Today's target : 400+ votes and 70+ comments.

Y'all, I'm quite busy nowadays. So, the updates are getting delayed. I hope you guys will understand and endure a bit.

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Rudra's pov

I watched as the sibling pair played Holi. Sugandha always lights up when she sees her little brother.

Although I was happy to see her happy face, I'm still upset that the kid ruined our moment.

Raghu then made his way towards me. I let out a scoff and twisted his arm before he could apply any color to me.

"Why are you here alone?" I asked.

"Ouuu, brother-in-law, I'm just here for Sugandha didi." He muttered in pain.

"Did you even inform your parents." I asked again.

"W…woh, umm… I told them, I'm just going out to play with my friends." He admitted the truth.

As expected, he's as much of a risk-taker as I am. I glanced at Sugandha, and she begged me with her eyes to let him go.

I sighed at her sweetheart and freed Raghu from my grip. He was groaning a little and hid behind Sugandha.

"Sugandha, don't let your parents get worried. Send him back." I said.

"Rudra ji, but… I want him to stay with us for a few days." She murmured those words slowly.

"But he didn't inform your parents; this is not okay." I spoke in a stern tone.

"I'll just send a letter, brother-in-law. Problem solved." Raghu spoke with a big grin. Sugandha then looked at her brother and giggled with him.

What a pair! Both are troublemakers. I can't even reject her offer, since Sugandha asked for something after so long.

"Fine…" I agreed reluctantly, knowing very well that we couldn't get intimate for a few days.

They both jumped while holding their hands together, making me roll my eyes in frustration.

God!!!! How will I control myself???

~ Time skip ~

The weather was really good. I was staring at the evening sky and took a deep breath.

Sugandha was ignoring me totally, only focusing on her brother. I'm getting jealous of her brother… Is this even normal?

That kid will stay for a few days, and I don't know how I will handle the whole jealousy situation.

Maybe… I should try to find ways to get her to spend time with me.

Why don't I just take her out to watch a film with me? Isn't that a great idea?

I can get private time in the theater and also make her feel a bit better after the whole Kaveri situation. This is the least I can do to make her feel happy and secure.

I was proud of my idea and stepped inside the house with a hopeful heart.

I watched as Raghu took the attention of all the young women of the house.

What a charmer…

I cleared my throat, trying to get Sugandha's attention. But no use….

I tried the same method again; still nothing, and my throat was hurting now.

Sugandha became deaf after his arrival, or I just became an invisible wall, or… she's still upset with me.

I was making weird noises and moving things around just to make her turn around and look at me but to no avail.

I was too embarrassed to call out her name in front of all the family members…

What would they think?? Hell no…

Author pov

Raghu noticed Rudra's tricks and giggled to himself while watching Rudra struggle.

Rudra made eye contact with Raghu; the kid formed a cunning smirk and hugged Sugandha from the side.

Rudra was now fuming with jealousy, he wanted to yank Raghu out of India.

Rudra let out a furious glare at Raghu, and to add chili powder to the wound, Raghu pecked Sugandha's cheek.

Sugandha was unaware of these two species fighting for her. She just smiled at Raghu and continued to gossip with Tulasi and Nalini.

Rudra clenched his fist and took a deep breath, trying to control himself.

'What a rascal,' he thought.

Just then Keshav entered the house, and he noticed Rudra's demeanor.

"Kya hua, Rudra." Keshav asked. (What happened, Rudra)

Rudra didn't expect his arrival, and he wasn't pleased with it. He thinks that there's no need for an unmarried man to be around his lovely sister.

He could just sense that something was off, and he wasn't fond of Keshav because of his family background.

"Nothing, and… what are you doing here?" Rudra asked him back.

"I just came here since I was passing by the house." Keshav replied.

"Ohh, well… Indra is not home. You can leave now." Rudra spoke in a cold tone, and Keshav could sense that he didn't like him.

