Here Vaani She was crying over her faith, she was unable to understand why this happens only with her. why all first care about her nicely and then abandon her as if she is a doll which is new Everybody likes it and when it gets old then people get bored and throw it.

Vaani sat alone, her body shaking with sobs as she lamented her fate. She couldn't comprehend why this always happened to her. Why did everyone initially show her kindness and affection, only to abandon her later, like a discarded doll?

"Ma, he left me," she cried out, her voice cracking with pain. "He just left me after giving me this paper. Was our marriage dependent on paper? Ha!" Her words were laced with anguish and desperation.

As she spoke, she recalled the earlier incident with Anant. "Do you know, even Anant bhai scolded me earlier because I was talking to Rudra?" she said, her voice interrupted by hiccups. Tears continued to flow from her emerald eyes, and her face was red and puffy from crying.

Vaani's words poured out in a torrent, as she told her mother about the events that had transpired in college. "Ma, I swear that Rudra is not a bad person. He also saved me from those bad children." Her voice was filled with conviction, but also laced with sadness and vulnerability.

As she spoke, Vaani's pain and despair seemed to grow, her words painting a picture of a young woman who felt lost, abandoned, and unloved. Her tears fell like rain, as she mourned the loss of her marriage, her dignity, and her sense of self-worth.

Flashback.......

Vaani exited the principal's office, she was surprised to see Rudra waiting for her in the same spot where she had left him. Despite feeling nervous around strangers, Vaani didn't sense any bad vibes from Rudra. Instead, she felt a strange sense of comfort around him.

Rudra smiled and said, "You're done, let me walk you to your class." Vaani followed him, and after a short walk, Rudra stopped and turned to her. "This is your class, go ahead." He smiled reassuringly, but Vaani felt a flutter of nervousness. She looked at the class and then back at Rudra, who sensed her hesitation.

"Don't worry, I'm here. You go," he said softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Vaani nodded and took a deep breath before entering the classroom.

As she walked in, every eye in the class turned to her, making her feel uncomfortable. But Vaani ignored the stares and made her way to an empty bench, trying to compose herself.

Just as she sat down, a deep, commanding voice echoed through the room. "Listen, everyone." The class turned to face the speaker, and Vaani's eyes widened in surprise as she saw Rudra sitting on the professor's desk, his long legs stretched out in front of him.

His gaze swept the room, and Vaani felt a shiver run down her spine as he seemed to dare anyone to disobey him. The class was transfixed, their eyes fixed on Rudra in fear.

Vaani's confusion turned to annoyance as she realized Rudra was the reason everyone was staring at her. She pouted, wondering why he was making such a scene.

Rudra's voice was low and menacing as he spoke. "If anything happens to her, you'll all see my worst side." The class swallowed hard, their eyes darting nervously towards Vaani.

Vaani's annoyance turned to shock as Rudra's demeanor changed in an instant. He turned to her and said softly, "Now you don't have to be scared. They'll all take care of you." His voice was gentle, and Vaani felt a warmth spread through her chest.

The class was stunned, unsure how to react to Rudra's sudden change in behavior. Vaani, however, was more concerned about Rudra's actions. "Yes or no?" he asked the class, his voice returning to its previous commanding tone.

The class responded in unison, "Yes, sir!" Rudra nodded, seemingly satisfied, and patted Vaani's cheek before leaving the classroom.

As the door closed behind him, Vaani let out a deep breath, her mind reeling with questions. What just happened? Why was Rudra being so protective of her? And why did she feel so safe around him?

Vaani stepped out of her classroom, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She rummaged through her bag, her fingers closing around her phone. A soft smile played on her lips as she remembered Anant gifting her the phone and laptop. The thought of his kindness sent a warm fuzzy feeling through her.

She dialed Isha's number, and after a few rings, Isha's voice came on the line. "Hello, Vaani," she said, but her tone was laced with a hint of tension.

