Hello, lovely readers! đź’–
I hope you're enjoying the journey so far with Anaya and Rudra in Mine Yes! This chapter takes us deeper into their complicated lives, and I can't wait for you to see what's next! The secrets, the tension, and the evolving relationship between our leads are just getting started. How will Anaya handle the truth about her past and Rudra's coldness? Can their marriage truly be more than just a secret?
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With love and words,
PENOLA.S
____________________
The Singhaniya mansion woke early, its sprawling corridors bathed in the golden hues of dawn. Yet, despite the beauty of the morning, a cloud of unease lingered within its walls. The events of the previous evening had etched themselves into the minds of its residents, leaving a charged silence in their wake.
Downstairs, the breakfast table bore the weight of a tension that no one dared to name. The clatter of cutlery and the soft rustle of newspapers were the only sounds punctuating the stillness. Dev Singhaniya sat at the head of the table; his expression uncharacteristically pensive. His eyes, usually sharp with authority, seemed distant as he sipped his tea.
Komal, the matriarch of the family, observed her eldest son with quiet concern. Her silver hair was neatly pinned back, and the soft rustle of her silk saree as she shifted in her chair drew Dev's attention. She set her cup down with deliberate care, her voice breaking the silence.
"Dev," she began, her tone steady yet probing, "you've been awfully quiet this morning. Is something on your mind?"
Dev looked up, startled. For a moment, he hesitated, his fingers tightening around the delicate porcelain of his teacup. "It's nothing, Ma," he replied after a beat. "Just work piling up, that's all."
Komal's sharp eyes narrowed. "Work has never made you this distant. What is it really?"
Jaya, sitting further down the table with her son Karan, watched the exchange with quiet interest. Her lips curved into a slight smirk as she added, "Perhaps it's about Rudra and Anaya? It's no secret the two have been drawing attention lately."
Dev stiffened, his jaw tightening. "Rudra and Anaya are handling things just fine," he said curtly, though his tone lacked conviction.
"Are they?" Jaya pressed, her words dripping with subtle derision. "Social media is relentless, and Rudra's silence about their relationship isn't helping. You know how easily whispers turn into rumors."
"That's enough, Jaya," Komal said sharply, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "This family has weathered storms far worse than a few rumors. Anaya is strong, and Rudra will support her."
Jaya shrugged, clearly unbothered by the reprimand, but she let the matter drop. Karan, however, remained unusually quiet, his gaze flickering between his mother and his uncle. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping a silent rhythm on the table, the faint smirk playing on his lips revealing his thoughts were far from idle.
The tension was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Anaya and Ria entered the room, their contrasting appearances immediately drawing attention. Anaya's simple pastel blue kurti and white palazzo exuded elegance and calm, while Ria's bold plaid dress and blazer screamed modern sophistication.
"Good morning," Anaya greeted politely, her tone warm yet formal. She moved with practiced grace, walking over to Komal to touch her feet in greeting. "I hope you're well, Grandmother."
Komal's face lit up with pride, and she placed a hand on Anaya's head. "I'm well, dear. How was work yesterday?"
"Busy, but good," Anaya replied, smiling softly. Her gaze flickered to Dev. "I hope all's well here?"
Ria, meanwhile, picked up a piece of toast from the table, her movements brisk. She ignored Jaya's pointed stare, though the weight of her aunt's gaze was hard to miss. Karan, seated nearby, watched her with a thoughtful expression, his head tilted slightly as if analyzing a puzzle.
Jaya broke the silence with a pointed comment. "Ria, dear, your outfit is... quite modern. Do they not teach young girls modesty these days?"
Ria froze mid-bite, her grip on the toast tightening. Her posture stiffened, but before she could respond, Anaya stepped in smoothly.
"Aunt Jaya," Anaya said, her tone calm but firm, "Ria's outfit is perfectly appropriate. She carries herself with dignity, and that's what matters."
Jaya opened her mouth to retort, but Dev's voice cut through the tension. "That's enough, Jaya. This family doesn't need your unsolicited opinions."
The room fell silent. Ria shot a grateful glance at Anaya before walking out of the room, toast in hand. Karan stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.
"I'll be back," he announced, following after Ria without waiting for permission.
Komal's sharp eyes followed his retreating figure, a faint smile playing on her lips. "The children are stronger than we think," she murmured to Dev. "They'll find their way."
