All senses fly over from my head as I hear him yell my name, panic lacing his voice, but I don’t stop. My hands are shaking, but my aim is steady.
"Shivani, no!" Rudra shouts. But it’s too late. My finger squeezes the trigger. And the shot rings out, deafening.
57
RUDRAKSH
I watch Shivani as she sits quietly in the passenger seat of the helicopter, her eyes distant and filled with pain. The events of the past few days have taken a toll on her, and it breaks my heart to see her like this. She’s been through so much—too much. And the worst part? I can't take that pain away for her. No matter how much I want to.
I need to get her away from all the chaos. Somewhere she can breathe. Somewhere she can just be her. I know this is only a temporary solution, a pause—because real healing? It doesn’t happen on an island. It happens when you confront what’s inside. And I know that. That’s why I talked to Dr. Mehta. She’s reassured me that she’ll work closely with Shivani and give her the attention she needs. She has been refusing to go to the sessions since she shot that man, and I don't blame her because she killed a human, and it was hard for me too for the first time; it must be very difficult for her.
But right now... right now, I just want to see her smile. That beautiful smile that has become rare nowadays. I want to remind her that happiness is still possible. That there’s more for her than pain.
As the helicopter descends onto the private island I bought years ago, a sense of calm washes over me. I had bought it for myself—back when I believed I’d always be alone. A place to escape when the world felt too loud. And now, I’m using it for my wife.
The lush greenery and pristine beach stretch out before us as we land. From up here, everything looks untouched, peaceful—like a dream preserved in time. I glance at Shivani.
She looks out the window, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. It's a surprise. I haven’t told her where we’re going, what I’ve planned. I just needed to get her away. It’s just us on this island. Well, us and a few helpers who know to stay out of sight unless called.
I help her out of the helicopter and take her hand. “It’s an island. You said you wanted to visit a beach, right?” I tell her softly, watching her reaction carefully, hoping—just hoping—to catch a spark of joy in her eyes.
She gives me a small, tentative smile, but it’s measured. She is stopping herself from even smiling as if it will hurt her. “It’s beautiful,” she whispers.
But it’s the first time in days I’ve seen her react to something that wasn’t pain. I’ll take it with an open heart.
I lead her to the beach, the warm sand sinking beneath our feet, the gentle waves kissing the shore in a soothing rhythm. I spread out a picnic blanket and help her sit. The wind rustles her hair as she gazes out at the ocean, her expression thoughtful, heavy.
We sit in silence; the only sound around us is the waves meeting the shore. And in this silence, I study her. The way hereyes stare out into the horizon, as if searching for something—or maybe trying to forget. Her face says what her words don’t.
I want to take her pain, absorb it into myself, but I know I can’t. These are her demons. She has to face them herself. She turns to me suddenly, her voice soft and full of vulnerability. “Why are you doing this for me?”
I take her hand, intertwining our fingers. “Because I love you,” I answer her gently, meeting her eyes.
“Because you’re my wife. And I want to see you happy. Because you deserve that.” She searches my face, like she’s afraid it’s all a dream or worse—a lie. But I don’t flinch. I let her see the truth in me. I caress the back of her hand with my thumb, drawing small circles.
Tears well up in her eyes as she nods slowly. Her hand tightens around mine. “Thank you, Rudra,” she whispers.
I lean in and kiss her softly, pouring all the love and reassurance I have into that kiss. She responds slowly at first, then with more intensity, her arms wrapping around my neck. And for a moment, her pain seems to fade away into the background.
I reach up, brushing a strand of hair from her face, my fingertips grazing her cheek. She leans into my touch, closing her eyes, her breath catching. I see the tears brimming in her eyes again, and my heart aches at the sight.
“I know it’s hard,” I whisper, my thumb tracing gentle circles on her skin. “But you’re not alone. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Her eyes open and meet mine, glassy and vulnerable. The tears spill over, dampening her cheeks. I let go of her hand andpull her into me, wrapping my arm around her. She buries her face in my chest.
“I’m scared,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “What if I can’t handle this pain? It’s so suffocating, Rudra.”
The words cut through me, and I tighten my hold, fiercely protective. “You can. You’re stronger than you think, Shivani.”
She looks up at me, desperate. “But it hurts so much. I feel like I’m drowning. Like I can’t breathe.”
“I know, darling.” I press a kiss to her temple, rubbing slow circles on her back. “But you have to keep going. You have to continue therapy. You need to face your feelings, your past... not bury them.” She sobs quietly into my chest. “That makes you stronger. It's not weakness; it's your strength. It's proof that my Shivani is stronger than anyone out there.” I begin as I cradle her face up and wipe her wet eyes with the pad of my thumb.
“You’re a fighter, baby. You’ve always been. So fight—not for me, not for anyone else, but for yourself. Live a full, beautiful life. Not to prove anything to anyone. Just because you deserve that.” She trembles in my arms, her body shaking with silent cries. I hold her like a lifeline.
“I love you,” she whispers, her voice trembling as she stares at me with misty eyes.
“I love you too, baby.” I kiss the top of her head.
