Scarred Love - Chapter 99

One day ago

Rudra briskly strode into his office in the afternoon and sat down on the sofa. As his gaze fell on the watch, his demeanour changed instantly.

So much time wasted; he should have left Ishani’s place right when she went for her bath.

His mind played the things they had done and he angrily brushed them off.

Fetching his phone, he dialled a number and waited for the person to pick up.

“Viren, is everything ready?” he asked without preamble.

“Yes Hukum, as you instructed.”

“Okay!”

Disconnecting the call, he got up from the sofa and went to his table. There was a hell lot of work pending and he needed to take care of each and everything at Jaipur before he set off.

Present time

Ishani’s eyes narrowed just as she heard Manna.

Why would Rudra do something like this?

She got down and was instantly surrounded by security and hotel staff. Manna came beside her and ushered her towards the lawn area of the hotel. Then suddenly he veered towards the back of the hotel and opened a door, which said private entrance.

The moment she entered the corridor, she stopped. Fetching her phone, she dialled his number and waited.

“I really want to know what your people are doing?” she asked the moment he answered the call.

“Is anything wrong?” she heard him ask and almost cried out with frustration.

“Rudra, please, don’t. I know they wouldn’t do anything without your permission so just tell me why am I here? Why aren’t we meeting them at their house?”

She heard him let out a huge sigh.

“I didn’t want you to go in that house again. I just don’t like the idea of you remembering everything that they have done. Ishani, you haven’t told me anything but I am not a fool. The way you reacted that day was enough for me.”

Ishani closed her eyes and breathed in and out to let out the steam building in her. Why did she think otherwise, when all he was doing was trying to save her from reliving the pain.

“Rudra, I am sorry. I just didn’t—”

“Shh! don’t you dare say sorry. Babes, I know what you are thinking and believe me I would have done the same if I were in your place. So stop apologising.”

“Okay,” she said with a smile.

“That’s like my girl. Now take some rest. I will be there soon.”

“I love you.”

“Love you too, sweetheart. Got to go, bye.”

She disconnected the call and followed Manna to Rudra’s penthouse on the top floor.

****************

It had been more than an hour that Ishani had been the hotel and she was aching for him. She looked at the clock and realised that she didn’t know when he would arrive. Sighing audibly, she got up and left the room.

As she was climbing down the stairs, she noticed Manna speaking on the phone. Not wanting to disturb him, she softly walked to the sofa and sat down.

Manna finished his phone call and turned and almost lost his balance seeing her. The shock on his face was so disturbing that she was certain he was hiding something.

“Ma’am, did you need anything?” he asked clearing his throat.

“No! I just wanted to know when Rudra is coming,” she replied, her eyes narrowing.

“Hukum will start in an hour. So he should be here by late afternoon.”

“I have ordered lunch for you,” he informed her and then left.

As she watched him leave, her suspicion rose.

Why is he acting so strange? And who was he speaking to in hushed tones?

After having her lunch, she went upstairs and video-called Annie.

Ishani was pretty tired as she ended the call 30 minutes later. She slanted her head on the pillow to relax her body but some minutes later fell asleep.

The insistent knocking on the door woke her up suddenly. She looked at the clock and realised she had slept the entire afternoon; it was already 4. Grunting, she got up from the bed and opened the door.

Manna was standing at the door ready to knock again but smiled sheepishly on seeing her.

“Sorry to wake you up Ma’am but your family is here.”

Her facial expression changed just as she heard him. Staring at him, she wanted to believe it but her heart wouldn’t take it. Somehow her mind had suddenly paralysed and she could do nothing but nod.

She closed the door and sighed.

You have no choice but to meet them.

Picking up her clothes, she went straightaway to the washroom to freshen up and get dressed.

By the time she was done, Manna was already waiting at the door to take her to them.

“Where’s Rudra?” she asked as she got into the lift.

“He should be here any minute,” Manna replied press a floor above theirs.

Somehow facing them without him was making her uneasy but she didn’t have any choice.

As the doors opened at a huge hall, her feet froze.

Standing in front of her was Rajneesh along with her father.

Ishani clenched her hands into fists and walked into the room.

“What the hell!” she heard Rajneesh retort just as he saw her.

Then he started towards her but Manna was quicker. Within seconds he came in front of her stopping Rajneesh in his tracks.

“It’s okay, Manna, I can handle this,” she said as she brushed him away.

“What are you doing here?” she heard her father ask.

“You are here coz I am getting married and my fiancé wants to meet you guys.”

“Married? Who’s going to marry filth like you?” Rajneesh asked coming towards her.

Ishani slowly walked towards him and stopped right in front.

“Watch your tongue! And to answer your question its Rudraveer Sangawat.”

She could see their stance change as they heard the name.

“You are marrying a Sangawat?” her grandfather asked with disdain.

She just nodded not caring what they thought.

“Traitor!” he retorted.

“Sangawats don’t even deserve to be our dogs,” her uncle said grabbing her arm and she jerked it off instantly.

“One more word against them and I’ll forget that still carry the Raijdas name.”

“Oh really? What would you do?” Rajneesh asked coming near her.

“Don’t tempt me to ruin your face again, Rajneesh,” she warned menacingly and saw him retreat.

“Rudra and I are getting married whether you like it or not,” she said, hostility lacing her tone.

“Me, marry a Raijdas?”

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