Hello, lovely readers! đź’« Thank you for joining me for another chapter of "Mine Yes! Forced to be Yours Mr. Devil." In this chapter, we dive deeper into the complex emotional bond between Anaya and Rudra, highlighting the silent tension, unspoken emotions, and the slowly shifting dynamic between them. As they both navigate through their conflicting feelings, this chapter will make you feel all the subtle yet intense moments they share. I can't wait to hear what you think about their journey in this chapter. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Happy reading! đź’–
With love
~Penola.s
———— AUTHOR'S POV:~~~
On her skin for a moment longer than necessary, sending her heart into a frenzied rhythm. Anaya felt her breath catch in her throat, the warmth of his kiss seeping into her very soul, calming her yet leaving her in a state of heightened awareness.
"Now," Rudra whispered, his voice a soothing murmur against her hair, "you can go."
Anaya blinked, still disoriented from the whirlwind of emotions she was caught up in. She slowly got up from his lap, her legs feeling a bit unsteady beneath her. With a brief glance at him—his eyes filled with something she couldn't quite decipher—she hurried out of the room, her heart thudding in her chest.
Downstairs, the dining table was set, and each member of the Singhaniya family had gathered, waiting for her. Komal sat at the head of the table, her sharp eyes immediately noticing Anaya's flustered appearance. Aarav and Ria were already seated, exchanging light conversation. Misha was busy scrolling through her phone, completely absorbed.
As Anaya approached the table, she caught Ria's curious gaze lingering on her for a moment before the younger woman smiled knowingly. "Anaya, come sit," Ria said, patting the seat next to her.
Anaya quickly slipped into her seat, doing her best to compose herself. She could still feel Rudra's presence lingering in the back of her mind, a warmth that refused to fade.
Just then, Rudra entered the room, his usual calm and composed demeanor back in place. He casually took his seat at the far end of the table, directly across from Anaya. Their eyes met for a brief second, and in that fleeting moment, Anaya was reminded of everything that had just happened between them. She quickly averted her gaze, focusing on the plate in front of her.
Komal cleared her throat, her voice commanding as she spoke. "It's nice to have the whole family gathered for dinner tonight." Her eyes briefly flicked between Rudra and Anaya, her knowing gaze sharp, though she didn't say anything further.
Rudra, ever the composed figure, responded smoothly. "Yes, it's been a while since we've all had dinner together."
Anaya focused on her food, trying to drown out the thoughts swirling in her mind. But it was impossible. Every glance, every word Rudra spoke felt like it was directly tied to the intensity they had shared upstairs. She felt the weight of it all pressing down on her, suffocating her as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"So, Anaya," Aarav spoke up, his voice light and teasing, "you seem a bit flushed. Something exciting happen today?" His grin was mischievous, and Anaya's face instantly turned red.
Before she could answer, Rudra interjected smoothly. "We had a busy day at the office. I think she's just tired."
Aarav chuckled, clearly not buying it, but he let the subject drop, much to Anaya's relief.
Dinner continued with light conversation, but throughout the entire meal, Anaya could feel Rudra's eyes on her, watching her every move. Each glance made her heart race, and every now and then, her mind would wander back to that kiss, to the way his lips had felt against her skin, igniting something inside her she hadn't been ready for.
As the dinner came to an end, Anaya excused herself, needing a moment to breathe. She stepped out onto the terrace, the cool night air brushing against her heated skin. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to steady herself.
A few moments later, she heard the familiar sound of footsteps behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Rudra.
"Are you alright?" His voice was soft, almost concerned.
Anaya nodded, not trusting her voice to respond just yet. She felt him come closer, his presence strong and steady behind her.
"Anaya," Rudra said gently, "I know this is a lot to process. But I meant what I said. I won't rush you. We'll take this one step at a time."
She finally turned to face him, her eyes searching his. "I just need time, Rudra. This is all so… overwhelming."
He nodded, his expression softening. "I understand. We have time, Velvet."
And with those words, Anaya felt a small sense of relief, a promise of patience in the midst of the storm of emotions swirling inside her. As she looked up at Rudra, she realized that maybe, just maybe, they could figure this out together. One step at a time.
––·––––––––
It had been exactly one week since Anaya and Rudra's wedding, though you wouldn't know it from the way things felt between them. Their relationship remained a secret, not just from the world, but in many ways from each other. Anaya tried her best to adapt to her new life in the Singhaniya household, but Rudra's aloofness often left her feeling more like a stranger than a wife.
The morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of the dining room as the family gathered for breakfast. Komal, the matriarch of the family, observed the scene with her usual quiet strength. Despite the undercurrents of tension that often floated through the house, she kept the peace and order as best she could.
As Anaya quietly sipped her tea, Rakhi, Rudra's mother, watched her with a soft smile. She had grown to like Anaya over the past week. Despite the unusual circumstances of the marriage, she could see the goodness in her new daughter-in-law.
