Om Parvati pataye Har har Mahadev
As they stepped in, Rudraksha's eyes softened.
The room wasn't big — simple, elegant.
A single bed.
A small study table overflowing with medical books, novels, and neatly stacked notes.
A few plants near the window.
A small tanpura in the corner.
It smelled like lavender and warm sunlight.
Rudraksha's lips curved into a small, involuntary smile.
Isha, shy but composed, gestured toward the bed.
"Baithiye…"
Rudraksha nodded nervously and sat at the edge of the bed.
Isha dragged the chair from her study table and sat, palms resting on her lap, eyes on the floor.
Her voice was low.
"Aap jo puchna chahte ho… puch sakte ho."
Rudraksha looked at her — and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe.
He didn't know if it was nervousness… or something else he couldn't name yet.
She lifted her eyes and they made eye contact.
A soft jolt passed between them.
"Actually," he exhaled, "main first time kisi se… marriage-related mil raha hoon."
Isha smiled, shoulders relaxing.
"Main bhi."
They both chuckled softly… the tension melting a little.
Rudraksha tilted his head, observing her.
"Vaise… tum bilkul change nahi hui. Jaise pehli thi, waisi hi ho. Mujhe laga tha… thoda mature look aa gaya hoga."
Isha smirked lightly.
"Aap bhi kahaan change hue ho… same calmness. Bas thode zyada mature lag rahe ho."
A comfortable pause settled between them.
Then Rudraksha sighed.
"Isha… mujhe na shaadi karni hi nahi thi. Matlab… career par hi focus rakhna tha. But maa ne bola toh…"
Isha's gentle smile returned.
"Same. Mujhe bhi career hi pehle tha. But family ne bola toh… main bhi aa gayi."
They both exchanged a knowing smile.
Rudraksha leaned forward slightly.
"But tumhe kyun lagta hai ki tum dono cheezein… balance nahi kar sakti?"
Isha inhaled slowly.
"Shayad main kar sakti hoon. Par dar yeh hai ki… agar nahi kar paayi toh? Sab hurt honge… meri wajah se."
Rudraksha smiled softly — yes, this was Isha.
Thinking of everyone before herself.
Isha looked at him now.
"Aur aap? Aapko kyun lagta hai aap balance nahi kar paayenge?"
He looked down for a second, then met her eyes with honesty.
"Mujhe pata hai main kar sakta hoon. Bas… main kisi ki freedom cheenna nahi chahta. Main nahi chahta kisi ke dreams, decisions… meri wajah se ruk jaayein."
Isha's expression warmened — she knew this about him.
He never bound anyone.
Never controlled.
Never limited.
She asked softly, "Aapke liye shaadi ka matlab?"
Rudraksha's voice dropped, sincere.
"Partnership. Jisme hum ek-dusre ke sapne samjhein… support karein… respect karein. Jisme dono ek ho, par apne bhi ho."
Isha nodded slowly.
"Mere liye shaadi ka matlab hai… kisi ko poori tarah accept karna. Uske flaws, uski kamiyan, sab. Aur uski khubiyon ko cherish karna."
Rudraksha's smile deepened.
"Matlab… hum dono ki soch same hai."
"Hm…" Isha whispered. "Tabhi sab bol rahe the… hume milna chahiye."
Rudraksha stood up gently and extended his hand toward her.
"Toh phir chale?"
Isha looked at his hand… then at him.
"Haan," she whispered and placed her hand in his.
The moment her fingers touched his palm, Rudraksha froze — just a second — surprised by how warm her hand felt.
Isha felt her heartbeat jump.
Her grip was soft, unsure… but not pulling away.
Rudraksha tightened his fingers slightly around hers, giving silent assurance.
Isha looked up.
He was already looking at her — that calm, steady gaze he always had.
A faint blush coloured her cheeks.
Rudraksha's throat went dry for a second.
Neither of them spoke.
But the air shifted between them.
Not forced.
Not dramatic.
Just… real.
Two people meeting as strangers
Yet aligning like they had known each other for years.
Isha exhaled softly —
"Chale?"
Rudraksha nodded.
"Chale."
Still holding hands, they walked out —
A little nervous.
A little shy.
A little hopeful.
But together.
As the door opened, every head in the living room turned toward them at once.
Both Isha and Rudraksha stepped out slowly —
hands still gently intertwined, unaware of everyone staring.
The entire family froze…
curious… nervous… hopeful.
Karan leaned forward first, eyebrows raised.
"Kya decision liya hai tum dono ne?"
Shrishti immediately smirked, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Kya uncle… decision toh saaf dikh raha hai."
Kritika narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Matlab…?"
Before anyone could answer, Ritvik stood up dramatically and sang:
"Mere haath mein… tera haath ho…"
Shrishti joined, spinning around him:
"Saari jannatein… mere saath ho…"
The whole room burst into laughter.
They looked down, finally noticing their hands still locked together.
Both jerked slightly —
nervous —
and slowly separated their hands.
Rudraksha stepped toward the left sofa.
Isha quietly moved to the right side.
Both sat down — shy, pink-cheeked, avoiding all eye contact.
Kavya pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.
Ishika shook her head, smiling, "Pagal ho tum dono."
Krish and Namish exchanged a look —
half amused, half relieved.
And then…
Sab ek saath Isha aur Rudraksha ki taraf dekhne lage.
Smiling.
Waiting.
Almost teasing… but lovingly.
Isha's cheeks warmed instantly.
Rudraksha cleared his throat, pretending to adjust his shirt.
Their eyes met for a split second—
a tiny, soft, shy moment…
and both immediately looked away.
Everyone Smiles at Their Shyness
Kritika folded her arms dramatically.
"Bas… yahi toh dekhna tha hume."
She winked at Kavya.
Shrishti leaned toward Shivanya and whispered,
"Dekha? Perfect match."
Shivanya smiled knowingly,
"Bilkul."
Nisha's eyes softened with relief.
Namish exhaled deeply,
as if a big weight had lifted off his shoulders.
Even Dhairya—usually calm—smiled under his breath,
seeing Rudra so nervous for the first time.
Ritvik elbowed him quietly,
"Bhai… yeh scene toh blockbuster tha."
Rudraksha glared at him softly,
but even he couldn't hide the tiny smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Nisha leaned forward, voice gentle, emotional.
"Beta… tum sure ho na?"
Isha nodded.
Calm. Confident.
"Haan maa."
Rudraksha gave a respectful nod.
"Ji aunty."
And just like that—
Smiles erupted.
Kritika clapped.
Hugs started.
Sweets arrived.
The house filled with happy chaos.
But in the midst of all celebrations…
Isha and Rudraksha kept stealing
tiny, soft glances at each other—
Shy, nervous, happy…
as if something new and beautiful had begun.
------
Kabhi-kabhi do log alag rehkar bhi…
ek hi duniya saans lete rehte hain.
Isha aur Rudraksha ki duniya bhi aisi hi hai—
baas ek mulakaat aur,
aur dono ki kahani dobara se shuru.
~~Shrii