Ruhi spent almost half of her day with Ayan: shopping, meal, gaming zone, and finally the beach. Her kiddo was happy, and at last, that's all that mattered to her. Once she dropped him back at home, she left for her office due to a sudden emergency. For the first time in six years, her resentments towards her younger brother took a back seat, as she saw nothing but the raw love and innocence in his eyes. Those doe eyes of his did much-needed wonders on her just within a few hours, and an unknown fear gripped her heart. She wasn't supposed to get attached; she was supposed to keep her distance as she would be leaving soon. She would end up getting hurt way more than she was already hurting.
Even though she tried to let herself believe that it's okay to be selfish, it's okay to let go, but the past came back to haunt her. The words and promises she made to her father came back to haunt her, not letting her think rationally. Now that she thought back on her promise, she felt like a fool for taking an oath on her brothers name. Neither can she speak to someone nor can she do anything about it. She felt like an idiot to let herself fall into her father's trap. Premraj Khanna always knew her weakness, and he just played her on that, making her give in to his demands.
Once done with her work in office, she made her way towards home. Halfway, she took a U-turn, realizing she had to arrive back at Khanna Mansion. She scoffed internally; she didn't even realize that she was staying in her own home, not house. That's why the feeling didn't dawn on her till now, nor was she comfortable, and neither will she ever be. She was here just for her brothers; she was here just to fulfill her responsibilities as a sister or as a child who was a person who made her and raised her! She never gave her honest words to her Dada, but the expectations she had from Premraj Khanna as a parent... Rudra Khanna fulfilled them without breaking a sweat!!!
When we say a child should be glad for what his parents gave him, he should be grateful to them for giving him birth and bringing him into the world. Due to this, we should obey them, bow to them, and agree with them without a word. Rudra Khanna taught her to keep her expectations high, no matter from whom it was. If a parent expects something from their child, then a child also has the same right to expect something from them, and there is nothing wrong with it.
She so wished she could tell her Dada her feelings about what she feels for him, but she knew now it was too late. The words she hurled at him burdened her, throwing her down the lane where there was only darkness. She was avoiding her Dada not because she was hurt by him, but because she couldn't muster up a single ounce of courage to apologize to him. Apologizing to someone whom you hurt is the toughest thing to do, and sometimes a simple 'Sorry' can't undo the damage that was already done!
As she stepped into the mansion, a maid made her way towards her.
"Ma'am, Sahb ne aapko apni study mein bulaya hai." Ruhi nodded, dismissing her.
The only thing she wanted to do at the moment was to go to her room and cry her heart out, but now... Annoyed, she made her way towards her father's study and opened the door without knocking. She was Rudra Khanna's child; she knew the meaning of respect, but she was also Abhay Khanna's sister and knew who deserved that respect and who didn't. Her father definitely didn't come close to her list!
As she stepped in and closed the door behind her, she turned back to look at her father. There sat Premraj Khanna sat with a commanding presence behind the round table, his dark gaze fixed on some papers before him. His large black leather chair creaked slightly as he leaned back, fixing his gaze on her, radiating an aura of authority that seemed to fill the entire space. She let her eyes wander across the room. The bookshelves towered high filled with books. A grand couch sat on the opposite side of the study. In a way, the study still gave off the typical lawyer vibes, just like it did a decade ago. She had countless memories of her study sessions, and she could clearly say none of them were happy ones. Her father was a dominating man and compelled obedience in everything, his way!
As she walked towards her father's desk, she found that annoying-looking stick kept on the desk. But what surprised her was the ability of her father to control; he never raised his hand against her. His looks or punishments were enough to make her obey in a blink of an eye. Even though he controlled his hands, yet he never relented on the punishments he dished out... he was heartless in that case. Even thinking about the old days when she was at Prem Khanna's receiving end made her body ache in agony!
Shaking off her thoughts, she sat down on the chair and took a crystal paperweight, playing with it. She refused to ask for permission from a man who was wrong on every count in her books!!!
