Chained Heart: RuShan

?chapter twenty nine ?

"Are you two together now?"

"No... same workplace."

"Okay, have you met outside of the office?"

"Mn."

"How often?"

"Once a week."

"Okay. And when you're with them, how do you feel?"

"Good."

"Relaxed."

"Excited."

"That's great. And what do you think your special one feels about you? Do they feel as happy as you do?" The doctor asked.

Rudra's expressions changed slightly at the question, but he quickly masked his face back to neutral again.

"I don't know. Sometimes it feels like they care a lot about me, and other times they get really angry with me. Every time I think I'm beginning to understand them, the next moment I realize I was wrong," Rudra said, with slight frustration. His face was straight, but the sadness in his eyes and voice was undeniable.

The doctor couldn't help but laugh. "Hahaha, Mr. Rudra, this isn't a big deal at all. It's pretty normal in relationships. Sometimes, even without any fault, you have to apologize, and you should talk to them with love and warmth. Make them feel special."

"Apologize without a fault."

"Talk with love and warmth."

"Make them feel special."

Rudra repeated her words in his mind, looking at her with a questioning gaze. Seeing Rudra like this, the doctor struggled to hold her laughter. Rudra doubted the woman's mental health but said nothing.

She was surprised, though, to see so many expressions cross Rudra's face at once, something that had never happened before. The only time he had reacted emotionally before was when his mother was mentioned, and even then, his only reaction had been sadness.

Oberoi Mansion

Ahaan went to the kitchen to tell Rudra everything. After sending the details through text, Ahaan was drinking water when he sensed someone standing behind him.

When he Turned around, he saw Rajeev standing there with a big smile.

Ahaan gritted his teeth and closed his eyes tightly. "Is it your new hobby to scare people like this?"

"Drinking water?" Rajeev asked, glancing at the water bottle in Ahaan's hand.

"Nope, making kachauri" Ahaan answered with a tight smile.

"Alright, I want some too," Rajeev flashed a wide smile, Ahaan rolled his eyes at Rajeev's reply.

"Do you need something from me?" Ahaan asked, ignoring Rajeev's teasing.

"No," Rajeev stepped closer to Ahaan, and Ahaan's grip on the glass tightened. He avoided eye contact, which made a sly smile spread across Rajeev's face.

Meanwhile, in his room, Archit sat while Sushma glared at him, furious.

"Archit, have you lost your mind? It was such a good opportunity to join the company, but you ruined everything. You wouldn't even realize when Rudra will take everything from Sanjay, and you'll still be stuck at some petty job."

"Mom, you're overthinking. If Rudra wanted the company, he wouldn't have started his own business," Archit replied softly.

"You fool. Rudra will never let go of his rights in the Oberoi family. If you don't make yourself strong now, we'll be out on the streets soon," Sushma said with frustration, letting her shoulders drop.

"Mom, that won't happen. I'll always take care of our family," Archit stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

But Sushma shoved his hand away. "You think this luxurious life can be maintained with your petty job? The only reason people respect us is because we're part of the Oberoi family. No one cares if you're good or bad; the only things that matter are power and money. I don't care how, but you will quit your job and join the company."

"But mom, dad already gave me permission..." Archit spoke in a low, hesitant voice. Sushma's words were taking away his happiness.

"That's because you're not his blood. He doesn't care what you do. He only stopped Rajeev and Rudra from making mistakes because they are his real sons. You shouldn't feel happy about that. Somewhere, Sanjay has never fully accepted you as part of the Oberoi family, and he doesn't want you to have a share in the company," Sushma said, hiting wounded part of Archit's life.

Hearing this, Archit's fists clenched, and pain, helplessness, and anger began to build inside him. Sushma stood up and, when her eyes met Archit's, he noticed tears in them.

Sushma deliberately appeared even more helpless and continued his dramatic act, "Archit, you are my son... my blood. Everything I do is for your well-being. Rudra, Rajeev, Vijay, and Sanjay are all on one side because they belong to the Oberoi family. I'm the only one who truly cares about you. My son will listen to me and never disappoint me, right?"

She hugged Archit, and he hugged her back, apologizing, "Mom, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have hidden anything from you."

Hearing his apology, Sushma gave a sly smile but soon pretended to be sad again, saying, "You know what I've done for you? I married Sanjay, endured insults and taunts, all for your future. And now you're hiding things from me? That hurts me deeply son. I must have failed you somewhere, which is why you're doing this."

Archit quickly wiped her tears and, in a guilty voice, said, "Mom, it's not your fault. I hurt you, and I'll do whatever you say. Just trust me and stay happy. You've suffered enough because of me, and I won't let you be sad anymore. Don't worry, I'll quit my job and join Dad's company in a few days."

In the Kitchen

Rajeev came quite close to Ahaan. "Do you know where Archit is working?" Rajeev asked, his voice deep and heavy in Ahaan's ear.

Ahaan's eyes remained shut, his breathing was uneven. Then Rudra's words echoed in his mind, giving him the strength to compose himself. Opening his eyes, he gently pushed Rajeev away and said in serious tone, "Mr. Rajeev, would you please stop asking me such questions? If I had known, would I have hidden it from madam?"

Ahaan's face showed signs of shock and confusion, as if Rajeev's question had truly unsettled him. Watching him like this, Rajeev smiled to himself, thinking, "Not bad."

Seeing Rajeev remain silent, Ahaan, in a slightly annoyed tone, said, "By the way, what made you put Mr. Archit in such an awkward situation? You're not usually like this."

For a moment, Rajeev's face showed guilt, but he quickly masked it and stiffened his tone. "That's none of your business."

Ahaan squinted his eyes slightly. "Then I guess you don't have any right to question me either, because I don't work for you."

Rajeev stood silently, watching Ahaan's attitude, unable to say anything.

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