Dear readers, in this chapter, we explore the quiet moments between Anaya and Rudra after a long day. Anaya's concerns and Rudra's silent exhaustion create a space where emotions surface in ways they may not expect. I hope you enjoy this tender, introspective chapter.
With Love ,
~PENOLA.S
_______AUTHOR'S POV:~~
The night had settled over the Singhaniya mansion like a comforting shroud. The moonlight streamed through the large windows, casting long shadows across the intricate paintings on the walls. Each piece of art seemed to come alive in the pale glow, their strokes masterful, telling silent stories to those who cared to listen.
Anaya lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind restless. Her laptop lay open beside her, the screen dim but still casting a faint blue light across the room. The steady ticking of the wall clock in the background was the only sound in the large, otherwise silent room. She had tried to sleep, tried to push her thoughts aside, but the more she lay there, the more anxious she became.
Rudra had left for an important meeting earlier that evening, leaving her alone with her thoughts. As much as she told herself she trusted him, the presence of Rubi at the office earlier today had unsettled her. She hadn't said anything to him, of course. It wasn't like Rudra had done anything wrong, but the way Rubi had looked at him, the ease with which she spoke to him, had stirred something in Anaya—something she didn't want to acknowledge.
She sighed and turned her gaze from the ceiling to the laptop, the tap-tap of her fingers running across the keyboard echoing faintly in the stillness. But even the distraction of work wasn't enough to keep her worries at bay. The mansion, though beautiful and luxurious, felt empty tonight. The vast corridors, the grand chandeliers, and even the carefully crafted paintings did little to fill the loneliness that gnawed at her heart.
Suddenly, the door slid open softly, and Rudra stepped inside. Anaya sat up instantly, her eyes drawn to him as he walked in, his figure silhouetted against the light spilling in from the hallway. He looked tired—exhausted, even. His shirt was slightly crumpled, and his usually sharp, composed appearance was softened by the fatigue etched into his features. He didn't speak, but the tension in his shoulders told Anaya everything she needed to know: it had been a long day.
Without a word, Rudra crossed the room and sat on the couch near the window, letting out a quiet sigh as he leaned back, resting his hand on his forehead and closing his eyes. The weight of the day seemed to press down on him, and Anaya could see how deeply he was affected.
Concern bloomed in her chest, and she slid out of bed, her bare feet making no sound as they touched the cool marble floor. She moved quietly, not wanting to disturb him, but feeling compelled to ease his burden somehow. She walked to the side table, filled a glass with water, and approached him slowly.
"Rudra," she called softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she held the glass of water out to him.
Rudra's eyes fluttered open at the sound of her voice. He removed his hand from his forehead and looked up at her, his gaze softening as he saw her standing before him. Without a word, he reached out and took the glass from her, bringing it to his lips for a long sip. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable—it was the kind of quiet that allowed for understanding without needing words.
"Thank you," he said, his voice hushed, laden with weariness.
I... I just thought you looked tired," she said softly, glancing down at their intertwined hands. "I didn't want to bother you."
Rudra opened his eyes, turning his head slightly to look at her. There was a strange intensity in his gaze, something deeper than just exhaustion. "You're not bothering me," he said simply. His thumb absentmindedly brushed the back of her hand, a small, almost unintentional gesture, but it sent a warmth through her.
Anaya nodded, watching him with a tenderness she hadn't fully realized she felt. "You look exhausted. You should get some rest," she said gently. "Let me bring you some dinner. You haven't eaten, have you?"
She turned to walk towards the door, intending to fetch food from the kitchen, but before she could take more than a step, Rudra reached out and caught her hand, stopping her in her tracks. His grip was firm but gentle.
"Anaya," he said quietly, his voice filled with an unspoken emotion. "You didn't eat either, did you?"
She glanced down, avoiding his gaze, feeling slightly embarrassed that he had noticed. "I wasn't hungry," she mumbled, though it was a half-truth. Her mind had been too consumed with thoughts of him to think about food.
"Bring food for both of us," he said, releasing her hand. "Not just me."
Anaya smiled softly, a small flicker of warmth in her chest. Even in his exhaustion, he still thought about her. It was these small gestures that reminded her why she had fallen for him. He wasn't a man of many words when it came to expressing his feelings, but his actions spoke volumes.
"I will," she promised, before disappearing down the hallway.
The house was eerily quiet, save for the soft ticking of the clock in the corridor. The chandeliers above cast golden hues over the mahogany floors as Anaya made her way to the kitchen. Every step she took echoed in the emptiness of the grand mansion. As luxurious as it was, it sometimes felt too big, too empty for comfort.
