ISHITA SHARMA'S PERSPECTIVE -]**

*Veer & Aditi's Engagement Party - Garden | After Rudra's Retreat*

My breath hitched as he walked away after calling me the "most beautiful chaos." I wanted to run after him, demand an explanation for that finality, but my feet stayed rooted. **I let him go because I didn't understand what to do now.** The constant push and pull was destroying my resolve.

Then, minutes later, the DJ paused, and Veer grabbed the mic, beaming.

**Veer:** **"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special, very rare treat! My best friend, the man who never touches a microphone for anything less than a billion-dollar deal, is going to sing for the couple! Give it up for Rudra Singh Rathore!"**

My head snapped up. *He's singing? Again? Here?* **For the first time Rudra sing song in a function; otherwise, he never does that, not even for his own family function.** He was doing it for Veer, yes, but after that whole month of serenades, I knew this wasn't just for the couple.

I watched him walk onto the small stage. **Looking damn handsome.** The black coat suit, the **ocean blue eyes on me**, the **sharp features**, the **beard perfect**-he was the Greek god I fell for. He took the guitar, adjusted the mic, and his gaze locked onto mine, completely ignoring the crowd.

He started singing. The song was a powerful, raw confession of faith and surrender.

**Rudra (Singing):**

***Oooooo shiba ve kra m tera shukriya ve*** (Oh, Shiva, I thank you)

***ooooo mehrba ve marije ishq ho gya ve*** (Oh, my generous one, I have become sick with love)

***Menu lagdi nhi kou dava ve*** (No medicine works on me)

***Mera raab hi h mera gavha ve*** (My God is my witness)

***Huun tu kr mera fasela ve*** (Now you make my decision)

***jo naal tere na jiya to jie ki kara*** (If I don't live with you, what should I do with life?)

***Aashiq tera tera tera tera tera tera huaaaa*** (I have become your lover)

The air felt thick. He was saying he found God in me, that he was utterly surrendered to this love.

**Rudra (Singing):**

***Hosh baatoka aksar nhi tha*** (My senses were often not in control)

***Dil hamara to syar nhi tha*** (My heart was never wise)

***Tune likh di ye takdir varna*** (You wrote this destiny)

***Ishq vala mukadr nhi tha*** (Otherwise, love was not my fate)

This line resonated with our history. **He doesn't used to believe in God and love, he used to believe power and money is everything.** He used to say love changes anyone **except me**, but now I entered his life **four years ago, our first meeting, I changed everything in him, I made him fall in love with me, love at first sight.**

**Rudra (Singing):**

***teri nazaro Ke karan*** (Because of your gaze)

***Jhute h teeno dharam kiye ja tu kiya ja abhi kuch or sitan*** (All three religions are false; you may commit more cruelty)

He was telling me my love replaced his entire worldview, making him reckless.

**Rudra (Singing):**

***Nhi sambla dil mere sambale ise*** (My heart couldn't be controlled by me)

***kr dala tere havale*** (I surrendered it to you)

***Tu mita de ya chahe bacha le*** (You can destroy it or save it)

***Ja ishq pe mere chale le apni marjiya*** (Go, and exercise your will on my love)

***Ashiq tera tera tera tera tera***

He was giving me the power, the ultimate choice-to save him or destroy him.

**Rudra (Singing):**

***Dil ke aage ye afat badi h*** (This is a big disaster before the heart)

***khwahise fir bhi jid pe aadi h*** (But desires are still stubborn)

***ham se mayus hoga jamna*** (The world will be disappointed with us)

***pr jamne ki kiso padi h*** (But who cares about the world?)

***tu chla jayega ghr sath h ye gadi bhr*** (You will go home, but this moment is forever)

***manjile meri nhi h bs ye mera safar*** (My destination is not important, only this journey is)

**Rudra (Singing):**

***Sarhado ko na hoga gavara*** (Boundaries will not tolerate it)

***mile dil se koi dil avara*** (If one lost heart meets another)

**Rudra (Singing):**

***Me parinda hu tu h sitra*** (I am a bird, you are the star)

***m apna asaasma chunu tu apna aasma*** (I choose my sky, you choose yours)

***Ashiq tera tera tera***

The song ended. **Everyone is clapping.** The applause was loud, but **nobody got what is going on between us.** They thought it was a beautiful performance for Veer and Aditi.

