FF: The Beautiful and the Condemned (Completed) - Page 22

Rudra made his way towards the window and looked out at the town. The clouds were once again rolling in and rain was bound to follow as it had yesterday. He crossed his arms and watched the villagers of Chandangarh walking in the streets without a care in the world. Some shopkeepers, who sensed the impending storm, were already preparing to close shop early. His eyes fell on the elderly sari shopkeeper, whom he had bought Paro's clothes from just hours ago.

He knew that once she realized the blood on her clothes, she would want to get out of them as soon as possible. Rudra knew his clothes wouldn't suffice forever. He could imagine her screaming when the realization dawns upon her, and that was something he definitely did not want to hear again. The idea of buying her clothes popped into his head. It wasn't difficult, after all, Rudra knew her size from when he took her clothes she came in. He had gone with the intention of only buying one outfit for her. He didn't know when he began arguing with the shopkeeper about colors and size, or when he was dishing out money for not one, but three outfits. However, when he realized what he had done, Rudra was already in his home, staring at the contents in the bag like an idiot.

What made him feel more idiotic was the fact that he actually felt nervous giving the clothes to her. Rudra didn't understand. They were just clothes. It was something she desperately needed. He was acting as if he was giving a gift to the Queen of India! He may as well have gotten on his knees and bowed! Parvati was probably wondering why he had gotten her more than one outfit. All she needed was one. He began thinking that he shouldn't have gotten anything for her in the first place. However, that thought didn't last long for Rudra, and the reason was Parvati's sweet thank you'. Hearing her say that brought about a warm feeling in his chest, making him truly believe that it was worth having idiotic moments.

Rudra heard the sound of the bathroom door click. He took a deep breath and turned around, only to have the air completely knocked out of him. Parvati walked out of the bathroom wearing a black ghagra with a gold and red trim. Her black choli had sheer, long sleeves with the same gold and red trim as the ghagra. Her red dupatta, which carried a thick black and gold border, was draped over her stomach, with the edges tucked into her skirt. Her wet tresses were pulled to one side, caressing her neck and face. Rudra's mouth gaped as he stared at Parvati. He tried to look away, but found he was unable to. Then, her eyes met his. His heart was pounding, threatening to beat out of his chest. She began walking towards him. In her hand was the bag with the rest of the clothes he had gotten her.

Rudra was trying to say something to her, but his voice retreated within him. He couldn't get over the fact that she looked so...beautiful. Even though her eyes reflected sadness and loss, there was something beautiful about that as well. She stopped in front of him and placed the bag on the bed beside him.

"I didn't need this many clothes," she said softly.

"I know," he managed to respond.

She didn't question any further. Paro's eyes trailed to the window, where she saw it was raining. Rudra watched as she walked over to the window to peer out of it. The raindrops cascaded down the glass, blurring the image of the outside world. Yet, she still stood there, with her back towards him, trying to see what was happening. He silently walked over and stood by her side. He kept his gaze on her while she watched intently at the people running around in the streets. The last of the shopkeepers were closing up their stores and running down the streets to get home. It wasn't long until the roads were empty. However, Rudra hadn't noticed. He was too busy watching the thoughtful expressions on Paro's face. Her mind was lost somewhere and she fiddled with her fingers unconsciously. He knew a fond memory had made its appearance as he watched a small smile creep up on her face.

Curious, he asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"My maa-sa and bapu-sa," she replied.

"When they first called you Paro'?"

She nodded, "And how I had gotten them to come and enjoy the rain with me. It was one time, when I was maybe seven. I pulled them outside. They were upset at first, but then enjoyed it with me."

"You have a lot of memories that involve the rain, don't you?"

Parvati touched the window, letting her finger trail down the glass like the drops of rain, "I think that's why I love it so much."

There was a pause before Rudra spoke, "Come with me."

She looked at him, "What?"

"Come. With. Me."

Rudra grabbed her hand and took her with him. She watched as he grabbed an umbrella leaning against the wall near the door. They made their way to the front door. Rudra opened it and led her outside, not once looking back to see the surprised and confused expression on her face. They walked down a flight of stairs before the actually reached the street. It was then he pulled Paro to his side and let go of her wrist. She, on the other hand, stood as if she was just dropped off in an unknown city with a complete stranger. Rudra opened the umbrella and handed it to her, which she took slowly. Finally, he looked at her. Paro found a calm demeanor, not only in his stance, but in his eyes. There was something about this calmness that made her feel comfortable. However, this sudden action on his part brought about an inquisitive stare, which he could see as clear as day.

