Rudra ji told me that he'd take me to the music studio today itself; I immediately agreed.
He even helped me braid my hair. He said that he used to tie Nalini's hair when she was a kid.
It wasn't good, but it wasn't bad either….
We then made our way towards the city, which I only came to once, when I encountered tulasi.
I really wanted to hug him, but it would be very inappropriate since people might see us.
When we reached, I took a deep breath, trying not to be overwhelmed.
"You don't have to cover your face…" he said and set my pallu on top of my hairline.
Rudra ji then held my hand and guided me through the busy area.
I was looking around, and there were many shops.
I saw a group of women in the trendiest clothes, and it looked so unusual for me.
They even had red, red lips, and I kept looking at them.
Even I wanted it… But I don't know what they call it.
"Rudra ji, woh honthon ko laal laal kaise karte hai?" I asked him.
(Rudra ji, how do you make the lips red?)
He looked at me with furrowed brows. "Lipstick?" he asked.
My eyes sparkled, and I nodded. "Haa, wahi l..leepstech" i tried to pronounce.
Rudra ji chuckled, and I grinned in return.
"I'll buy you one when we are about to leave. First, let's go to my friend's flat." Rudra ji said.
I nodded excitedly. He gripped my wrist, and we walked forward.
When we reached, the door was opened by a man who was smoking a cigarette, and he was topless.
Rudra ji immediately closed my eyes with his palm, blocking my view.
I smiled to myself as Rudra ji told the man to wear something.
He removed his hand gently, and I glanced at Rudra ji.
"I only find your body attractive." I said shyly.
His annoyed demeanor turned into a slight blush.
"Sorry, my wife was away… and I couldn't help it." The man said while buttoning his shirt.
My smile dropped by his words. I didn't understand the meaning behind his words, but… it didn't seem right.
Rudra ji didn't say anything, and that man asked if we would like to have some tea.
I held onto Rudra ji the whole time. He politely refused the man, and we three made our way to the famous studio. A woman walked out of his flat after we left.
I then understood the meaning, which made me really worried…
What if Rudra ji did the same…? But I fully trust him. I know for sure that he would never touch another woman.
When we reached it, I was astonished by the exterior.
Rudra ji tucked my hand to walk forward, and I nodded.
The studio was filled with different kinds of gadgets. It was surreal to me as I had never seen anything like this before.
There were mostly men and only one woman.
I was so nervous to even stand there. I felt so out of place, and it made me feel embarrassed about myself. My looks didn't do any justice at all.
They gave me looks, their gaze scanning me up and down. I gulped hard in anxiety.
"She's the woman that I talked about…" Rudra Ji's friend spoke out.
"Are you sure?" One of the men asked.
"Yes, give her a chance. They came all the way from their village for this opportunity." The friend said.
The man sighed and nodded.
Rudra held my hand tighter as if he had sensed my feelings.
I glanced at him, and he nodded reassuringly. This gave me a bit of confidence.
"What's your name?" The man asked.
"S.. Sugandha. Sugandha Deshpande." I muttered.
He didn't say anything for a few seconds, and then he signaled the other people to set up everything.
"Follow me." he said.
My heart started pounding out of my chest from the nervousness.
I can't disappoint Rudra Ji. I must nail this…for him and also myself.
My only chance…
Author pov
Sugandha followed the man with slow strides. She kept looking back at Rudra, and he signaled her to calm down.
She entered a room full of gadgets, which were related to music.
The man told Sugandha to stand in infront of a microphone and told her to start singing when others gave the signal.
Sugandha was left alone in that room, and she could clearly hear her loud heartbeat.
The others gave her a signal, and she took a deep breath and started singing.
When her melodious voice filled the room, everyone's eyes widened.
Her voice was like a drip of honey, and their ears were blessed with a metaphorical tune.
Rudra was too stunned to speak, and he couldn't believe that it was his woman who was singing and only his.
The friend tapped on Rudra's shoulder, and he looked at him.
"Teri biwi singer toh banegi." He said.
(Your wife will definitely become a singer.)
Rudra smiled with pride and nodded heartily.
Soon after, Sugandha stopped singing and opened her eyes nervously.
Silence engulfed the room for a second, and then… the main man started clapping, followed by others.
Sugandha stepped out with a small smile, the new environment made her feel at ease.
"Looks like I underestimated you; you're definitely a gem." The man said and forwarded his hand towards Sugandha.
She looked at his hand with hesitation and glanced at Rudra.
