The Journey of Revenge to Love

"Nothing..." Rudransh shook his head and then looked toward Advika, who stood like a lifeless statue.

"Advika..."

He shook her gently, as if waking her from a deep slumber.

"That... Thakur Sahib..."

Her eyes were still fixed in the direction Anay had left.

"Yes... it was Thakur..." Rudransh took a deep breath and opened the car door.

"Let's go. We need to talk to him..."

Advika silently got into the car.

She quietly said,

"Let's go home..."

Rudransh looked at her in surprise,

"But Advika...?"

"I cared about his father. I left him in such a state that he couldn't even stand. My revenge is done. Now if he's trying to move on… we should too."

"But he loves you" Rudransh's voice trembled.

"Loves like a madman… he was ready to give his life for you. Why don't you understand? You're not just someone he loves… you're his first love."

Advika turned her face away.

"You love me too..."

"But not like he does... and never will..." Rudransh's voice cracked.

"First man I've seen so eager to send his wife into another man's arms..."Advika's words were sharp.

"Because I understand that man's desperation... his torment..."

"Even when you're beside me, you're not mine, Advika. Even after having you, I'm incomplete... We live like strangers in the same house..."

Advika closed her eyes and turned away.

"Turning away doesn't change reality..." Rudransh said, staring straight ahead.

He turned the car toward home.

In the back seat, Advika leaned her head against the rest. The wind through the window brushed her hair, but inside her, a storm churned. She had deeply felt Anay's love, but never believed she deserved it. A few tears trickled down her cheek.

Rudransh parted his lips to say something, but no words came.

---

At the Haveli...

"Anay, you said you wanted to go to London..." Shrey said as soon as they reached Thakurpur.

"Hmm..."

"I've already booked your ticket. You're leaving today..." Shrey hurriedly began packing his things.

"So soon?"

*"No questions, Anay… You consider me your friend, right? Then swear on our friendship you're leaving for London today."

Anay looked at him... wanted to say something, but his lips remained wet with unshed words. He didn't ask again.

---

In Banaras.....

"Anay is going to London..." Rudransh announced as he walked into the kitchen.

Advika's hands froze as she made tea. The tea hissed as it boiled, but she stood motionless, stunned.

Without a word or expression, she quietly placed the cup in front of Rudransh and walked away.

Rudransh took a sip and smiled faintly 

Even today, the tea had ginger Anay's favorite.

Even though he preferred cardamom.

"He won't come back this time..."Rudransh said, entering the room where Advika was silently folding clothes.

"I don't care..." she said without looking at him.

"Really?" Rudransh taunted.

The air in the room turned heavy. Silence settled between them.

"I'm going to Thakurpur… to see him one last time. If you want to come, you can." he said as he left the room.

Advika didn't respond, but her grip on the clothes tightened as if she were restraining herself, suppressing her feelings.

Rudransh waited ten minutes, then quietly left.

Soon after, the sound of the car engine reached her ears. Advika suddenly jolted and ran to the balcony 

She saw Rudransh's car driving away.

A tear escaped her eye which she wiped away harshly before going back inside.

---

When Rudransh's car reached the haveli, Anay was already standing at the door perhaps ready to leave.

Shrey's fists clenched when he saw Rudransh, and even the Thakurain was left speechless.

"Thakur..." Rudransh said, stepping out of the car.

Anay turned to look Rudransh stood there, eyes moist.

"Anay..." Shrey tried to stop him, but Anay walked closer and asked,

"You came all the way just to say thank you?"

"Thakur, please don't behave like this... I admit it, I was wrong... I betrayed you..."

"What are you talking about?" Anay scratched his brow and said casually,

"We just met today... What betrayal? What mistake?"

Rudransh looked at him in shock.

Shrey stepped forward, pulled Rudransh back and said—

"I'll talk to you... let him go."

"But Thakur—"

"I said I'll talk to you. Let him go now."

Rudransh nodded, then quickly stepped forward and hugged Anay tightly.

Anay stood still, then glanced at Shrey.

Shrey blinked once.

Anay then gently patted Rudransh's back.

A moment later, Rudransh stepped away, got into his car, and silently drove off.

---

"Drive safe..." Shrey was at the airport with Anay, giving last-minute instructions.

"You act like..."

"Don't act like my mom now,"Shrey cut him off.

"Take your medicines on time... we'll come visit."

"Yeah, since you're just going next door, right?" Anay teased and walked ahead.

Shrey watched him go… and steadied himself like a crumbling wall.

"This is for the best, Shrey… let him go..."

Before boarding, Anay waved goodbye Shrey tried his best to smile and waved back.

---

There was a time when Shrey used to get into mischief, and Anay would always cover up for him...

But now now, everything was his responsibility.

He, too, wanted to break down and cry...

To collapse on someone's shoulder...

But he couldn't.

He had to hold it together.

For himself.

For Anay.

For the Thakurain.

"You can't afford to fall apart, Shrey..." he whispered to himself, wiping away his tears and taking a deep breath.

Somewhere behind him, Anay's flight was being announced 

But for the first time ever, every sound around Shrey felt completely silent.

Too be Continued...