Rudra's
2608 Words
Morning came heavy.
---
Not loud.
Not chaotic.
---
Just… suffocating.
---
Abhay had been awake long before anyone knocked on his door.
---
He hadn’t slept properly.
Not really.
---
Every time he closed his eyes—
memories came back.
Voices.
Blame.
Silence.
---
And somewhere in between all of that—
another feeling stayed.
---
Absence.
---
His fingers tightened slightly around the bedsheet.
---
Because last night—
for the first time in days—
he hadn’t heard Rudra’s voice before falling asleep.
---
No sleepy mumbles Assuring him he is safe .
No “I’m here.”
---
It shouldn’t have mattered.
It shouldn’t have affected him this much.
---
But it did.
---
And maybe that was why—
when the tray arrived in the morning—
he couldn’t eat.
---
Not just because of nerves.
Not just because his stomach felt too tight.
---
But because something inside him felt… emptier.
---
He had picked up the spoon once.
Tried.
---
But the moment he did—
a thought slipped in.
---
Rudra would have forced me to eat…
---
His grip loosened.
---
And the spoon went back down.
---
Untouched.
---
Time passed.
---
Eventually—
someone came.
Told him to get ready.
---
“The rituals are starting.”
---
Abhay nodded quietly.
---
And soon—
he was walking toward the hall.
---
Each step felt heavier than the last.
---
The moment he entered—
everything changed.
---
Conversations softened.
---
Eyes turned.
---
Stares followed him.
---
Not hidden.
Not subtle.
---
Open.
Judging.
---
Abhay’s steps slowed.
Just slightly.
---
But he didn’t stop.
---
He kept his gaze down.
Focused on the floor.
---
Still—
he could feel it.
---
Every look.
Every whisper waiting to happen.
---
“He’s here…”
---
“They actually called him…”
---
Abhay’s fingers curled slightly at his sides.
---
He moved further inside.
Careful.
Quiet.
---
And then—
a voice stopped him.
---
“Stay there.”
---
Abhay froze.
---
Slowly—
he looked up.
---
Shivam stood a few steps away.
---
His expression was cold.
Controlled.
---
But his eyes—
held something sharper.
---
Shivam walked closer.
Each step measured.
---
Until he stood right in front of Abhay.
---
For a second—
he just looked at him.
---
Taking in the quiet posture.
The lowered gaze.
---
Then—
he spoke.
---
“You’ll stay in one place.”
---
Flat.
Emotionless.
---
Abhay’s fingers tightened.
---
“Don’t move around.”
A pause.
---
“And don’t touch anything.”
---
The words landed heavier than they should have.
---
Shivam leaned slightly closer.
His voice dropping just enough—
so only Abhay could hear.
---
“God knows you have a habit of destroying things.”
---
A beat.
---
“Like you always do.”
---
Abhay stilled.
Completely.
---
The words didn’t echo.
Didn’t repeat.
---
They just… settled.
Deep.
---
His throat tightened.
---
But he didn’t respond.
---
Didn’t defend himself.
---
Because he knew—
anything he said would only make it worse.
---
Shivam straightened.
---
“Stand quietly,” he added, louder now. “That’s all you need to do.”
---
Then he walked away.
---
Just like that.
---
Leaving Abhay standing there.
---
Exactly where he was told to be.
---
Exactly how he was expected to be.
---
Still.
Silent.
Small.
---
And as the rituals began—
---
He had searched the room for someone with a hope ,
who wasn’t there yet.
---
Someone he hadn’t realized
he had started depending on.
---
Someone he missed.
---
And so—
he stood there.
---
Hungry.
Shaking.
Surrounded.
---
And completely alone.
Morning stretched into evening—
but for Abhay, time had lost meaning.
---
The mansion remained filled with people.
Voices.
Whispers.
Judgment wrapped in white clothing and fake sympathy.
---
The rituals continued.
Priests chanted.
Relatives sat in neat rows.
Some grieving.
Some pretending.
---
And some—
Watching him.
---
Abhay stood where he had been told to stand.
Silent.
Still.
---
His white kurta felt heavier than it should.
Or maybe—
It was just him.
---
He hadn’t eaten anything since morning.
Not a single bite.
---
No one had come to check.
No one had asked.
---
And this time—
There was no call.
---
His throat felt dry.
His lips slightly pale.
---
But he stayed.
Because he had been told to.
---
“Keep your head down.”
“Don’t create a scene.”
---
So he didn’t.
---
But the whispers didn’t stop.
---
“They really let him attend…”
---
“After what he did…”
---
Abhay’s fingers curled slightly at his sides.
---
“They say his parents died because of him…”
---
A quiet scoff.
---
“And now his grandfather.”
---
“Such children bring nothing but misfortune.”
---
The words wrapped around him like chains.
---
He kept his gaze down.
Breathing slowly.
Carefully.
---
But his body was starting to betray him.
---
A slight sway.
Barely noticeable.
