Rudra
đź“Ť Lucknow
India
Being Avni Raghuvanshi's bodyguard wasn't just a job; it was a test of endurance, both mental and emotional. A balancing act where every second was a challenge between duty and something far more complicated.
Tonight was no different.
The heavy bass of the music thumped through the walls of the club, matching the pulse of the chaotic energy that surrounded us. Lights flickered in sync with the beat, and on the dance floor, Avni, Ritvika, and Ishani were completely lost in the moment—dancing with no care in the world.
It should've been a carefree night out, just another excuse for the girls to unwind after all the stress of their recent exams. But when you're dealing with people like Avni, nothing is ever that simple.
They were all glowing in the strobe lights, and for a second, I allowed myself to enjoy the sight of her carefree smile. It was rare to see Avni so at ease.
I stood with Atharv and Aksh near the bar, watching them dance, and for a moment, even I found myself almost forgetting why we were there. Almost.
Then I saw them—three men creeping toward the girls. Their eyes scanned the dance floor, locking on to Avni and her friends. And the alarm bells in my head went off immediately. This was not good.
"Guys, look," I said, nodding toward the men.
Atharv and Aksh followed my gaze, and I saw their expressions harden.
"Hell no," Athrav muttered. Aksh's eyes darkened with the kind of protective fury only a brother could have.
Mine, Atharv's, and Aksh's eyes widened in horror as we watched the three men approach Avni, Ishani, and Ritvika. They were completely oblivious, lost in the music, not realizing the danger.
"They're too drunk," Aksh growled. "Not safe, not like this."
Without wasting a second, we all pushed our way through the crowd, our focus solely on getting to them before those men did. My heart pounded, not just because of my duty, but because I couldn't let anything happen to Avni. Not on my watch.
When we reached them, the three of us formed a protective wall, standing between the men and the girls. I shot a death glare at the approaching men. They hesitated, faltering under our intimidating stares.
Aksh was the first to intervene, his hand on Ishani's shoulder. "Alright, girls. I think that's enough. Time to call it a night."
"Noooo!" Ritvika whined, clinging to Atharv like he was her a koala. "We're just getting started!"
Atharv, despite his firm stance, couldn't hide the amusement in his eyes.
"You're done," he said, gently peeling her off. She pouted at him, and he gave her a fond, exasperated look.
We all wrapped the three of them in our jackets.
I was next to Avni by then, my hand brushing lightly against her elbow, guiding her with a gentle touch. "Come on, Avni. Time to go."
She looked up at me with a pout, her cheeks flushed, swaying slightly on her feet.
"But we were having so much fun!" she protested, her voice a little slurred, but undeniably adorable.
Hell, she is cute. Too cute for my own sanity.
"I know," I said softly, lowering my voice so only she could hear, "but let's get you home."
The girls were too drunk to even walk straight. It wasn't just my duty as her bodyguard to get her home safely—it felt more personal. I had to make sure she was okay.
Ritvika was practically leaning all her weight on Atharv, who was listening to her non-stop blabbering with an amused grin, Aksh, the ever-doting big brother, was behind them, scolding Ishani for having too much to drink. She, in response, had the face of a drunk puppy—innocent, wide-eyed, and completely guilt-free.
Meanwhile, Avni… well, she was barely able to walk. I had to keep a firm grip on her shoulder to keep her from stumbling over her own feet. It was getting ridiculous. And frankly, a little concerning.
"Screw this," I muttered under my breath, then bent down and scooped her up into my arms, carrying her bridal style.
Her weight was light against me, her head resting against my chest. She blinked up at me, half-dazed, half-amused, and I could feel her breath on my neck.
I could almost hear my inner voice groaning.
Kya yaar! Acha khasa spy tha, babysitter bana ke rakh diya hai!
(What yaar! I was a great spy, now I'm a babysitter!)
But then I glanced down at her peaceful, slightly tipsy face and my thoughts changed.
By the way… I won't mind if Avni is the baby I had to babysit.
I chuckled inwardly. Of course, babysitting the other girls? That would be a headache. Thank God I wasn't handling them.
She stirred in my arms and opened her eyes, looking up at me through half-lidded lashes. "Mr. Singhaniya…" she slurred, poking at my chest, "you look like… a cheap copy of James Bond."
I nearly stopped in my tracks.
