FF: Unloved (Complete) - Page 71

It wasn't long before the moon graced the world with its presence. As it shined brightly in the sky, the light illuminated the Ranawat courtyard, where the two women were ready to break their fasts. However, one husband had still not returned.

Parvati sat in the chair in the courtyard as she watched Mala and Dilsher. She gazed fondly as Dilsher stared as his wife lovingly as he gave her water, breaking her fast. The adoration with which he carefully fed her a piece of laddu from the tray made Parvati's heart flutter. The moment was enough to put Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to shame. She tore her gaze from her in-laws and looked down at the tray she was holding in her lap.

Rudra should've been here by now to break her fast. Dilsher had said that he would be home, and Mala had assured her that he would come too. But he wasn't. Parvati wondered if he even knew today was Karva Chauth. Would he even show up? Or would he leave her alone on this day just as Varun had? Parvati shook the thought out of her mind as soon as it popped up. No. Rudra wouldn't do that. He is not like Varun. He loves me and I... She paused as her mind raced. Do I love him?

Her mental conversation was interrupted by Mala and Dilsher. They told her to come inside with them and wait for Rudra. Once he arrived they would go back outside and break Paro's fast. She agreed and followed behind them into the house. Her mind once again pondered the question that her heart asked her over and over again. She place her tray down on the table and went to the small mandir in the house. Parvati sat down before it and folded her hands. She knew that Bholenath would give her the answers. She bowed her head and closed her eyes. Bholenath, she thought. Only You can help me. All my life, I had been unloved, unwanted. I was left in an orphanage and never adopted. Varun came into my life and used me, proving that I was worthless, that no one would ever consider me worthy of this existence. I was always existing, not living. Then...Rudra came...and suddenly...

Parvati began remembering her precious memories with Rudra...

"

"Hi," Rudra greeted her casually.

She looked up without a smile and replied, "Hi."

"You're Parvati right?"

"Yes."

"I'm Rudra. We have History together. I don't know if you remember, but I sit next to you."

"

"You know the Mela is this weekend," he said.

She nodded, "I know."

"Do you want to go to the Mela?"

Parvati's eyes grew wide, "W-what?"

"Would you like to go...to the Mela...with me?"

"

"Well...umm...I was thinking...and...are you still free tonight?"

"Yes," Rudra felt himself smiling, amused at the nervousness in her voice.

"Would you...I mean...if the offer still stands...Can...may we-."

"Parvati."

"...Yes?"

"Would you like to go to the Mela with me tonight?"

There was a moment of silence before she spoke again, "...Okay."

"

"I told you that you don't need to thank me. We are friends, right?"

"Yes. We are."

"No I mean..." her voice softened, but Rudra heard her clearly as she finished. "...are we still friends? Now that I've helped you?"

He looked at her both stunned and confused, "Of course we are still friends. I'm never going to stop being your friend. I didn't just say that so you would help me and then just break the friendship there. That's completely against who I am."

"So we're still friends?"

He nodded.

"

Rudra stumbled back as Parvati lunged herself in his arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck...

Then Parvati spoke, "Thank you, Rudra. For everything."

"

She was too lost in him to realize what he was doing. Her eyes involuntarily closed. He took a small step forward and leaned in a little closer. Rudra was now inches away from her lips.

Rudra closed his eyes and softly whispered, "Paro...main..."

"

In a serious voice, he spoke, "Are you sure about this, Paro?"

"About?" she asked.

"This. Us. Marriage. Are you sure about this? Because once it's done, it can't be undone."

Without any pause or hesitation, Parvati nodded.

"Okay."

"Okay?" she dropped her hand that held his face.

He gave her a soft smile before using his free hand to move some strands of hair from her face, "Okay, I'll marry you."

"

A single tear streamed down her cheek, "How can you love me so easily?"

He wiped the tear from her face and spoke in a voice that dripped with concern, "Paro?"

"In the months we have been married I have never loved you, but you...you keep showering me with it. You do all these things for me without expecting anything in return. How can do you it so easily?"

"I love you, Paro."

Another tear escaped her eye.

"It's because I'm in love with you that I can do it. Sometimes it's just that simple."

"

Rudra held her hand against his face, "What if something had happened to you? What would I do without you? How would I live?"

She felt her unshed tears prick her eyes at Rudra's declaration. In an attempt to comfort him, Paro pulled him forward and hugged him. She wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders, stroking the back of his head.

