Wow thank you for the response to part 1 guys! Here's the next part.
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Part 2:
"Aye na," Mami welcomed Rudra inside the house. Paro looked taken aback at how he was behaving, what was Rudra up to she wondered as she followed him inside.
Inside the small house Rudra clearly spotted Paro's touch, in the colours and the decorations. Paro led him to the small kitchen and dining area, she felt uncomfortable, this was not as grand as Rudra's Chandangadh haveli and neither was there a dining table, here they sat on the floor and ate. Rudra saw Paro's unease and picked up how she might be feeling, he made himself at home by sitting down.
Mami-sa wanted to make sure there was no shortcomings in their hospitality for her son-in-law so excused herself to clean up the rest of the house, especially Paro's bedroom.
"Paro, teek se khila dena, lamba safar tha, bohat thake hue lag rahe hai," (Paro feed him well, it must have been a long journey, he looks tired) Mami said before leaving the couple alone.
Paro was already heating the sabzi and making fresh, hot rotis for him, when she was sure Mamisa was out of earshot she turned to Rudra.
"Aap yahan kya kar rahe hai?" (What are you doing here?) she asked, even though her eyes were on Rudra, her wrists still rolled out perfectly round rotis.
"Tumhare peeche peeche bawala hoke mana ne aur ghar le jaane nahi aya hoon," (I haven't gone crazy and come running after you to take you home) Rudra said angrily. Paro served him aloo ki sabzi and rotis with achar.
"Tu ne aloo ki sabzi kyun banayi?" (Why did you make potato curry?) Rudra asked, it was a well known fact amongst the Ranawats that this was Rudra's favourite dish.
This time Paro was left speechless, she hadn't realized today she wasn't cooking for Rudra and didn't have to make his favourite dish.
"Aise hi," (just like that) Paro replied simply. A small smile brighten her face as she watched Rudra eat the food in superseed almost licking his fingers, there was a childlike innocence on his face and he looked incredibly cute.
"Mujhe taakti rahegi toh roti jal jayegi," (If you just keep staring at me the roti will burn) Rudra pointed out suddenly feeling very self conscious. As she turned her attention back to the rotis while he gave his moustache a small flick/twirl.
He had intentionally kept his cool while eating, he needed to be properly alone with Paro to really give her a piece of his mind. Mami sa informed them she'd cleaned the room and they should rest. Paro looked around uncomfortably and was still waiting for a burst of Rudra's anger which didn't seem to be coming. Also she had given up Rudra so how could she live with him as his wife now? But how was she to explain all this to Mami sa right now.
Reluctantly Paro took Rudra to her bedroom, which was on the other side of the open angaan to Mami's room. She turned to face Rudra, determined to now get a straight answer from him now as to why he was here.
"Major saab, aap yahan kyun aye?...mein apko tyaag chuki hoon, apke saath nahi reh sakti...jo vachan Bholenath ko diya tha uska pura karna hai mare ko" (why are you here? I have sacrificed you, I can't live with you, the promise I gave to God I need to fulfil) Paro said her voice quavering a little in front of his furious look.
"Main nahi manta aise andh vishvaas mein, tu ne bhagwan ko vachna diya tha mujhe chod ne ka, meine koi vachan nahi diya tha tujh se duur jana ka" Rudra said intensely as he closed the gap between them in three strides, "aaj bhi teri jaan ko khatra hai...Aman ne bataya ke Tejawat ke aadmi aaj bhi tujhe khatam karna chahte hai, Tejawat ke khilaf bayaan dene ke liye" (I don't believe in such blind beliefs, you promised to God to give me up, I didn't promise to stay away from you, even today your life is in danger from Tejawat's men who want to kill you for revenge for testifying against Tejawat). The intensity in his eyes held Paro on the spot, he was still here to protect her like always.
"Major saab-" Paro began but Rudra cut her off.
"Nahi...Major saab nahin, jab mera tyaag kar chuki hai toh humare rishte ka bhi tyaag karna padha hoga...toh phir naam lene mein kaisi jijak...Rudra keh ke bula na" (nope, don't call me Major Saab, when you've given me up, you must have sacrificed our relationship too so why the hesitation in addressing me by my name? Call me by my name Rudra) Rudra said huskily taking another step closer to Paro. He pointed to her parting which was coloured with sindoor, her neck which was adorned with the red thread that played the role of her mangalsutra.
"Agar rishta hi nahi toh phir mita de ye sindoor, nikal do ye mangalsutra aur pura kar apna vachan," (if there is no relationship then wipe off this sindoor, remove the mangalsutra and fulfil your promise) Rudra continued and tried to wipe the sindoor but she held his hand forcefully.
"Nahi!!" Paro said fiercely.
"Har baar meri maanmani hoti hai par iss baar faisla tujhe pe chodta hoon, meri patni ban ke phirse ghar wapas jana hai ya phir saare rishte todh ke, sab suhaag ki nishaniyan mitta ke yahan ruk na hai aur apna vachan nibhana hai" (Everytime I do as I wish but this time the choice is yours, do you want to be my wife and come home or end all ties, get rid of all your sindoor and mangalsutra and fulfil your promise) Rudra said lowering his hand. He had long come to the conclusion he couldn't hate Paro, she really did love him and she was only abandoning him as she thought it was what had given him life but he couldn't outright let his guard down, accept that he needed her as much as she needed him neither could he forcefully tire her up and take her back home. This time she would decide.
Sorry for any typos. Please leave back your feedback and a big thank you to everyone for taking out time to read it
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