---
His head felt light.
Too light.
---
The chants blurred together.
Voices overlapping.
Echoing.
---
Abhay blinked slowly.
Trying to focus.
---
But everything felt distant.
---
His stomach twisted painfully.
A hollow ache.
---
Still—
He didn’t move.
---
Because even now—
He didn’t want to be a problem.
---
Hours passed.
---
Finally—
The main rituals came to an end.
---
People began to move.
Standing up.
Talking louder now.
More freely.
---
The formal mourning slowly shifted into something else—
Networking.
Discussions.
Business.
---
Because that’s how it always was.
---
And that’s when—
They arrived.
---
A new set of guests.
Not relatives.
Not mourners.
---
Important people.
---
Among them—
Someone familiar.
---
Rudra.
---
Dressed in a crisp black suit, his presence didn’t blend in.
It never did.
---
He wasn’t there as family.
He was invited.
A businessman.
Someone important enough to be called after the rituals.
---
But the moment he stepped inside—
His eyes didn’t scan the crowd.
Didn’t acknowledge the greetings.
---
They searched.
---
Direct.
Sharp.
Unwavering.
---
Until—
They found him.
---
Abhay.
---
Standing at the far end of the hall.
Small.
Still.
Too still.
---
Rudra’s expression changed instantly.
---
Because he saw it.
What no one else cared to notice.
---
The pale face.
The slight sway.
The way Abhay’s fingers twitched faintly at his sides—
like he was holding himself together.
---
Rudra’s jaw tightened.
---
Someone approached him.
Talking.
Greeting.
---
He didn’t respond.
Didn’t even look at them.
---
Because his focus had already locked onto one thing.
---
Abhay.
---
Across the room—
Abhay felt it.
---
That gaze.
---
Slowly…
He looked up.
---
And there he was.
---
For a second—
Everything else faded.
---
The whispers.
The crowd.
The suffocating weight of the house.
---
All gone.
---
Just him.
---
Rudra.
---
Abhay’s eyes widened slightly.
---
Relief hit—
quiet but deep.
---
But his body didn’t move.
Couldn’t.
---
Rudra, however—
Did.
---
Without a word.
Without hesitation.
---
He started walking.
---
Straight toward him.
---
Ignoring everyone in his way.
---
People noticed.
Of course they did.
---
Whispers shifted.
Changed direction.
---
“Who is that?”
---
“Rudra… the businessman?”
---
“What is he doing…?”
---
But Rudra didn’t stop.
---
Didn’t slow down.
---
Until he stood right in front of Abhay.
---
Up close—
It was worse.
---
Rudra’s eyes scanned his face quickly.
Taking everything in.
---
“You didn’t eat.”
---
It wasn’t a question.
---
Abhay’s fingers tightened slightly.
---
He didn’t answer.
---
Didn’t need to.
---
Rudra’s expression hardened.
Just a fraction.
---
Then—
lower.
Only for him.
---
“Since morning?”
---
A pause.
---
Abhay’s silence said everything.
---
Rudra exhaled slowly.
Controlled.
But not calm.
---
His hand moved—
just slightly.
Not touching.
But close enough.
---
“Come with me.”
---
Abhay froze.
---
Because he knew—
Eyes were on them.
---
People were watching.
Listening.
Judging.
---
His fingers twitched again.
---
He shook his head.
A small movement.
Barely there.
---
“No…”
---
The word didn’t come out.
But it was clear.
---
Rudra’s gaze sharpened.
---
“Abhay.”
---
A warning.
Soft.
But firm.
---
“You’re not staying here like this.”
---
Another whisper passed behind them.
---
“Look at that…”
---
“He’s already getting close to outsiders…”
---
Abhay flinched slightly.
---
Rudra noticed.
---
Of course he did.
---
And that was it.
---
The last thread of restraint snapped.
---
Rudra stepped closer.
Blocking him from the room.
From the stares.
From the whispers.
---
His voice dropped.
Low.
Steady.
Unshakable.
---
“I don’t care who’s watching.”
---
A pause.
---
“You’re coming with me.”
---
Abhay looked at him.
Really looked.
---
And for the first time since morning—
There was something in his eyes.
---
Not fear.
Not pain.
---
Trust.
---
His fingers slowly loosened at his sides.
---
And without another word—
He took a small step forward.
---
Toward Rudra.
---
Because if the world was going to stand there and break him piece by piece—
---
Then at least…
There was someone who would walk through it all—
And stand in front of him.
Shivam saw it first.
---
From across the hall—
his eyes narrowed the moment Rudra stepped toward Abhay.
---
For a second, he thought he was mistaken.
---
But then—
he saw it clearly.
---
Rudra stopping in front of Abhay.
Speaking to him.
Standing too close.
---
Shivam’s jaw tightened.
---
Beside him, Shivansh followed his gaze.
And the moment he understood—
his expression darkened.
