Sugandha got comfortable around the house. Mainly with Rudra. She doesn't feel that nervous or scared anymore.
Today the brother pair stayed at home for Krishna ji ki pooja.
They started doing it with their respective wives. But Anuja was not at all happy with Sugandha's involvement.
"How can she perform holy stuff? She's a widowed woman." Anuja asked Indra with anger.
Everyone was stunned by her comments. Sugandha stepped back hearing it. But… before she could leave, Rudra held her wrist tightly.
"Mother, am I dead to you? How can my wife be a widow when I'm standing right here." Rudra spoke with an expressionless face.
Sugandha was astonished by his words. She felt relieved that atleast someone was here to stand for her.
Anuja had no return comments, Rudra was absolutely right. But she's not ready to accept the truth in any circumstances.
Indra couldn't be happier with his decision. After today, he has no regrets about his decision.
They performed the pooja with pure devotion and love.
Sugandha's heart was swelling with happiness. It was the feeling that she felt after so many years.
"Sugandha bhabhi, why don't you sing the bhajan song…? Your voice is so melodious." Nalini remarks.
Rudra looks at Sugandha at Nalini's comment. He never knew that Sugandha could even sing. She barely even speaks a full sentence with him.
"Yes, yes! I want to listen to your smooth voice again." Tulasi says.
"I…it's not that good. I…i.." Sugandha was super shy and nervous to sing.
"Now that my wife has requested it, I think you should consider granting her wish." Indra says while looking at Tulasi, and she blushes in return.
Sugandha glanced at the couple. She always craved a relationship like theirs. She decided to do it for them since she looked up to them.
Sugandha took a deep breath and closed her eyes softly. Then… she started singing with the purest voice ever.
श्री कृष्ण गोविन्द हरे मुरारी,
हे नाथ नारायण वासुदेवा ॥
हे नाथ नारायण...॥
पितु मात स्वामी, सखा हमारे,
हे नाथ नारायण वासुदेवा ॥
हे नाथ नारायण...॥
॥ श्री कृष्ण गोविन्द हरे मुरारी...॥
बंदी गृह के, तुम अवतारी
कही जन्मे, कही पले मुरारी
किसी के जाये, किसी के कहाये
है अद्भुद, हर बात तिहारी ॥
है अद्भुद, हर बात तिहारी ॥
गोकुल में चमके, मथुरा के तारे
हे नाथ नारायण वासुदेवा ॥
श्री कृष्ण गोविन्द हरे मुरारी,
हे नाथ नारायण वासुदेवा ॥
पितु मात स्वामी, सखा हमारे,
हे नाथ नारायण वासुदेवा ॥
She slowly opened her eyes after singing. The first thing she saw was Rudra's face. They both kept their eye contact for 10 seconds or so and then Sugandha averted her gaze in timidity.
Everyone started clapping for her except Anuja, of course.
"You sing really good, Sugandha." Indra complimented her.
Everyone was pouring compliments on her, and she couldn't handle them at all. She just doesn't know how to receive compliments. But… she sure was expecting to hear atleast 'nice' from Rudra's side.
Rudra was awestruck by Sugandha's voice. He was so in a daze that he forgot to compliment her.
Sugandha's pov
My mood fell a bit when I didn't get any compliments from Rudra Ji.
After having our breakfast, we returned to our room.
I was folding the clothes that were scattered around the room. I held his shirt in my hands… omg, it's too big.
I glanced back at Rudra ji, he was busy writing something in a book. I gulped and brought the shirt closer to my nostrils.
I took a deep sniff of his shirt. It smells… so good. But mine doesn't…? Is it because of his manly scent?
What's wrong with me…? I'm doing some creepy stuff.
I flinched hard when I heard his voice. I immediately threw the shirt on a chair and looked back at him with an innocent little smile.
"What were you doing?" he asked.
I hope I didn't get caught doing some embarrassing things.