**As the song finish, he left after singing.** He didn't wait for the applause to die down. **And I let him** go because I didn't understand what to do now. His surrender had left me completely paralyzed.

**Later, It's night, Aditi request me to stay as per her childhood friend and makeup softly so I can help her, so I did.** I couldn't deny her. I stayed, but my mind was stuck on the image of Rudra, the powerful prince, kneeling to his love, *me*.

[RUDRA SINGH RATHORE'S PERSPECTIVE - ]

I hated being on stage, hated the spotlight, but this was my final act of desperation before leaving for Pune. Veer's request was the excuse I needed.

I adjusted the mic, my gaze finding Ishita immediately. She was purple chaos, devastating and distant. **LooKing dam handsome, ocean blue eyes on me, sharp features, beard perfect**-I used every weapon I had left.

I started singing. This wasn't a serenade; it was a surrender document.

**Rudra (Singing):**

***Oooooo shiba ve kra m tera shukriya ve***

***ooooo mehrba ve marije ishq ho gya ve...*** (Full lyrics above)

I poured every ounce of my regret and my renewed faith into those lines. She needed to know she hadn't just changed my life; she had replaced my *religion*.

**Rudra (Singing):**

***Ishq vala mukadr nhi tha***

I emphasized this line. It wasn't my fate to love, but she wrote it anyway.

**Rudra (Singing):**

***Jhute h teeno dharam kiye ja tu kiya ja abhi kuch or sitan***

I was telling her that her anger, her cruel words, were just more beautiful *sitan* (cruelty) that I would gladly accept because they came from her.

**Rudra (Singing):**

***Tu mita de ya chahe bacha le***

***Ja ishq pe mere chale le apni marjiya***

I was handing her my heart, asking her to be the judge and the executioner. I had no control left.

**Rudra (Singing):**

***manjile meri nhi h bs ye mera safar***

My destination is to be with her. Even if she goes to the end of the world with the Pune boy, I will just follow, making the journey my home.

**Rudra (Singing):**

***Me parinda hu tu h sitra***

***m apna asaasma chunu tu apna aasma***

This was the hardest line. It was my concession: I will choose my life with you, and you are free to choose your own. But my love remains.

I finished the song, the guitar noise ringing in the air. **Everyone is clapping.** I saw the confused admiration in their eyes. **But nobody got what is going on between us.**

I placed the guitar down quickly and walked off the stage without a word, pushing past Veer's congratulatory hug. **As song finish he left after singing.** I needed to move. I needed to get to Pune. My public penance was done; now, the action begins.

**Rudra** (Inner Monologue): *I laid my soul bare, Ishita. You didn't give me an answer. Now, I will stop your marriage myself.*

[ISHITA SHARMA'S PERSPECTIVE -]**

*Aditi's Guest Room - Night*

After helping Aditi remove her heavy jewellery, I sat cross-legged on her bed while she talked endlessly about Veer-her fiancé, Rudra's childhood friend.

She laughed when she told me Veer's proposal story, smiled when she recalled their first fight, and glowed when she talked about their wedding next month.

I smiled too. Softly. Distantly. It was genuine happiness for her, mixed with the sharp envy that comes when you realize the perfection she has is exactly what you threw away.

Then her words changed. Softened.

**Aditi:** **"Ishita... can I say something?"**

I looked at her, startled. **"Hmm?"**

**Aditi:** **"You looked different today. Not in a bad way... just... like something shifted. Like the cold wall around you finally cracked."**

My throat closed up. *She saw it.* The crack wasn't because of happiness, but because of the sheer force of Rudra's presence and the brutal honesty of his final song.

She didn't know about Rudra. No one here did. Not even Veer. **And I wanted to keep it that way.** The secret was my only shield.

So I forced a smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

**Ishita:** **"Maybe I'm just tired. You talk too much."**

She giggled and pulled me into a hug.

**Aditi:** **"You know, I always wished you'd find a guy like Veer. Someone who'd look at you like you're his whole damn world. Someone who's all heart."**

My heart clenched. *All heart.* That was the problem. Rudra had a heart, yes, but it was buried under ambition, power, and fear.

She didn't know... I already had that. And I lost it. Or maybe... **I pushed it away.** I pushed *him* away tonight because the pain was safer than the promise of his flawed love.

