Rudra
đ Mussoorie,
India.
As the Haldi ceremony descended into cheerful chaos, I found myself at the edge of it all, observing with an amused, though slightly detached, interest. The vibrant sounds of laughter, the colors of turmeric smudged on bright faces, the carefree enjoyment-it was an entirely different world from the disciplined life I was used to.
But watching Avni laugh and play along with the others... well, that was something else.
My gaze kept finding its way back to her, no matter where she moved in the crowd. There was something magnetic in how she let herself go, uninhibited and free, laughing as she tried to dodge flying handfuls of haldi. Her laugh was infectious, and despite myself, I felt a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.
But then, Kabir joined in, and my amusement faded slightly. He was always beside her, teasing her, challenging her with little smirks and jokes. She seemed to enjoy his company, laughing at his antics, never once catching the way he looked at her.
And the dumb flirtations he threw her way? She probably didn't even realize he was flirting.
 But I did.
As Kabir leaned in to smear haldi on Avni's cheek, a tinge of irritation surfaced. It was stupid, irrational, and I should know better. But there it was-jealousy, faint but present.
I tried to brush it off, chalk it up to my duty. She was my responsibility, after all; maybe that was it. But deep down, I knew it was more than that.
Then, Kabir turned to me with a mischievous gleam in his eye. He exchanged a quick whisper with Avni, and suddenly both of them were looking my way. I raised a brow, instantly alert. Avni's laughter sparkled as she met my eyes, and I knew I was the target of some shared plan. Before I could step back, they were advancing on me, hands covered in haldi, ready to drag me into their celebration whether I liked it or not.
"You're not getting me with that stuff," I said firmly, holding up a hand to halt them, but Kabir just grinned wider.
"Oh, come on, Mr. Bodyguard. You can't hide on the sidelines forever!" he said, his eyes challenging.
I narrowed my eyes, but Avni was smiling, her eyes bright with amusement. Against my better judgment, I felt my resolve weakening. Kabir lunged, and in the instant I tried to step back, Avni took advantage, reaching up to smear haldi on my cheek with a mischievous laugh.
I stared down at her, caught between annoyance and reluctant admiration. She was looking at me with triumph sparkling in her eyes, and something in me softened, despite my better judgment.
"You two are a menace," I muttered, wiping some of the haldi from my cheek.
Avni just laughed, completely unbothered. "It's a function! Lighten up a bit," she teased, and her smile was enough to chip away a bit more of my usual guardedness.
Kabir grinned, still advancing with hands full of haldi, but I stepped back, shaking my head slightly.
"Not happening," I said firmly, holding my ground.
Just then, Avni's laughter caught my attention. She looked at me with that daring, mischievous glint in her eyes that made me wary and slightly amused at the same time.
"Come on, Rudra," she said, her voice light and teasing. "You can't stand on the sidelines all day."
I tried to shake my head, but she was persistent, walking up to me with her hands-thankfully still relatively haldi-free-on her hips.
"Don't tell me you're scared of a little turmeric," she teased, her grin widening as she reached for me.
For a moment, my gaze shifted past her to Kabir, who was watching with amusement, no doubt hoping I'd dodge her. But this time, she wasn't going to let me. And truthfully, seeing her like this-carefree and determined-I couldn't quite bring myself to resist.
"All right, Princess," I muttered, glancing pointedly at Kabir as I stepped toward her and leaned on her level, "just for you."
She beamed, and before I knew it, she reached up and swiped a small dab of haldi on my cheek. Her laughter rang out, and despite myself, I felt a strange warmth settling in my chest, a moment of softness I rarely allowed myself.
Avni's hands were still stained yellow, but when she saw I hadn't retaliated, she smirked.
"You're supposed to play along, Rudra. Or is this what you call participating?" She reached forward, adding a bit more to my face with a laugh.
Unable to hold back, I wiped a bit of haldi from my cheek and lightly dabbed it on her forehead, her surprise evident as she laughed.
As we stood there, Avni's eyes glimmered with delight, and in that shared moment, the noise and laughter around us seemed to fade. I was about to say something when Kabir called her name, breaking the spell. Her attention shifted to him for a brief second, and though I masked it quickly, I couldn't ignore the faint annoyance creeping up again.
But as her gaze returned to me, the laughter in her eyes settled my frustration. She nudged my arm gently, urging me to join the group fully this time, and I did. Just for her.
