Chapter 30

RR through our eyes (Chapter 30)

Mano’s edits are being made and will be posted by 12^th March.

 

 

 

 

It was Rudra who slowly drifted back to reality. It was hard to tell why he came out of the short deep slumber. Was it difficult for him to believe what just happened ? Was he afraid that it was all a dream and wanted to make sure it is for real ? Was it his excitement at getting his Paro back even if it was for a short time ? Was it the overwhelming feeling of history repeating itself ? It was hard to tell.

 

Whatever be the reason he first became aware of the calmness he felt. The feeling of tranquillity. The feeling of weightlessness. Moments later he realised who he is. And then he realised that it was a long time since Rudra felt this kind of peace. Few more moments went by. And he felt his body sprawled across the bed. And then felt the softness of Paro’s body under him. He smiled in that half asleep state. To trap Paro underneath him and to sleep holding her hand – quite some years since it happened last time. No wonder he had felt so much at ease. He slowly opened his eyes – hoping that the whole thing is not a dream. And it was not a dream. Far from it. There she was sleeping – with a look of contentment on her face. He always liked to watch her sleep. Whether it was when she was sleeping on the floor in his kurta or when she was hurt in the foot and he had carried her to the quarters. Whether it was in Jaipur. Or after that every other night. He always loved to watch her sleep.

As if she was aware of his stare, she stirred in her sleep. Rudra wondered what her first sentence will be. Will she remember that she proposed to him with the Sindoor – again ? Last time she had proposed in front of the audience he had wished she did it in the privacy of a room. He had thrown the Sindoor into the air last time. But this time he made sure he corrected the mistake. Respected her proposal and their love. Will she remember that ? Will she remember that she addressed him as Major Saab. Will she remember all the times when they were united years back ? Or will she be her present self and not remember the past ? Rudra realized that his heart rate has increased suddenly. As if he was waiting for his exam results. Not sure of the outcome.

Her first line was not at all what he expected. But after hearing them he could not help smiling. It was the same line which she had used everytime during the last very few days before that fateful day years back. How could he have forgotten it ? Silly of him.

“Zara Dhruv ko dekhiye. Can you check up on Dhruv ?” Paro asked him.

A mother’s instinct. Which is in the fore front at almost all the times. He did not reply. Just kept looking at her with a smile on his face. After sometime when she did not get any answer she slowly opened her eyes.

And saw him and his smile.

“He is fine. He is with his Nana and Nani. In the guest room upstairs.” He decided to tease her. “Do you want me to go and bring him down ?”

It was then that she noticed their positions and the state of undress. Though it was not too bright in the room he could feel her turning red. Reminiscing about what happened between them. She felt shy. And wrapped her arms around his back and hid her face against his neck.

 

He was not ready to let go. “ You did not answer my question. Do you want me to bring Dhruv down ?”

 

“No”

 

“Why ?”

 

“Because he is fine”

 

“Achaa....And you?”

 “I am fine too.”

 

“Really ? Just fine ?”

 “Hmmmm....I am .......more than fine. I felt ..........you know.”

 “I don’t know. Tell me about it.”

By then she understood he was trying to make fun of her. She kept quiet. But he was not one to let go.

 

“Tum Kuch Bol Rahi Thi.........You were saying something..”

 

“I feel like I am where I always wanted to be. With you. It is like a déjà vu feeling you know.” She whispered holding his face in her hands. And he was lost in her eyes. In the love oozing out of her face. For him. Just for him.

Suddenly her face became serious.

 

“Rudra, I have to ask something... It was my first time but it did not feel like it was ....the first time.....” her forehead was creased with worry.

 

“That is because it was not. We were together so many times before...” he answered without thinking.

 

“I am being serious Rudra. I know all about ..........” She pouted.

He knew once she had set her mind on something there is only one way to distract her. He pulled her closer nuzzling his nose against her cheek.

“You know all about what ?....”

“I know all..........I ..........My voice..........”

“What happened to your voice ?” he asked her fingering her waist chain. The one he never removed.

 

“My voice..........” she tried again. And gave up. She knew there was no way she can find her voice let alone voicing her thoughts.

This time around they both took it slowly.

·         As different as a drizzling rain is from a heavy downpour.

·         As different as a fight in slow motion is from a fast action scene.

·         As different as a melody is from a foot tapping music.

·         As different as a luxury cruise is from a speed boat.

Both are beautiful in its own way. And when they reached their climax Rudra could not help murmuring Paro’s name against her hair. Luckily she did not hear it. Luck was on his side – he thought heaving a sigh of relief.

And the alarm woke them up around 4am. Rudra slid out of the bed after planting a kiss on his wife’s lips saying. “ I need to go before someone comes barging in “

 

“Yes. I need to get up too.”

 

He almost walked till the door. Stopped and then came back to pull her into an embrace. “ From tonight nobody can separate us.”