"I am okay Rudra," she said softly against his ear. "I will always be okay as long as you are here."

"

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 opened her eyes and stared at the Bholenath statue before her. All those moments with Rudra warmed her heart. He continuously said he loved her, and proved it with his actions. Her actions were similar to his. Did that mean she loved him? Was it possible that she loved Rudra? The thought made her heart beat erratically in her chest. She looked to her Bholenath for an answer. Bholenath...if this is true...give me a sign.

Suddenly, the phone rang. Parvati shot a look at the deity before looking at the ringing phone. Mala and Dilsher, who were sitting on the couch, talking, stopped as they heard the phone ring. Before either of them had a chance to get up, Parvati sprung up from the ground and ran to answer the call. She picked up the phone and held it to her ear, hoping that it was Rudra on the other end. Maybe this was her sign. If he was on the other end, this would be the answer to all her questions...the end to all her doubts.

"Hello?" she said hopefully.

However, it wasn't Rudra. The strange, male voice on the other end spoke, "Is this the home of BSD Officer Rudra Pratap Ranawat?"

"Yes."

"May I ask whom I'm speaking with?"

"This is his wife."

"Ma'am, this is Officer Amandeep Singh. I've called to inform you that Rudra sir has been taken to the BSD General Ward."

Parvati felt her heart stop. Had she heard the officer correctly? It took all her strength took breathe out her one-word question, "What?"

"Rudra sir had been shot on duty and he is in critical condition. He's been taken to the BSD General Ward for-."

The phone slipped out of her hands and fell to the ground. She didn't the rest of the officer's statement. Parvati felt her knees going weak as Officer Amandeep's words echoed in her mind. Her husband, her Rudra, had been shot in the line of duty?! Fear gripped her as she felt the world collapsing around her. Seeing the state of shock Paro was in, Mala and Dilsher came to her side, knowing something was seriously wrong.

"Parvati," Dilsher spoke, "What's wrong? Who was that on the phone?"

Parvati's chest heaved as she tried to grasp for as much air as possible. Her wide eyes stared ahead of her, lost in a reverie. The color drained from her face.

Anxiety grew and Mala had enough. She shook Parvati out of her state and said, "Parvati! Say something! You're scaring us!"

Parvati snapped her head to look at Mala, who gasped she tears flow for her daughter-in-law's eyes. She opened and closed her mouth multiple times in an attempt to say something...to scream...anything that would bring out her voice to explain how she was feeling right now. Dilsher, too, noticed this, and fear also gripped his heart. Parvati looked at her bapu-sa and leaned on him for support. He saw the genuine fear and anguish in her eyes, and it shook him to the core. Dilator never needed words to understand what was going on in his daughter-in-law's mind, her facial expressions were enough. And right now, he knew that something was terribly wrong. He held her firm and waited for her to speak.

She held his arm and looked up at him, "Bapu-sa, Rudra..."

"What about Rudra?" he asked.

"Woh...Rudra...he's been shot."

Dilsher's grip tightened around Parvati as the words left her mouth. He stared at her blankly for a few moments, letting the information seep in. Hearing this, Mala also felt tears brim her eyes. Since the day Rudra had joined the BSD, this was the news she had always dreaded to receive. Her worst nightmare was coming true. Her son had been wounded. Shot. Was he even alive?

"He's at the BSD General Ward," Parvati continued. "He's in...critical condition. Bapu-sa...please...I-I need to see him. We have to go-."

"Mala, Parvati, get in the car," Dilsher ordered.

Both women nodded and made their way to the BSD jeep. Grabbing his keys, Dilsher dashed into the driver's seat and started the car. Within seconds, they were speeding down the streets of Delhi to get to the BSD General Ward. Dilsher's focus remained on the road as he cut drivers off in order to reach in time. Right now, he wasn't the fierce BSD General, but simply a father who's son was fighting between life and death. Mala, who had finally composed herself, held onto Parvati for support. She knew that if she didn't, the two of them would break down. And Parvati? She sat silently between her maa-sa and bapu-sa, praying that her husband would be safe.

**********

I know I am killing all of you with this, but you will have to see what happens now. Let me know what you think by leaving your comments and feedback below!

Next update: Rudra's fate- will he live or will he die?

Thanks for reading!