The kitchen, as expected, was spotless—gleaming countertops, polished marble floors, and state-of-the-art appliances. Anaya opened the refrigerator and pulled out some of the leftovers from dinner earlier that evening, reheating them carefully. The hum of the microwave was the only sound as she prepared their meal, her thoughts still swirling around Rudra.
She couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering him. Perhaps it was just the weight of work, the constant pressure of running a business, but there was a distance in his eyes that hadn't been there before.
As she plated the food, her mind wandered back to earlier in the day, to the way Rubi had smiled at him. Anaya tried to push the thought aside, reminding herself that Rudra was not the type to let such things affect their relationship. But still, the insecurity lingered, creeping in like a shadow.
With the food ready, Anaya carried the plates back to their bedroom. Rudra was still sitting on the couch, his eyes closed again, his head leaning back against the soft cushions. The moonlight streamed through the windows, casting a pale glow over the room, and for a moment, Anaya just stood there, watching him. He looked so peaceful, so vulnerable in his weariness.
She set the plates down on the coffee table and gently nudged his shoulder. "Dinner's ready," she said softly.
Rudra stirred, opening his eyes and glancing at the food before looking back at her. "You didn't have to," he murmured, though there was a glint of appreciation in his eyes.
"I wanted to," Anaya replied, sitting down beside him on the couch. "You've been working so hard. You deserve a break."
Rudra reached for his plate, but his movements were slow, as if the day's events had drained him of all his energy. Anaya felt a pang of sympathy as she watched him, wondering how often he carried this weight without letting her see it.
They ate in silence for a while, the only sounds in the room the clinking of their cutlery and the occasional distant ticking of the clock. The soft breeze from the open window fluttered the curtains, and outside, the night sky was clear, the moon a silent witness to the quiet intimacy between them.
As Anaya set her fork down, she glanced at Rudra, who had finished his meal but still seemed lost in thought. "You should rest," she said softly, breaking the silence. "You've had a long day."
Rudra nodded, but he didn't move to get up. Instead, he leaned back against the couch, his eyes half-closed. "I will," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Anaya stood up and took their plates to the kitchen, returning to find Rudra still sitting on the couch, his head resting against the back. She paused for a moment, watching him, feeling a surge of affection rise within her.
She crossed the room and knelt beside him, her hand resting gently on his knee. "Rudra," she said softly, "You're not alone in this. You know that, right?"
He opened his eyes and looked down at her, the exhaustion in his gaze softening as he took in her words. "I know," he said quietly, his hand moving to cover hers. "Thank you, Anaya."
She smiled, her heart swelling at the quiet moment of connection between them. They might not always say what they felt, but in moments like this, no words were needed.
________
The soft hum of the night filled the air as Anaya stood outside their bedroom, her fingers slightly trembling around the edges of the tray she held. She couldn't quite place what was making her so nervous—perhaps it was the quietness of the night, or maybe the fact that tonight felt different, more intimate than usual. Her heartbeat quickened as she stood there, unsure whether to knock or call his name.
She raised her hand slightly, her lips parting as she prepared to call his name, "Rud—"
Before she could muster the courage to speak, the door slid open quietly, revealing Rudra already changed into his night clothes. His grey T-shirt clung to his broad shoulders, and his dark lounge pants hung loosely around his waist, giving him an air of casual relaxation she wasn't used to seeing. His gaze softened when it met hers, his tiredness still visible in his eyes but accompanied by a rare tenderness.
"Give me that," he said, his voice low and gentle as he reached for the tray.
The unexpected closeness caught Anaya off guard, her heart racing even faster. She found herself curious, not just about his sudden attentiveness but about how it felt to stand here with him, to share this quiet moment alone. As Rudra took the tray from her hands, their fingers brushed briefly. It was a small, fleeting touch, but enough to send a shiver up her spine.
Without another word, he took her free hand in his, guiding her into the room. He led her towards the plush couch near the window, the moonlight casting soft shadows across the luxurious room. The soft ticking of the clock on the wall was the only sound accompanying their silent walk. When they reached the couch, Rudra placed the tray down on the low table before them and sat down. But instead of releasing her hand, he gently pulled her down beside him, his grip firm yet comforting.
Anaya's heart thudded in her chest as she found herself sitting closer to him than ever before. The warmth of his body radiated through the small space between them, their legs almost touching. For a moment, she couldn't bring herself to look at him, afraid that the intensity of her emotions might be too visible.
Rudra broke the silence first, leaning back slightly on the couch, his dark eyes observing her with quiet curiosity.