Dev sighed, nodding slowly. "I hope you're right, Ma."
 __________------------=-------------__________
Ria stood on the balcony adjoining her room, her hands gripping the railing as she stared out over the manicured garden. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the greenery, but she barely noticed. Her mind churned with irritation and lingering embarrassment from the breakfast table.
"Ria," came a voice from behind her, soft yet deliberate.
She turned sharply to see Karan leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed. His usual smirk was replaced with a more subdued expression, though his dark eyes still held their characteristic spark.
"What do you want?" Ria asked bluntly, her tone edged with annoyance.
Karan pushed off the frame, stepping closer. "I wanted to check if you were okay."
Ria scoffed. "Why would you care?"
"Contrary to popular belief, I'm not as heartless as everyone thinks," Karan replied with a shrug. "What Aunt Jaya said was out of line."
"I'm used to it," Ria said flatly, turning her gaze back to the garden. "She's been criticizing me for as long as I can remember."
"You shouldn't have to get used to it," Karan said, his voice firm. "You deserve better than that."
Ria blinked, caught off guard by his sincerity. She turned to look at him, her brows furrowed in suspicion. "Why are you being nice all of a sudden?"
Karan shrugged, his lips twitching into a small smile. "Maybe I'm not as bad as you think."
Ria rolled her eyes, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Don't push your luck, Karan."
He chuckled, leaning casually against the railing beside her. "Fair enough. But seriously, don't let people like Aunt Jaya get to you. You're smarter and stronger than she'll ever give you credit for."
Ria studied him for a moment, her defenses softening slightly. "Thanks," she said quietly, her voice barely audible.
Karan smirked, but there was warmth in his eyes. "Anytime."
For a moment, the two stood in companionable silence, the tension between them easing as the morning stretched on. Below, the Singhaniya mansion carried on as always, its walls holding the secrets and stories of its residents. But for now, on the balcony, there was a sense of peace—a momentary truce in the ever-evolving drama of their lives.
 _________
The afternoon sun blazed high in the sky, casting a golden hue over the Singhaniya mansion. The sprawling gardens were alive with vibrant blooms swaying in a gentle breeze, but inside, the family's lives were anything but tranquil.
Rudra had returned from a brief meeting, his mind a tangled mess of reports and deadlines. His footsteps echoed through the corridor as he made his way to the den, where Dev was engrossed in his laptop. Dev glanced up as Rudra entered, his expression softening ever so slightly at the sight of his younger brother.
"Busy day?" Dev asked, setting his laptop aside.
Rudra nodded, sinking into the armchair opposite him. "Busy doesn't even begin to cover it. The media frenzy around the new project is exhausting."
Dev studied his brother carefully, noticing the faint lines of tension around his eyes. "And Anaya? How is she holding up with all this attention?"
Rudra leaned back, exhaling heavily. "She says she's fine, but I can see it's taking a toll. I don't know how to make things easier for her."
Dev's gaze softened. "By being there for her. She's new to all this—the scrutiny, the expectations. She'll find her footing, but she needs to know you're her anchor."
Rudra nodded slowly, Dev's words sinking in. "I've been trying, but sometimes I feel like I'm failing her. She deserves someone who can shield her from all this madness."
Dev reached across the table, resting a reassuring hand on Rudra's shoulder. "You're not failing her, Rudra. Relationships aren't about perfection; they're about effort. As long as she knows you're trying, that's what matters."
Before Rudra could respond, the sound of laughter drifted in from the corridor. Both brothers turned towards the door as Anaya and Ria appeared, their animated conversation filling the air. Anaya carried a tray of tea and snacks, while Ria clutched a book, her expression light for the first time that day.
"You two look serious," Anaya teased as she set the tray down on the coffee table. "What's the topic of discussion?"
Rudra shot her a small smile, his earlier tension easing at the sight of her. "Just work. Nothing interesting."
Ria raised an eyebrow, plopping down on the sofa beside Rudra. "When are your conversations ever interesting? Dev bhaiya, you need to teach this one how to loosen up."
Dev chuckled, shaking his head. "If Rudra starts loosening up, the world might end. Let's not take that risk."
Anaya laughed softly, the sound like a balm to Rudra's frayed nerves. She handed him a cup of tea, her fingers brushing against his briefly. The touch was fleeting, but it carried an unspoken reassurance that lingered between them.
