_________@UTHOR'S POV:~~
Rudra had barely taken a few steps toward his room when Anaya's voice cut through the quiet ambiance of the mansion. Her words weren't loud, but they carried enough weight to stop him in his tracks.
"It feels so happy when all members of the family are present for dinner," Anaya said gently, glancing over at him. The implication was clear—she wasn't just talking about anyone. Her eyes softened as she looked at him, her words a subtle but undeniable request.
Rudra paused on the staircase, one hand gripping the railing as he turned to look back at her. Her expression was warm, welcoming, almost pleading, though not in a direct way. He could feel it—the silent request for him to be present, not just physically, but truly there, around the dinner table with the family.
Ria, ever the one to break tension with humor, leaned closer to Anaya, her voice barely a whisper. "Hey… are you saying this for me or... for him?" She smirked, her eyes flicking toward Rudra.
Anaya quickly recovered, smiling back at Ria. "Of course, for the family," she replied, but the little pause in her voice made it clear her initial words were directed toward her husband.
Ria gave her a knowing look, but didn't press further, instead letting her smile widen as she turned to Rudra. "So, what do you say, big brother? Are you joining us for dinner?"
Rudra remained silent for a moment, contemplating. He had so much work waiting for him upstairs, but something in Anaya's quiet plea tugged at him. Dinner with the family had become a rare occurrence for him, and for the first time in a long while, he considered staying, if only to make Anaya happy.
The warmth in the room, the playful banter of his siblings, and the familiar comfort of home seemed to pull him back. He finally nodded. "I'll join," he said quietly, earning wide smiles from both Ria and Misha.
"Great!" Ria exclaimed, clearly delighted. "It's been ages since we've all had dinner together."
With a small, relieved smile, Anaya followed the family into the dining room. The table was beautifully set, as always, with silverware gleaming under the soft lights. Rudra took a seat at the head of the table, as expected, but this time, his family had different plans.
Ria grinned mischievously as she guided Anaya to the seat right beside Rudra. "Anaya, sit here. It's better," she said in a singsong voice, giving her brother a knowing look.
Anaya hesitated for a moment, but before she could protest, Misha chimed in with a playful smile. "Yes, yes. You two need to sit next to each other. It's good for the soul."
Anaya blushed slightly as she sat down beside Rudra, who merely raised an eyebrow but didn't protest. The air around them felt charged with the family's playful energy, and Anaya could feel her cheeks warming as the others exchanged knowing glances.
As they started eating, the conversation flowed freely. Ria and Ravi bickered in their usual way, laughing and teasing each other, while Misha kept the mood light with stories from her day. The atmosphere was lively, filled with warmth and love, and Anaya could feel herself relaxing, even as she sat so close to Rudra.
At one point, Komal, ever the observant matriarch, leaned forward and addressed Rudra directly. "You should come to family dinners more often, Rudra. Look how happy everyone is tonight." Her tone was soft but carried the authority that only a grandmother could wield.
Rudra, usually guarded, simply nodded, his gaze flicking briefly to Anaya. He could see the quiet happiness in her eyes, the way she seemed more at ease with the family around her. He had always been the lone wolf, focused on his work, but tonight, sitting here with his family, he realized how much he had been missing.
Rakhi, always gentle, smiled at the interaction and turned her attention to Anaya. "It's nice to have you with us, Anaya. You've brought a good energy to the house."
Anaya smiled shyly, not used to being the center of attention. "Thank you, aunty."
Ravi, noticing the slight blush on Anaya's face, couldn't help but jump in. "And what about Rudra? Isn't it nice for him to be here too, Anaya?" He smirked, clearly enjoying the playful push.
Caught off guard, Anaya stammered, "Uh, yes, of course. It's nice when he's here."
Ria laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "See, big brother? Even your wife wants you at the dinner table more often. You should listen."
Rudra glanced at Anaya, who was doing her best to avoid eye contact, her face a shade pinker than usual. For a brief moment, a smile tugged at the corners of his lips, but he quickly masked it with his usual stoic expression. Still, he couldn't deny the warmth spreading in his chest. This dinner, this togetherness—he hadn't realized how much he needed it, how much they needed it.
The rest of the dinner passed in a haze of laughter and conversation, but the connection between Anaya and Rudra, though unspoken, was there. Small, almost imperceptible moments—like when their hands brushed while reaching for the same dish, or when their gazes met for a fleeting second—created an undercurrent of something deeper, something neither of them was ready to fully acknowledge yet.
As the plates were cleared, and everyone moved to the living room for tea, Anaya felt a sense of contentment she hadn't felt in a long time. She had managed to bring Rudra closer, even if just for one night, and that was enough for now.