Sasta James Bond!? Seriously?
I mean look at me! I'm far better than him!"
He's fictional, and I'm the best agent RAW has to offer.
But of course, she can't know that. No one can know that I'm here to spy on the royal family and uncover the traitor. For her and everyone else, I'm just her bodyguard.
"Put me down!" Avni suddenly protested, squirming slightly in my arms. "Put me down!"
I sighed and set her down gently. But as soon as her feet hit the ground, she called out to her friends. "Ritvika! Ishani! Come here!"
"How about a dance?" Avni beamed, her face lighting up with excitement. "It's always been on our bucket list, right? Dancing on an empty road at night!"
Ritvika's face lit up. "Yes! Let's do it!" she cheered.
But Ishani, tears already pooling in her eyes, whined, "I won't dance with Aksh Bhai! He's scolding me!"
Aksh sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly worried now that she was crying. His sisters were his weakness. "Okay, okay," he relented. "You dance with Atharv."
"And Ritvika will dance with me," he added with a smirk.
That left me with Avni. Of course. She looked up at me, her eyes glimmering with the last traces of her drunken excitement. "Shall we?"
I smiled, unable to resist her charm. "Let's."
We stood there, on that empty road, under the flickering streetlights, and as we danced, the rest of the world faded away. It was just Avni and me, moving to some imaginary rhythm only we could hear. She leaned into me, her hands resting on my shoulders, and I held her close. I was so lost in her eyes, I forgot everything else—the job, the mission, the lies. In that moment, it was just us.
I got lost in her, in the sway of her body, the rhythm of her heartbeat against mine. She was intoxicating, and for a moment, I let myself forget who I was—what I was here for.
Her head rested on my chest, and I found myself wishing this night would never end.
Then Ritvika's voice cut through the air. "Let's change partners!"
We all froze for a second, then, to our surprise, the girls started dancing in a circle, laughing and spinning like kids. It was chaotic, wild, and—somehow—perfect.
After their drunken dance, Atharv pulled out his phone with a wide grin. "Girls! Say cheese!"
And just like that, the three of them posed, all tipsy and uncoordinated, their arms flailing, faces twisted into goofy expressions. It was hilarious and, honestly, kind of adorable.
Avni attempted a swag pose, but her finger accidentally touched her bottom lip, leaving her mouth slightly open. Cute.
Ritvika, true to her slay queen status, managed to strike a flawless pose—even while drunk. She knew how to own the moment.
Then there was Ishaani, both hands flashing a swag sign, her head tilted toward Ritvika, a playful pout forming on her lips.
I couldn't help but chuckle. This night, these moments—they were fleeting, but they were ours.
And I'd do anything to protect them.
As Atharv snapped a few photos of the girls in their drunken state, I couldn't help but smile. It was one of those rare moments of pure joy, untouched by the heavy burdens we all carried. The laughter, the dancing, the reckless abandon—it felt almost normal.
But normal wasn't something I could afford to get used to.
I glanced over at Avni. She was still flushed from the dancing, her cheeks rosy, her eyes sparkling with a mix of happiness and tipsiness. She swayed slightly as she stood there, looking up at the night sky, her hands stretched out as if she wanted to catch the stars in her palms.
For a moment, I let my guard slip and just watched her. The weight of my mission, the danger that constantly lurked—it all faded into the background.
She was beautiful. Not just in the way her hair caught the moonlight, or how her smile could light up the darkest night. But in her spirit. Even after everything she'd been through, she could still find a reason to laugh, to dance, to live. There was something about her resilience that drew me in. Something I couldn't quite shake off, no matter how hard I tried.
But then, as always, reality came crashing back.
Remember why you're here, Rudra.
I wasn't just her bodyguard. I was a spy. I had a mission. A responsibility to my country. No matter what I felt—or thought I felt—I couldn't let it interfere. Not with Avni, not with anyone.
Still, as we walked back to the cars, I kept her close. Not just because it was my duty, but because I wanted to. She stumbled again, and without thinking, I reached out and caught her, steadying her with a firm grip.
"Careful," I muttered.
She laughed softly, leaning her head against my shoulder. "I'm fine, Rudra. You don't have to be so serious all the time."
If only she knew how much I had to be serious.
If only she knew what I really was.