"As far as I remember, I didn't hear you knocking on the door, I didn't give you permission to enter, nor did I ask you to sit. Did I, Ruhi?" Prem asked in his cold tone.
"As far as I remember, neither did I do any of these, Sir." Ruhi retorted. "Well, you called me... warna aapse milne mein ya baat karne mein mujhe koi shauq nahi hai. So kyu bulaya aapne mujhe aap batayenge... or I should leave?"
Prem leaned back in the chair and observed his daughter playing with a crystal ball in her hand and holding eye contact with him. The girl he raised was timid, the girl he raised rarely spoke in front of him, the girl he raised barely made eye contact with him, the girl he raised obeyed him just like Rudra did. That is why he kept his expectations high from her... so high that in the end when everything fell apart, he felt betrayed, hurt, and angry.
He sighed and passed Ruhi a bunch of files. Ruhi frowned and took them, "Kya hai yeh?"
"Check it yourself!"
Ruhi sighed and went through them one by one. Once she went through all them, she looked up at her father confused.
"Mujhe kyu dikha rahe hain aap yeh?" She asked with a hint of suspicion.
Prem shrugged and leaned back, "Those people want me to fight a case against you on...Fraudulent Financial. According to three companies which you have signed contracts with haven't received their payments for the last four months, beyond the timeline of the contract, which also leads to the second case of, Breach of contract."
Ruhi palmed her face, "What do you want, Sir? I know aap mujhe aise he nahi bulayenge yaha. As far as I know, aapko toh abhi tak police ko bula lena chahiye tha, defamation case karke meri company ko sue kar dena chaiye tha? But you are sitting here talking to me? Why so?"
Prem sighed, "I didn't do anything for you. Tum ab iss ghar mai rahe rahi ho and you still use my surname and the whole world knows that..."
"I am your daughter... unfortunately!" Ruhi completed, getting up. "I am least interested in knowing your reasons because I know them. Well, thanks for not calling the police like last time! I will look into the matter and will handle it within two to three days."
"If you need any help, then..."
"No thanks!" Ruhi cut him off, "Well aapne as a lawyer aapna kaam Kiya aapne client ke issues mujh tak puchne ka...I grateful for that. Other than that, I don't need your help. I will talk to Dada and Bhaiyu, then I will let you know."
"Tum Rudra ko iss cheez ke baare mein baatne wali ho? Why?"
"ARRYA ke main shareholders or head board members ko toh company ke inputs ke baare mein pata hona chaiye na Sir?" Ruhi said sarcastically.
Prem stood up startled, "What does that mean?"
"Kal ko agar mujhe kuch ho jata hai toh meri company ke shares, profits aur baki sab kuch mere Dada aur Bhaiyu mai equally 50-50 percent ke hisab se divide honge and they will be the sole owners of my ARRYA!"
"Does Rudra know about it?" Prem asked coldly.
Ruhi sighed, "No! But he will...in fact both of them will now know about it."
"And what about Ayan?"
"He is 17, Sir! When he comes to his legal age, I will renew the whole contract," Ruhi replied coldly, clearly understanding her father's underlying taunt.
"Ab aapka interrogation khatam ho gaya ho toh... should I leave?"
Prem picked up an album and gave it to her, "Yeh shadi ke catalogue hai, ask Rudra and Anika what they want and how they want it."
"Wow! Ab lawyer ka profession chhod ke wedding planner ban gaye aap?" Ruhi taunted amused.
"Maa chahti hai ki Rudra ki shadi jald se jald ho jaye so..."
Ruhi stiffened, "Did you tell her anything about the talk we had?"
"We made a deal...I guess?"
Ruhi nodded, "I will look into both the matters and will let you know," she said and walked out.
As soon as she stepped out of the room, she took a breath of relief. Standing in front of the man she despised the most is one of the hardest things for anyone to do. She felt like the worst kind of person to despise her own father, but she has her own reasons. Once she loved her father like any other daughter does; he was her hero, and for her, he was always right. But his one mistake pulled him down from the pedestal she had placed him on in her heart.