Komal, ever watchful, noticed the subtle exchanges between her grandson and Anaya. Leaning over to Rakhi, she whispered, "They'll be alright, those two. They just need time."
Rakhi nodded with a smile, her gaze softening as she watched the two of them. "Yes, mother. Time and a little push from the family."
And as Rudra quietly sipped his tea, with Anaya seated next to him, he couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, this was exactly what he needed—a reminder of the love and warmth waiting for him at home, and the wife who, despite his distance, hadn't given up on him yet.
As Rakhi comes towards the living area and said my lovely childs, Dinner is ready let's a family dinner together .. mhm. Her voice is clam, lovable and sweet. We are coming mom but ask your older son first, Ria replied with her voice is pointing rudra.
I'm coming mom and and ria is not having dinner. I think. Today ridra replied with teasing taunt. —"Ahm Brother I'm sorry Let's have dinner.. come Anaya you sit with big brother.."
The dinner table was set, a feast laid out for the family. Anaya sat quietly in her place, her fingers tapping lightly on the cold silverware. Her left hand rested in her lap, cold from the long day, still slightly trembling from the earlier events at the office. She could feel the residual tension in her shoulders, but she focused on the food in front of her. Her shirt still bore faint coffee stains from the incident with Kunal, but she had cleaned herself up as best she could.
Rudra, sitting beside her on the left, was eating silently, his sharp eyes catching everything even though he said very little. As his gaze briefly shifted from his plate, he noticed Anaya's hand lying limp on her lap, her fingers cold and still. Without a word, he reached under the table and gently took her hand in his. His touch was firm, yet warm, and it startled Anaya. She turned her head to look at him, but Rudra kept his eyes on his food, his face as unreadable as ever. He didn't acknowledge what he had done, but he didn't let go either.
Anaya's heart fluttered nervously in her chest. She wasn't used to such gestures from Rudra, especially in front of the family, but she didn't pull her hand away. There was a comfort in his touch, a silent reassurance that despite everything, he was there for her. She tried to focus on her meal, but her thoughts were a chaotic swirl of confusion and emotion.
As the soft murmur of dinner conversation continued around the table, Ravi entered the dining room and made his way toward his seat across from Ria. He greeted everyone with a polite nod, but his usual warmth was met with an unexpected response from Ria, who averted her gaze and made a face as if she were annoyed. She picked up her glass of water and took a sip, clearly trying to avoid any interaction with him.
Ravi, always observant, noticed Ria's sudden change in demeanor, but he didn't comment on it. Instead, he smiled softly and began serving himself food. His eyes, however, briefly caught sight of something else—something that nearly made him pause. His gaze fell on Rudra's hand, still holding Anaya's under the table. For a second, his eyebrows lifted in surprise.
At that exact moment, Ria also glanced up, catching the same sight. Her eyes widened, and in her shock, she choked on the water she was drinking. Coughing suddenly, Ria quickly tried to cover up the situation, her face flushed with embarrassment. Ravi, ever the gentleman, immediately offered her a tissue, his concern evident on his face.
"Are you okay, Ria?" Ravi asked, his voice full of concern.
Ria, still coughing lightly, took the tissue and waved him off, trying to compose herself. "Yeah, I'm fine," she managed to say, her voice slightly hoarse. "It's just… the food's a bit spicy." She glanced briefly at Rudra and Anaya, trying to act like nothing had happened, though her mind was still processing the unusual sight she had just witnessed.
Rudra, noticing the slight commotion, lifted his gaze momentarily but did not release Anaya's hand. He returned to his meal, his grip firm, as if silently telling Anaya that she wasn't going anywhere.
The rest of the dinner proceeded in relative calm, though the atmosphere felt charged with unspoken words and observations. Dev, the family patriarch, finished his meal first and stood up from his seat, wiping his mouth with his napkin. "I'll head to bed now," he announced to the room. "Goodnight, everyone. Make sure to rest well; tomorrow's another busy day."
"Goodnight, Dad," Misha, Rudra's youngest sister, chimed in. She and Ria also stood up soon after, exchanging quick glances before wishing the rest of the family a good night.
"I'll be going too," Ria added, her voice still a little strained from her earlier coughing. She gave Ravi a quick nod, avoiding his gaze, before she and Misha disappeared down the hallway toward their bedrooms.
Rakhi, Rudra's mother, was helping Komal, the family's matriarch, rise from her seat. "Come on, Mom," she said gently, guiding the elderly woman toward her room. "It's getting late, and you need your rest."
Komal nodded in agreement, smiling at the rest of the family. "Goodnight, everyone," she said softly before being led away by Rakhi.