In an encouraging voice, he answered her silent question, "You said you have a lot of memories in the rain. I know right now, you're going through a hard time. You're lost, and you feel that you have nothing left. You just lost the one person you had left that you considered family. The streets are empty. None of Tejawat's men are out. I'll guard you from here. Go and enjoy the rain."

Parvati's eyes widened, "You're letting me go out in the rain? Why?"

"I saw a small glimmer in your eyes when you talked about the rain," he paused before speaking in a more serious tone. "I want you to feel happy. And I think some time in the rain will do that, even if it's just for a little while."

The gesture warmed Parvati's heart. She couldn't believe that Rudra was doing this. She was amazed that this was the same Rudra who was a jallad to her just a week ago. This was the same Rudra that kept her chained in a cellar beneath his home. And now, that jallad wasn't present anymore. Instead, it was replaced by someone else. Someone who was both a stranger and someone familiar to Paro. She didn't know how long she had been staring at him awestruck, until Rudra snapped his fingers in front of her, causing her to jump.

He tilted his head towards the street, "Go. I'll be right here."

Parvati nodded and turned towards the street. Cautiously, she lifted her ghagra a little with one hand and held the umbrella with the other. She began walking in the rain until she stopped in the middle of the street. Paro looked around and gazed at the beautiful rain that was drenching everything around her. Puddles were forming all around her. She closed her eyes and smiled as she heard the pitter-patter that was so familiar and dear to her. However, her smile faded as she recalled the thunder and lightning that had accompanied the previous storm. It sent a chill down her body. Her heart immediately called out for Rudra, knowing he would protect her from the storm and put her fears at ease. She opened her eyes and looked in the direction of the house. Rudra was there, leaning against the staircase with his arms crossed against his chest, watching her.

Parvati didn't know when she sought him for comfort, but the feeling didn't seem wrong. Deep down, she knew that Rudra had been protecting and caring for her, for reason she didn't quite understand. However, just knowing he was there was enough to put her fears to rest. Parvati looked away and gazed at the rain-filled streets once again.

She had just lost her mami-sa, and didn't have anyone else to call her own. She felt lost. And now, Rudra was being kind to her, more than that, he was caring for her. Why was he doing all of this? Was he just trying to give her a few good memories before he has to kill her? Or...was it possible that he just wanted to see her happy? Was it possible that he actually cared for her as something other than a prisoner? If so, then what? More importantly, how did she feel about him?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice, "What are you doing out here?"

She turned in the direction of the voice and was stunned to find a middle-aged man stumbling towards her. Parvati fully faced the strange man and took a step back once she noticed the half empty liquor bottle in his hand. He was completely drenched, but it didn't seem to bother him. He just continued to stand there in the road. The man stopped once she faced him. He scanned her from head-to-toe, with a smug, devious look on his face. Parvati suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable. The way he looked at her made her feel like a fawn being targeted by a tiger hungry for its next meal.

"Well well well," the man slurred. "What do we have here?"

Parvati took a step back as he took a step forward.

"What is a beautiful woman like you doing out here all alone?"

The strange man continued to step forward each time Parvati took a step back. This small dance' was put to an immediate halt. Rudra, who had been watching what was happening, rushed over and pulled Parvati behind him. She held onto his arm as she peeked out from behind him. The strange man looked at them, confused and angry. She then looked up at Rudra. He didn't care that he was getting soaked. It seemed to be the last thing on his mind. Parvati found that he had a dark glare in his eyes that was solely focused on the drunken man in front of them. It was the look of the jallad. But this time, it wasn't towards her. The jallad had returned, but this time it was protecting her.

"She's not alone," Rudra growled.

The man tumbled forward and got in Rudra's face, "Hey! Who are you? Get out of my way. Find your own item! This one is mine!"

The drunken man reached out to grab Parvati, only to be stopped by Rudra's steel grip. The stranger didn't seem to take no for an answer because the next thing they knew, he punched Rudra in the face. The jallad however, didn't even stumble back. His grip didn't loosen. In fact, it tightened. Rudra glared back at the man and punched him in the face too. The drunken man began falling back, and as he did, he used all his power and threw the liquor bottle at Rudra and Paro. In one swift movement, Rudra shielded Parvati and blocked the bottle with his arm, shattering it upon impact. She felt his arm around her, protecting her once again. She looked at him to find him staring at her intently, scanning her quickly for signs of any bodily injury. His eyes looked into hers, silently questioning her if she was okay.

"I'm okay," Parvati replied softly. "But your lip, it's bleeding."

Rudra touched his lip and found blood dripping from the new cut, "It's fine. But you're okay?"

She nodded.

"Stay behind me."

