Chapter-5
⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚
ℍ𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕗𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕤, 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕤 𝔼𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕤
A week later
It had been a week to the incident, the news about Rudransh’s incident and Reyansh’s death had all calmed down.Everyone got back to their lives and Akshita was getting ready to visit Rudransh as today she promised to read him poetry.
They bonded a lot during the days of his recovery and she found his diary while getting him some clothes to change.She secretly read it and when he came to know of it, he made her read her diary and all things she wrote about him in front of him while he kept looking at her the entire time.
That was pure torture though but that smile he gave her afterwards made everything worth it .Today, she was going to read him some poetries from his library as she adored poetry ever since she was a teenager and he had been adoring her finding books in his library,that’s what she found out by reading his diary too.
She got ready to visit him in a baby blue anarkali set with little silver jhumkas adorning her ears and some bangles and an anklet pair which made noises whenever she moved.She specially chose to wear this colour as pastels on her was his weakness as she was going to ask for something from him today.
She had her breakfast and reached his home along with the driver.also buying white lilies, his favourite.As she reached the garden, she saw him with his father having tea in a loose t-shirt as the bandages were still there and would take another week to heal.
She moved towards him but before she could call him, he turned around and smiled at her as he was able to recognize her just by the tingling of her anklets.She smiled at him and greeted his family.Soon, everyone left for them leaving both of them alone.
She was sitting in front of him with a tea cup in her hand and he too held a cup in his hand, his eyes fixed on her never leaving her even if he was drinking the tea.His intense gaze was making it difficult for her to say something so she just lowered her eyes while the butterflies did Zumba in her stomach.
He chuckled at her reaction but his chuckle calmed down when she stood up and started going towards his room leaving him alone.He started following her and tried holding her hand but she swinged it away and he hissed in pain.She turned around and quickly held his hand leading him to his chamber.
As she made him sit on the bed, she asked him to strip his shirt but he denied.
“Ek masoom marad ki izzat lootna chahti hain app?”,he said Inna dramatic tone his hands covering his chest.
(You are trying to rob this innocent man of his dignity?)
“Izzat to izzatdaron ki looti jaati hai aap to ashleel hain.”,she replied with a smirk and he gave her a scowl.
(The one with dignity loose their dignity, you are entirely obscene.)
“Jaaiye hum aapse baat nahi karenge.”,he said while lying on the bed and covering himself with the comforter.
(Go, I want talk to you)
“Aur aisa kyun?”,she blinked multiple times feigning innocence.
(And why is that so?)
“Kyunki aapne hume ashleel kaha.”,he said still having his angry facet on.
(Cause you called me obscene)
“Toh aap ashleel nahi hain?”,she added teasing him more.
(So, you are not obscene)
“Nahi”,he said with annoyance.
(No)
“To kya hain aap?”,she asked fuelling him further.
(So what are you?)
“Aapka hone wala pati parmeshwar.”,he replied cheekily and this time, she was out of words and her cheeks started heating up.
(Your soon to be husband)
As Rudransh lay on the bed, smirking at her silence, Akshita busied herself by rearranging the books she had brought. But the tingling of her anklets gave her away—the soft chiming echoed her nervous energy.
Rudransh leaned back with a grin. “Tumhe yeh rang mere liye pehna hai na?” he asked, his voice low, teasing yet filled with something deeper.
(You wore this color for me, didn’t you?)
Akshita paused, turning her head slightly. “Aapko sab pata hota hai, hai na?” she replied, refusing to look at him.
(You always know everything, don’t you?)
“Tumhare baare mein toh haan,” he said simply, the sincerity in his tone making her heart stutter.
(When it comes to you, yes.)
Ignoring his words, she grabbed the flowers she had brought—white lilies—and placed them in the vase near his bed. “Yeh aapke liye hain,” she said softly, her back still to him.
(These are for you.)
He watched her in silence, the sight of her delicate movements—her bangles glinting in the sunlight, the soft pastel fabric of her anarkali swaying with her steps—captivating him.
“You don’t have to bring flowers every time you come here,” he said after a moment.
Akshita turned to him, her eyes holding a playful glint. “Aur aap yeh mat sochiye ki main bas aapke liye laati hoon.”
(And don’t think I only bring them for you.)
Rudransh chuckled, shaking his head. “Toh kiske liye?”
(Then who are they for?)
She leaned slightly closer, tilting her head. “Yeh mere liye bhi hain. Mujhe lagta hai ki yeh kamra thoda zyada khushbu se bhara hona chahiye, aap toh pehle hi se theek nahi lag rahe.”
(They’re for me too. I think this room could use a bit more fragrance, especially since you’re not feeling quite right.)
He raised an eyebrow at her jab but didn’t respond. Instead, his gaze flickered to the diary on the table near the flowers—his diary.
“Vaise, tumhe us din jo diary mili thi, uska ek aur page padha kya?” he asked suddenly, his tone light but his eyes sharp.
(By the way, did you read another page from the diary you found that day?)
Akshita’s hands stilled. “Aapko lagta hai mujhe phir se padhna chahiye?” she countered, her tone defensive, though the hint of red creeping up her neck betrayed her.
(Do you think I should read it again?)
He smirked. “Tumhe toh sab jaan ne ka shauk hai. Lekin shayad yeh page sirf tumhare liye likha gaya tha.”
(You’re always curious to know everything. But maybe this page was written just for you.)
Her heartbeat quickened. A page just for her? “Aap bas mujhe uljhaane ki koshish kar rahe hain,” she said, attempting to sound nonchalant as she placed the tea cups aside.