As the past secrets she had kept buried for years within her came to haunt her, she felt an adrenaline rush in her veins. Her head reeled, and she balanced herself against the pillar. Slowly, she shook her head, but it was the wrong move as she felt even more dizzy. Her eyes started to get droopy, and she collapsed in the arms of her Dada.
"Ru! Ru!" Rudra called, panicked, tapping her face. "Baacha uth... Ru!" He immediately picked her up in his arms and made his way towards his room, ignoring the commotion of the surroundings. He had just come to check if she was home or not when the maid informed him that she was in the study with her father. Countless questions raced in his mind as he made his way towards the study; however, he was shocked to see his child's state.
After a while, Anika opened the door of the room, and the brothers entered along with the elder Khanna's. Rudra called Abhay and asked him to bring Anika with him as he doesn't trust anyone with his sister's health.
"Kya hua isse achanak?" Rudra asked sitting beside Ruhi.
Anika sighed, "Nothing serious. Stress, exhaustion, and dehydration ki wajah se she fainted, I have injected her. Isne kuch khaya nahi hai shayad acche se...when did she have her last meal?"
Rudra and Abhay looked at each other. She had breakfast...but a little bit only.
"Kuch nahi khaya usne," Priya informed, "We were in the mall waha bhi acche se kuch nahi khaya tha."
"Haa aur mujhe ghar chodne ke baad Jiji phir se office chali gayi thi Bhaiya," Ayan said, "I insisted her to eat but she denied."
Rudra and Abhay glared at the unconscious kid of theirs, making Anika look at Ruhi in pity...the girl is gone!
"Make her have something healthy, Rudra. She will be up...see she is already up," Anika said as Ruhi stirred. "I will take my leave, tum log dyan rakhna, if needed call me," she said and took her leave.
Ruhi opened her eyes groggily and blinked to adjust to the light. As she sat up straight, two pairs of hands supported her, and she looked around slowly. On one side was her Dada, and on the other side was her Bhaiyu.
Before she could speak, she was tackled in a bear hug by Ayan. "Kya hua aapko? Mein aapko keh raha tha na aap kuch kha lo par aap toh sunti he nahi ho meri. Dekho ab tabiyat kharab ho gayi na aapki...."
Ruhi looked down at him annoyed. Can't he just shut his mouth for once? Her bhaiyu was already stabbing her with his looks, and her Kiddo was just adding fuel to the fire. At that moment, her attention was only on Abhay that she didn't realize Rudra's reaction.
"Jiji aap na...."
"Apni jiji ke liye khana leke aa, Ayu. She has to take her medicines too," Rudra cut him off gently.
Ruhi was always a cranky patient and he was least interested in seeing her lash out at Ayan as her looks gave away her thoughts. Ayan nodded and immediately left.
Ruhi sighed and looked up at the elder Khanna's who were gawaking at her, annoying her further.
"Just get lost yaar... Zinda hu main jab maarungi tab aa...."
"RUHI!" Rudra and Abbay exclaimed loudly, making her flinch.
Ruhi fumed, "Ask them to leave then... yeh fake concern aur yeh natak karne ki zarurat nahi hai just...."
Rupali glared at her, "Hume konsa rukna hai waise bhi. Ek din hua nahi hai ghar me aye hue aur abhi se humare baccho ko aapne aage peeche ghuma rahi ho pata nahi..."
"For your kind information, aapke pyare pote mere Bhai bhi hain...aapki yaadash kamzor hai ya aap bhool jati hain toh aapne pyare bete se puch lijiye, ya DNA test karwa kar report aapne room mein frame karwa lijiye," Ruhi drawled.
Rupali fumed, "Baatmeezi ladki, tujhe toh mein..."
"Mujhe toh kya...huh?" Ruhi yelled, "Kya karogi...maarogi? Chaku laake do... phir dekhte hain kaun kiska khoon karega pehle. Mein ya aap? Aur agar mein mar gayi na pehle toh bhoot banke...I will haunt you down to hell...."