Rudra turned around to find the strange man on the ground, trying to get up. Without any effort, he pulled him up by his shirt collar. The man's feet were barely touching the ground as Rudra lifted him so their faces were only inches apart. He gulped realizing that harassing this woman was a big mistake. Rudra looked as if he was ready to kill someone, and even though Parvati noticed, she didn't dare try to stop him.

"Don't you ever think about bothering Paro again," Rudra warned. "I won't hesitate to kill you."

With that, Rudra released the drunkard, letting him fall to the floor. He scrambled to his feet and ran off. Rudra waited until the man disappeared from sight before he turned around to check on Paro. He was surprised to see her calmly standing under the umbrella, staring at him worried. He didn't say anything to her. Not even when he extended his hand towards her. Not even when she took his hand voluntarily. Not even when they walked back into his home. Not even as he led her back down in the cellar. And not even when he relit a fire in a metal bin to keep the cellar warm.

He didn't know what had overcome him. One minute, he was staring fondly at Paro enjoying the rain, then he was practically pouncing on a drunkard for trying to get close to her. Rudra noticed that recently, he was becoming protective of Parvati. Not only that, but everything about her was beginning to affect him in some way. He could feel the pain in her tears. He could feel the warmth of her happiness. He took her out in the rain to try to make her happy because he felt that he would remain unhappy if she was. However, the jallad in him returned when he saw Parvati filled with fear as the strange man tried to approach her. And that was something he just was not going to have. What really set him off was that the man had the audacity to try and touch Paro. For the first time in his life, the jallad in him appeared...to protect someone. He didn't know what was happening until after he returned home with her. After today, he knew one thing for certain...he had some connection with Paro. This connection, which was attracting him towards her slowly.

Rudra planned on leaving the cellar without saying a word, but Paro wasn't going to make it easy. As he began walking up the steps, he felt a tug on his leather jacket. He stopped and looked at her. She didn't speak, but instead pulled him back, and he hesitantly let her. The glow of the flames illuminated the cellar, revealing the warmth in Paro's eyes. When he stared into them, Rudra found himself melting, unable to think clearly. He didn't realize he was directly in front of her until he felt her fingers linger, cautiously, on the cut on his lip. The contact sent an instant electric shock that he felt throughout his body.

She slowly wiped the blood with her sleeve and asked, "Are you okay?"

He nodded.

"You didn't need to hurt that man that badly."

He frowned, "Yes. I did. He needed to know he can't go around harassing women. He made a grave mistake bothering you."

"You still didn't need to hurt him."

"Paro, you don't understand men."

"A simple warning would have sufficed."

"And what if he tried to hurt you huh? What if he did hurt you? How would I-."

Rudra stopped mid-sentence. Parvati had also paused in wiping his lip. Her gaze met his as she silently beckoned him to complete his sentence. He, however, was not aware of what he was about to say until he was halfway through. Seeing the hesitation, she disregarded his words for the moment. Parvati took the edge of her dupatta and wiped the rest of the blood off his lip. Rudra continued to watch awestruck. She had heard what he had said, and she wanted to know, but she refused to prod him for answers. She was suddenly so comfortable around him that she was tending to his small wounds. What kind of woman was she? He hurt her and kept her locked up like a caged animal and she was still caring for him. Parvati even had an opportunity to run away, but she didn't. Did she not notice...or did she not want to?

"Are you sure you are alright, Rudra?" she asked once more.

"I'm fine," he replied.

Rudra didn't continue the conversation. He quickly turned around and left the cellar. Parvati walked back to the enflamed bin and sat down near it, in order to keep warm. Inside, she felt that something was different. Not just between her and Rudra, but something else. As she stared at the wall, it suddenly clicked. He hadn't chained her up. The cuffs were laying unlocked on the ground near the wall, on the complete opposite side of her.

She knew this was her chance. If she wanted, Parvati could run away, far from here, far from Birpur. She would never have to look back. She would be free. That was what she originally wanted hadn't she? An opportunity to escape? To live? Freedom was now within her reach, but her heart would allow her to grasp it. Her immediate thought went to the one person she never expected to think of: Rudra.

Parvati knew that she was getting through to him. Even though he didn't say it, he was beginning to trust her. If she left, he would definitely never trust anyone ever again and return to his jallad self. And why did that matter to her? Because now, she knew, he mattered to her. Rudra protected her every step of the way. Even when he tried to hurt her, he simply couldn't. He comforted her in her darkest times, and even tried to bring a smile on her face. She knew that if she stayed she would remain a prisoner until he decided to kill her, but she didn't care anymore. At least, if she remained a prisoner, she would belong somewhere. Whatever he called it, however he treated her, it made her feel like she belonged somewhere to someone. Even though she wasn't sure why yet, her heart told her that she had to stay with Rudra. And so, she stayed.