Hello lovely readers! đź’« Welcome to another exciting chapter of "Mine Yes! Forced to Be Yours Mr. Devil." In this chapter, we dive deeper into Anaya's emotions as she begins to confront the reality of her new life as part of the Singhaniya family. Through her interactions with Ria, Misha, and Rudra, you'll witness the layers of complexity and warmth within this family. I wanted to show how relationships, especially those rooted in love and tradition, can both bind and challenge a person.
I hope you enjoy this heartfelt chapter filled with quiet moments and the emotional undercurrents between our characters. Let me know your thoughts on Rudra and Anaya's evolving dynamic! đź’–
——————AUTHOR'S POV:~~
As the car pulled into the driveway, the grand Singhaniya mansion loomed before them, its towering pillars and intricate architecture a stark reminder of the life Anaya had married into. The silent drive back from the temple had left Anaya lost in her thoughts, and now, as she stepped out of the car, she found herself feeling a mixture of emotions. The significance of her earlier moment with Rudra still lingered in her mind, but the weight of her new role in this family hung just as heavily.
Ria, Rudra's younger sister and Anaya's best friend, noticed the shift in Anaya's demeanor immediately. They had known each other for years, and if there was one person who could read Anaya like a book, it was Ria. Always the bubbly, talkative one, Ria never missed a chance to tease or comfort Anaya, depending on what she needed most.
Ria slipped her arm through Anaya's as they made their way up the steps towards the mansion. "So, tell me, what happened back there? You've been awfully quiet since we left the temple," Ria said, her eyes glinting with curiosity. "Did something happen between you and Rudra?"
Anaya flushed at the mention of Rudra's name, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink. Ria smirked knowingly, already sensing there was more to the story. "Come on, Anaya, spill it! You can't hide anything from me, you know that."
Anaya hesitated, unsure of how to put the moment into words. The feeling was still so new, so raw. She wasn't even sure how to describe it herself. "It's nothing, really," Anaya finally said, trying to downplay the incident. "Rudra just... he just put the vermilion in my hair before we left."
Ria stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes widening with excitement. "Wait, what? He did what?" She turned to fully face Anaya, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. "Rudra did that? Our Rudra? The same one who hardly talks and acts like emotions don't exist?"
Anaya bit her lip, nodding shyly. "Yes… it wasn't a big deal. I think he was just doing what was expected. You know, fulfilling the ritual."
Ria, however, wasn't convinced. She knew her brother better than anyone. "Oh no, Anaya. That's not something Rudra does lightly. He might be all stoic and cold on the outside, but trust me, if he did that, there's something more going on. You don't just go putting vermilion on someone's head if you don't care. Not in this family."
Anaya's heart fluttered at Ria's words, but she quickly shook her head, trying to dismiss the thoughts that followed. "I don't think it means anything. Rudra's just... Rudra. I'm still trying to figure him out."
Ria chuckled softly, wrapping her arm tighter around Anaya's. "Well, you've got your work cut out for you. But I believe in you. You've always had this way of getting through to people, Anaya. Even when they don't want to let anyone in."
As they entered the mansion, Komal and Rakhi were already ahead, disappearing into the main hall. Ria and Anaya followed at a slower pace, their steps in sync as they walked through the grand foyer. Anaya couldn't help but glance at the luxurious surroundings. Every corner of this house spoke of power, wealth, and legacy—things she was still adjusting to. But more than anything, it reminded her of Rudra and the world he inhabited so comfortably, a world she still felt like an outsider in.
"You know," Ria started, breaking Anaya's thoughts, "this week is special, right? It's been a week since you two got married. I can't believe it's already been that long. Time flies, huh?"
Anaya nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, it's hard to believe. It still feels so new. I'm not sure how much has changed yet."
"Oh, things will change," Ria said with certainty. "Give it time. Rudra just needs a little push in the right direction, and you're the perfect person for that. Trust me, I've known him my whole life. He can't resist you forever."
Anaya's cheeks flushed again, but before she could respond, Misha, Rudra's other sister, bounded down the staircase, her energetic presence filling the room. "Hey, look who's back from the temple!" Misha exclaimed, her eyes dancing with mischief. She glanced between Anaya and Ria, immediately sensing the conversation she had interrupted. "What were you two whispering about? Something juicy, I hope?"
Ria smirked, giving Anaya a playful nudge. "Oh, you know, just the usual—Rudra and how our dear Anaya here is going to melt that icy exterior of his."
Misha raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Really? Do tell! I've been dying to see some sparks between the two of you. It's about time my brother loosened up a bit."
Anaya groaned, feeling her face heat up even more under the scrutiny of Rudra's sisters. "You guys are impossible. It's not like that. I barely know what he's thinking most of the time."