" He shook his head slightly, a small, rueful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I've spent most of my life focused on other things. Work. Responsibilities. I never really thought about how this place feels."
There was a pause, and then, as if emboldened by the moment, Anaya spoke again. "Do you... do you ever feel like we're strangers?" Her voice was even quieter now, almost afraid of the answer.
Rudra didn't respond immediately. His grip on her hand tightened just slightly, and he looked down at their joined hands for a long moment before finally speaking. "Sometimes," he said softly. "But... not tonight."
Anaya felt her breath hitch at his words. She looked up at him, her heart beating loudly in her chest. There was something in his eyes, something she hadn't seen before—vulnerability, perhaps, or maybe it was just the exhaustion softening the walls he usually kept up.
For the first time since they had married, Anaya felt like they were truly seeing each other, not just as partners in an arrangement, but as two people navigating the complexities of life together. It wasn't much, but it was a start. And for tonight, that was enough.
Rudra gave her a small, almost imperceptible nod, before turning his attention to the tray of food. He reached for the plate of roti and paneer matar, the aroma of spices filling the room as he tore off a small piece of the soft bread.
Finally, Rudra leaned forward and reached for the tray, picking up one of the plates of food. "Let's eat," he said softly, handing her a plate with a small smile.
"How was your day?" he asked, his voice quieter now, more personal. His gaze remained focused on the plate, but there was a certain intensity to his question, as if he genuinely wanted to know.
Anaya, still caught off guard by his attentiveness, hesitated for a moment before answering. "It was fine," she said, her voice soft. "Just... the usual work. Nothing too out of the ordinary."
Rudra's eyes flicked up to meet hers. "No issues? No one giving you trouble?"
His question took her by surprise. It wasn't that he never asked about her day, but there was something different about the way he was asking now. There was a layer of concern she hadn't heard before.
Anaya bit her lip, glancing down at her lap. "Well, no... not really," she started, though she knew her tone wasn't entirely convincing. "It's just... I saw Ruby today. At the office."
At the mention of Ruby, Rudra's expression hardened ever so slightly, but he didn't interrupt her.
"She didn't say anything to me," Anaya continued, "but I don't know... it just made me uneasy. She has this... presence. Like she's always watching."
Rudra didn't respond immediately. Instead, as she spoke, he carefully tore another piece of roti and scooped up some paneer matar with it. He held it up to her mouth, catching her completely off guard.
"What are you—" she started, but before she could finish her sentence, Rudra gently pressed the food to her lips, his eyes steady on hers. It was a simple, yet deeply intimate gesture—something he'd never done before.
"Eat," he said softly, his voice almost commanding but with a tenderness that made Anaya's heart skip a beat.
She blinked, her lips parting involuntarily as he fed her the small piece of roti. The taste of the warm spices filled her mouth, but her focus wasn't on the food—it was on the fact that Rudra was feeding her. It was such a small, seemingly insignificant act, but it felt monumental in the quiet space between them. He'd never shown this kind of care before, and it left her both speechless and breathless.
As she chewed, Rudra leaned back slightly, his gaze still fixed on her. "You don't need to worry about Ruby," he said after a moment, his voice calm but firm. "She won't bother you."
Anaya swallowed, her pulse still racing from the unexpected gesture. "How can you be so sure?" she asked quietly, not entirely convinced.
Rudra's expression softened again, and this time, he reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Because I won't let her," he said simply. There was a finality in his tone, a quiet but unmistakable promise.
Anaya blinked, her heart fluttering again at the gentleness in his voice, the subtle warmth in his touch. She had always known Rudra as someone distant, cold even, but in moments like these, she could see a different side of him—a side that cared, even if he wasn't always sure how to show it.
Without realizing it, she leaned in slightly, her body drawn to the comfort of his presence. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Rudra didn't respond verbally, but the slight tightening of his grip on her hand told her everything she needed to know.
For the rest of the meal, they sat together in comfortable silence. Rudra continued to feed her small bites of food between their conversations, never once letting go of her hand. It was the first time they had ever shared such a moment—a quiet, simple intimacy that felt both new and familiar at the same time.
As the clock ticked softly in the background and the night deepened outside, Anaya felt something shift between them. It wasn't anything grand or dramatic, but it was enough. Enough to make her believe that maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something more.
---
Anaya's thoughts were interrupted by the realization that Rudra had been feeding her, but he hadn't taken a single bite himself. As much as she enjoyed the unexpected tenderness of the moment, she couldn't help but notice his selflessness. Her eyes softened as she glanced at the tray, and a sense of warmth filled her heart.