As the group settled into a lighthearted exchange, the tension of the morning seemed to dissipate, replaced by a rare moment of harmony.
_____________________________
Later that evening, as twilight painted the mansion in hues of amber and violet, Jaya found herself wandering the grand hallway. Her mind buzzed with dissatisfaction; the morning's events had left her feeling slighted. Komal's firm words and Dev's sharp rebuke gnawed at her pride.
She paused near the staircase, her gaze landing on Komal, who sat in the living room with a book in hand. For a moment, Jaya hesitated, debating whether to approach her sister-in-law. But the simmering frustration won out.
"Komal," Jaya called, her tone clipped as she descended the stairs.
Komal looked up from her book, her expression calm. "Yes, Jaya?"
Jaya folded her arms, her chin tilting up. "I've been meaning to talk to you about the younger generation in this house. Don't you think it's time we had stricter rules about how they conduct themselves?"
Komal arched an elegant eyebrow, setting her book aside. "Stricter rules? About what, exactly?"
"About how they dress, how they speak, how they behave," Jaya replied, her voice rising slightly. "Ria, for instance—her attire today was completely inappropriate. And Anaya—while polite, she doesn't fully understand the weight of this family's reputation."
Komal's expression remained composed, but there was steel in her eyes. "Jaya, this family's reputation doesn't rest on what the younger generation wears or how they speak. It rests on their values and actions."
Jaya scoffed. "Values are displayed in how one presents oneself. Do you think society will care about Ria's intelligence or Anaya's politeness if they don't conform to expectations?"
Komal rose gracefully, her saree falling in perfect folds around her. "Society's expectations change with the wind, Jaya. What matters is that these children have the strength and integrity to stand firm in their choices. You may concern yourself with appearances, but I concern myself with their character."
Before Jaya could argue, Dev appeared in the doorway, his sharp gaze sweeping over the two women. "Is everything alright here?" he asked, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.
Komal turned to him, her expression softening. "Jaya and I were just having a discussion about priorities."
Jaya huffed, throwing up her hands. "Of course, I'm the unreasonable one."
Dev stepped forward, his presence commanding. "Jaya, let me make something clear. This family doesn't need your constant criticism. If you have concerns, voice them constructively. Otherwise, keep them to yourself."
Jaya bristled, her lips pressing into a thin line. But under Dev's unwavering gaze, she nodded stiffly and walked away, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
Komal sighed, sinking back into her chair. "You didn't have to step in, Dev. I could handle her."
"I know, Ma," Dev replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "But sometimes, she needs to hear it from more than one person."
___________________________
Upstairs, Ria sat cross-legged on her bed, flipping through the pages of her book. Her earlier encounter with Karan lingered in her mind, leaving her unsettled. His sudden kindness was a far cry from the teasing and smug remarks she had come to expect from him.
A knock at the door broke her reverie. She looked up to see Karan leaning against the frame, his arms crossed and a familiar smirk playing on his lips.
"What now?" Ria asked, her tone laced with exasperation.
Karan stepped inside, his hands tucked into his pockets. "I thought I'd check in. Make sure Aunt Jaya didn't leave you too scarred."
Ria rolled her eyes. "I'm fine, Karan. You don't need to play knight in shining armor."
"Who said anything about armor?" he quipped, pulling out the chair from her desk and sitting down. "Maybe I just enjoy your company."
Ria narrowed her eyes. "What game are you playing?"
Karan's smirk softened into something almost genuine. "No game, Ria. Just... trying to understand you better."
Her gaze flickered with uncertainty, but she masked it quickly. "Well, good luck with that."
Karan chuckled, leaning back in the chair. "Challenge accepted."
As he left the room, Ria found herself smiling despite her better judgment. There was something about Karan that intrigued her, even if she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
In the rooms and corridors of the Singhaniya mansion, the threads of connection and conflict continued to intertwine, weaving a story of love, loyalty, and unspoken truths. Each member of the family carried their own burdens, their own hopes and fears, and yet, they remained bound by the ties that held them together—fragile yet unbreakable.
 __________------------^^^^^-------------__________
Night fell over the Singhaniya mansion, blanketing the estate in a serene hush. The sprawling corridors, often bustling with activity during the day, were now quiet save for the occasional sound of footsteps or the rustle of curtains in the evening breeze. Yet, for some, sleep was elusive.