Vaani's angelic voice was immediate in its response. "Are you okay?" she asked, her concern evident in every syllable.

Isha's smile was audible as she replied, "I'm okay, baccha." The tension in her voice dissipated, replaced by a warm, gentle tone.

Vaani's voice was filled with energy as she informed Isha, "Di, my class is over." It was a routine update, one that Vaani always shared with Isha.

Isha's response was soft, with a hint of a request. "Mmm... bacche, can you wait for some time in the canteen? I have a meeting, so I won't be able to come. Anant will come to get you in some time."

Vaani's reply was immediate, filled with her characteristic energy. "Ok, di, no problem!" Isha chuckled, her amusement evident in her voice.

"Ok, I'm going. You wait, okay?" Isha said, before Vaani hummed a response, and the call disconnected.

Vaani turned a corner, she was surprised to see Rudra standing by the wall, his arms folded across his chest. A smile crept onto her face, and she quickened her pace, her eyes locked on his.

Rudra's face broke into a warm smile as Vaani approached him. "So, how was your first day?" he asked, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Vaani's face lit up with a bright smile. "Best! But Rudra, let's go to the canteen. My bhai will come there," she informed him, and Rudra nodded, falling into step beside her.

As they walked, Vaani couldn't help but notice the stares they received from the other college students. It was as if they had descended from Mars, and everyone was eager to catch a glimpse of them. Vaani's eyes darted nervously to Rudra, who seemed oblivious to the attention.

Suddenly, Vaani's fear got the better of her, and she buried her face in Rudra's shoulder. Rudra's arms instinctively wrapped around her, holding her close. His glare swept the surrounding area, and the students quickly looked away, intimidated by his fierce expression.

Vaani peeked up at Rudra, a smile on her face. "Thanks," she whispered, and Rudra's face softened as he smiled back at her.

As they reached the canteen, Vaani's curiosity got the better of her. She bombarded Rudra with questions, her eyes narrowing as she waited for his responses.

Rudra leaned back in his chair, a look of amusement on his face. "Asked..." he drawled, and Vaani launched into a flurry of questions.

"Why is everyone scared of you? Why don't you have any friends? If you're from Rajasthan, then what are you doing here? Can—"

Rudra's laughter interrupted her, and he popped a burger into her mouth, silencing her. "Yrrrr, how much do you talk?" he teased, his eyes sparkling with mirth. "Just a while ago, you were just shaking your head. Now, what happened?"

Vaani's response was muffled by the burger in her mouth, and Rudra chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Cute," he murmured, pulling on her cheeks, which made her hiss and rub her face.

Vaani huffed, folding her arms across her chest, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Rudra. Her pouty face and scrunched up nose made her look even more adorable, and Rudra couldn't help but smile.

"The Ram story you told, you can make me understand it later," Rudra said, his voice low and soothing. "First, let me answer your questions."

Rudra's eyes sparkled with amusement as he began to explain the reason behind everyone's fear. "Listen, my uncle is the king of Rajasthan and the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. He's also a successful businessman and a close friend. People are intimidated by me because I'm the apple of his eye."

Vaani's eyes widened in shock, her mind struggling to process the information. Rudra huffed, a hint of a smile on his face. "I'm here because, in Rajasthan, people were too scared of me. They'd call out 'hukum' whenever I passed by, so I came here. But, because of my uncle, people here also know about me."

Vaani's eyes continued to blink rapidly, her expression a picture of disbelief. "You're really a prince?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rudra's face contorted into a 'are you serious' expression, and Vaani's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh my god, you're really a prince, Imali!" she exclaimed, before quickly covering her mouth, realizing what she had said.

Rudra's eyebrows shot up, a hint of a smile on his face. "Imali?" he repeated, his voice low and husky.

Vaani's face turned bright red as she giggled. "Hehe, sorry for that. I have a habit of giving people nicknames that I like, and you're just like Imali." She flashed her bright smile, and Rudra's face broke into a wide grin.