**Ishita** (Inner Monologue): *He says he's my chaos. But what if I just need silence? What if I need the calm of that man from Pune?*

[RUDRA SINGH RATHORE'S PERSPECTIVE -]**

*Open Road - Driving towards the City Limits | Late Night*

I couldn't stay at the mansion. The family's pity and the fear of explaining the truth to Veer were too much. I needed to move. I needed to breathe.

I didn't take the jet yet. I just got into my sports car and started driving. **I am driving, don't know where, just driving.** The headlights cut through the darkness of the empty highway.

I finally pulled over near a lake on the city's outskirts. The car engine ticked quietly. **Moon reflecting on the water. Everything silent.**

**Except my thoughts.**

*Did she feel anything?* The faint brush of her hair, the cold finality of her voice-which one was the real sign?

*Did I make a mistake by telling her I'm going to follow her?*

*Or was I too late? Was the Pune boy already too close?*

I looked out at the night sky. The kind of vast, infinite space that usually made me feel insignificant and safe in my atheism. But tonight, I was desperate.

I looked at the stars, the distant pinpricks of light I'd always scorned as random formations.

**And for the first time in years... I folded my hands, looked up, and muttered-**

**Rudra:** **"If you're real... if you control anything here, *God*... let her come back to me. Not because I'm Rudra Singh Rathore, the one who buys and owns everything... but because she still loves me. Show me a sign, please. Just one."**

And waited. Again. For a belief I never held, a sign I never trusted, and a miracle I didn't deserve.

[ISHITA SHARMA'S PERSPECTIVE - ]**

*Aditi's Guest Room - 12:00 AM*

The house was quiet. Aditi was finally asleep in her room, and I was alone in the guest room, staring out the dark window. Rudra's voice, his songs, his beautiful, dangerous promises-they were haunting me.

**It's 12 at night.** I was sitting on the edge of the bed, hugging my knees, trying to decide what should I do

My phone, lying silently on the nightstand, suddenly lit up.

**RUDRA SINGH RATHORE**

My breath hitched. My heart leaped into my throat. *Why is he calling now?*

**I pick up.** I didn't even say hello, just held the phone tight, waiting for the inevitable argument.

**Rudra:** (His voice was rough, strained, barely a whisper, and full of raw, audible pain.) **"I love you, **jaan**..."**

My eyes widened. The tone wasn't pleading or demanding; it was desperate, final. **He sounds like he is in pain.**

**Rudra:** **"I am sorry for that night, for that words... but trust me, I am only yours, even after death..."**

His voice broke on the last word. *Death?* What was he saying? My mind raced, panic setting in.

**Ishita:** **"Rudra, what are you saying? Where are you? Are you hurt?"** I spoke in harsh, panicked whispers.

There was a sudden, sickening sound from his end-a muffled shout, the sound of metal hitting flesh, followed by a heavy grunt.

**Rudra:** (A choked gasp, almost a roar of pain.) **"Jaan..."**

**And with that, I hear that someone attack him.** The phone clattered loudly, then the line went dead. The silence was deafening, terrifying.

**The phone cut.**

I stared at the screen, the call ended, my hands shaking so violently I almost dropped the device.

**Ishita:** **"Rudra! RUDRA! Speak to me! Who is there?!"**

I scrambled off the bed, stumbling to the door, forgetting where I was, what time it was. **I crying, I shouting on the phone**-screaming into the dead line, holding the phone against my ear as if his voice might return.

**Ishita:** **"Rudra, if you leave me again, I swear... I swear I will never forgive you! Get up! Fight! Rudra!"**

Tears streamed down my face, not of rage, but of pure, unadulterated terror. The finality in his voice, the sound of the attack, the word *death*-it all slammed into me. The love I had tried to bury exploded out, demanding his survival.

**Ishita** (Inner Monologue): *He's in danger. This is it. This is why he left me four years ago. It wasn't his image. It was this.*

I fell to my knees, clutching the phone, my heart dissolving in fear. I had to find him. Now.

[RUDRA SINGH RATHORE'S PERSPECTIVE -]**

*Open Road - Near the Lake | 12:00 AM*

I knew I was being followed. I had felt the tension in the mansion and knew the blackmailer's work didn't stop just because I returned. That's why I was out here, a soft target, away from my guards.

The car that had been trailing me for the last ten minutes finally blocked the road ahead. I knew I couldn't fight them all, not out here alone.