"Exactly!" Misha said, jumping in. "That's why we're here to help. You've got us in your corner, Anaya. And believe me, Rudra may act all tough, but he's got a soft spot. You'll find it eventually."
Before Anaya could respond, they were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. It was Aarav, Rudra's younger brother, looking every bit the relaxed yet sharp businessman in his tailored suit. He gave the women a nod as he made his way towards the dining room, clearly on his way to join the others for dinner.
"Hey, Aarav!" Ria called out, her tone teasing. "Guess what? Anaya and Rudra had a moment today. A real one."
Aarav paused, turning to look at them with mild interest. "Oh really?" he said, his tone casual but amused. "Care to elaborate?"
Anaya shot Ria a look of desperation, but it was too late. Ria grinned mischievously and said, "Rudra put vermilion on her before we left for the temple."
Aarav's eyebrows shot up in surprise, though he tried to mask it with a nonchalant shrug. "Well, well. Maybe the ice king is thawing after all." He winked at Anaya, adding, "Don't worry, Anaya. If anyone can handle Rudra, it's you. Just don't let him push you away."
Anaya could only manage a nervous smile in response as the group continued toward the dining room, where the rest of the family was already gathered. Komal sat at the head of the table, her regal presence commanding respect, while Rakhi fussed over the place settings, making sure everything was perfect. Dev, Rudra's father, sat quietly, sipping his tea as he read through the day's newspaper.
As they all took their seats, the lively chatter filled the room. But amidst the warmth of family, Anaya couldn't shake the feeling of something unspoken lingering between her and Rudra. He had barely acknowledged her at dinner, his focus seemingly elsewhere, though she caught him stealing glances at her once or twice. Each time, her heart raced, wondering if he was thinking about their earlier interaction.
Suddenly, Ria broke through the conversation, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Rudra. "You know, something's different about you today, Bhai," she said, her voice playful but curious. "What's changed?"
Misha, never one to miss an opportunity to tease, quickly jumped in. "Yeah, something's definitely different. You've been unusually quiet. Spill it, Rudra. What's going on in that head of yours?"
Aarav leaned forward, grinning as he added, "Come on, Bhai. We're all dying to know."
Rudra, who had been calmly eating his dinner, paused, his fork hovering in mid-air. His sharp gaze flicked between his siblings before landing on Anaya, who was suddenly choking on her food at the unexpected attention. She coughed, trying to compose herself, and Rudra immediately stood, his expression softening for a brief moment as he handed her a glass of water.
"Nothing's changed," Rudra finally said, his voice low and controlled, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes as he looked at his siblings. "Stop imagining things."
But Ria wasn't convinced, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. "Oh, come on, Bhai. You can't fool us. There's something different about you. And I'm pretty sure Anaya knows what it is."
Anaya's heart pounded in her chest as all eyes turned to her, but before she could say anything, Rudra spoke again, his voice firm yet oddly gentle. "Enough with the questions. We have work to do after dinner. Ravi, Aarav, I need you both in my office."
The table fell into a brief silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was just... Rudra being Rudra—direct, controlled, always with a sense of authority. As he left the table with Ravi and Aarav following behind him, Anaya felt a pang of disappointment. She couldn't help but wish that, just for once, Rudra.
As Rudra left the dining room with Ravi and Aarav, the atmosphere lightened somewhat, but the quiet that followed felt different. Anaya noticed Ria's gaze lingering on her brother's retreating figure, her expression clouded with an emotion Anaya couldn't immediately identify. Misha, who was seated beside Ria, nudged her gently, breaking her trance.
"You okay, Ria?" Misha asked, her voice low but concerned.
Ria blinked, forcing a smile as she turned to her younger sister. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking."
Anaya watched the interaction, sensing there was something more beneath Ria's words. Despite being the most talkative and bubbly member of the family, there was always a certain tension in Ria whenever Rudra was around. As if she was constantly walking on eggshells, afraid to say the wrong thing or cross some invisible line.
Ria had always confided in Anaya, sharing her deepest fears and insecurities. Though she loved her older brother, there was an undeniable sense of fear mixed in with that love. Rudra's stern demeanor, his coldness, and the way he commanded authority made it difficult for Ria to ever feel fully comfortable around him. It wasn't just about respect—it was something deeper, something that had festered over the years.
"Rudra can be... intimidating," Ria had once admitted to Anaya in a rare moment of vulnerability. "He's so controlled all the time, like nothing ever bothers him. It's like he doesn't even know how to express emotions. And when he's angry... I just feel like I'm going to say the wrong thing and make it worse."
