FF: Unloved (Complete) - Page 53

Rudra looked back and forth between Parvati and Sumer. The two of them stared at each other with a look of utter disbelief and shock. His expression was nothing less. He didn't understand what was happening, or how they knew each other. Obviously, she wasn't one of his past girlfriends. So how could Parvati know Sumer? This question nagged, not only Rudra, but also Mala, Dilsher, and Mohini, who were standing and observing the interaction between the two of them.

Anger rose in Sumer as he yelled, "You...You're Rudra's wife?!"

Rudra moved forward and now stood beside Parvati. He took her hands in his and found her trembling within his grasp. He didn't understand why she was shaking. Was she scared of Sumer? Had he done something to her in the past? Was there something connecting them? He didn't know. All Rudra could figure out was that the two of them knew each other, and Sumer was not pleased with this marriage.

Seeing her son's rage increasing exponentially, Mohini strode over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Sumer, you know Parvati?"

"Of course I do," he answered through gritted teeth. "How wouldn't I know her? You can't forget someone like her."

Rudra felt Parvati back away slowly. He looked at her and was stunned to find her eyes watering. She looked at him then down at her feet. His posture stiffened. Instinctively, Rudra moved defensively in front of Paro, almost shielding her from Sumer's penetrating gaze. She was still trembling, but he could feel her peeking out from behind him. He didn't like the way Sumer had spoken about Paro, and he definitely wasn't going to let it slide.

"Sumer," Rudra growled. "Watch your tone."

"Obviously you don't know what you've gotten into," Sumer retorted. "Or else you wouldn't be saying that to me."

"Sumer beta, come to the point," Mohini urged. "You said you know Rudra's wife? How?"

"Maa-sa, you remember my friend that died a few years ago, Varun?"

Rudra stiffened as the name rung in his ears. He instantly knew where this was heading.

Mohini nodded.

Sumer pointed at Paro, "She was his wife."

Rudra and Parvati both froze as Sumer uttered the horrible truth. Mala and Dilsher looked at each other, worried about what was about to happen. Sensing the truth in her son's words, Mohini internally danced. Marrying a widow was social suicide, and she was not going to let this opportunity to shame the Ranawat family go to waste. So, she prepared her act, knowing that this performance was going to be one of the most important ones she's ever done.

She gasped dramatically, "What?! You mean Parvati is a widow?!"

Sumer nodded.

"And Rudra...Rudra married a widow?! How ill-fated!"

Mala took a step forward, "No. It isn't like that. You see-."

"Mala you are so naive," Mohini interrupted. "It's not your fault you didn't know. I bet this woman trapped your son."

"She was the reason my friend died," Sumer stated. "She drove him to his death. You know she's cursed maa-sa. And now she's going to be bad luck for Rudra!"

Parvati flinched as she heard Mohini and Sumer curse her. They repeated everything she had heard when Varun had passed away. They continued to shamefully blame her and reduce her to a characterless, worthless woman. Everything she had heard when she had first become a widow was once again thrown at her. With each word, Parvati felt herself crumble. Each taunt pierced her heart and once again began to scar her already-wounded soul.

Sumer took a step forward and shouted, "Rudra must not have known, and he probably would never have if we didn't show up! Parvati definitely tricked him into marrying her. The worthless little-."

"ENOUGH!" Rudra roared.

Sumer and Mohini jumped back in shock. Their mouths hung agape, not believing that Rudra had the audacity to yell at them. Rudra, on the other hand, had heard enough. His body was shaking as the anger and fury within him was ready to erupt. He let go of Paro's hand and strode forward to the mother-son duo, predatorily. He stopped before them, fists clenched at his sides, and jaw tightened so tight that a person could almost hear his teeth grinding against each other. Sumer and Mohini had crossed a line. No one talks about his wife like that and gets away with it. No one.

"I've had enough of your drama," Rudra said angrily. "I know everything about Paro and so do my parents."

"You mean you knew she was a widow and you still married her anyways," Mohini stared at Rudra, scandalized. "You purposely ruined your reputation?"

"I didn't ruin my reputation. Paro, did nothing wrong. It wasn't like she wanted to become a widow."

"You seriously couldn't find anyone else to marry?" Sumer mocked. "Did all the other woman in the world die, leaving you to marry this-."

Rudra grabbed Sumer by his collar, "Sumer!"

"Rudra!" Mala and Dilsher both uttered at the same time.

But Rudra paid no attention to them. He pulled Sumer forward so their faces were only a few inches apart. Sumer tried to pry his cousin's hands off of him, but it was no use. His feet were barely touching the ground. Sumer gulped and tried to not let his fear show, but it was quite clear that he was intimidated by Rudra.

In a low, threatening voice, Rudra spoke, "Paro is my wife, and I won't stand for anyone saying anything against her. So I suggest you shut your mouth or I promise I will make you regret ever speaking in the first place."