The haldi celebrations were in full swing, and despite my initial reservations, Avni's persistence had drawn me into the middle of it. Sangeet was happening with haldi Music blared, laughter echoed, and everyone around us seemed completely absorbed in the spirit of the moment. Avni was moving through the crowd with that radiant smile, splashing haldi here and there with her friends, her joy infectious.
I stood off to the side, catching my breath and watching her, though she didn't seem to notice. She looked differentâlighter, freer than I'd ever seen her back in Lucknow. There was a magnetic warmth in her that drew people to her without her even trying.
As I watched her laugh and dance with her friends, my gaze drifted over to Kabir. He was standing close by, watching Avni with a certain confidence, like he was the one who belonged at her side. Every time he caught her eye, he made her laugh, sometimes leaning in too close or flashing that overly casual smile in her direction. It was clear he enjoyed her attention, and she seemed to enjoy his carefree nature in turn.
A pang of something unfamiliar tugged at me. I told myself it was just my protective instincts kicking inâthat was all. But watching him get so effortlessly close to her while I kept my distance left me strangely unsettled.
Avni looked over at me, waving me over to the center where everyone was still gathered. "Rudra! You can't just stand thereâcome on!"
The sheer joy on her face pulled me forward despite my initial hesitation. I crossed the distance, my gaze flicking briefly to Kabir, who watched me with an unreadable look as I approached. Avni took my hand without a second thought, pulling me into the group. The crowd closed in around us, and for a few moments, it was just the two of us, laughing in sync, caught up in a rare shared moment.
Then Kabir sidled up beside Avni and gave her a playful nudge, pulling her attention back toward him. I caught the briefest glance from him as he started telling her a joke, one that drew a burst of laughter from her. There was something about the ease with which he fit into her world that grated at me, though I kept my face impassive.
"Rudra," Avni's voice broke my train of thought, pulling my focus back to her. She looked at me with a hint of curiosity, noticing, perhaps, the tension in my gaze. "Everything okay?"
"Of course, Princess." I masked the irritation, giving her a slight smile. "Just... watching your friends try their best to outdo each other."
She laughed, oblivious to the reason behind my words. "It's not a competition, you know. Kabir's just being Kabir."
"Right." I nodded, keeping my tone neutral. "Seems he's very comfortable with you."
She didn't seem to notice the slight edge in my voice and gave a playful shrug. "He's a friend, that's all."
As the celebration carried on, I tried to push back the strange feeling of jealousy that lingered whenever Kabir was nearby. But every so often, Avni would glance over at me with a soft, knowing smile, and that was enough to remind me why I was there, grounded in that moment with her.
When the festivities finally began to wind down, Avni drifted toward me as the crowd dispersed. She looked at me, her face still glowing from the celebration. "Thanks for joining in today. You have no idea how much it means to me," she said, her voice quiet.
For a moment, the tension I'd felt all day melted away. I held her gaze and nodded, a slight smile breaking through. "Anything for you, Princess."
She looked down, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks before she glanced back at me, her eyes filled with that same warmth from earlier. In that moment, I realized that maybe Kabir didn't matter. Not when it was her gaze that kept finding its way back to me.
Just as the air settled between us, a voice echoed through the garden. It was soft yet unmistakably authoritativeâa voice I'd heard only a few times before but had come to recognize instantly. I felt Avni stiffen slightly beside me as we both turned toward the sound.
"Avni, darling!"
Standing there was none other than her mother, flanked by her father, her chacha, and chachi ji. They looked regal and composed, yet there was an undeniable warmth in their expressions as they watched her. Avni's face instantly lit up, and she didn't hesitate for a second. She dashed toward them, a spark of joy in her eyes that I rarely saw.
"Maa! Papa!" Avni's voice was filled with excitement as she wrapped her mother in a warm embrace, holding on just a moment longer as if grounding herself in the familiarity of family. She quickly moved to her father, hugging him tightly before beaming at her chacha and chachi, sharing a similar embrace with each of them. It was evident that seeing them here meant the world to her, and for a moment, she seemed to lose herself in the comfort of being with her family.
As she pulled away, her mother gently cupped her face, brushing back a strand of her hair. "You look absolutely radiant, Avni. How have you been, my dear?"
Avni laughed softly, a blush coloring her cheeks. "I've been great, Maa! The ceremonies have been so much fun. But now that you're here, it feels perfect." She held her mother's hands tightly, glancing back at her father, who was watching them with a soft, proud smile.