I had one second. One chance to tell her the truth before the chaos began.

I quickly dialled Ishita's number.

**Rudra:** (I held the phone to my mouth, the words tight and desperate.) **"I love you, **jaan**..."**

They were getting out of the car now, shadows moving fast.

**Rudra:** **"I am sorry for that night, for that words... but trust me, I am only yours, even after death..."**

*I had to tell her.* I had to make her believe.

Before I could finish, one of them reached my door and smashed the window. A sharp pain ripped through my arm as glass shattered and a crowbar connected with my side.

**Rudra:** (A choked gasp, fighting back the pain.) **"Jaan..."**

The phone was ripped from my hand and slammed onto the pavement. **The phone cut.**

**Rudra** (Inner Monologue): *I told you, Ishi. I told you I am yours. Now, I fight. For you.*

The line went dead, the phone shattered on the asphalt. That was the last link to her. Now, survival.

The men-at least five of them, burly and silent-dragged me out of the car. The pain from the crowbar hit was immediate and blinding, but I forced myself to focus.

**Those boys pull me out of the car.**

I recognized them instantly. The cold, dead eyes, the familiar brutality.

**Rudra** (Inner Monologue): *The blackmailer. His men.*

I killed that blackmailer in Canada. But some remnants of the syndicate clearly survived. They weren't after money. they came here to took revenge.**

The fight started instantly.

I was trained for this. Years of rigorous, ruthless training meant for protecting my empire and, ironically, myself from threats like this.

**I did fight with them as much as I can.**

I lashed out, aiming for the weakest point. My fist connected with the jaw of the man closest to me. He staggered back, spitting blood.

**Rudra:** (I yelled, through gritted teeth.) **"You think this is over? You think you can touch a Rathore and walk away?"**

Another man lunged with a knife. I twisted, grabbing his wrist, using his momentum to slam him against the car. The sound of crunching metal echoed in the night.

But they were too many. **But they are many.** They moved in sync, hitting me from the flanks. A heavy blow landed on my ribs, sending a shockwave of agony through my chest. I gasped, stumbling.

**Goons' Leader** (A man with a vicious scar across his forehead): **"Mr. Rathore! Your power means nothing here! Your money can't buy life back, can it? We are here to balance the books."**

He kicked my legs out from under me. I went down hard onto the wet ground.

**Rudra:** (Coughing, blood tasting like pennies in my mouth.) **"You won't succeed. You should have finished the job in Canada!"**

**Goons' Leader:** **"We tried to warn you. Send a message. You didn't listen. You ruined our lives! Now we ruin yours, starting with your weakness!"**

I looked up, terrified. **My weakness.** Ishita. Did they know?

**Rudra:** **"You touch anyone close to me, and I will hunt you down! I will erase your entire bloodline!"**

They laughed-a horrible, chilling sound in the quiet night.

**Goons' Leader:** **"Oh, we won't kill them. We will just ensure you never see them again. The one with the long, curly hair... *Ishita*... she will be our first reward."**

The name, her name, screamed in my skull. No. Not her.

Rage gave me a final burst of strength. I lunged, grabbing the leader's ankle, trying to pull him down, but the others were faster. A sharp, powerful blow struck the back of my head.

The world tilted. The moon swam above the dark water. The ground felt cold, welcoming the blackness.

**Rudra** (Inner Monologue): *Ishi... I told you I am only yours... I should have told you everything earlier...*

The last thing I saw before the darkness consumed me were the men standing over me, their faces warped by hatred. The revenge was complete.

The blackness of the night consumed me, but my last thought was the soft, fragrant touch of her hair on my cheek earlier that day.

[ISHITA SHARMA'S PERSPECTIVE ]**

**Ishita:** ***"Rudra!!"*** I screamed, scrambling up.

The line went dead.

**Ishita (panicked, trembling, crying):** ***"HELLO?! RUDRA?! RUDRAAA!"*** I screamed into the phone. ***"P-Pick up!! PLEASE!!"***

I dialed again. Again. No answer.

Tears ran uncontrollably, washing down my cheeks. My body shook. Fear clawed at my heart like wildfire, burning away every ounce of anger and pride I had left.

Without thinking, I jumped off the bed, grabbed a shawl-not for warmth, but for comfort-and rushed out of the room barefoot.