Rudra paced the length of his study, the dim light of a single desk lamp casting long shadows against the walls. His thoughts were a tangle of worries and unresolved questions. His mind kept drifting to Anaya, her face etched with determination even amidst the chaos of their public lives. He knew she was trying her best to adjust to the pressures of being a part of the Singhaniya family, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't doing enough to ease her burden.
A soft knock at the door pulled him from his reverie.
"Come in," he called, his voice low but steady.
The door creaked open, revealing Anaya in a simple lavender night suit. Her hair was loosely tied back, and the faint traces of sleep lingered in her eyes. She stepped inside hesitantly, clutching a thin shawl around her shoulders.
"Couldn't sleep?" Rudra asked, his tone softening as he gestured for her to come closer.
Anaya shook her head, her gaze falling to the floor. "I thought I'd check on you. You didn't come to bed."
Rudra offered her a small, tired smile. "I couldn't sleep either. Too many things on my mind."
Anaya moved to stand beside him, her fingers brushing lightly against the edge of the desk. "Is it about the new project?"
"Partly," Rudra admitted. "But mostly, it's about us. About you."
She looked up at him, her brows furrowing in concern. "Me? Why?"
Rudra exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Because I see how hard you're trying, Anaya. To fit in, to navigate this world. And I can't help but wonder if I'm doing enough to support you."
Anaya's expression softened, and she reached out to place a reassuring hand on his arm. "Rudra, you don't have to carry all the responsibility on your shoulders. This is my life now too, and I knew what I was stepping into when I married you. Yes, it's overwhelming at times, but I'm not fragile. I can handle it."
Rudra's gaze met hers, searching her eyes for the truth in her words. "I know you're strong, Anaya. But that doesn't mean you should have to face everything alone."
"I'm not alone," she said softly, her fingers tightening around his arm. "I have you. And as long as we're in this together, I'll be okay."
The vulnerability in her voice struck a chord deep within Rudra. Without thinking, he reached up to cup her face, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek. "You're incredible, you know that?"
Anaya's lips curved into a faint smile. "I've been told."
Rudra chuckled, the sound breaking the tension in the room. For a moment, they stood there, the weight of their worries lifted by the quiet intimacy of the moment. Then, gently, Rudra pulled her into his arms, holding her close as the world outside their sanctuary faded away.
____________________
Across the hall, Ria was not alone either. She sat cross-legged on her bed, a tub of ice cream in hand, as Karan lounged in the chair near her desk. He had shown up unannounced, as usual, carrying a pack of her favorite snacks as a peace offering.
"Why are you even here?" Ria asked, her tone exasperated but lacking real malice. "Don't you have anything better to do?"
Karan smirked, propping his feet up on the edge of her bed. "Nope. Besides, you're more interesting than most people in this house."
Ria rolled her eyes, scooping another spoonful of ice cream. "That's not saying much."
Karan chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Fair point. But seriously, I wanted to see if you were okay after everything this morning."
"I'm fine," Ria replied, though her tone was less sharp this time. "I've dealt with worse from Aunt Jaya."
Karan tilted his head, studying her thoughtfully. "You're tougher than you look, you know that?"
"Don't patronize me," Ria shot back, though there was a faint hint of a smile on her lips.
"I'm serious," Karan said, his voice uncharacteristically sincere. "Most people would've stormed out or broken down after half the things she said, but you held your ground. That's impressive."
Ria's cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly looked away. "Don't make me regret letting you in here."
Karan grinned, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, no more compliments. For now."
For a while, they sat in companionable silence, the tension between them easing as they bantered back and forth. Karan, who had always prided himself on keeping people at arm's length, found himself genuinely enjoying Ria's company. She was fiery, intelligent, and unafraid to challenge him—qualities he hadn't realized he admired until now.
Ria, meanwhile, was beginning to see a different side of Karan, one that wasn't entirely defined by arrogance and smugness. There was depth to him, a quiet understanding that surfaced in moments like these. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but for now, she decided to let her guard down just a little.
______________
Downstairs, Komal sat in the dimly lit living room, her gaze fixed on the flickering flames of the fireplace. Her thoughts were heavy, her mind replaying the events of the day. She had spent her life holding this family together, navigating its triumphs and trials with unwavering strength. But as she grew older, she couldn't help but wonder if she had done enough to prepare them for the challenges that lay ahead.