Her chacha chimed in, "And here we thought you'd be too busy with all the festivities to even notice us."
Avni shook her head, laughing. "Not a chance, Chacha ji. I've missed you all so much."
From a few steps back, I watched the reunion quietly, my gaze softening at the sight of Avni surrounded by her family. She looked so... happy, like a piece of her heart had finally settled. This was her world, her true foundation, and watching her interact with her family like this felt like a glimpse into something sacred.
Aksh and Ishani, who had spotted the family members, joined the scene as well, making their way over with wide smiles. Aksh clapped his father on the shoulder, exchanging a warm smile, while Ishani squeezed in beside Avni, laughing as she hugged her chachi and chacha ji in turn.
The air around them was filled with laughter and joy, each member of the family contributing to the lightness that now permeated the garden. I kept a polite distance, observing them while trying to remain unobtrusive. Yet, my presence wasn't entirely unnoticed; Avni's father's gaze met mine briefly, and he gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment, which I returned with respect.
Their voices blended, sharing little updates and stories, their warmth drawing even the nearby guests' attention. It was as if their joy was magnetic, spilling over and adding an extra brightness to the day. Avni was right at the heart of it, the center of her family's happiness, glowing in a way that left no room for doubtâshe belonged here, surrounded by these people who cherished her.
Avni looked back at me over her shoulder, her smile lingering as our eyes met briefly. And though the moment was brief, I knew she'd remembered I was there, a quiet presence but one she still seemed to hold onto.
As Avni's gaze met mine, her smile held for just a beat longer, and something in her eyes seemed to sparkle. Then, she turned back to her family, absorbed in their warmth and laughter. Standing a few steps back, I found myself unexpectedly touched by the scene. Avni's happiness was almost palpable, a genuine joy that felt contagious even from where I stood. Watching her bask in the comfort of her family, I felt an odd sense of prideâlike this was a moment I was meant to witness, even from the sidelines.
Her chacha and chachi were the heart of the jokes, playfully teasing Avni about her 'new life' with her personal bodyguard, which made everyone laugh.
"Avni, do you even get a moment of peace with him following you around?" her chachi asked, winking at her.
"Oh, trust me, Chachi ji, he's more than used to my 'ways' by now," Avni replied, casting a quick glance in my direction, a slight smirk tugging at her lips. The whole family chuckled at her response, and I couldn't help but let a subtle smile slip. Her chacha then added something about how they'd always known she had a "knack for trouble," and Avni laughed along with everyone else, playfully rolling her eyes.
While she was lost in their banter, I took a moment to survey the surroundings, partly out of habit but also to keep myself focused. Everything seemed secure, with guests mingling in cheerful groups, and the staff diligently attending to the arrangements for the evening's Sangeet ceremony. The decorators were working on a stage backdrop, adjusting intricate marigold garlands and setting up lamps that would light up the space as soon as dusk approached. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and anticipation, and I knew that tonight's events would bring a whole new level of joy and celebration.
"Rudra!" Avni's voice jolted me from my thoughts, and I turned to find her walking back toward me, her family behind her.
"Will you join us for a bit?" she asked, her tone light but sincere.
I felt her family's curious eyes on me, especially her father's. While Avni's friends were used to my presence, her family was still adjusting to the idea of her having a bodyguard, let alone someone so closely involved. Respectfully, I nodded, saying, "Of course, Princess."
Avni rolled her eyes again at the formal address, making me chuckle inwardly. Her mother, catching the exchange, leaned toward her husband and murmured, "They seem like quite the team."
As the conversation resumed, I noticed Kabir walking toward us, his usual carefree grin firmly in place. He greeted Avni's family with all the ease and charm he naturally radiated. And while everyone else was caught up in the conversation, he sidled up beside Avni, his gaze flicking toward me briefly before he flashed her a smile.
"Avni, since you've been busy, you've missed out on the planning meetings. I'm here to make sure you're caught up," he said, his voice light and playful.
Avni laughed, unaware of his underlying flirtation. "Kabir, I'm counting on you to make sure nothing goes wrong. I'm relying on your expertise."
"Only for you," he replied, his gaze lingering a bit too long. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice in a way that seemed meant to exclude everyone elseâespecially me.
I felt an instinctive tension in my shoulders, watching him closely. The familiarity between them was unmistakable, and while Avni seemed oblivious, Kabir's attention was far from subtle. I held back, focusing instead on standing guard, reminding myself that my duty was to protect her, not to intervene in her personal life.