She smiled and returned the hug. “Or question us”

And that was the last minute of sanity which they witnessed. Even before Rudra could reach his room many inmates were up. Lights were switched on and fifteen minutes later everybody including the children were up. The taxis arrived bringing some of the last minute guests. The earlier ones were already accommodated in the hotel. By 5am the beautician and her assistants arrived. And by 6:30 am the priests arrived to perform some of the initial ceremonies at home. The haveli was swarming with people. And Rudra and Paro did not know most of them.

Though Tejawat was not in the limelight for his notorious activities Rudra was not that convinced. There are chances that he had heard about Paro’s return. With a wedding of this scale it was not easy to hide things. Rudra did not want to take any chances where Paro was concerned. He and Aman had arranged a group of security guards lest Tejawat strikes at the last minute.

The wedding had been planned to be in the biggest hall in the hotel. Though Rudra was not for such pomp and splendour he had to agree to the wishes of the Mehras and the elderly Ranawats. And of course the kids who were so looking forward to the celebrations.

On the day of Shivratri when Paro and Rudra were supposed to be wedded he committed the mistake of leaving without Paro. Which resulted in her being dragged unnecessarily into the accusation of setting fire to Bapusa’s room and what not. Of course Rudra never believed it even for a minute. And Kakisa and Sumer are changed people now. At least from outside. But still.......Rudra being Rudra learns from his mistakes fast. He made sure he left the haveli with Paro in the same car.

The hall was already half full by the time they all reached. Kakisa had decided to take maximum advantage of the money Mehras were ready to splurge. She made sure she invited every person she has ever met in her life. To show off her own status elevation through her nephew’s wife and connections. In the absence of Rudra’s parents it was Kakusa and Kakisa who sat in the Mandap as Rudra’s parents. That was a moment of pride for Kakisa – irrespective of what she truly felt about the situation.

Then the Mehras had invited all their close friends and business associates. Their close family members from India and abroad. Both desi log and videshi. Myrah’s friends from college and work. Even some of the women she had saved from the hell of abuse made it a point to fly down. The Minister Chachu was there with his coterie. It was a true global wedding set in India.
 

Very soon the ceremonies started and the whole hall was vibrating with the mantras and shlokas. Rajeev did Kanyadaan - after applying turmeric paste on Paro’s hand - he extended her hand towards Rudra.  With Agni as a witness - Agni created with all right ingredients by the priests themselves. Rudra held Paro’s hand as in Paanigrahan.

Rudra was alert in the middle of all this. He did not want anything to go wrong this time. Yes he had his trusted aides around. And also Aman and many friends and colleagues from BSD who were there as guests but still on the look out for anything out of place. In spite of all these security measures Rudra was not at ease. Things happened so fast. He got his Paro back. He could convince her parents. And all is going well. Too well.

And Rudra is not used to getting anything in his life that easily. Never on a silver platter like this. So he was quite apprehensive. And ALERT.

Together they took the seven pheras. Him holding her hand with love and a longing for a lifetime. Undoing all that he did the last time.

·         They took the first step to provide for the household, keeping a pure diet and avoiding those things that might harm them.

·         Second step to develop physical, mental and spiritual powers.

·         Third step to increase wealth by righteous and proper means.

·         Fourth step to acquire knowledge, happiness and harmony by mutual love, respect and trust.

·         Fifth step so that we may be blessed with strong, virtuous and heroic children.

·         Sixth step for self-restraint and longevity.

·         Seventh step to be true companions and remain life-long partners by this wedlock.

And then he forgot everything else. His focus was just on his beloved Paro. His eyes became moist remembering all that stupid vachans he had mentioned last time.  And as if those seven ones were not enough he had made an extra one for Paro. Holding her close, making sure each part of her body was in contact with him he had said he will never become hers. The thought of putting Paro through such despicable acts made Rudra cringe even today.
 

Her eyes were also filled with tears. She started seeing glimpses of Rudra dragging her around the fire. And saying something out of anger. She could not relate to those scenes. She had no idea why she saw such scenes in front of her eyes when he was right there holding her hand in love and repeating the sacred vachans. Is it a premonition ? Of something bad which is going to happen ? Or did their paths cross before – maybe in the previous life ? Or in this life itself ? And she forgot ? How can she forget ? Him of all people ? She shut her eyes tight wishing those scenes would go away. She just wanted to cherish this moment. This wedding of theirs. To imprint it in her mind.

When she opened her eyes she saw that Rudra was still looking at her with concern. She shrugged off all her ill feelings. Paro smiled at him and whispered, “No special eighth vachan for me ?” He was taken aback. He did not know what to answer. Did she cry because she remembered the last time he took the vachans ? Or is it just the smoke from the havan ?

When he did not reply she came out with her statement,” Eighth vachan specially from me to you –Rudra. Whatever happens in the future I will never ever leave you. I will be with you through thick and thin. I will always be yours.“

As far as Rudra and Paro were concerned at that moment in that crowded hall there were just the two of them. Looking at each other with longing and all the love in the world.

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