I felt her shift beside me, her hand gripping my arm as she leaned in closer. "You're too quiet," she said, her voice a soft whisper. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
I froze for a second, not sure how to respond. She was drunk—she wouldn't remember this conversation in the morning—but the weight of her question still hung between us.
"Nothing you need to worry about," I said finally, trying to keep my tone light.
She blinked up at me, her gaze surprisingly clear despite the haze of alcohol. "You always say that. Like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."
I gave a quiet chuckle, shaking my head. "It's just part of the job."
"Maybe," she murmured, her voice softer now. "But you deserve more than that, Rudra. You deserve to be happy too."
Her words hit harder than I cared to admit. Happiness?
That wasn't a luxury I allowed myself to consider. Not in my line of work. Not with everything that rested on my shoulders. But with Avni… she made me question things I had no business questioning.
Hell, I wanted to kiss her right then and there. The urge was overwhelming.
But no—I couldn't.
Not when she was drunk, vulnerable, and trusting me.
Not when my mission, my duty, forbade it.
I didn't respond. I couldn't. Instead, I kept my focus on the road ahead, trying to ignore the way her words lingered in my mind.
As we reached the car, Atharv and Ritvika were still chuckling over something. Ritvika leaned in and whispered to Atharv, who nodded in agreement before saying,
"Aksh Bhai, stop scolding Ishani. She's just a kid. Talk to her when she's sober."
Ritvika then made her way over to Aksh.
"Ishani, come here. No more scoldings for tonight," Atharv called out, gently guiding her toward him.
While Aksh was busy helping Ritvika into the back seat, Atharv took charge of Ishani, steadying her with ease.
I turned my attention to Avni, helping her into the car and making sure she was comfortable before climbing in beside her.
The drive back was quiet, the girls finally starting to tire out, their energy from the night fading as the alcohol took its toll. Ritvika was half-asleep against Aksh, while Ishani leaned her head on Athrav's shoulder, her earlier tears forgotten.
But Avni… she was still awake. She rested her head against the window, watching the passing lights with a soft smile on her lips. Every now and then, her eyes would flicker toward me, and I'd pretend not to notice.
I could feel her gaze even without looking directly at her. There was something unspoken between us, a tension neither of us could quite name but both felt deeply. I kept my eyes forward, my hands gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly.
"You're always so focused," Avni murmured, her voice softer than before, as if sleep was slowly pulling her under. "It's like you're always somewhere else, even when you're right here."
I didn't reply. What could I say? That she was right? That even though I was physically present, my mind was always miles away—on the mission, on the dangers that lurked around every corner, on the secrets I couldn't share?
"Rudra..." she continued, her voice growing quieter with each word. "One day... I hope you'll let someone in."
Her words hung in the air as she closed her eyes, finally giving in to the exhaustion of the night. I glanced at her, seeing the peaceful expression on her face, and something inside me twisted.
Let someone in?
The truth was, I had let her in, far more than I ever intended. She had wormed her way past my walls, her laughter, her resilience, her damn smile—all of it had chipped away at the armor I had so carefully built around myself. And now, here I was, fighting a battle between my duty and the feelings I had no right to have.
I pulled the car into the driveway of the palace, and Aksh helped a sleepy Ritvika out, while Atharv gently guided Ishani toward the entrance. I turned to help Avni, who was now half-asleep, her body slumping toward the door.
"Avni," I called softly, shaking her shoulder lightly. "We're home."
She stirred, blinking her eyes open slowly. With a sleepy smile, she nodded and let me help her out of the car. As she stood, her legs wobbled, and without thinking, I reached out to steady her. My hands rested on her arms, and for a brief moment, our eyes locked.
For that heartbeat of time, it felt like the entire world stood still. Her soft breath, the warmth of her skin under my fingers—it was almost too much. I wanted to lean in, to cross that invisible line between us. But I couldn't. Not now. Not ever.
She blinked up at me, confused, her eyes heavy with sleep. "Rudra..." she whispered, and her voice was so soft, so vulnerable, it almost undid me.
"Come on," I said gently, pulling away before I could do something I'd regret. "Let's get you inside."
I walked her to the entrance, staying by her side until she was safely inside the palace walls. And as the heavy doors closed behind her, I stood there for a long moment, staring into the night, trying to shake off the weight of everything that had just happened.