He released Sumer and gave him a rough shove, causing him to stumble back into his mother. Mohini, on the other hand, glared at Rudra. Her plan to shame him had backfired terribly. She hadn't expected him to know about Parvati's past, but this was surely a shocking development. Not only that, but this insult to her son was not going to slide with her.

"Rudra," she said. "Don't take it out on Sumer. It's not his fault you cursed your own fate."

Dilsher, who had been silently listening and watching, had finally had enough, "Mohini, I think it is time for you and your son to leave."

"But-."

"I won't hear another word against Parvati. So, I suggest you leave. If not, then I will not be held responsible for Rudra's actions."

Mohini looked at Dilsher, then at Rudra, before grabbing Sumer's arm and dragging him out of the Ranawat home. No formal farewells were given, nor did Mohini glance back at them. She simply pulled Sumer out of there, slamming the door behind them. Rudra watched them like a hawk until the door shut. He closed his eyes and tried to control his anger. He wasn't surprised that his kaki-sa and cousin blew things out of proportion. They never liked him to begin with. But what bothered him more was the fact that they had insulted Paro.

He opened his eyes, realizing that in all of this, he had forgotten she was still there. He turned around and found her on her knees, picking up the broken cup pieces. Her movements were almost robotic. He could tell that she was lost somewhere by the way her eyes blankly stared at the ground. The tears that brimmed her eyes refused to fall. The broken pieces in her hand clattered as she was still shaking. Mala was already by her side, trying to get her to snap out of her reverie.

"Parvati don't listen to what they said," Mala persuaded as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. We know everything about you, and we accept you. You are not ill-fated or cursed. Parvati, please say something."

But Parvati said nothing. She simply looked at Mala, gave a small smile, and nodded. Despite the appearance of calmness, Rudra knew what she was actually thinking, and it killed him. Inside, Paro was breaking, but she was putting on a facade for Mala and Dilsher. She didn't want them to feel her pain. Sumer and Mohini's words hit her, and they hit her hard. She just wouldn't admit it to them.

He watched as she quietly cleaned up the spilled tea. Mala tried helping, but Parvati wouldn't let her. Dilsher even tried to talk to her and convince her to disregard the insults because they meant nothing. But Parvati didn't hear anything. It was as if all the voices around her drowned out, being replaced by the insults she had heard once more. She was crumbling, but she couldn't do so in front of Mala and Dilsher. She had to get away.

Once she finished cleaning up the mess, Parvati practically ran to their room. Rudra trailed behind her, while his parents watched the two of them disappear. They knew that the only person who would get through to her now would be their son.

Parvati walked into the bedroom and stopped right in the middle of the room. Tears finally left her eyes as she recalled the horrible things that were said to her just moments ago. She remembered how Rudra was insulted because of her, and she couldn't help but feel terrible. Parvati never had any intention of hurting him. She didn't trap or trick him into marrying her, but no one would understand that. No matter how hard she wanted to move forward, her past would always come back to haunt her. No one would see her as Rudra's wife. They would only view her as Varun's widow, nothing more. Her mind went to Rudra. He didn't deserve this. She was ill-fated and cursed, yet he married her and ruined his reputation. He shouldn't have to bear the insults. Why had she married him?

Rudra entered the bedroom and shut the door behind him. As soon as he did, he heard Parvati's sobs escape her lips. She dropped to the ground on her knees in the middle of the room. He rushed forward and fell to his knees in front of her. Immediately he pulled her in his arms, and she willingly went to him. She clutched his arm as he cradled her against his chest, patting her head like a child. He knew what she was thinking, he knew her well enough by now. And knowing her, Rudra wanted her to stop letting what others say get to her. What they said didn't matter. None of it did. To him, the only thing that meant anything to him was her, and he needed her to understand that.

"Ssshh," he hushed her. "It's okay. Don't listen to kaki-sa and Sumer."

"I told you," Parvati sobbed. "I told you that people considered me cursed and ill-fated. I-I told you this. You r-ruined your reputation by marrying m-me."

"No I didn't," he pulled her back and held her face in his hands. "Look at me. You are not cursed or ill-fated or worthless. Do you understand?"

"I should have never asked you to marry me You ruined your reputation. I am a disgrace to you and your family."

"No, I didn't ruin my life by marrying you. My parents knew everything about your past before we got married. They didn't care, and neither should you. You are not a disgrace. I don't regret marrying you, and neither should you think that this marriage was a mistake. Paro, are you listening?"

But Paro didn't listen. Nothing would get through to her at this moment, no matter how much he could try to convince her. Her sobs were uncontrollable now, and Rudra couldn't do anything more than pull her back in his embrace and try to soothe her. He struggled to keep his tears at bay. A feeling of helplessness consumed him as he continued to hold Paro close to him, as if trying to shield her from the rest of the world. The entire time he couldn't stop questioning why so many bad things had to happen to one person.

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God, I'm glad Mohini and Sumer are gone. Poor Paro! It's always one step forward and two steps back. Let me know what you think by leaving your comments and feedback below.

Next update: Paro's innocent request.

Thanks for reading!