(You’re just trying to confuse me.)
“Ho sakta hai,” he replied with a shrug, his smirk growing. “Ya shayad tum waqai kuch miss kar rahi ho.”
(Maybe. Or maybe you’re actually missing something.)
Unable to resist, she turned back to him. “Toh bataiye, kya likha hai?”
(Then tell me, what’s written?)
Rudransh tilted his head, his expression unreadable. “Agar tum sach mein jaana chahti ho, toh khud padh lena. Waise bhi, main tumhare reaction ka intezaar karna chahunga.”
(If you really want to know, you’ll have to read it yourself. Besides, I’d love to see your reaction.)
The challenge in his voice was clear, and Akshita knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep without knowing what he meant. She glanced at the diary, her curiosity warring with her pride.
As if sensing her dilemma, Rudransh leaned back, resting his head against the pillow. “Main toh yahin hoon. Jab tum ready ho, padh lena,” he murmured, closing his eyes with a satisfied smirk.
(I’m right here. Read it whenever you’re ready.)
Akshita glared at him, knowing full well he had won this round. But as her eyes flicked to the diary, she couldn’t deny that her curiosity had already gotten the better of her.
Akshita picked up the diary with hesitant fingers, the leather cover cool against her skin. She could feel Rudransh’s gaze burning into her, making her palms sweat.
“Tum bas dekhte rahoge ya thoda toh privacy doge?” she asked, raising her eyebrows in mock annoyance.
(Are you just going to stare, or will you give me some privacy?)
Rudransh smirked, folding his arms behind his head. “Privacy aur tum? Dono ka kya rishta hai? Tumne kabhi mujhe diya hai?”
(Privacy and you? What’s the relationship? Have you ever given me any?)
“Rudransh!” she glared at him, her cheeks flaming.
“Thik hai, thik hai. Main band karta hoon aankhein,” he teased, closing his eyes dramatically. “Lekin suno… ek shart hai.”
(Alright, alright. I’ll close my eyes. But listen… there’s one condition.)
“Ab kya?” she asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
(Now what?)
“Jo bhi tum padhogi, mujhe sunao. Har word,” he said, peeking at her with one eye open.
(Whatever you read, read it to me. Every word.)
She rolled her eyes, but her heart fluttered at his demand. Was he always this relentless? Flipping open the diary, she turned to the bookmarked page. Her eyes skimmed over the familiar handwriting, and her breath hitched as she read the first line.
“There’s a fire in her, one she tries to hide beneath her composed smile. But I see it every time she looks at me.”
Akshita froze, unsure if she should read it aloud. Rudransh’s voice broke the silence. “Kya hua? Shuruat hi pasand aa gayi kya?”
(What happened? Did you fall in love with the opening line itself?)
She glared at him, but her cheeks were betraying her again, turning crimson. Clearing her throat, she began reading aloud, her voice soft but steady.
“There’s a fire in her, one she tries to hide beneath her composed smile. But I see it every time she looks at me. It’s the kind of fire that could burn the whole world, and yet, she doesn’t even realize its power. And maybe that’s what draws me to her—the chaos she doesn’t know she carries, the vulnerability she doesn’t try to shield.”
Her voice wavered as she turned the page, her hands trembling slightly. Rudransh was still silent, which made her even more nervous.
“She thinks she’s ordinary, but every detail about her contradicts that belief. The way she fiddles with her bangles when she’s nervous, the way she pauses before laughing as if she’s deciding if it’s worth it, the way she looks at me like she’s afraid to get caught but wants to stay anyway… it’s maddening.”
Akshita’s throat was dry now, but she couldn’t stop reading. Her heart was racing as if Rudransh could hear every beat.
“I don’t know when it started, this pull I feel toward her. But I know it’s not going away. If anything, it’s getting stronger. And I’m terrified. Because for the first time, I feel like I’ve found something worth losing myself for. And if she ever finds out… I don’t know if I’ll have the courage to face her.”
Akshita stopped, unable to continue. Her fingers tightened on the edges of the diary as her eyes darted to him. Rudransh was staring at her now, his expression unreadable.
“Akshita,” he said, his voice softer than she’d ever heard it.
“Haan?” she whispered, unsure of what to say or do.
(Yes?)
“Tumhe samajh aaya?” he asked, sitting up slightly, his eyes searching hers.
(Did you understand?)
She blinked at him, her mind racing. “Samajh aaya matlab?” she asked, trying to play dumb, though the heat in her cheeks betrayed her.
(What do you mean, understand?)
Rudransh smiled, leaning forward slightly. “Matlab yeh ki tumhe samajh aaya ki woh sab tumhare liye hai?”
(I mean, did you realize that all of that is about you?)
Her breath caught, and she looked away, pretending to close the diary. “Mujhe kya samajhna? Main toh bas… bas…” she fumbled, unable to come up with an excuse.
(What’s there to understand? I just… just…)
“Bas?” he asked, tilting his head, his smirk returning.
(Just what?)
“Bas kuch nahi,” she said quickly, standing up and heading toward the bookshelf to avoid his gaze.
(Nothing.)
But before she could move further, she felt his hand wrap gently around her wrist. She turned to face him, and for once, his playful expression was gone.
“Akshita,” he said again, and this time, her name sounded like a promise. “Main seriously pooch raha hoon. Tumhe samajh aaya?”
(I’m asking seriously. Did you understand?)
She stared at him, her heart in her throat, unable to answer.She looked at him in the eyes and replied,”Ji.”
And that was the ending of Embers of Heart where hate smoldered and love ignited bringing both of them closer.