RUDRA
đź“Ť Mussoorie,
India
The cool Mussoorie air bit into my skin as I stepped out of Ashwin's office, but the chill couldn't match the storm raging in my head. The details he'd uncovered about Avni's kidnapping painted an incomplete but alarming picture-a half-finished puzzle with jagged edges that didn't fit. Whoever orchestrated this wasn't just some group of amateur thugs; this was deliberate, calculated, and messy enough to be dangerous.
As I walked down the quiet road toward the villa, my thoughts were a relentless carousel. Ashwin had hinted at a larger operation-a network-but he hadn't been able to nail down all the players. That ambiguity left a bitter taste in my mouth. If there was one thing I couldn't stand, it was not knowing who or what I was up against.
I clenched my fists, the frustration simmering just below the surface.
Why Avni?
That question kept echoing in my mind. Of all people, why her? Was it because she was a princess? A symbol of power? Or was there something else at play, something more sinister? related to my mission and terrorist attacks? Whatever the answer, I knew one thing for certain:
I couldn't let my guard down. Not for a second.
As I approached the villa, the soft hum of voices drifted toward me, growing louder with each step. The tension in my chest coiled tighter. I pushed open the door, stepping into the warmth of the grand hall.
Everyone was there.
Avni sat on the plush sofa, a blanket draped over her shoulders. Her complexion was still pale, her movements slow, but she was putting on a brave face. Her best friends, Atharv and Ritvika, flanked her like loyal sentinels, their concern etched into their expressions. Avyukt stood nearby, his usual nonchalance replaced with a rare seriousness as he spoke quietly to Ishani. The room buzzed with soft conversations, everyone trying to lighten the mood, but the undercurrent of fear was palpable.
"You should be resting," Avyukt chided Avni gently. "Not playing hostess."
Avni rolled her eyes, a ghost of her usual sass breaking through. "I've been resting all morning. I'm fine, Bhai. Stop fussing."
"Fussing is what we're supposed to do," Ritvika chimed in, her tone light but her eyes betraying her worry. "You scared the hell out of us, Avni."
Atharv nodded in agreement, crossing his arms. "If you ever pull something like that again, I swear I'll-"
"What?" Avni interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "Lecture me to death?"
The group chuckled, the brief moment of levity breaking through the tension. But my focus was solely on Avni. Despite her brave front, I could see the exhaustion in her eyes, the way she leaned subtly into the armrest as if even sitting upright took effort. And yet, she was here, surrounded by people who cared for her, trying to make everything seem normal.
But nothing about this situation was normal.
I stepped fully into the room, and the conversations died down as everyone turned to look at me. My presence had that effect, and I'd learned to use it to my advantage. Now wasn't any different.
"We're leaving for Lucknow," I said, my voice cutting through the quiet. "Now."
The announcement landed like a thunderclap. For a moment, no one spoke, their expressions shifting from surprise to confusion and then, in Avni's case, irritation. my gaze flicked to her father, the king, there was approval in his eyes which satisfied me even more.
"Excuse me?" she said, sitting up straighter. "You can't just barge in here and start ordering people around."
I ignored her protest, my gaze sweeping across the room. "The situation here is unstable. We don't know who's behind this or what their next move will be. Staying in Mussoorie puts everyone at risk-especially you."
"Rudra..." Avyukt began, but I cut him off.
"Ashwin's intel suggests this isn't over," I said firmly. "The attack was targeted. They were after Avni, and until we figure out why, she needs to be in a controlled, secure environment. Lucknow is the best option."
Avni narrowed her eyes, the fire in her gaze reigniting. "You don't get to decide where I go. This is my life, Rudra."
"Exactly," I shot back. "It's your life. And it's my job to protect it."
"I don't need your protection," she snapped, her voice rising.
"Really? Because last night says otherwise," I retorted. The words came out harsher than I intended, but I didn't regret them. She needed to understand the gravity of the situation.
Her expression faltered for a moment, hurt flickering across her face, but she quickly masked it with anger. "You're unbelievable."
"And you're reckless," I countered. "Which is exactly why we're leaving. This isn't up for debate."
"Rudra," Ritvika interjected, her tone cautious. "Maybe we should all take a moment to think this through..."
"There's nothing to think through," I said, my voice firm. "Every minute we stay here is a minute we're vulnerable. Lucknow has the resources, the security, and the distance we need right now."
Avyukt stepped forward, his expression measured. "I understand your concerns, Rudra, but this is a family decision. You can't just dictate what happens."
"Fine," I said, my tone sharp. "Then I'll make it simple. If Avni doesn't come willingly, I'll carry her to the car myself."
Gasps rippled through the room, but I didn't care. My priority was clear.
Avni stood, her movements slow but deliberate. She stared at me, her jaw set, defiance radiating off her in waves. "I'd like to see you try," she said, her voice low.
The room was a pressure cooker, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Everyone's eyes were on us, waiting to see who would break first.
I held her gaze, unflinching. "Don't test me, Avni. Not now."
For a long moment, neither of us moved. Then, to my surprise, she sighed, the fight draining out of her. "Fine," she said quietly. "But I'm only doing this because I'm too tired to argue. Don't think for a second that you've won."
I didn't respond. Winning didn't matter. Keeping her safe did.
As everyone scrambled to prepare for the sudden departure, I allowed myself a brief moment of relief. The battle may have been won, but the war was far from over. And in the back of my mind, Ashwin's words echoed like a warning:
This isn't over, Rudra. Not by a long shot.
________________________________________________________________________________
The preparations were a blur. Bags were packed hastily, calls made to ensure the convoy was ready. I took a moment to stand by the large bay window, the view of the sprawling hills doing little to ease the restlessness in my chest. The weight of responsibility bore down on me like never before. Avni wasn't just a ward to protect; she was a force of nature, unpredictable and strong-willed. Keeping her safe wasn't just a job-it was personal.
A light knock on the doorframe pulled me from my thoughts. Aksh stood there, hands shoved into his pockets, his expression unreadable.
"You really think this is necessary?" he asked.
I nodded. "I know it is. Mussoorie isn't safe anymore."
Aksh sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "She's not going to make it easy for you, you know."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "When does she ever?"
He chuckled, shaking his head. "Just... don't let her push you too far. She's been through a lot. We all have."
"I know," I said quietly. "And that's why I'm doing this. To make sure she doesn't have to go through any more."
Aksh studied me for a moment before nodding. "Alright. But if you need backup, you know where to find me."
As he walked away, I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. The clock was ticking, and every second brought us closer to whatever lay ahead. Lucknow wasn't just a destination; it was a chance to regroup, to uncover the truth, and to prepare for the battles yet to come.
Because deep down, I knew this was only the beginning.
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