Anaya had understood then, just as she understood now. Ria's fears weren't unfounded. Rudra's anger was rare, but when it surfaced, it was like a storm—a quiet, controlled storm that left everyone in its path feeling unsettled.
But it wasn't just Rudra who invoked that fear in Ria. Komal, their grandmother, carried her own weight in the family. Despite her warmth and wisdom, Komal's presence was formidable, and her expectations of the family were high. She was the matriarch, the one who held everything together, and Ria often felt the pressure of living up to those expectations.
"Grandmom is always watching," Ria had said once, half-joking, half-serious. "She has these unspoken rules about how we should act, what we should do, and I just... I don't want to disappoint her."
Now, as they sat at the dining table, Anaya could see that same tension in Ria's posture, the way her shoulders were slightly hunched as if she were bracing herself. Komal, who was seated at the head of the table, was quietly finishing her meal, her eyes occasionally drifting towards her grandchildren. Rakhi and Dev were engaged in a quiet conversation, but Komal remained observant, ever the silent pillar of strength in the family.
Sensing the need to break the tension, Anaya reached over and squeezed Ria's hand gently. "Hey, you don't have to be so tense, you know. Rudra's not here to scold anyone."
Ria smiled weakly, but her fingers tightened around Anaya's hand. "I know... but it's just how I feel sometimes. Like I'm always under scrutiny. And not just from Rudra." Her eyes flickered toward Komal, who was now watching them with a calm yet knowing gaze.
Komal, noticing their hushed conversation, finally spoke, her voice soft but carrying an unmistakable weight. "What's going on, girls? You both look like you're plotting something over there."
Anaya chuckled nervously, hoping to diffuse the situation. "No plotting, Grandma. Just... girl talk."
Komal raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Well, I hope you're not letting Rudra's sternness get to you, Ria. You know how he is. That boy has always been serious beyond his years, but he means well. And as for me..." Her gaze softened slightly as she looked at Ria. "I don't expect perfection from any of you. Just be true to yourselves. That's all I ask."
Ria's face flushed at her grandmother's words, and for a moment, Anaya saw a glimpse of the little girl Ria used to be—the one who sought approval and feared disappointing the people she loved most.
Misha, sensing the shift in mood, jumped in, her voice light and teasing. "Oh, come on, Ria. You know Rudra's just a big teddy bear under all that seriousness. He's probably too busy worrying about work to even notice if we mess up."
Ria snorted, though her smile returned. "Yeah, right. Rudra's about as cuddly as a cactus."
Everyone laughed at that, and the tension finally eased as they finished their meal. Komal stood from the table, her graceful movements a testament to her strength despite her age. "Well, girls, I'll leave you to your chatter. Anaya, Ria, Misha—don't stay up too late. Tomorrow's another long day."
Ria nodded respectfully as Komal left the room, her footsteps fading down the hallway. The atmosphere in the room shifted again, this time to a more relaxed, comfortable one. With the matriarch gone, it was easier for the younger generation to breathe.
Ria leaned back in her chair, letting out a long sigh. "I swear, sometimes I feel like I'm walking on a tightrope in this family. Between Rudra's moods and Grandmom's expectations, it's hard to relax."
Anaya gave her a sympathetic smile. "You don't have to be perfect, Ria. Nobody does. We all have our own ways of dealing with things, and it's okay if you're still figuring it out."
Misha, always the energetic one, jumped up from her seat. "Okay, enough of this serious talk! Who's up for some late-night TV? There's a new series I've been dying to watch, and I need someone to binge it with me."
Ria rolled her eyes, but a grin spread across her face. "You and your shows, Misha. Fine, count me in. Anaya, you coming?"
Anaya hesitated for a moment, her thoughts still lingering on Rudra and the strange distance that had formed between them. But as she looked at Ria and Misha, their playful banter easing the tension in her chest, she decided that maybe a distraction was exactly what she needed.
"Yeah, I'll join," Anaya said, standing up from her seat. "But I'm warning you, Misha, if this series is anything like the last one you made me watch, I'm not staying up past midnight."
Misha laughed, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Oh, trust me, this one's way better. You'll be hooked by the first episode."
As the three of them made their way to the living room, the weight of the day began to lift. Anaya allowed herself to enjoy the moment, grateful for Ria and Misha's company. They might be part of a complicated family, but in these moments, they were just three young women, enjoying each other's company and trying to make sense of the world around them.
But even as Anaya settled onto the couch between Ria and Misha, the thought of Rudra lingered in the back of her mind. What had that moment earlier meant? And why did she feel like something had shifted between them, even if neither of them had said a word?
She didn't have the answers yet, but she knew one thing for certain: in this family, nothing stayed hidden for long. And sooner or later, the truth—whatever it was—would come to light.
##To be continue...**