"It's okay, Vaani," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "But don't talk to anyone here. If you need anything, just tell me."

Vaani's eyes narrowed, her mind working overtime. "Imali, why is everyone stopping me from talking to anyone? Didi did it, Bhai did it, and now you're doing it too," she asked, her voice laced with innocence.

Rudra's smile faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. But before he could respond, Vaani's phone rang, shrill in the silence. She answered, her voice soft, and Rudra's eyes watched her intently.

"Hello?" she said, and Rudra's eyes narrowed as he listened to her conversation.

"Vaani, they're outside. Go," a voice said on the other end of the line, and Vaani's eyes met Rudra's before she nodded and cut the call.

"Imali, let's go. Bhai is outside," she said, and Rudra's face broke into a wide smile.

As they walked out, the crowd of students parted, their eyes fixed on Vaani. Rudra's arm slipped around her shoulders, pulling her close, and Vaani felt a surge of comfort at his touch. The crowd's gaze followed them, but Rudra's presence seemed to shield Vaani from their prying eyes..

.

.

.

.

As Rudra walked away, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. He couldn't help but think about Vaani's innocence and the harsh realities of the world. He knew that the people around her were trying to protect her from the cruel world, but he also knew that he had his own reasons for wanting to keep her close.

"But I'm stopping you because I don't like sharing my things or people," he thought to himself, a hint of possessiveness creeping into his mind. He didn't like the idea of Vaani being exposed to the world, of her being hurt or tainted by the cruel people that inhabited it. He wanted to keep her safe, to keep her all to himself.

Present......

Vaani's slumber was disrupted by the gnawing pangs of hunger. She sat up in bed, rubbing her temples to alleviate the throbbing headache that had developed from crying incessantly. "I'm having so much pain in my head, and I'm also feeling hungry," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

As she spoke, a loud clap of thunder boomed outside, causing Vaani to tremble slightly. "It seems there's bad weather," she murmured, throwing off her covers and getting out of bed.

Vaani padded into the hallway, her bare feet making soft slapping sounds on the cold floor. She entered the kitchen, flipping on the light switch to illuminate the dark space. The fridge hummed as she opened it, revealing a barren interior devoid of anything edible.

Disappointed, Vaani closed the fridge door and began searching for Robin, but he was nowhere to be found. "Where did everyone go, leaving me alone?" she whispered, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

However, Vaani quickly composed herself, reminding herself that she was accustomed to being alone. She returned to the kitchen, standing before the gas stove with a pan in hand. "How do I turn on the gas?" she muttered, her brow furrowed in concentration.

As she pondered, memories of her childhood flooded her mind. Her father had never allowed her in the kitchen, relegating her to the sidelines as he cooked. Vaani's eyes sparkled with determination as she realized that she was now free to learn and explore the culinary world on her own terms.

flashback......

The memory of that fateful day still lingered in Vaani's mind like an open wound. She was only 10 years old when she mustered up the courage to ask her mother to teach her how to cook.

"Mummy, please teach me how to cook something," Vaani had said, her eyes shining with excitement.

Her mother's face had lit up with a warm smile. "Why wouldn't I teach my child?" she had said, planting a gentle kiss on Vaani's chubby cheeks.

But their tender moment was short-lived, as Vaani's father, Abhi, stormed into the kitchen, his face twisted in anger.

"What are you doing here?" he had thundered, his voice making Vaani cower in fear.

Her mother had quickly intervened, trying to placate Abhi's temper. "Abhi, she's just a child," she had said, but Abhi's anger had only intensified.

"Child?" he had spat, his words dripping with venom. "She was five years old when she killed her parents. Now, she wouldn't take a second to kill us."

Vaani's heart had shattered into a million pieces as she listened to her father's cruel words. She had felt like she was being pierced by a thousand knives, each one twisting deeper into her soul.