Without saying a word, she reached for the spoon on the tray, scooping up some rice and veggies. The room was silent, save for the faint tick-tock of the clock and the soft tap of her fingers against the porcelain plate. Anaya then lifted the spoon, her hands steady but her heart still racing from the closeness they shared.
She turned to him, a small smile playing on her lips as she held the spoon out. "It's not just for me," she said quietly, her voice filled with a tenderness she hadn't realized was there. "You have to eat too."
Rudra blinked in surprise, his dark eyes locking onto hers. For a moment, he seemed frozen, as if he wasn't sure how to respond. His usual confident, stoic demeanor faltered, and for the first time, Anaya saw a vulnerability in him that was rarely visible.
"I'm fine," he started, his voice rough with fatigue, but she shook her head, silencing him with a gentle look.
"No, you're not. You're tired, and you've been looking after me. Now it's my turn," she insisted, her tone soft but firm.
For a second, Rudra looked like he might argue, but then something in his expression shifted. He sighed, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're stubborn," he murmured, his voice low but filled with a warmth that wasn't there before.
Anaya smiled wider at his comment. "Maybe. But I'm right."
He didn't fight her further. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, allowing her to feed him the spoonful of rice and vegetables. As he chewed slowly, his eyes never left hers, and for the first time, there was no coldness, no distance between them. It was just the two of them, sitting together in the dimly lit room, sharing a quiet moment that felt more intimate than anything words could express.
The soft glow from the bedside lamp illuminated their faces, casting gentle shadows on the walls, while the night outside seemed to hold its breath. The ticking clock, the faint rustling of the curtains in the breeze, the subtle clink of the spoon against the plate—it all faded into the background as they focused solely on each other.
"You're right," Rudra finally said after swallowing, his voice quieter than before. "I do need to eat."
Anaya chuckled softly, relieved that he didn't resist her care. "See? I told you," she teased, reaching for another spoonful of rice.
But before she could feed him again, Rudra gently took the spoon from her hand, his fingers brushing against hers in the process. The touch sent a jolt of electricity up her arm, and she glanced up at him in surprise.
"Let me," he said, his voice soft but firm as he returned the spoon to her lips, waiting for her to take a bite.
Anaya hesitated, her heart racing once more, but the sincerity in his gaze reassured her. She leaned forward slightly, taking the food he offered, and as she chewed, she couldn't help but feel like this simple act of sharing a meal was something far more profound.
They continued like this, taking turns feeding each other in silence, but it wasn't awkward. It felt natural, as if they were finally stepping into a space they had been avoiding for too long. Every glance, every small smile, every unspoken word carried a weight that neither of them could ignore.
As they finished the meal, Rudra leaned back against the couch, exhaling deeply. "Thank you," he murmured, his eyes closing briefly as if savoring the moment.
Anaya watched him for a moment, her heart full of emotions she couldn't quite name. "You don't have to thank me," she said softly, resting her hands in her lap. "We're married, Rudra. We're supposed to take care of each other."
Rudra opened his eyes and turned his head to look at her, his gaze intense but softened by the dim lighting. "I know," he said after a long pause. "But it's not something I'm used to."
Anaya frowned slightly. "You're not used to being cared for?"
Rudra shook his head, his expression distant for a moment, as if he were lost in thoughts from the past. "No," he admitted quietly. "I've always been the one taking care of others. It's… different when someone tries to do the same for me."
Her heart ached at his words. She knew Rudra carried a lot on his shoulders—responsibilities, family expectations, business pressures. But seeing him like this, admitting that he wasn't accustomed to receiving care, made her realize just how much weight he bore alone.
"Well," Anaya said softly, shifting closer to him on the couch, "you don't have to do it all by yourself anymore. I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."
Rudra looked at her, something unreadable passing through his eyes. For a moment, she thought he might brush her words aside, but instead, he reached out, taking her hand in his. His thumb traced gentle circles on the back of her hand, a small gesture of affection that sent warmth spreading through her chest.
"I know," he said quietly. "And I'll try to remember that."
They sat there for a few more moments, their hands intertwined, the quiet night surrounding them. It was a simple moment, but for Anaya, it was everything. This was the Rudra she had always known was there, hidden beneath the layers of coldness and distance. And tonight, for the first time, she felt like she had truly reached him.
As the clock ticked on, the moonlight filtering through the curtains, Anaya realized that this was the beginning of something new between them. Something she hoped would only grow stronger with time.
The warmth of Rudra's hand in hers, the softness in his voice, the tenderness in his gaze—it all told her that, maybe, just maybe, they were finally starting to build the life they were meant to share.
## To be continue...**