FF: Unloved (Complete) - Page 30

The following morning, Rudra was up bright and early. He had barely slept a wink because he was so excited to go to the orphanage. He practically jumped out of bed at sunrise. At breakfast, Rudra scarfed his food down as if he hadn't eaten in three days, causing Dilsher and Mala to look at him funny before telling him to slow down, his food wasn't going to get up and walk away. But Rudra heeded neither of them. Afterwards, he dashed into the shower and prepared himself for the day he was going to spend with the children. But more importantly, he would be spending time with Parvati. He didn't know why, but the mere knowledge of seeing her again made his heart beat faster. A smile played on his lips as he wondered what she must be doing at this very moment. As he stood in front of the mirror, lost in thought as he combed his hair, Rudra failed to hear his mother knock on his door and enter.

Dressed in an emerald green sari, Mala walked into her son's room to check and see if he needed anything before leaving for the orphanage. When she walked in, she found him in his thoughtful state. Rudra was combing his hair, even though it was already set the way he liked. He hadn't noticed her presence yet either. Mala stifled her laughter. She had never seen Rudra act this way before, and knew that the only reason for his behavior was Parvati. She shook her head slightly before walking over to him and placing a hand on of his shoulder, breaking him out of his trance. He jumped and turned to face her, surprised that he failed to notice her arrival.

Mala simply smiled as she dropped her hand back to her side and said, "If you continue combing your hair, you might brush all of it off."

"Maa-sa, when did you come in?" Rudra inquired as he put his comb down.

"Just a moment ago. You seem to be lost in thought. Care to tell me what is going on in that head of yours?"

"It's nothing."

"Really?"

"Yes. Really."

"Okay," she paused. "Are you picking Parvati up?"

He shook his head, "She is most likely already at the orphanage and setting up for the party. Plus, if she wanted me to pick her up she would have called, but she didn't."

"Have you been to the orphanage before?"

Rudra smiled as he recalled the first time he went to the orphanage with Parvati, "Yeah. Once, with Paro. I was actually surprised to see how many children were there. But I had fun playing with them and meeting them all. Some of the kids are actually really mischievous. I'm sure if you were there you would have said that I acted that way when I was younger. The funny thing is, Paro loves their mischievousness."

"Paro?"

"Parvati. I call her Paro."

Mala smiled and said thoughtfully, "She is a very sweet girl. Different. Traditional. I like her."

Rudra smiled at his mother, knowing what she was getting at. Parvati had the quality that made people instantly like her. However, her status in society caused others to cast her down. He was glad that his mother didn't react badly towards her. The fact that she even said she liked Parvati made him feel lighter for some reason. Maybe he just wanted everyone to give her the chance he knew she deserved.

"But..." Mala paused. "There is something missing."

Rudra's smile faded as he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Something missing in Parvati? Didn't she just say she was sweet and different? What's missing?

"You were right before. Her smile doesn't reach her eyes."

He then understood what is mother was trying to say. She had seen the sadness too. It wasn't just him. Rudra looked down at his feet for a moment, trying to find a way to put the truth into words for Mala. Mala watched her son contemplate with himself quietly for a few minutes, letting the silence fill between them. She could tell that the matter was serious; she crossed her arms across her chest and patiently waited for him to look back at her. When he did, Mala was taken aback by the expression on his face. He seemed as though he were in pain. There was hurt written all over it. She wondered how bad the truth really was.

Rudra spoke, "Something happened in her past, maa-sa. Something bad."

"What is it?" she asked.

"I don't know. She won't tell me. I never pushed her because, the first time I

asked, she pushed me away. She built these impenetrable walls when it comes to that topic, and I don't want to hurt her by asking her to relive bad memories."

"Could it be something about her parents? She told me she only has her mami-sa. Is that true?"

"Yeah, she is an orphan. That orphanage that I went to, that's where she grew up, so that place is important to her. So when she asked if I wanted to see it, I just couldn't say no. I mean, she was letting me into her world, a part that not many have seen, and I wasn't going to miss the chance. I don't know much else, but I know that this sadness with her past is something more than her parents."

Mala sighed. She had no idea that the situation was like this. It made her all the more curious about Parvati, but she was also glad that she hadn't questioned her further the day before. The poor girl must have gone through something seriously traumatic, and she would be cruel if she didn't consider her feelings by asking her to open up.

"I hope she finds happiness," Mala stated. "From meeting her yesterday, I can tell you this much...she deserves it."

"And she will get it," Rudra answered in a firm tone.

Mala looked at her son's determined face.

"Paro will find happiness. I'll make sure of it."

There was silence. Mala looked at Rudra for a few moments, searching his face for the answers to the questions she had for him. She had seen him determined before, but this was something different. It was as if he was making a vow to her that he was going to do whatever it took to make Parvati happy again. She wondered what it was about this woman that had changed Rudra, in a good way. Was there really more to the picture than just what she was seeing? Being a mother, Mala was able to read him like a book. But this was something she needed to hear from him. There were questions that she needed answers to, ones which only he could give.

Without any hesitation, she asked, "What is going on between you and Parvati?"

Rudra was taken aback, "What?"

"What is your relationship with her? There is obviously something from the way you talk about her, so what it is?"

He sighed. Somehow, Rudra knew that this was coming. So he answered, his voice softened, "Honestly? I care about her...a lot."

Mala raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

"Yeah. It's weird because I don't think I've cared about a friend's happiness this much before. I mean, if someone was sad, I wouldn't go to such lengths to make them happy. But with Paro...I don't know. It's just different. Maybe because she's different."

Mala couldn't hold back her laughter anymore. She finally let it out, surprising Rudra. She didn't need him to say anything further because she understood exactly how he was feeling. But the poor fellow didn't understand it himself! And this was something she couldn't just simply explain to him! However, her laughter was due to happiness. Rudra, on the other hand, looked at his mother, completely confused, wondering what had gotten into her.

She quickly composed herself and said, "Yes yes. Maybe it's because she's different."

"O...kay?" Rudra said slowly, unsure of what had suddenly gotten into his mother. Was she possessed a moment ago or something?

"I better let you finish getting ready." She turned and headed out, but stopped at the doorway and looked over her shoulder at her son. "Rudra."

Rudra looked at her.

"Maybe it is because she is different. Or...maybe it's because people do crazy things...when they're in love."

Mala turned back and left, leaving a stunned Rudra rooted in his spot. Had he just heard correctly? Love? Love. Love? In love? Him? With Paro? What? Was that even possible? He stood alone in silence, replaying his mother's last sentence in his mind over and over again like a broken record. The more he repeated it, the more plausible it sounded. Did he love Paro? He liked being around her and spending time with her. He liked making her smile. He cared about her, and even admitted so to Mala and Paro herself. He had this unconscious need to protect her. But was all of this a part of love? Rudra seemed more confused now than ever.

He looked at the time on his watch and realized if he didn't leave now he was going to be late. Shaking the words of love out of his mind for the moment, Rudra grabbed his keys to his motorcycle and headed out the door. Right now, the only thing on his mind was getting to the orphanage...more specifically to Paro.

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Okay, that's all I have for now! Please let me know what you think by leaving your comments and feedback below!

Next update: Rehaan's birthday: A meeting, a confrontation, and a...revelation?

Thanks for reading!