Everyone is quite happy with the union. Parikshit is also the target of their mockery. Parikshit sent his father a stare, his face exploding with anger.
Abhi responded, "Sorry my son, we were just taunting, and I'm sorry," as he saw his kid was gazing at him aggressively.
As the wedding festivities continued, someone strolled in from the back of the gathering, catching everyone's attention with a sudden, confident stride. "Hey, so you finally got married," the man remarked, his voice calm but carrying a weight of familiarity.
Rajeev, hearing the voice, turned around in surprise, his eyes widening with joy. Without a moment's hesitation, he walked toward the man, his face lighting up with a smile. "Sir! It's been so long!" he exclaimed, grasping the man's hand in a warm handshake. "I tried reaching out to you several times, especially to invite you to my wedding, but I wasn't sure if you received the messages. I wasn't even sure about your condition... and then you just disappeared."
The man, dressed in simple yet dignified attire, offered Rajeev a reassuring smile. His presence exuded a calm authority, a sense of wisdom accumulated over years of life experience. "I know, Rajeev," he said in a low, comforting tone. "You did your best to find me, and that's why I'm here. I couldn't miss your wedding, could I?"
Rajeev's eyes sparkled with appreciation and respect as he spoke with the man, whose presence seemed almost mystical. Meanwhile, Gurdeep and Uma, who had been watching from a distance, were left speechless. They exchanged confused glances, realizing that the man standing before Rajeev was no ordinary guest. The whispers of the crowd confirmed their suspicions.
Gurdeep and Uma were stunned to learn that a saint had been engaged in Rajeev's marriage.
Rudra's face darkened as he watched the saint exchange pleasantries with Rajeev. His eyes narrowed with a mixture of disbelief and suspicion. What is he doing here? Rudra thought, the muscles in his jaw tightening. How did he get to my son?
It wasn't that Rudra didn't know the man—quite the opposite. He knew him too well. The saint's presence stirred memories Rudra had long buried, memories of mistakes that had cost him dearly. His heart clenched with regret, a familiar weight he carried with him always. He had walked a path that led him to places no father would want his child to follow.
Subtly, Rudra glanced down at his left leg, a limb that appeared entirely normal to anyone who didn't know better. The smooth movement of his gait and the careful construction of the prosthetic made it impossible for others to notice the difference. But Rudra knew.
Every step he took was a reminder of the price he had paid. He had lost his left leg the day he entered that mysterious cave, chasing secrets that should have remained hidden. The cave, shrouded in mystery, had stripped him not only of his leg but of part of his spirit. What happened inside those dark walls was something only Rudra knew, and he had vowed never to speak of it.
He had barely escaped with his life that day, emerging with both physical and emotional scars. No one knew how close he had come to losing himself entirely. And now, seeing the saint—that man—standing so casually beside Rajeev, Rudra's pulse quickened in concern. The man's teachings had once captivated him too, luring him into the cave where the boundaries of reality and illusion blurred.
He couldn't allow his son to fall into the same trap. Rudra had lived through the consequences of that path, and he would do everything in his power to protect Rajeev from making the same mistakes.
For a moment, Rudra's gaze softened as he watched Rajeev laughing with the saint. His son, so full of life and potential, had no idea of the dangers lurking beneath the surface of that man's calm demeanor. Not again, Rudra swore silently. I won't let history repeat itself.
Turning away from the sight, Rudra resolved to confront the saint later, to make it clear that whatever business they had in the past, it would not touch his son. He would not let Rajeev walk down the path of secrets and shadows—the path that had cost him so much.
Rudra mused to himself, "He'll undoubtedly oblige everyone who I am if he spots me. No, it shouldn't have happened. Rajeev's life is in jeopardy if I divulge who I am. This saint is who I have to hide from. " He quietly departed the location right away.
"Who is this holy person, Rajeev?" Ram was intrigued. Ram is aware of every individual Rajeev has ever met, yet when he saw him, he was unable to identify the one with whom Rajeev was now chatting.
Rajeev gave a detailed account of how he got to be the injured Saint's caregiver, how he was cared for, and what the Saint told him regarding Rajeev's destiny among other things.
seeing how astonished everyone is.
Uma went to the Saint with Gurdeep to ask for his blessing.
Saint smiled and turned to address Uma and Gurdeep, asking, "How are you doing?"
"Do you know this Saint, uncle?" inquired Rajeev. He didn't understand how they were acquainted.
"Yes, Rajeev, your family and I are both familiar with him. Whenever we sought help, he always showed the way," according to Gurdeep.
'Hey, he also taught me how to pick my life partner,' Rajeev thought to himself.
' Hold on, my father must be knowledgeable him given that my family does.' Rajeev glanced over to where Rudra was seated right away, but to his surprise, he wasn't there.
'What happened to dad?' he pondered himself.
Observing his gaze, Abhi added, "Who are you looking for, Rajeev?" The way Rajeev acts differs greatly from that of Abhi.
Without delay, Rajeev realized what was going on and answered, "Nothing, brother." He turned to face the saint, who was grinning broadly at Rajeev, and considered asking for his blessings.
"Let's take his blessings," he replied, glancing at Gowthami.
Gowthami gave a nod, then accompanied Rajeev to receive the saint's blessings.
He returned to the Saint and expressed his gratitude to Guru Ji for guiding our lives.
The Saint grinned, and as he gazed at Gowthami, he seemed to remember her features and upbringing. The saint then blessed Rajeev and Gowthami.
"My child, have you clarified all of your responses about the rituals?" Saint asked Parikshit a question.
"How did you find out about it?" asked Parikshit. Parikshit couldn't figure out how he found out about him since he had just saw him go into the hall.
Abhi and Shasi were both dumbfounded by the Saint's comments. They asked themselves, 'how could he have known that?'
' How could the Saint have known that my kid was curious to know more about the customs', Abhi pondered. 'He had just lately got here. '
Later, Sashi went to the Saint to ask for his blessings, but Abhi turned him down since he doesn't revere saints or adhere to their doctrine.
"Come on, let's get his favor". As soon as Sashi saw his spouse, he let out a loud cry.
Abhi replied, "I don't hold faith in such Saints. Sashi, feel free to take it, but don't force me to."
Saint turned to look at Abhi and smirked. Sashi graciously received the saint's blessings. Everyone at last treated the saint with affection.
Rajeev's sole thought when he was around other people was where his father had disappeared.
Saint said, "Do not fret, he was simply pleased to take a little break. He will be heading back soon." with a sidelong glance at Rajeev.
"He is able to discern my thoughts", Rajeev reflected to himself as he cast a disbelieving glance at the saint.
The saint grinned and added, "He won't break his promise; trust me—he will return soon. I'm going to get him back; in the meantime, go through the rest of the rituals."
Say the saint then departed the area. Some around unable to understand what he had said. The saint's remarks are only known to Rajeev.
Ram, perplexed, questioned, "What did he mean by that? ".