FF: Unloved (Complete) - Page 67

Night had fallen. Rudra came out of the washroom after having a shower. He was dressed in his black, cotton kurta pajama. He walked over to the bed, where Parvati was sitting after her shower. She was dressed in a cotton, white ghagra choli. Her red dupatta was wrapped around her body, properly tucked in the side of her skirt and draped over her stomach. She was leaning against the headboard, braiding and unbraiding her hair while she remained deep in thought. After the courtyard incident, she had been smiling all day, and it warmed Rudra's heart. He was glad that she was happier. Now she had a serious look on her face and he wondered why. Careful not to disturb her, Rudra sat down on his side of the bed and continued to gaze at her, wondering what she was thinking about.

Parvati was struggling with a storm growing inside of her. Her emotions had been going into overdrive. As memories of her and Rudra in the courtyard played in her mind, she couldn't help but wonder if she had ever been this happy before. Since Rudra had entered her life, her once free spirit has taken flight once more. Her broken wings were being healed day by day. Parvati found herself smiling and laughing more, the traumatic moments of her past were overshadowed by the new memories that had been created with Rudra. In fact, there were times when Parvati forgot that she had been married before and even that Varun existed. Parvati wondered what had overcome her to forget something that had changed her life, but it didn't take her long to find an answer...because it was sitting right next to her.

She looked at Rudra sitting next to her as he stared at her curiously. It was because of this man that she was able to live once more, and she couldn't be more thankful. He had stood by her and held her hand when no one dared to, guiding her towards a brighter future. He loved her, and told her constantly. And she? How did she feel about him? Parvati knew the answer, her heart had known for awhile now, but her mind wasn't ready to accept it. She had never said it out loud, but wasn't it clear in her actions how she felt about him. Words weren't always necessary with them. Did Rudra understand her feelings? More importantly, was Rudra happy in this relationship? He had constantly asked her if she was happy, but she never once did so. He loved her, but was he happy?

Rudra watched a ray of emotions cross his wife's face. She had been staring at him for the last five minutes, contemplating something that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Yet, he could tell that it was something serious. Parvati's eyes looked glazed as a pink tint appeared on her cheeks. Then, it changed. Her brows furrowed and she frowned, as if she were upset. Before the redness of anger colored her cheeks, her eyes flickered as she bit her lip, almost as if in hesitation. Rudra saw her biting her lip and felt himself grip the sheets. It was becoming harder and harder to control himself around her, but he was still doing it. He forced himself to look away from her and took a few deep breaths. Once he was sure he was okay, Rudra looked back at her and was surprised to find that she had inched closer to him. He watched her questioningly.

"Paro-," he began.

"Rudra," she intervened. "If I ask you something, will you be completely honest with me?"

"Of course."

She took a deep breath, "Are you happy with me?"

"Paro...why would you even ask that?" Rudra asked rather taken aback. "Did something happen? Did someone say something to you?"

"No, it's just that I realized that I haven't felt this happy in a long time. Maybe I've never been this happy, but lately I've realized that I am and that it's okay."

"Is everything okay?"

Parvati nodded, "I'm just surprised. But I am happy with you, Rudra. And I never asked you before, but I want you to be happy with me too. Are you?"

Rudra let out a soft chuckle before caressing her cheek with his knuckles, "You crazy woman. I am happy with you."

"Really?"

"Yes. I love you, Paro, and as long as you are happy then I am happy."

Parvati swallowed the lump in her throat. As always, Rudra managed to choke her up with emotions. She was glad that he was happy, but couldn't believe that even now his happiness lied with her. She felt a wave of emotions overflow her. Without any hesitation, Parvati leaned forward and hugged Rudra. He was completely taken by surprise. As he placed a hand on her back he heard her saying something. However it was coming out in a barely audible whisper.

She spoke softly, "Rudra I...I..."

He remained silent.

"I...I...," she closed her eyes and sighed. "I'm tired. Shall we sleep?"

Rudra paused but then agreed. Parvati released him and the two of them turned off the lights and crawled into their respective sides of the bed. As she turned her back to him, Rudra stared at her. It surprised him to know that she was unsure if he was happy with her because he honestly thought his actions were enough to tell her that he was. One good thing did come out of this and that was that Parvati had told him that she was very happy. She was moving forward slowly, and he couldn't be happier. Her past was no longer getting to her. However, something bothered him. Even though she had said that she was tired, Rudra felt like that wasn't what she wanted to say. There had to have been something more. He wondered what it was.

Before he could think about it any further, Parvati stirred in her sleep. She turned and moved closer to him, snuggling into his side. Rudra's breath hitched as he felt her against him. It reminded him of the night on the terrace, when she moved closer to him to seek warmth. Although he never admitted it, Rudra had wanted Paro to be close to him like that again. It just felt so right having her in his arms, but he never had the courage to tell her, mainly because he didn't want to sound like a lovelorn lover. He laughed internally. It's a little late for that now, isn't it? He watched as Parvati sighed deeply before unconsciously holding onto his kurta. Rudra frowned as she moved her head around, trying to find a comfortable position. He extended his arm out, and she rested her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her, not once breaking her slumber. Rudra carefully moved a strand of her hair from her face before sighing and closing his eyes, allowing the peace he felt when holding Paro consume him once more.

Just as he shut his eyes and drifted in a deep sleep, Parvati's eyes slowly opened and drank in the image in front of her. Rudra was fast asleep; she could feel the steady breathing pattern as she watched his chest rise and fall rhythmically. She hadn't been sleeping, even when she moved closer to Rudra. Parvati didn't have the courage to voice that she wanted to be closer to him, so she assumed that if she did it while he thought she was sleeping, he wouldn't mind. It turned out, he didn't. She felt Rudra adjust himself so she would be comfortable. She observed him closely as they were only a few inches apart. His masculine and chiseled features were prominent. His rugged stubble was just growing in along with his trimmed mustache; it made her wonder what Rudra would do if she would playfully tug at it. Parvati held back her giggle as she thought how mischievous she has become lately. A smile played on his lips, even while he was sleeping. This made her smile. As she snuggled back into him and closed her eyes, Parvati prayed to Bholenath, thanking Him for bringing Rudra into her life and asking Him to always keep him happy.

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Hmmm...was there more to what Paro wanted to say? Anyways...let me know what you think by leaving your comments and feedback below.

Next update: Karva Chauth

Thanks for reading!