Rudra
đź“Ť Mussoorie,
India
The cool mountain breeze hit me as soon as we stepped off the plane, carrying with it the scent of pine and damp earth. Mussoorie was breathtaking—its mist-covered hills a sharp contrast to the chaos of Lucknow.
The mountains felt like a world apart, a retreat from the constant pressure of royal duties and responsibilities. But for me, there was no retreat. My responsibility was walking right in front of me, her head held high, eyes gleaming with excitement as she took in the scenery.
Avni looked as if she belonged here, amidst the mist and the towering deodar trees. The serenity of this place suited her, but I couldn't let my guard down. I could never forget why I was here—to protect her from the dangers she was blissfully unaware of.
"Wow, I've missed this place," Avni said, stretching her arms out as if embracing the mountains.
Her voice held a rare note of relaxation, and for a moment, I allowed myself to appreciate the scene. But only for a moment.
I scanned the surroundings. Our security team was already in place, discreetly positioned around the perimeter. Atharv and Ishani walked ahead, chatting quietly, while Aksh and Ritvika brought up the rear. Everyone was more relaxed than I would have liked. Too relaxed.
"Stay close," I said, keeping my voice low but firm as I stepped up beside Avni.
She turned her head slightly, that playful smile tugging at her lips again.
"You're doing that thing where you pretend to be all serious and brooding. You do know we're at a wedding, right? Lighten up, Singhaniya."
"I'm serious because I have to be." I shot her a look. "You forget that we've received more threats in the past few weeks than you probably know about. I'm not here to relax."
Her smile faltered, and for a moment, I saw something flicker in her eyes.
"You think I don't know about the threats? You think I don't know what it's like to live under constant scrutiny? I get it, Rudra. But if I let fear rule every moment, what's the point?"
I held her gaze, conflicted. She was right, in a way. Living in fear wasn't living at all. But her life wasn't hers alone; it was my responsibility too.
"I'm not asking you to live in fear," I replied, my tone softening just slightly. "Just be cautious. That's all."
"I'm always cautious." She smirked, though her eyes betrayed a hint of weariness. "But I'm also not going to let anyone control my life—not even you."
Before I could respond, Aksh approached us, his arm slung casually around Ritvika's shoulders.
When did this happen!?!
"Alright, lovebirds. We've got a car waiting. Shall we head to the villa and get settled in?"
Lovebirds?
I shot him a look, but he only grinned in response, clearly enjoying my discomfort. Avni, on the other hand, laughed lightly. "Yes, let's go. Mussoorie's not going to wait for us, after all."
The drive from the airport to the villa wasn't long, but the atmosphere in the car was noticeably lighter. The looming tension I felt was only heightened by the fact that no one else seemed to share it.
Everyone was in high spirits, especially Avni, who leaned out of the window slightly, letting the wind ruffle her hair. She was enjoying herself, and I could hardly fault her for that.
But I couldn't stop scanning the streets. The narrow roads of Mussoorie were bustling with life—vendors selling everything from handcrafted jewelry to local snacks, tourists snapping pictures of the scenic landscapes, and locals moving about their day. It was charming, but all I could see were the potential threats hiding in plain sight.
"Singhaniya, you look like you're about to launch a military operation," Avni said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Relax, will you? You're going to scare everyone."
"If you're relaxed, it means I'm doing my job right," I countered, eyes still scanning the crowds.
She rolled her eyes but didn't push further. Instead, she turned to the window again, lost in the view.
We arrived at the villa, an expansive property perched on the edge of a cliff, with a sprawling view of the hills. Ritvika's father had truly spared no expense—the place was grand, blending traditional architecture with luxurious, modern amenities. Tall pines framed the property, offering both privacy and a breathtaking backdrop.
The villa staff greeted us warmly, helping us with our bags and showing us to our rooms. My room was directly across from Avni's, giving me a clear line of sight to her door. I wasn't taking any chances.
"Alright, you have a few hours before the pre-wedding events begin," Atharv said, clapping his hands together. "Use the time wisely, people. Nap, shower, do whatever you need. It's going to be a long night."
As everyone dispersed, I lingered by the door to Avni's room. She paused in the doorway, one hand on the knob as she glanced back at me. "You're not going to stand there all night, are you?"
I shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time."
She smiled, but there was something deeper behind it this time. "I'll be fine, Rudra. I promise I won't run off and get myself into trouble."
"I'll hold you to that."
She stepped into her room and shut the door behind her, leaving me alone in the hallway. I let out a breath, rubbing the back of my neck. Something about this trip felt off. I couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was lurking just around the corner.
I made my way to my own suite, but instead of relaxing, I immediately went to work. I pulled out my phone, checking the latest security updates. So far, everything was clear. No unusual activity. But I wasn't about to take that at face value.
A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I crossed the room and opened it to find Aksh standing there, his usual carefree demeanour replaced by something more serious.
"We need to talk," he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
I shut the door behind him, sensing the shift in energy. "What's going on?"
"There's been some chatter," he began, lowering his voice. "One of our contacts picked up some intel. Someone's looking for her, Rudra. Here. In Mussoorie."
My heart rate spiked, but I kept my face neutral. "Do we know who?"
Aksh shook his head. "Not yet. But they're close. We need to be on high alert."
I nodded, my mind racing. "We'll double security. No one gets near her without my approval."
Aksh gave me a look. "You're going to have to tell her, Rudra. She's not going to like being kept in the dark."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know. But if it keeps her safe..."
"You can't protect her from everything," Aksh said, his voice softer now. "She's stronger than you think."
"I'm not underestimating her," I replied, my tone firm. "I'm just making sure I don't lose her."
Aksh gave me a long look before nodding. "We'll be ready. Just make sure she is too."
As he left the room, I stood there for a moment, staring out the window at the rolling hills beyond. The quiet beauty of Mussoorie felt like a thin veil, masking the danger that lurked beneath the surface.
Whatever was coming, I would be ready. And so would she.
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