---
“What the hell is he trying to do here , being the knight in shining Armor now ?” Shivansh muttered under his breath.
---
Shivam didn’t answer immediately.
His eyes stayed fixed on the scene unfolding across the room.
---
Rudra.
Their rival.
The one person they never allowed near anything that belonged to them.
---
And now—
he was standing with Abhay.
---
Not just standing.
Protecting.
---
Shivam’s fingers curled into a fist.
---
“Of all people…” he said quietly, his tone laced with restrained anger, “him?”
---
Shivansh scoffed, but there was no humor in it.
“Of course,” he muttered. “The moment there’s weakness… vultures show up.”
---
But even as he said it—
something about the scene didn’t sit right.
---
Because Abhay didn’t look like someone being manipulated.
---
He looked…
relieved.
---
And that—
that irritated Shivansh even more.
---
“Since when does he even know Rudra?” he snapped.
---
Shivam didn’t reply.
---
Because the answer didn’t matter right now.
---
What mattered—
was that Rudra was taking him away.
---
Right in front of everyone.
---
Without permission.
Without hesitation.
---
Shivam’s gaze hardened.
---
“Keep watching,” he said coldly.
---
Meanwhile—
outside the hall—
away from the suffocating whispers and judging eyes—
the air felt different.
---
Quieter.
---
Abhay stood near the corridor wall, his breathing still uneven.
---
The distance from the crowd helped—
but not enough.
---
Rudra stood in front of him, his expression still tense.
Still watching.
---
Up close—
it was even more obvious.
---
The pale skin.
The slight tremble.
The way Abhay leaned just a little against the wall—
like standing itself was becoming difficult.
He ruffled Abhay's hairs Gently and was caressing his back to comfort him ,
---
Rudra didn’t like it.
Not one bit.
He heard some of the conversations calling his Baby a curse and he just wanted to kill the person with bare hands for saying such cruel things to Abhay .
---
After noticing his condition
Without wasting another second—
Rudra turned slightly.
---
“Arjun.”
His voice was sharp.
His personal secretary, who had been standing a few steps away, immediately stepped forward.
---
“Yes, sir.”
---
Rudra didn’t look at him.
His eyes stayed on Abhay.
---
“Get food.”
A pause.
Then, more specific—
“Something light. Now.”
---
Arjun nodded instantly. “Right away, sir.”
---
“And juice,” Rudra added. “Fresh.”
---
“Understood.”
---
Within seconds, Arjun was gone.
---
Silence settled again.
---
Abhay shifted slightly, his fingers brushing weakly against the wall.
---
Rudra noticed.
---
Of course he did.
---
His voice softened—but only for him.
---
“How long were you standing there like that?”
" Tell me bubba why didn't you had anything, don't you care about yourself, maybe not for you but please don't do things like this again, for me Abhay ....you know how much it hurts me baby ... Please"
---
Abhay didn’t answer.
---
His gaze dropped.
---
Rudra exhaled slowly.
Not angry.
Just… holding it in.
---
“You think I won’t find out?” he murmured.
---
Abhay’s fingers curled slightly.
---
A faint shake of his head.
---
But even that looked… slow.
---
Rudra stepped closer.
Not too close.
Just enough.
---
“Look at me.”
---
Abhay hesitated.
Then slowly—
looked up.
---
And for a moment—
Rudra’s expression changed completely.
---
Because up close—
he could see it clearly.
---
The exhaustion.
The dizziness.
The way Abhay was trying so hard to stay steady.
---
Rudra’s jaw tightened again.
---
“You didn’t eat anything,” he said quietly.
---
Not a question.
---
Abhay’s silence confirmed it.
---
Rudra ran a hand through his hair, frustration flickering for a second—
but it wasn’t directed at Abhay.
---
Not even a little.
---
“i***t…” he muttered under his breath.
Soft.
Almost fond.
---
Then, more firmly—
---
“You’re eating. No arguments.”
---
Abhay didn’t protest this time.
---
Didn’t shake his head.
---
Because right now—
even standing felt like too much.
---
Rudra noticed that too.
---
Without asking—
he moved slightly to the side.
Positioning himself just enough—
so if Abhay swayed again—
he wouldn’t fall.
---
Not on his watch.
---
Back inside the hall—
Shivam and Shivansh were still watching.
---
And the longer they watched—
the worse it got.
---
Because this wasn’t just interaction anymore.
---
This was involvement.
---
And that—
they wouldn’t tolerate.
---
Shivam’s voice dropped, cold and sharp.
---
“After this ends…”
---
A pause.
---
“We’re having a talk with him.”
---
Shivansh’s eyes didn’t leave the corridor.
---
“No,” he said quietly.
---
“First… we find out how this even started.”
---
Because one thing was clear now—
---
Rudra wasn’t just a guest anymore.
---
He was becoming a problem.
---
And outside—
unaware of the storm building inside—
Abhay stood quietly beside the one person
who refused to let him disappear again.
- Writer