Avni Raghuvanshi was more than just my duty now. She was a complication. One I wasn't sure I could afford to have.
But no matter how hard I tried to keep my distance, no matter how much I reminded myself of the mission, one thing was clear.
There was something between us. Something I couldn't deny.
And for better or worse, it was only going to get more complicated from here.
This is only going to get harder,
I thought to myself as I walked out of the room.
And when the truth finally comes out, everything will change.
As I closed her door and stepped into the dimly lit hallway, I couldn't help but feel a weight settle on my chest. Protecting Avni wasn't just about her safety anymore—it was about protecting myself from something far more complicated.
As I walk down the grand stairs of the palace, my footsteps echo in the vastness of the hall. The air is heavy with a stillness that only this ancient palace seems to carry. My gaze sweeps across the space, but something catches my attention. Someone is there… hiding behind the pillar.
I get alert, instincts kicking in. If I make a direct move, they'll run. So, I pretend not to notice, keeping my stride even as I continue descending the stairs. I walk towards the pillar at my normal pace, careful to let that person think I'm unaware of their presence.
As I near the pillar, I subtly shift my path, turning to another direction at the last moment, seemingly ignoring them altogether. I keep walking, my back now to the figure, leaving them behind. The tension in the air shifts as I hear them take a quiet breath of relief, believing I've vanished into the dark of the adjacent room.
One thing I like about this palace… it's like a little maze. Various paths, all leading to the same destination.
Right now, I'm standing behind the person, silently watching them as they look towards the direction I left in. They seem confident that I've gone.
I lean close to their ear and whisper, "Bhoo."
That man flinched, startled, and quickly turned to look at me. His eyes widened in recognition before he spun on his heel, attempting to make a break for it. But, in his haste, he slammed right into the pillar next to him, the impact halting him in his tracks. I moved swiftly, grabbing hold of him before he could recover.
And there he was—Ashwin Rana. My colleague at RAW, my best friend, and, as fate would have it, this motherfu*ker was soon to be my brother-in-law. Yes! My beloved sister loves him. Of course, with him showing up here, I could already tell what was going on. RAW must have sent him as my backup.
"Hell, Rudra! You scared the shit out of me!!" Ashwin exclaimed, his voice laced with both relief and irritation, clutching his side where he'd collided with the pillar.
"You really should be more careful, Ashwin," I chuckled, releasing my grip on him.
"You'd think a RAW agent would know better than to run into a wall."
He straightened up, brushing off his shirt as if shaking off the embarrassment. "Oh please, like you didn't just pop out of nowhere like a ghost! What are you doing here, anyway? I thought I was the backup."
"You are. But clearly, the backup needs backup," I shot back, smirking. "What did they send you with? A stack of sandwiches and a soda?"
"Funny. Real original," he retorted, rolling his eyes. "They might as well have. I wasn't expecting to be thrown into the action so soon after you."
"Well, welcome to the chaos, my friend. Just make sure you keep your head on straight. No running into walls or pillars this time."
Ashwin crossed his arms, pretending to be offended. "You're just jealous because I'm going to be the favorite son-in-law. My future in-laws are going to love me."
I raised an eyebrow, my expression playful. "I wouldn't be so sure. They might take one look at your clumsiness and decide to pass."
"Clumsiness? I prefer to call it 'strategic maneuvering'," he replied, grinning. "Besides, who wouldn't want a charming, good-looking guy like me around?"
"Good-looking?" I shot back, barely able to contain my laughter. "I think you're mistaking your reflection for someone else. But hey, at least you're entertaining."
Ashwin laughed, his earlier tension dissipating. "I'll take that as a compliment. Just remember, when you're knee-deep in trouble, you'll want me by your side. I bring the charm and the sandwiches."
"And I'll bring the brains," I replied, nudging him with my shoulder. "Deal?"
"Deal," he agreed, extending his hand for a shake. "Just try not to scare me next time."
"No promises," I quipped, shaking his hand firmly. We shared a moment of camaraderie, the weight of our responsibilities lightened by our banter. In this line of work, it was these moments of levity that reminded me of the bonds we formed, the family we created amidst the chaos. As we turned to head deeper into the mission, I knew we had each other's backs—always.
With Ashwin by my side, I felt ready to face whatever lay ahead. It was time to get to work.
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