Rudra nodded slightly, and Sugandha immediately shook hands with the man with a big grin.
"We'll definitely meet you after a few days." He said.
Sugandha was very, very happy with his words.
"Ji, zaroor milenge." Sugandha spoke out.
(Ji, for sure.)
Then the 3 of them walked out in a good mood.
"Thanks, Mohan." Rudra said while looking at his friend.
"It's okay, you're my friend; that's the least I can do." He said.
Rudra was about to give some money to him, but he refused.
"Kabhi tumhare ghar mai chai piladena, bhabhi ji ki hath ka." Mohan said with a smile.
(Let me taste my sister-in-law's handmade tea when I come to your house.)
Rudra chuckled and said. "Sure."
The couple bid goodbye to Mohan and made their way into the bustling market.
"You asked for a lipstick; let's get it." Rudra said.
Sugandha kept looking at Rudra and muttering anything.
"What?" he asked.
"You didn't even compliment me…" Sugandha said with a disappointed tone.
Rudra smirked and leaned closer to her ear and whispered sensually.
"I'll compliment you physically when we reach our house."
Sugandha's pupils dilated, and she pushed him away immediately with a flustered face.
Rudra laughed out loud looking at her expression, and Sugandha pouted in response.
"Let's go and shop, or we'll be late." He said.
Sugandha held his hand lovingly and nodded.
Rudra bought her everything that was desired by a woman, even if she refused.
Rudra selected each of her sarees by himself, and he was proud of his choices.
"Rudra ji… You won't be mad, right?" Sugandha asked.
"Why would I even be mad?" Rudra said with a frown.
"Ummm, I'm craving some kulfi." Sugandha murmured.
Rudra faked his anger. "You want to eat an ice cream in this weather? Are you crazy?" He said, looking at her.
Sugandha's gaze fell low by his words, and her face was etched with sadness now.
Rudra cleared his throat first and spoke out. "Wait here; I'll go and finish my business."
Sugandha immediately looked at him. "Don't leave me alone, Rudra ji."
Rudra shook his head with a sigh. "I need to go take a piss, and you don't speak another word like that day. You can't just accompany me while I'm doing my business." He said.
Sugandha became really embarrassed by his words, and she was actually about to say it again, but he didn't let her.
Rudra stood up and walked out. Sugandha sighed and looked at the pile of sarees in front of her.
After sometime, she saw a woman sitting beside her.
That woman was also purchasing some stuff, and suddenly she spoke out.
"Wow, this is beautiful. I'll take this." She said and clutched onto a saree that was infront of Sugandha.
Sugandha held her hand. "I'm sorry, but it's mine…" she said with a polite tone.
The woman looked at her with no expression whatsoever and smirked.
"Even if something is owned by someone, it can still be desired by many and can also be stolen from them." She said.
Sugandha didn't get any good vibes from her. She wanted to be persistent but… didn't want to quarrel.
For Sugandha, the woman looked like a rich lady who couldn't be messed with, and she didn't want to cause any trouble for Rudra and his family.
Sugandha left her hand and let that lady have the saree.
The lady smirked harder in victory and stood up. She started walking away, but Sugandha's voice halted her steps, and she turned back to look at her.
Sugandha stepped towards her and showed a single pair of gold earrings.
The lady checked her ears, and yes, one was missing.
Sugandha held her hand and put the earring on her palm.
"I don't desire other people's stuff, and I think everyone should follow that principle for the greater good." Sugandha says with a smile and retrieves her hand back.
The lady gritted her teeth and let out a fake smile. "Good… very good. Thank you. I'm Kaveri, and you?" She said.
"Sugandha Deshpande." Sugandha replied.
Kaveri knows that Sugandha is Rudra's wife, but she is still a bit jealous.
"Nice, well… I'll see you later, very soon." Kaveri said and walked off.
Sugandha was frowning in confusion and just stood there.
Then Sugandha's eyes were blessed with the sight of Kulfi.
She smiled and looked back.
Rudra was standing behind her with two kulfis and signaled her to have it.
Sugandha immediately snatched it and started devouring it.
Rudra kept watching her and Sugandha's gaze on him while licking the kulfi.
"Why aren't you eating, Rudra ji" she asked.
"I will, but I want to eat yours." Rudra said and swapped their kulfis.
Rudra then started licking the same spots where Sugandha just tasted.
She became so flustered and averted her gaze and ate her new kulfi.
After finishing the shopping, they both left for their home. Ofcourse, they didn't forget to buy the red lipstick.
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