"Uhm..? N.. nothing, nothing." I murmured.
He seemed to be calculating inside his brain. Probably contemplating whether he should believe me or not. Why is he so smart? Can't he just switch off his brain for a second?
I heard him clearing his throat. "Woh… I have something to attend to in the evening." He said.
"J..ji, thik hai." I said. (Okay)
"Well… umm, since there's a naatak performance this evening, I decided to take you with me." Rudra ji muttered in a soft tone.
I was dumbfounded by his decision. I never expected him to take me anywhere.
"Only if you wish to come…" he said.
"J..ji, I will come." I spoke in a low tone. I was trying to contain my excitement.
I saw a slight smile forming on his lips, but it quickly vanished. He looks more handsome when he smiles…
I was about to walk out of the door. But his words halted my steps.
"Your singing is marvelous. I never heard such a honey-like voice." He said.
I was starstruck by his choice of words. This immediately brought a beaming smile to my face.
Now my heart feels lighter and my mood brighter than ever.
Rudra's pov
I informed Indra bhaiya about my dispatch. I couldn't say it to my mother directly since she would just create another scene. I watched the same thing happen to Tulasi Bhabhi, so I'll try to make smart decisions.
I watched as Sugandha stepped out in a beautiful green sadi. She was glowing under the evening sky.
I started the engine and signaled her to sit in the back. She did just that, but… she kept a distance between us. I chuckled at her instincts.
As we made our way to our destination, I couldn't help but look at her face through the side mirror.
Her face almost looks too perfect with literally no flaws. The breeze was making her hair fly out.
Trust me, she has a long…long… hair. I don't know how she manages to maintain it. It cascades down to her hips. Yeah, those sexy hi—
I cursed myself under my breath. How can I think of something so inappropriate?
Finally we reached the location. She got off first, and I parked the motorcycle on the side.
The view was fantastic. It was full of green fields and beautiful mountains. I saw a group of people under a tent. There was a big stage set up infront of them. I told Sugandha to follow behind me.
We walked closer towards the destined area. There was a separate section for men and women.
I was really expecting to sit with Sugandha. But… it's okay, I'll be just beside the transparent curtain. I can always keep an eye on her. Women are not safe anywhere, is what I've learned growing up.
Author pov
Sugandha was astonished by the view and also the amount of people. She was excited about the upcoming drama performance.
When her gaze falls on a few ladies who are ogling at Rudra.
Something in Sugandha was stirring. She couldn't handle their gawking at Rudra.
As Rudra was busy looking around to check if everything was going smoothly or not. Sugandha slowly stepped sideward like a penguin and stood inbetween the ladies and Rudra. She did this to block their view of Rudra.
She clutched her sadi and turned back to look at those ladies. They were fuming and also very disappointed. This made Sugandha smirk in victory and turn her head to face Rudra again.
"Sugandha, go and sit in the ladies section. I'll be in men's one." Rudra spoke while looking down at Sugandha.
"B..but, Rudra ji… I do not know anyone here. I get scared when I'm with unknown people." Sugandha muttered lowly.
Rudra sighed. "I know… don't worry too much. I'll be watching you every minute, okay?"
Sugandha wanted to argue more, but she just gave in since she had no choice. She walked into the women's section and sat down. She turned back to look at Rudra, who assured her with his eyes.
Rudra also sat at his designated place, and the drama started soon after.
Sugandha was a bit anxious at first since she had never been alone in a crowd. She always used to take her younger brother with her everywhere.
She kept glancing at the men's section. Once she spotted Rudra on the other side, she sighed and started concentrating on the drama.
She soon got engrossed in it. She was enjoying it a lot. She suddenly clapped while giggling.
The crowd around her shushed her with their fingers on their lips. Sugandha bit her tongue and muttered 'sorry' and resumed watching.
Rudra was watching the drama and also keeping his eye on Sugandha. He was multitasking with his dark orbs
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