leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable as he studied her. "You want me to pull some strings for you?"
Anaya hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "I'm not asking for special treatment," she said carefully. "I just... I don't know what to do next, and I thought maybe you could give me some advice."
For a long moment, Rudra didn't say anything. He just looked at her, his gaze intense and thoughtful. Anaya's heart pounded in her chest as she waited for him to respond, unsure of what he was thinking.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Rudra spoke. "You want my help?"
Anaya nodded, her throat tight with nerves. "Yes. I need this internship, and I don't know where else to turn."
Rudra was silent for a moment longer, then he sighed and stood up from his desk, walking over to the window. He stared out at the darkened sky, his back to her.
"Anaya," he began, his voice low and measured, "I don't believe in giving people things they haven't earned. I've worked hard for everything I have, and I expect the same from others."
Anaya felt a pang of disappointment, but she didn't back down. "I know that. And I'm willing to work hard. I don't expect you to hand anything to me. I just... I need a chance."
Rudra turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "A chance?"
"Yes," Anaya said, her voice firmer now. "I just need an opportunity to prove myself. I don't want to rely on you, but... right now, I don't know where else to go."
Rudra studied her for a long moment, his gaze intense. Then, finally, he nodded. "I'll see what I can do."
Anaya's heart leapt in her chest, a wave of relief washing over her. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude.
Rudra didn't respond. He simply nodded again and turned back to his desk, resuming his work as if the conversation had never happened.
Anaya stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do next. She had expected more—some kind of emotional connection, maybe even a hint of warmth from him—but once again, Rudra remained distant and unreadable.
Still, he had agreed to help, and for now, that was enough.
As she left his office and made her way back to her room, Anaya couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. There was so much more she needed to understand about Rudra, about their marriage, and about the reasons behind his cold demeanor.
But for now, she would take what she could get. And maybe, just maybe, this small step would lead to something more.
##To be continue...**