Drabbles: 30. Episode XXXI- Return of the Jallad (Pg 95) [Note Pg 98] - Page 66

Originally posted by: neet2407

First up!

Wow - I felt for Rudra - his desperation to be proved right - that those men did not die in vain - that he has no right to happiness as long as that was the case - that is a whole different level of pain

I fear for Paro and how he will now try push her away - but can you push away your own heart? Major Saab you still have lessons to learn - Paro has changed your life forever even if you try to go back to your old life you can't

Heartbreaking update! Awesome!

Originally posted by: custodian75

It is natural for Rudr to feel dejected with what Brigadier Singh said. His work has been his life till now and when someone comes and tell you that he is not good at his job, then naturally it will hurt a lot. Hope Paro will not be the collateral damage.

Episode XXXI: Return of the Jallad

The first rays of the sun had just started warming the sands in preparation for day, when Parvati heard the familiar spluttering of his bike. Paro hadn't managed to sleep more than a couple of hours, anxiety, anger, and sadness having kept her awake.

While her eyes were rimmed with fatigue and restlessness, a deep sense of relief and contentment sparked in their depths. He had come back. She would go to him and tell him what she had spent the night mulling over. He would understand-- like he had over the last few months. They would talk, and all would be well again.

The door clicked open and Rudra walked in; he looked every bit as ravaged as she felt.

Parvati smiled tentatively at him, her heart going out to the exhausted looking man in front of her. The dregs of her anger melted away and the only feeling left was an intense yearning to comfort him and set things right--at least as right' as they had been before his outburst.

No quirking of his lips, no lightening of his eyes greeted her in return.

Cold, slimy tentacles of fear crept out of the shadows and inched towards her heart. He didn't look angry; he didn't look repentant-- there was nothing. And it was his stony mask of indifference that made anxiety and dread bubble in her stomach.

"Rudra? I...Can we talk?"

Parvati faltered, her carefully practiced speeches dissolving in an instant.

"Certainly, Paro. What would you like to talk about?"

She swallowed, trying to make sense of this bizarre situation.

"I...I...wanted to talk about what happened earlier...I...I didn't realize that you were upset about something. I really didn't mean to..."

She trailed off, clasping her hands together, waiting for him to respond.

He seemed to contemplate her statement for eternity. He finally cracked a tiny smile. Instead of feeling relieved, Paro felt her fears solidify into a lump of lead that weighed her down. There was no joy, no mirth, no affection at in his eyes. They glittered with steel and a bitter fire that she hadn't seen in months.

"Of course you didn't mean to, Parvati. You never do, do you? And yet, things have a tendency to go wrong around you anyway."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Parvati whispered, sure that she would not like the answer.

"It's simple. I'm tired, Parvati--tired of playing husband, tired of holding so much together, when I am clearly failing on all counts."

"What are you saying? I don't understand."

"Come now. You're a sharp woman, Paro. Do I have to break it down for you? I'm saying that I want you to leave. I was never meant to be a husband and this marriage was a mistake. At that point, we had no option-- now we do. I've thought this through. You can go live with your Mami in Jaipur until this case comes to some sort of conclusion. We can formally get divorced after that."

~~~