That left only Ravi, Rudra, and Anaya at the table. Ravi, sensing that the night had come to an end, stood up and stretched. "Well, I should probably get going too," he said with a small grin. "I've got an early meeting tomorrow."
He gave Anaya a quick glance, a knowing smile on his face, and then turned to Rudra. "Goodnight, Rudra. Anaya."
"Goodnight," Anaya replied quietly, her voice soft as she tried to control the nervous energy that was building up inside her.
Rudra nodded curtly, his expression as unreadable as ever.
As Ravi walked away, the staff began clearing the table, their quiet movements barely registering with Anaya. Her mind was racing. She was now alone with Rudra, the rest of the family having retreated to their rooms. The air felt heavy, charged with a tension that was palpable.
Anaya could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know why, but being left alone with Rudra like this made her nervous. Their relationship, though legally bound, was still undefined. There was an undeniable chemistry between them, but it was overshadowed by Rudra's cold demeanor and the secrets he kept.
Rudra, still holding her hand under the table, finally broke the silence. His voice, deep and authoritative, sent a shiver down Anaya's spine.
"Should we also head to the bedroom?" he asked, his words more of a statement than a question.
Anaya's pulse quickened. She wasn't sure how to respond. "Um… you go ahead," she stammered, her voice unsteady. "I'll come later."
She stood up quickly, intending to escape the charged atmosphere by retreating to the kitchen or perhaps taking a walk outside to clear her head. But before she could take more than a step, Rudra's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not painful. Anaya froze, her breath catching in her throat.
"No," Rudra said, his voice low and commanding. "You're coming with me. Now."
Anaya's eyes widened in surprise. She had seen Rudra's authoritative side before, but something about this moment was different. He wasn't angry or frustrated. His tone was calm, almost possessive. It was as though he had decided something, and there was no room for argument.
Still holding her wrist, Rudra stood up from the table and began leading her toward their bedroom. Anaya followed, her mind racing with a hundred different thoughts. What does he want? she wondered. Why is he being like this?
As they walked through the quiet hallways of the Singhaniya mansion, Anaya couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change between them. Something significant.
Rudra, on the other hand, remained silent as they approached the bedroom. His grip on her wrist never loosened, and Anaya could feel the heat from his hand seeping into her skin. The silence between them was heavy, almost suffocating.
When they reached the bedroom door, Rudra finally released her wrist and opened the door, gesturing for her to enter first. Anaya hesitated for a moment, her mind still trying to process everything that had happened in the last few minutes. She stepped inside, the familiar room feeling suddenly foreign and full of possibilities she wasn't ready to face.
Rudra followed her inside, closing the door behind them with a soft click. Anaya stood in the middle of the room, her back to him, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. What did he want from her? What did he expect?
She could hear Rudra's footsteps approaching behind her, slow and deliberate. The tension in the room was palpable, and Anaya's heart raced even faster. She wasn't sure what to say or do, and the silence was deafening.
Finally, Rudra stopped just behind her, so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from his body. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence stretching out between them like a taut string.
Then, in a voice that was unexpectedly gentle, Rudra spoke.
"Anaya…" he said softly, his hand reaching out to touch her shoulder. His voice was different now—less cold, more vulnerable.
Anaya turned slowly to face him, her eyes searching his for answers. What was he thinking? What did he want from her? But Rudra's expression, as always, was unreadable.
Before she could say anything, Rudra's hand moved from her shoulder to cup her cheek, his thumb gently brushing against her skin. Anaya's breath caught in her throat, her body freezing in place. His touch was soft, almost tender, and for the first time, she saw something in his eyes—something she couldn't quite place.
"Stay," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
And in that moment, Anaya knew. This was no longer just about the marriage they had been forced into. This was something more. Something deeper.
She had a choice to make.
——————
As they entered the bedroom, Rudra guided Anaya toward the bed, his grip still firm but not forceful. The room was dimly lit, casting soft shadows that flickered across the walls, creating a sense of intimacy Anaya wasn't quite prepared for. Her heart pounded in her chest as she sat down on the edge of the bed, feeling both vulnerable and uncertain about what was going to happen next.
Rudra stood before her, his tall frame imposing but calm. He didn't say anything immediately, just watched her with those dark, unreadable eyes. His gaze was sharp, as if he could see straight through her attempts to appear unaffected.
He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. "What happened today?" he asked in a low, commanding voice. His tone left little room for evasion.
Anaya's mind raced. She could feel her throat tighten, unsure of how to respond. Her fingers nervously fidgeted in her lap, and she avoided his gaze, trying to downplay the situation. "It's nothing," she mumbled, glancing down at her shirt. "Just… normal coffee stains."