"Still awake, Ma?" Dev's voice broke through her thoughts as he entered the room, his footsteps quiet on the marble floor.
Komal looked up, offering him a faint smile. "I could ask you the same thing."
Dev sat down beside her, his expression thoughtful. "There's a lot on my mind."
"You're worried about Rudra and Anaya," Komal said knowingly. "And Ria, no doubt."
Dev nodded, running a hand through his hair. "This family has been through so much, Ma. Sometimes I wonder if we'll ever find peace."
Komal reached out to place a comforting hand on his. "Peace isn't something you find, Dev. It's something you create. And this family will be just fine, as long as we remember what truly matters—love, loyalty, and understanding."
Dev sighed, her words bringing a measure of comfort. "I hope you're right, Ma."
Komal smiled, her eyes shimmering with quiet wisdom. "I've seen this family weather storms you can't even imagine, Dev. We'll weather this too."
As the night deepened, the Singhaniya mansion stood as a silent witness to its inhabitants' lives—a house filled with love, conflict, and unspoken dreams. And though the path ahead was uncertain, the bonds that held them together remained strong, their roots buried deep in the soil of their shared history.
The quiet embrace between Rudra and Anaya lingered, the faint hum of the night outside the only sound in the room. For a moment, neither spoke, letting the comfort of proximity fill the silence. But Anaya, ever perceptive, could sense the lingering weight in Rudra's posture, the subtle tension that even her presence couldn't completely dissolve.
"Rudra," she said softly, pulling back just enough to look up at him. "There's something you're not telling me."
He hesitated, his arms still loosely around her. His dark eyes searched hers, as though weighing whether to share the thoughts that had been plaguing him. "It's nothing you need to worry about," he said finally, though his voice lacked conviction.
Anaya frowned, her fingers brushing lightly against his chest. "You always say that. But I can tell when something's bothering you. Please, talk to me."
Rudra sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. He stepped back, running a hand through his hair as he moved to lean against the edge of the desk. His gaze dropped to the floor, avoiding hers. "It's just… everything," he admitted finally. "The pressure, the expectations. I feel like no matter what I do, it's never enough."
Anaya's heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice. She crossed the room, closing the distance between them, and placed a hand gently on his arm. "You've been carrying this weight for so long, haven't you?" she said quietly. "Trying to be the perfect son, the perfect brother… the perfect husband."
Rudra looked up at her, startled by the raw truth in her words. "I just don't want to fail," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Not you, not this family. Everyone expects so much from me, and sometimes… sometimes it feels like I can't breathe."
Anaya's eyes softened, and she reached up to cup his face, forcing him to look at her. "Rudra, listen to me. You don't have to be perfect. Not for me, not for anyone. You're allowed to feel overwhelmed. You're allowed to lean on someone else when it gets too much."
He closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. Her words were like a balm to his frayed nerves, offering a solace he hadn't realized he needed. "You make it sound so simple," he murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"It is simple," she said, her voice firm. "You're not alone in this, Rudra. Whatever you're facing, we'll face it together. But you have to let me in. I can't help you if you keep shutting me out."
Her words struck a chord deep within him, breaking through the walls he had built around his heart. He reached up, covering her hand with his, and opened his eyes to meet her gaze. "I'm not used to this," he admitted. "Letting someone else see the parts of me that aren't strong."
Anaya smiled, her thumb brushing lightly against his cheek. "That's what love is, Rudra. It's not just about the good moments. It's about standing beside each other even when things get messy."
Rudra exhaled deeply, the tension in his shoulders easing as her words sank in. "I don't deserve you," he said softly.
"Don't say that," Anaya replied, her voice trembling slightly. "You deserve every bit of happiness, Rudra. And I'll remind you of that as many times as it takes."
For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the air between them charged with unspoken emotions. Then, unable to hold back any longer, Rudra leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes closing as he let himself be vulnerable in her presence.
"I don't know what I did to deserve you," he murmured. "But I promise, Anaya, I'll do everything in my power to make you happy."
"You already do," she whispered, her voice filled with quiet conviction. "Just by being you."
As they stood there, their foreheads touching and their breaths mingling, the burdens they carried felt a little lighter. In that moment, they weren't Rudra Singhaniya, the heir to a powerful family, and Anaya, the outsider navigating a world of expectations. They were just two people, bound by love and a shared determination to face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.
To be continued....