I ran through the hallway, across the silent house, searching-

Then I saw the faint light under **Veer's room door**. He was the only one who could help.

I didn't knock. I barged in.

---

### **[VEER'S PERSPECTIVE - The Shock of Truth]**

*My Guest Room - 12:07 AM*

I was sitting alone on the bed, sipping water, scrolling my phone, trying to rewind the excitement of the engagement, when the door **burst open**.

**Veer:** **"Ishita?"** I stared at her, stunned.

She looked wild-hair flying, face tear-streaked, breath uneven. She wasn't the composed makeup artist I knew; she was a collapsing pillar of terror.

**Veer:** **"Ishita, what-?"**

**Ishita (hysterical, voice cracking):** ***"Veer! Rudra-someone-he called me-, and then-someone attacked him! I heard it-I heard it happen! Then the line went dead! I can't-he's not answering-Veer please-please help me!"***

I blinked, stunned. The words didn't compute.

**Veer:** **"Wait... Rudra? Attacked?? *You* talked to Rudra?!"**

Confusion warred with alarm. Rudra never shared his personal life. Why was Ishita-Aditi's best friend-the last person he called?

She grabbed my hand, desperate, her grip shockingly strong.

**Ishita:** ***"I'll explain-everything-just not now! Please Veer, you're his friend, you can find him-please!"***

Her terror was too real to question. Rudra might be cold, but he wasn't reckless enough to fake this.

**Veer (stammering, confused but alert):** **"Ishita-okay-okay-calm down-shit. Okay. Let me grab my phone."**

I was already trying to call **Laksh**, Rudra's right hand man. **No answer.** *Damn it, Laksh!*

I showed Ishita the dead line.

She sobbed, shaking her head. **"I don't know! He never told me-but maybe Laksh will know!"**

I nodded, my jaw clenched. I had to move now.

**Veer (while unlocking his phone):** **"You're saying he said someone attacked him? Over a call? Where is he staying?"**

**Ishita:** **"I don't know! He didn't tell me anything! He was just driving after the function!"**

**Veer:** **"Okay-I'll try Laksh again, I'll call the mansion security! You-sit down. No-come with me."** I grabbed my car keys, my wallet, and my phone.

**Veer:** **"Whatever this is, Ishita-we'll find him. I promise. But you need to stay with me."**

---

### **[ISHITA & VEER - Speeding towards the Unknown]**

*Veer's Car - Speeding Through Delhi Streets | 12:15 AM*

The car roared through the silent streets. I was huddled in the passenger seat, shivering despite the shawl, frantically redialing Rudra's phone, only to hear the dreaded silence.

**Ishita:** ***"Veer, please-drive faster! He sounded so hurt! He said he was only mine-he said sorry for the words!"***

**Veer:** **"I am! I am! But tell me something, Ishita! Were you two... dating? Before? Why would he call you, not his mother or Laksh?!"** He glanced at me, his eyes burning with demanding confusion.

I choked a breath. The truth had to come out now.

**Ishita:** ***"Yes... we were everything. Four years ago. We were in love, Veer. Deeply in love. Until I thought he left me for his fame and image... but now-now I don't care about the past, I just want him alive! He told me he loves me, Veer! That he always did!"***

Veer's face, illuminated by the dashboard light, was a picture of shock and understanding. **Veer's jaw clenched.** He hit the accelerator harder.

**Veer:** **"Then hold on. We're getting him back. Whatever it takes. If Rudra Singh Rathore is in love with you, he doesn't die tonight. Not on my watch."**

He pulled out his phone again, dialing Laksh's private line repeatedly. The desperate chase had begun.

The car was a blur of speed, Veer shouting into the phone. **As Veer keep driving, Laksh picked up the call.** Veer barked the details-Rudra's last call, the sound of the attack-and told him to mobilize security and **find Rudra's location** using his phone's last ping.

I didn't let go of the prayer I had started in the car. **I kept praying to Kanha ji to let him be safe.** *Please, not now. Don't take him now that he finally admitted the truth.*

**After some time**, Veer's voice sliced through my terror. **"They found him! Laksh is there!"**

**The car stopped with a screech.** Gravel flew under the tires as Veer jumped out, shouting something to the security guards waiting outside Laksh's gate-Laksh must have rushed here from the mansion.

