Part 2

As Rudy and Geet’s reunion blossomed, they began to crave every moment together. Stolen glances turned into secret meetings, hidden away from prying eyes.

In secluded gardens and moonlit walks, they’d talk for hours, lost in each other’s words. Rudy showered Geet with love and affection, nurturing her soul.

“Nobody takes care of me like you do, Rudy,” Geet whispered, her eyes shining with love. “No one’s ever asked what I truly want.”

For Rudy, the world revolved around Geet. Sunrise to sunset, every thought was of her. He’d bring her favourite flowers, surprise her with sweet gestures, and listen intently to her every concern.

Their love blossomed in laughter and warmth. Days without each other became unbearable.

“I hate being apart from you,” Rudy confessed, his voice trembling.

“I feel the same,” Geet replied, her smile radiant. “It’s like a part of me is missing.”

One evening, as they strolled through the palace gardens, Rudy’s eyes locked onto Geet’s. His voice barely above a whisper, he confessed:

“Geet, I breathe you. It’s as if you’re in my blood. Every heartbeat echoes your name. You’re the rhythm that keeps me alive.”

Geet’s cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling with tears. “Rudy, no one has ever loved me like you do.”

Rudy’s fingers intertwined with hers, his touch sending shivers down her spine. “I’ve loved you since we were children, Geet. You’re the missing piece I never knew I needed.”

As the stars began to twinkle above, Geet leaned into Rudy’s embrace. The world around them melted away, leaving only the gentle rustle of leaves and the beating of their entwined hearts.

“I feel the same, Rudy,” Geet whispered, her lips brushing against his ear. “You’re the home I’ve always longed for.”

Their love had become an all-consuming force, impossible to ignore. Yet, the shadows of reality loomed, threatening to tear them apart.

As their bond deepened, Geet realized the inevitability of their families’ involvement.

“Rudy, it would be easier if my family knew you properly… and vice versa,” Geet suggested, her voice laced with trepidation.

Rudy’s heart skipped a beat. The thought of meeting Geet’s husband, Shrey, and her family, made his stomach twist into knots.

“What if they don’t understand?” Rudy asked, his brow furrowed.

Geet’s hand found his. “We’ll face it together. We have to. Our love deserves a chance.”

The day arrived, and Rudy accompanied Geet to her palace. Shrey, her husband, greeted Rudy with a firm handshake and a polite smile. Geet’s family welcomed Rudy warmly, but he couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease.

As they sat for dinner, Rudy’s eyes wandered between Geet and Shrey. The way Shrey’s hand brushed against Geet’s, the familiar laughter they shared, and the effortless way they interacted as husband and wife.

Rudy’s heart twisted with jealousy. He couldn’t bear the thought of Geet belonging to someone else, even if it was a marriage of convenience.

“Geet, why did you marry him?” Rudy asked later, his voice laced with emotion, as they stole a moment alone.

Geet’s eyes softened. “Duty, Rudy. Family obligations. But my heart never belonged to him. It’s always been yours.”

Rudy’s grip on her hands tightened. “I don’t know if I can do this, Geet. Watching you with him… it’s tearing me apart.”

Geet’s voice remained calm, but her eyes betrayed concern. “Rudy, we must be careful. We can’t let our emotions dictate our actions. Not now.”

But Rudy’s jealousy had already taken root. He began to question Geet’s love, her loyalty, and her intentions.

“Are you still in love with him?” Rudy asked, his tone accusatory.

Geet’s patience wore thin. “Rudy, I’ve told you. My heart belongs to you. But I won’t lie, Shrey is my husband, and I have responsibilities.”

Rudy’s anger simmered, threatening to boil over. “Responsibilities? Is that what I am to you? A secret indulgence?”

Rudy’s romantic nature envisioned a life where only the two of them existed. “Let’s leave it all behind, Geet. Find a place where no one knows us. Just us, together, free.”

But Geet stood firm, her philosophical side grounding her. “Why must I choose between love and duty? Can’t I love two people at the same time?”

Rudy’s frustration grew. “You’re torn between me and Shrey. I won’t be an option, a second-class citizen in your life.”

Geet’s patience never wavered. “You’re not just an option, Rudy. Our love is unique. Don’t make me choose.”

As tensions escalated, Rudy’s anger boiled over. “You’re asking me to pretend, to fake a life. I won’t be a secret, Geet.”

Geet’s voice remained calm, but her eyes betrayed uncertainty. “Nobody loves me like you, Rudy. Don’t leave me.”

She reached out, grasping his hand from behind, her touch igniting a spark.

Rudy’s resolve crumbled. He turned, his eyes locking onto hers. “What about Shrey? Your husband?”

Geet’s gaze never faltered. “My heart has room for both. But with you, Rudy, it beats differently.”

The unspoken question hung between them: Could their love survive the tangled web of family obligations and societal expectations?

As they stood there, hands entwined, the palace gardens seemed to shrink, the world closing in.

Will Rudy and Geet find a way to navigate their complicated love, or will the pressures of their entwined lives tear them apart once more?

To be continued…

Anamika Chakravorty, Staff Reporter