Dilsher Ranawat believed he didn't have a family.
His wife, Mala Ranawat, had left him so long ago that the years eventually turned into one big blur. This woman, whom he had chosen over her elder sister, whom he cared for and loved, who had become the mother of his child, came into his life and vanished like a raindrop in a puddle. The thing that killed him was that his love was considered irrelevant to her. Their son didn't seem to matter to her. She was one who didn't deserve the title of a pious wife and mother. The minute she walked out the door, Dilsher's family no longer existed.
His son, whom he had project his anger on after his wife had left, had lost his childhood innocence. Dilsher's actions cost not only him, but his son greatly. As the years passed, Rudra Pratap Ranawat no longer remained human. He was devoid of all feelings and emotions. His heart no longer beat, beacause to beat Rudra had to feel loved. And no matter how hard Dilsher tried to repent for his behavior, no matter hard hard he tried to convince his son, a father's "love" was not enough to make up for the 15 years of neglect. Dilsher had lost not only his wife, but his son. He felt there was nothing that could change the bitter truth.
Then, she came. Parvati. First considered as a stranger, she had really become so much more. There was much more to her than met the eye. She had dared to challenge the animal that was known as Major Rudra Pratap Ranawat. Her gentle disposition and naivety had immediately won Dilsher's affection and support. He was able to shower her with the fatherly love he was dying to give, only to receive the tender-hearted kindness for a father she so desperately desired to have. Her acceptance filled an unspoken, yet visible, emptiness in his heart.
But what Dilsher saw in Parvati, was the love and adoration that grew day by day for Rudra. She had called him a jallad, then her protector, then her Major saab'. The initial hatred in her eyes was replaced by love and respect, so much so that if Dilsher asked her to, she would happily lay her life on the line for Rudra. At first, it didn't effect that cold-blooded Major, but then...it happened.
Dilsher saw how, from days to months, his emotionless son began to feel again. His son transformed back into a human. Dilsher was able to understand the pain that Rudra felt all those years, and how his pain was only increased by his father's verbal abuse. Although he knew he wasn't going to be so easily forgiven, talking to Rudra about it was the first step. Dilsher slowly began to get his son back, and that was enough happiness for him, but what happened after completed him. Rudra's heart began to beat again, but not merely beat, but beat for a single person who showered him with unconditional love...Parvati, the stranger who became his bride.
Parvati. Parvati Rudra Pratap Ranawat. Wife of Major Rudra Pratap Ranawat and daughter-in-law of Dilsher Ranawat. Her happiness, her undying love for her loved ones, won everyone over.
She was the reason for the change. She was the reason Rudra was now human, capable of loving those who meant everything to him. She was the reason Dilsher had his son back. She was the reason Dilsher was able to walk without a crutch. She was the reason the happiness returned in the Ranawat Haveli.
Mostly importantly, Parvati was the reason Dilsher was sitting, right now, with his twin grandsons in his arms. The two carbon copies of Rudra, with Parvati's doe-like eyes. Their heads, which fit perfectly in his palms, and their little hands, which barely encompassed one of Rudra's fingers, reminded Dilsher of the beautiful miracles in the world. For Bholenath, a million thanks wouldn't be enough. It never would be. Now, as he watched his son and daughter-in-law hold the two bundles of joy in their hands, Dilsher could finally smile with a sense of completion.
Dilsher Ranawat didn't believe he had a family...until now.
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