"Tumhe toh..."
"Mrs. Khanna, leave!" Rudra exclaimed coldly enough for the lady to step back.
Ruhi glared at her father, giving him a meaningful look, and as per the deal, he himself guided his mother and wife out of the room, making her sigh in relief...which was short-lived...
"What did you have in your meal?" Abhay asked sternly.
Ruhi gulped and gave him a pleading look. As the realization dawned upon her...her Dada was also here. And he wouldn't appreciate her answer in any way.
"Mene kuch pucha Ruhi Khanna?" Abhay asked, ignoring the look she gave him. He was done with her carelessness!
Ruhi winced inwardly; he always called her that when she was in trouble... with him specifically!
"Kya aisa pehle bhi hua hai?" Rudra asked.
Abhay glared at Ruhi, "Ask her only... kitni baar kaha hai isko... you can't just survive your whole day on bloody caffeine. She just loves to skip her meals thinking coffee peene se she will survive well! Jab tak doo laga na do, mazal hai ki madam sun le. Right Miss. Khanna?"
Ruhi gave him an annoyed look, "Bas Bhaiyu, it's too much now..."
"What's too much Ruhi?" Rudra cut her off sharply, making her flinch. He definitely didn't like the tone she took with Abhay, nor did he like the way she was sidelining her health... so casually!
"I asked you something, Ruhi... what's too much? Even after being warned by your Bhaiyu, you still dared to play with your health. If you want, I can very well remind you of the rules, and I know how to make you follow them too. Do you want that, Ruhi?"
Ruhi looked at him, startled. He won't do that... will he? Ohh! How she wished he called her Ru!... instead of Ruhi at that very moment, as hearing that sharp name from him flooded her mind with tons of memories when she was at the receiving end of Rudra Khanna... and for sure, none of them were happy ones!
"I asked you something, Ruhi?" Rudra asked again, interrupting her thoughts. "Do you want that?"
Ruhi immediately shook her head, scared. "I...I will take care of myself. Sacchi..." She immediately looked at Abhay and held his hand. "Sorry na Bhaiyu. I promise I won't repeat this again...ab aap he dekho, it's been one month since you scolded me for the same reason. Ab toh mein kitna sudhar gayi hoon, please last chance de do.... please..." She gave him the best puppy eyes look she could pull off... anything to avoid Rudra Khanna's consequences!
Abhay whacked her head gently. "Don't you dare repeat it or I won't come for your rescue like I used to."
Ruhi nodded and mumbled a 'sorry'. Abhay smiled and kissed her forehead. He was sure his sister wouldn't dare to skip her meals... not even in her dreams. That was the power his twin held... and he was glad for that. He hated playing the villain; countless times when he did that in the past, he made sure to spoil his kid rotten at the very next moment... But now he had his twin to play the villain, and that too so graciously!
Ruhi snapped her head towards Rudra, who still held that stern look... he never relents!
"Sorry!" Ruhi mumbled slowly, holding his hand. When Rudra didn't pull back or shrug it off, she took a breath of relief inwardly... too scared to face rejection as always.
Rudra opened his mouth to say something when Ayan entered with the giant food tray and kept it on the bed.
Ruhi's eyes widened in shock, "Yeh sabh mein kahungi?"
Ayan nodded innocently, "Ab aapne subha se kuch nahi khaya na toh bhook toh lagi hogi na aapko."
"Ayu... kiddo! Kahwat mein kisi ko Kumbhakaran khena aur real mein kisi ko Kumbhakaran samajhne mai kaafi farak hota hai." Ruhi said gently, "Itna kha lungi toh hospital mein milungi sidha."
Ayan looked at her with his teary eyes, "Aap nahi khaogi?"
Ruhi looked at him startled. "Khaugi bacha... ghar mein aur bhi kuch hai toh vo bhi leke aa jaa, vo bhi kha lungi, but tu bas rona band kar yaar." She said, wiping away his tears.