But the conversation soon shifted back to the upcoming ceremony, and Kabir's charm became a topic of light jokes from her family. I couldn't help but notice that he glanced at me a few times, as though gauging my reaction, subtly sizing me up. He probably wasn't used to being ignored or overlooked, and I could tell my presence was just as much of an irritant to him as he was to me.
After a while, Avni's father finally clapped his hands, saying, "Alright, everyone, let's give Avni some time to prepare for tonight. There's a lot still to do, and we want this evening to be unforgettable."
Avni gave her father a smile, nodding. "Thank you, Papa. I'll be ready soon!"
As the family started dispersing, Kabir hung back, clearly looking to linger. But Avni's father sent him on his way, insisting that he help with some last-minute arrangements. Kabir offered a sheepish grin before strolling off, casting one last look in my direction.
Once everyone had moved on, Avni turned to me, her smile shifting to something softer. "So, tonight's going to be something special, right?"
"Absolutely. From what I've seen, it's all coming together beautifully," I replied, my voice more casual than usual.
She nodded, glancing at the decorations in progress. Her gaze softened as she watched the staff move around, preparing for what promised to be an unforgettable evening.
"This has been such a break from everything back home," she admitted quietly, almost as if she was thinking aloud. "It feels... freeing to be here with my family and friends, to not worry about what comes next. Just this."
I studied her expression, the way her eyes lit up at the simplest things, and for a brief moment, I felt a warmth that was unfamiliar yet grounding. In the quiet of that moment, with her standing just a step away, I realized that this wasn't just a routine assignment. Protecting her had become something more personal. She was more than just my duty; she was Avni, a part of this lively, complex world, and someone I'd unknowingly grown to care about.
When her gaze met mine again, she smiled. "I'll see you tonight, then?"
I gave a slight nod. "Wouldn't be anywhere else, Princess."
As she turned to leave, I felt that familiar, quiet ache as I watched her walk away, knowing she'd soon be back in the spotlight, surrounded by friends, family, and people who had known her far longer than I had.
________________________________________________________________________________
I lay back on the bed, feeling the exhaustion settle in as the night's festivities came to an end. The soft mattress seemed to pull me in, and I let myself sink into its comfort, allowing my mind to drift back over the evening's events.
Images of Avni flooded my thoughtsâhow beautiful she looked in her traditional attire, her eyes shining as she laughed and danced freely with her friends and family. She was completely in her element, carefree and radiant, as if nothing in the world could weigh her down. It was rare to see her like that, so untethered from the pressures of royal life, and I couldn't help but be captivated by her.
A wave of warmth ran through me as I remembered the way she laughed, the way her smile reached her eyes. And then, the images shifted to Kabir, his constant attempts to be near her, his teasing smiles, his light touchesâeach one spiking an irritation I hadn't realized I was capable of.
Jealousy crept up, uninvited, unrelenting. The thought of him trying to get close to her, openly flirting with her, made my chest tighten. But at least I was there to interrupt him every single time. Every sidelong glance, every casual touchâI made sure to be there, blocking his path, giving him no room to breathe around her. Because while he might think he had a chance, I knew better. I wasn't about to let him get too close to my princess.
My princess. The words slipped into my mind unbidden, and I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose.
Shut up, Rudra. What are you even thinking?
I shook my head, feeling the weight of reality settle back into my mind, the ache of responsibility cutting through the soft haze that thinking of Avni brought.
I was here for a reason. A mission. To protect, yes, but also to investigate. To uncover the truth behind suspected terrorist activities, to delve into her family, her closest circleâeveryone she cared for. I was supposed to keep my guard up, remain detached, focused on the job. And yet, here I was, allowing myself to get tangled in the web of emotions I was supposed to have buried long ago.
With a sigh, I reminded myself that she was the Princess of a royal family, and I was a mere bodyguardâan undercover spy at that. I was here to serve a purpose, not to give in to these feelings that only seemed to make my job harder.
My heartbeat might betray me, but my mission couldn't afford such a weakness.
I turned over, facing the dark ceiling, telling myself that tomorrow would be different, that I'd bury these emotions for good. But even as I closed my eyes, all I could see was her smile, carefree and genuine, reminding me of all that was good in her world and all that I could never have.
Get a hold on yourself, Rudra!!
(â§ď˝Ąâżď˝Ąâ§)
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