As Abhi's anger had reached a boiling point, Vaani had turned and ran, seeking refuge in her room. But even as she had locked the door behind her, she had heard Abhi's ominous warning.

"If she sets foot in the kitchen again, no one will be worse than me," he had vowed, his voice sending shivers down Vaani's spine.

That day had left an indelible mark on Vaani's heart, a constant reminder of her uncle's hatred and her own feelings of inadequacy.

Flashback end...

Vaani stood in the kitchen, lost in thought, and a lone tear escaped her eye. She quickly wiped it away, refusing to let the painful memories of her past consume her. Just then, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching from the kitchen door.

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw a stranger standing in the doorway, something clutched in his hand. Vaani's instincts kicked in, and she stood frozen, her pan at the ready, prepared to defend herself.

"Wh...o...a...re...u?" she stuttered, her voice trembling with fear.

Just as the stranger took a step forward, Robin burst into the kitchen, and Vaani didn't hesitate. She sprinted towards him, hiding behind his broad frame, her eyes peeking out to watch the stranger.

"Robin bhai...look...thief..." she whispered, her head poking out from behind Robin.

The stranger, Shivam, chuckled at Vaani's adorable reaction. She had a vision in her cute nightdress, her hair tied up in a hairband, and her neutral face glowing with a soft, tear-stained sheen.

Robin reassured Vaani, "Mam, he's not a thief. He's Shivam sir, Dhruv sir's little brother."

Vaani's eyes widened as she processed this new information. Shivam smiled sweetly and began to move towards her, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Hi, Isha bhabhi's little sister," he said, his voice gentle and soothing.

Vaani slowly emerged from behind Robin, her eyes fixed on Shivam. "No worries, I've come here only because Bhabhi told me to. She was worried about you," Shivam explained, his words putting Vaani at ease.

Shivam spoke, Vaani's fear began to dissipate, replaced by a warm smile. She nodded her head, indicating to Robin that he could leave, and Shivam's eyes sparkled with amusement at the silent communication between Vaani and Robin.

As they sat together in the hall, Shivam introduced himself with a charming smile. "Heyy, myself Shivam Singh Rajwansh."

Vaani's soft voice replied, "Vaani Rawat," as she settled into the sofa, her eyes cast downward.

Shivam offered her food, and Vaani's face lit up with a warm smile as she accepted. As they ate, Shivam couldn't help but steal glances at Vaani, who looked adorable with her mouth full of food. Her eyes sparkled as she caught him staring, and Shivam quickly shook his head, feigning innocence.

After finishing their snack, they sat in comfortable silence, the only sound being the quiet hum of the air conditioner. Shivam broke the silence, his voice low and gentle. "What are you doing?"

Vaani's polite response was, "I'm a medical student."

Shivam's curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "What's your age?" He wasn't sure why he asked, but he wanted to keep the conversation going.

Vaani's eyes narrowed, and she glared at him. "You don't know not to ask any girl's age," she said, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Shivam's eyebrows furrowed, and he leaned in, his voice taking on a teasing tone. "Why so?"

Vaani's response was prompt, and her eyes sparkled with mirth. "Because we always say it wrong."

Their laughter filled the room, and Shivam asked again, his curiosity piqued. "But seriously, what's your age?"

Vaani's exact response was, "This November, I'll be 20 years old."

Shivam's eyes crinkled at the corners as he laughed. "Whoa, that means you're still a teenager!"

Vaani's face scrunched up, and she made a mock crying face. Shivam immediately apologized, not wanting to upset her. "Hey, please forgive me. I had no wrong intention."

Vaani internally smirked, knowing that her crying face had worked its magic on Shivam, just like it did on everyone else, except her husband.

As the night wore on, their conversation flowed effortlessly, and before they knew it, they had both drifted off to sleep. Vaani slept peacefully on the sofa, while Shivam lay on the ground, his head resting on the edge of the table. The soft hum of the air conditioner and the occasional creak of the old house were the only sounds that broke the silence of the night.

***

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