Ayan smiled widely and pushed the plate towards her. Ruhi looked at him, shocked. Just a moment ago, he was crying... where did the waterfalls disappear?
Abhay chuckled, "Tera hi bhai hai Princess... bhool gayi aapne nakhre?" He whispered slowly to Ruhi.
Ruhi looked at Ayan... she needed to find a way to win over him. It was about her reputation now. He had defeated her twice in the same day. She owned the title of Brat... obviously after her Bhaiyu! But he couldn't also defeat her, but this little mouse was doing something which wasn't acceptable to her... bruising her ego! She vowed to get back at him!!!
Rudra shook his head and pushed a morsel towards her lips, startling Ruhi.
Ruhi gulped down the lump and slowly opened her mouth. She kept her tears at bay...six years and the love was still there. Even after what she did...the love, the warmth, the care, everything was there. At that moment, she let herself forget how she insulted her Dada; she let herself be selfish and leaned into his touch. At that moment, she just wanted to feel his love, nothing less. She will grovel for the mistakes she has made but she needs time and enough courage to do so!!!
After a while, once done with the meal, Abhay forwarded her the medicines. Ruhi looked at them and shook her head; however, the three of them glared her down immediately.
Ruhi galred at Ayan, "Inn dono ka samajh aata hai yeh mujhse bade hai...tu kya chalti train mai chad raha hai. Badi bhen hu mein Teri samjha na..."
"Tu dawa khayegi or do I need to do the honours?" Rudra asked sternly, cutting her off. He knew she was trying to distract from the topic!
Ruhi glared at him and Abhay simultaneously, however her eyes lowered to her own record and she took the medicines grumpily... she would learn to stand against those stares and then... she would fight back. She scowled!
Rudra settled down the pillows properly, making her lay down. However, Ruhi surprised him by keeping her head in his lap. He smiled and caressed her face gently. He understood her reluctance towards him, but he was happy for these stolen moments she was giving him.
Ruhi leaned into his touch, but her eyes flew open and she sat up straight, pulling her legs back from Abhay's hold.
"Kya kar rahe ho aap? Pagal ho gaye ho?" She chided.
Abhay sighed, "Massage kar raha hu yaar. Pair dekh, aapne kitne sooj gaye hai... yeh heels waghar kyu pehenti hai tu mujhe samajh nahi aata when they bite you so much."
"Girls can't sacrifice heels bhaiyu...no matter what!" Ruhi exclaimed, "Aur aap mere pair ko maat hath lago...I am fine aur..." She trailed off as Rudra pulled her back, keeping her on his lap.
"Let Abhay do his work and..."
"Aree he is elder than me aur aap ho ki..."
"Aapni he bhen ke pair ki massage krr raha hoon main chup chap soo Jaa tu. Tabiyat thik nhi hai prr dimag aur muh train se bhi zayda speed Mai chal raha hai."
Ruhi glared at him.
"Mein krr du aapke pair ki massage Jiji, agar aapko Bhaiyu krr rahe hai nhi pasand toh."
Ruhi pulled him down beside her, wrapping her hands around him, "Chota hai mujhse...paap chadhega mujhe. Soo ja chup chap aur mujhe bhi sone de."
Ayan scoffed, "Kya aap bhi inn sabh faltu ki cheezon mai maanti hu."
"Haa beta haar ek cheez faltu... accept for what you say. Don't worry Mahadev ko bolungi mujhe tohda dimag dene...so that I can talk as sensible as you. Now sleep ..."
She mumbled the last part slowly before melting down in her Dada's warmth gradually!!!
Share your views!!!
Target remains the Same!!!
Your favourite scene?
What do you think will be twins reaction about them being the main share holder of ARRYA?
How do you wish to see Ruhi grovel?
Should Rudra forgive despite how hurt he is?
Or should he make his kid grovel for being impulsive and not letting him keep his point?
Any scene you wish to see in the next chapter?
Thanks for reading!!!