Komal placed her cup down on the table, breaking the silence. "Anaya," she began, her voice firm but kind, "it's been a week since you've come into this family. I think it's time you visit the family temple."
Anaya looked up, slightly surprised by the suggestion, but before she could respond, Rakhi chimed in with agreement. "Yes, Mom, that's a wonderful idea. It's tradition. Every bride in our family visits the temple after a week of marriage to pray for the family's well-being."
Anaya smiled politely, though inwardly she was unsure. She didn't feel like a part of the family yet. Everything still felt so new and strange, especially with Rudra keeping his distance from everyone, including her.
Before she could gather her thoughts to respond, Rudra entered the dining room, his expression as unreadable as ever. He acknowledged his family with a brief nod, but his eyes barely met Anaya's. Instead, they scanned the room as if he was checking off a mental list. His cold demeanor was something the family had grown accustomed to, but Anaya still found it unnerving.
As Rudra sat down, his presence was commanding, as always. The quiet tension in the room was palpable. Anaya noticed how he barely engaged with anyone, not even his parents, and the silence between them had become almost natural by now.
At the other end of the table, Ravi, their trusted chauffeur, had joined the family for breakfast. It was something Rudra encouraged, believing in treating those who worked for them like family. Ravi was well-liked in the household, though his quiet and respectful demeanor made him blend into the background.
Rudra glanced at Ravi, then looked over at his younger brother, Aarav, who was chatting away with his mother about some event happening at his college. There was a slight pause in their conversation as Rudra spoke, his voice calm yet authoritative. "Ravi, Aarav," he said, "after dinner, we'll need to discuss the upcoming business work. There's a lot that needs to be handled."
Aarav, who was in the middle of talking about his plans for the weekend, simply nodded, while Ravi gave a quiet "Yes, sir" in response, his respect for Rudra clear in his tone.
Rudra's attention briefly flickered to Anaya, but once again, there was no connection, no warmth. It was as if he was watching her from behind a wall, too distant to reach. Anaya tried to hide her disappointment, but it was hard not to feel it. Every moment like this—when he could have spoken to her, but didn't—made the space between them feel wider.
The family continued their meal, with occasional small talk filling the silence. But despite being surrounded by people, Anaya felt isolated. She glanced at Rudra, wondering if he felt the same, or if he even noticed at all.
As dinner came to a close, Komal leaned forward, addressing Rudra and Rakhi. "It's settled then. Anaya will visit the family temple tomorrow. It's an important tradition, and she should go with our blessings."
Rudra didn't object, though he seemed disinterested, his mind already focused on the work he had to attend to. Anaya, however, knew that this visit to the temple was more than just a formality. It was a chance for her to truly start integrating into the family. And even though she still felt like an outsider, maybe this would be a step toward something more.
Rakhi smiled warmly at Anaya. "You'll love the temple, Anaya. It's peaceful, and you can take some time to pray for whatever is in your heart."
Anaya nodded, though her heart felt heavy. What could she pray for? Peace? Understanding? Or for Rudra to finally see her not just as someone bound to him by duty, but as his wife?
---
Later that night, as the family dispersed after dinner, Rudra remained distant, barely saying a word to anyone. Anaya watched him for a moment, hoping for some sign that he might speak to her. But as usual, he was preoccupied, his focus entirely on work.
As she retreated to her room, she couldn't help but feel a little disheartened. It was clear that Rudra was a man of many complexities—his dedication to his work, his authority, his respect within the family—but where did that leave her? She knew it wasn't easy for him, or for her, but she couldn't shake the growing sadness that lingered in the corners of her mind.
Tomorrow would be the temple visit, and maybe, just maybe, it would help her feel more grounded in this unfamiliar world.
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The next morning at breakfast, the dining table was more lively than usual. The Singhaniya family gathered for another meal, with everyone settled in their usual spots. Ria and Misha sat on either side of Anaya, while Aarav was chatting animatedly with Ravi, their trusted driver, who was treated more like a member of the family.
Anaya sat quietly, observing the dynamics of the family. She couldn't help but feel the slight awkwardness that lingered in the air between her and Rudra. It had only been a week since their marriage, yet it felt like a lifetime of silent understanding—or rather, silent distance—had settled between them.
Komal, as usual, presided over the table like the quiet matriarch she was, her sharp eyes catching every interaction. Her mere presence commanded respect, and even Rudra, with all his power and authority, seemed to soften a little in her presence.
As everyone began eating, the usual small talk filled the room. Rakhi, Rudra's mother, engaged in a light conversation with Dev, her husband, who was scanning the morning newspaper, though he glanced up every now and then to participate. Anaya tried to focus on her food, but the silence between her and Rudra, who sat across from her, was palpable.
It was then that Ria, Rudra's younger sister, spoke up, her eyes darting between Rudra and Anaya. "Something's different," she said suddenly, causing everyone to pause and look at her.
Misha, the youngest sibling, turned her head to follow Ria's gaze. "Yeah, what's changed?" she added, her curiosity piqued.