Keshav didn't want to make a mess and decided to leave, but he really wanted to look at Nalini once. But… Rudra blocked his view of her and escorted him outside, kind of harshly.

Keshav didn't like the gesture at all, but he endured the disrespect anyway and left since it was Rudra's house as well.

Rudra groaned to himself and rubbed his forehead in frustration.

He stepped inside, but this time, he made his way directly towards Sugandha.

He stood behind her, making everyone else gaze at him in confusion.

Sugandha slowly turned her head back, and when she saw Rudra's face, she immediately stood up.

"Ji, aapko kuch chiye?" She asked with a soft voice.

(Ji, do you need anything?)

Rudra glanced at Raghu, who was still smirking and then looked back at Sugandha with an expressionless face.

"I… umm… yeah, I need something," Rudra muttered.

"What is it?" Sugandha asked.

"Follow me," he said and started walking towards the balcony.

Sugandha was confused and also a bit embarrassed because Tulasi and Nalini were giggling behind her. She sighed with a pout and followed behind Rudra quietly.

Sugandha stood in front of Rudra as he stopped walking. She set her veil properly and glanced at his face.

"Ji, why did you bring me here?" She questioned.

"Why not? Don't you want to be with your husband? Or… you just want to avoid me and be with everyone else." He said.

Sugandha was oblivious to his mood. She was really very confused by his words.

"What are you saying, Rudra Ji? I just wanted to know if you needed anything…" Sugandha spoke while clutching her saree.

Rudra knew that he was being unreasonable and facepalmed himself and inhaled deeply. Today's events were playing with his brain, making him very vulnerable to anger.

But mainly, Sugandha was the victim here, and he was aware of it. He didn't want to snap at her at any cost. She needed his comfort, not rage.

Rudra gently held her hands and caressed them while looking at her face.

His demeanor immediately softened as soon as he felt her skin. It was like her body texture and temperature were his therapy.

"Sugandha, we'll go out to watch a film. What do you say?" Rudra asked sweetly. He kept caressing her knuckles, hoping that she would accept the request.

Sugandha was baffled by his offer; it was out of nowhere. She thought he was in a bad mood, but now it's the opposite.

Although she really wanted to go, something in her felt sad. 'Maybe he's doing this out of guilt and not love.' These were her thoughts.

"Answer me, Sugandha. Why are you all quiet…? Don't you want to go?" Rudra questioned.

Sugandha gazed at his face, trying to read his emotions, but it was hard for her. She didn't want to upset him by refusing. But… she really wanted to ask the question that was lingering in her heart.

Rudra was nervous about her silence and gulped. He didn't know what she was thinking, but he did feel her uneasiness.

"Sugandha, I'm sorry. Don't shut me out because of my rookie mistake. I know you must be upset, and I just wanted to ease your mood." Rudra spoke those words as he cupped her face swiftly.

Sugandha got her answers unknowingly; he was doing this out of guilt… But she still couldn't help but melt at his gesture. 'After all, men rarely try to fix their mistakes,' she thought.

"Ji, I'll come," Sugandha murmured those words, which immediately relieved Rudra's heart.

He let out a big grin and spoke out. "That's it then… We're going to watch a film now. Go and get ready."

Sugandha smiled slightly and nodded. She was really looking forward to it even if she didn't want to accept the fact.

"Mein bhi chalunga aapke sath." Suddenly they heard the voice of Raghu.

(I'll also come with you guys.)

Rudra shut his eyes tightly, trying to contain his jealous frustration, and groaned in annoyance.

Sugandha felt his emotions, and she really cared about her brother. So, she gently held Rudra's arm, trying to make him agree somehow. "Rudra ji… please… let him come with us."

Well… Sugandha can melt any iceberg; Rudra was just a human after all. He fell for her soft touch and honey-like voice and nodded reluctantly.

Sugandha chuckled, and Raghu grinned widely at his victory.

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Thanks for reading...✨

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