Rudra's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression hardening. "I'm not asking about the stains," he said, his voice cold yet calm. "I want to know what happened."
Anaya swallowed hard. How could she possibly tell him that she had been searching for him in the meeting room earlier, only to find herself in an embarrassing situation with Kunal? The thought of explaining her actions made her even more anxious. She bit her lip, trying to maintain her composure, but the silence between them only seemed to make things worse.
Rudra wasn't the type to be easily dismissed, and he wasn't fooled by her attempts to avoid the topic. He crossed his arms over his chest, his stance becoming even more authoritative. "Anaya," he said sternly, "I don't like being lied to. Tell me the truth."
His words sent a chill down her spine. She knew he wasn't going to let this go. Her fingers clenched the fabric of her skirt, and she took a deep breath, trying to gather the courage to speak.
"It's nothing serious," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was… I was just looking for you in the office, that's all."
Rudra's eyes flashed with interest. "Looking for me? Why?"
Anaya's face flushed with embarrassment. She hadn't expected him to push further. She shifted uncomfortably on the bed, her fingers still gripping the edge. "I… I just thought you might be in the meeting room," she stammered, her voice faltering. "But then Kunal came in, and… it was just a misunderstanding."
Rudra's gaze sharpened at the mention of Kunal, his jaw tightening slightly. "Kunal?" he repeated, his voice taking on a darker edge. "What did he do?"
Anaya immediately shook her head. "It wasn't his fault," she said quickly. "He was just… surprised to see me there, that's all. Nothing happened."
Rudra's eyes never left her, his expression intense. "Why were you looking for me?"
Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected the conversation to take this turn. How could she explain to him that she had been searching for him out of concern, or perhaps even curiosity, about why he had been so distant lately? She didn't know how to put those thoughts into words without making herself feel even more exposed.
"I just…" She hesitated, searching for the right words. "I thought maybe you needed something. I didn't mean to—"
Rudra cut her off, his voice low and authoritative. "Stop hiding the truth from me."
His words hit her like a jolt. She glanced up at him, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and uncertainty. The room felt stifling, the air thick with tension. She didn't know how to respond, but the intensity of his gaze left her no choice but to confront her own feelings.
"I…" She paused, her voice trembling. "I didn't want you to think that I was… intruding."
Rudra's expression softened just slightly, but his eyes remained locked on hers. He took another step closer, towering over her as he reached down, gently lifting her chin with his fingers so that she couldn't avoid his gaze any longer.
"You never have to hide anything from me, Anaya," he said, his voice firm but quieter now. "If you were looking for me, just say it."
Anaya felt her heart skip again at the sudden closeness between them. His touch was firm but not harsh, and the way he looked at her made it difficult to breathe. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady.
"I didn't want to bother you," she admitted, her words barely a whisper. "You're always so busy…"
Rudra's eyes flickered with something unreadable—perhaps frustration, or maybe even regret. He dropped his hand from her chin but didn't step back. Instead, he leaned in just slightly, his presence even more overwhelming than before.
"I'm never too busy for you," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. "Remember that."
Anaya's breath caught in her throat. She had never heard him speak to her like this before—so direct, so intense. It was as if he was trying to tell her something deeper, something that went beyond words.
For a moment, they just stood there, the silence between them thick with unspoken emotions. Anaya's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. Rudra had always been cold and distant, but this… this felt different. It felt like he was letting her in, even if just a little.
She didn't know what to say, but she didn't have to. Rudra's hand reached out again, this time resting on her shoulder, his grip firm yet gentle. "No more lies," he said softly, his tone almost tender now. "I want the truth from you. Always."
Anaya nodded slowly, her heart still racing. "Okay," she whispered, feeling a strange mix of relief and apprehension.
Rudra's hand lingered on her shoulder for a moment longer before he finally stepped back, giving her some space. But even then, the intensity between them didn't fade.
He turned toward the window, his gaze shifting to the darkened sky outside. "We should go to bed," he said after a long pause, his voice returning to its usual controlled tone. "It's been a long day."
Anaya blinked, the sudden shift in the conversation leaving her slightly disoriented. She stood up from the bed, her mind still reeling from everything that had just transpired. But as she moved toward the door, ready to retreat to the bathroom to change, Rudra's voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Anaya."
She turned slowly, her heart thudding in her chest as she looked back at him.
"Stay," he said, his voice softer this time, almost vulnerable. "Just stay here. With me."
Anaya's breath caught in her throat. She could see the unspoken plea in his eyes, the part of him that was hidden beneath the cold exterior. And in that moment, she knew that despite the walls he had built around himself, he wanted her there.
To be continue...**