I barely registered anything-my heart was thumping so hard I could hear it echo in my ears. The world had narrowed to one terrifying sight.

Then I saw Laksh.

He was standing outside the gates, his face pale, shocked, shaken, pointing toward the dark stretch of road.

**And behind him...**

In the middle of a bloody chaos-Rudra. **My Ru. My life.**

His tall, strong frame... now slumped, soaked in blood. His shirt was ripped, his head bleeding near his temple, one arm twisted under him. **Unconscious. Still. Too still.**

**Ishita:** **"RUDRAAAAAA!!"** I screamed. The sound tore from my throat, raw and agonizing.

I didn't wait for anyone. I ran-barefoot, mindless, gasping. My knees hit the gravel as I fell beside him.

**Ishita:** **"Ru..."** My fingers trembled as I touched his cheek.

His skin was cold. But not lifeless. *Please, not lifeless.*

**Ishita:** **"Ru-wake up-**please wake up!** Don't do this to me. I swear to God, Rudra-don't... you dare leave me..."**

My tears fell on his face, mixing with the grime. His hair was matted with blood. My hands instinctively held his collar. Shaking him gently, desperately. **"Open your eyes! Look at me!"**

---

### **LAKSH (softly, kneeling beside you):**

**Laksh:** **"He's breathing, mam. But barely... we've called the ambulance. Just hold on. Please, Ishita mam."**

I turned to him, crying uncontrollably.

**Ishita:** **"Why didn't you tell me?! Why didn't you tell me he was suffering like this?! I would've-*I would've never let him go!*"**

Laksh looked down, guilt shadowing his eyes.

**Laksh:** **"I tried. He made me promise... after the blackmailer... he didn't want you dragged into this. He said you were the only safe thing in his life."**

---

### **FLASHBACKS flooding my head-**

* Our first meet in Shiv Mandir... *He saved me.*

* My ankle twisted, he caught me like I weighed nothing. *Strong, reliable hands.*

* Our banter during late-night work. *The slow melting of the ice.*

* Him waiting outside my studio in the rain. *The first sign of his devotion.*

* **his confession in Gurudwara and my confession in Radha Krishna Mandir**... *Our sacred promises.*

* dates and singing songs... *His deep, tender voice.*

* And then... silence. Distance. Tears. *The black hole.*

---

I stroked his cheek, whispering through sobs:

**Ishita:** **"Rudra... remember that night? You said you don't believe in love... but you said I made you believe. So now believe me-*I won't let you go. Not now. Not ever.*"**

My tears smeared into his blood, a painful mixing of love and sacrifice.

And then-**his fingers twitched.**

I gasped. Cupped his face again, hope surging through the terror.

**Ishita:** **"Ru! RU! Open your eyes-just look at me once, baby... I'm here. *I'm not leaving you.*"**

---

### **LAKSH (alert):**

**Laksh:** **"He's trying to respond! Rudra sir, Ishita mam is here! Fight, sir!"**

### **VEER (on phone, pacing frantically):**

**Veer:** **"Where the hell is that ambulance?! He's still alive-bring oxygen, head trauma kit! Now!"**

I held onto him tighter, carefully cradling his heavy head into my lap.

---

And then... **He groaned.**

His lips moved weakly, struggling to form a word.

**Rudra:** **"...Jaanaa..."**

I bent lower, my tears falling faster, kissing his forehead gently.

**Ishita:** **"I'm here. I'm right here, Ru..."**

**Rudra:** **"...didn't...leave...right?"**

**Ishita:** **"No,"** I whispered, crying against his forehead. **"*Never. I am never leaving.*"**

His eyes opened, just a little. Ocean-blue... and filled with pain, but searching for confirmation.

**Rudra:** **"...you...still mine?"**

I nodded fiercely, choking on my sobs. **"Always yours. Even if you try to push me, even if the world tries to separate us, Ru... *I'm only yours.*"**

He closed his eyes again-but this time, **peacefully.** His breathing, though shallow, seemed to settle. He trusted me. He was holding on.

---

The ambulance arrived. Sirens. Panic. Lights. They took him away, but I never left his side. Holding his hand the entire time.

Laksh whispered to Veer as they watched the stretcher disappear:

**Laksh:** **"Now she's here... maybe he'll fight harder."**

And I did. Because I knew-**I wasn't ready to lose my Rudra. Not when I finally found my way back to him.**