Aarav, always quick to jump into any conversation, glanced up from his plate. "What do you mean?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Anaya, who had been quietly chewing her food, choked slightly at the unexpected attention. She quickly reached for her water, taking a sip to compose herself. Rudra, noticing her reaction, narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing. He simply turned his head toward Ria, waiting for her to explain.
"What's changed?" Rudra's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it as he looked directly at Ria. "Answer me."
Ria hesitated for a moment, glancing at her siblings as if silently communicating with them. She then spoke, her tone light but with a hint of teasing. "I don't know... it's just... there's something different about you two." She gestured between Rudra and Anaya with her fork, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Misha, always eager to back up her sister, nodded. "Yeah, I noticed it too. It's like... I don't know... there's a shift. Maybe it's because you two are, you know..." She trailed off, glancing at Anaya as if expecting her to fill in the blanks.
Aarav, ever the joker, chuckled softly. "Are we finally seeing the effects of married life, big brother?"
The room fell silent for a moment, and Anaya could feel her cheeks heating up. She glanced at Rudra, wondering how he would respond, but as always, his expression remained unreadable.
Rudra's gaze swept across the table, landing on each of his siblings before settling back on Ria. "And what exactly do you think has changed?" His tone was still calm, but there was a hint of challenge in his voice, daring them to continue the line of conversation.
Ria fidgeted slightly under his intense stare, but she didn't back down. "It's just... you're quieter than usual, Rudra. I mean, you're always quiet, but now it's like... you're even more withdrawn."
Aarav laughed. "If Rudra got any quieter, he'd disappear entirely."
Ravi, who had been sitting quietly at the end of the table, couldn't help but smile at Aarav's comment. He looked up at Rudra, waiting to see how he would respond.
Rudra sighed and placed his utensils down, his eyes still fixed on his siblings. "I have a lot of work on my mind," he said simply, his voice devoid of emotion.
But Komal, always observant, broke her silence. "Work is one thing, Rudra, but family is another. Don't forget that."
Her words hung in the air, a gentle but firm reminder of the importance of family ties. Rudra, despite his outward indifference, respected Komal deeply, and her words always carried weight.
Rakhi, sensing the tension, smiled warmly at Anaya. "Anaya, dear, how are you finding everything? It's a big adjustment, isn't it?"
Anaya, grateful for the change in subject, smiled softly. "It's... been different. But everyone has been so welcoming. I'm still getting used to everything."
Dev, who had been quietly watching the exchange, put down his newspaper and gave Anaya a kind nod. "It's good to take things one step at a time. This family can be... a lot, but we're all here for you."
Ria leaned in toward Anaya, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You'll get used to Rudra's brooding. He's been like that since forever."
Aarav laughed again, nudging Ravi, who was still listening intently. "What do you think, Ravi? You spend more time with Rudra than any of us. Has he been even more mysterious than usual?"
Ravi smiled, his usual quiet demeanor making him blend into the background, but he spoke respectfully. "Sir has always been focused, but... I suppose everyone has their moments."
Rudra glanced at Ravi, a subtle acknowledgment passing between them before he returned his attention to the table. "Enough with the speculation," he said, his tone final. "I have work to attend to after breakfast. Ravi, Aarav, we'll meet in my office."
Aarav nodded, but Misha, still curious, leaned in toward Ria and whispered, "Do you think they're actually getting along? You know... as a married couple?"
Ria shrugged, her eyes darting between Rudra and Anaya once more. "Maybe. But I think there's more to the story."
Before Misha could respond, Komal cleared her throat, her eyes soft but serious as she looked at Anaya. "Remember, Anaya, we're all family here. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Anaya smiled gratefully at Komal, feeling a sense of warmth from the older woman. Despite the tension between her and Rudra, she could tell that the rest of the family genuinely cared for her.
As the breakfast came to an end, the family members began to rise from the table. Rudra, as always, was the first to leave, already focused on the tasks ahead. Ravi and Aarav followed suit, and soon it was just Anaya, Rakhi, Komal, and the sisters left at the table.
Rakhi reached over to squeeze Anaya's hand. "Don't worry too much about Rudra. He's always been like this—focused, intense. But he'll come around. Just give him time."
Anaya nodded, though inwardly she wondered how much time it would take for Rudra to truly open up to her—or if he ever would. The family moments were comforting, but the silence between her and her husband felt like a wall she couldn't break through.
Komal, sensing Anaya's unease, smiled softly. "Tomorrow's temple visit will do you good, Anaya. It's a peaceful place. Take the time to reflect and find your center."
Anaya nodded again, her thoughts already drifting toward the temple visit. Maybe, just maybe, the temple would bring her some clarity—both about her new role in the family and her complicated relationship with Rudra.
As she stood to help clear the table, Ria and Misha exchanged another glance. The unspoken question hung between them: What was really going on between Anaya and Rudra? And how long would it take for the rest of the family to find out?
##To be continue...**