Standing infront of the idol, with hands joined and eyes closed. This appeared to be a normal picture but it wasn't. The serenity and innocence oozing out of Gauri's face couldn't deter Rudra from gazing at her.

He looked back to see Siddharth laughing at something said by Rajveer. Radhika was giving him weird looks. Few seconds later, she too joined Savitri and Soumya in their gossip. Moti Kunwar was looking at nowhere in particular, lost in her thoughts or recollections of past. Whatever it was, she had a serene look.

The moment Gauri opened her eyes, Rudra averted his gaze.
"This place has always been my favourite. I find something, a piece of my soul which is lost in our day-to-day life," Gauri explained, her eyes glittering.

"It's rare nowadays. By the way, can you show me here a bit," Rudra said. She nodded cheerfully, "Won't you call Siddharth bhai."

Rudra glanced back to see Siddharth laughing hard.
"He is enjoying the company and trust me, he gets very agitated if someone disturbs him. Do you understand?" Rudra looked expectantly at Gauri. She gave her consent with a nod.

"You see that tree, yes with pink flowers. People say it is 100 years old. As old as this temple" She exclaimed loudly pointing at an old tree.
"She is showing the enthusiasm of a child," Rudra mused. Very refreshing and charming.

She strode ahead; started collecting some fresh flowers, covering the ground underneath the tree. Rudra followed her with hands inside his pockets. Cupping the flowers with utmost gentleness. She brought it infront of Rudra's line of sight. "Just smell it. It's intoxicating," she said. Rudra held her cupped hands and smelled them, keeping his eyes on her all the while.

"Indeed," he spoke in husky voice.

They moved forward, taking in the intricrate architecture. A smile graced his face, "Now this is what I missed all this time in NYC." Gauri smiled at him.

"Ouch," she winced, tripping a bit. Rudra supported her and helped her to sit on the stairs. She lifted the hem of her saree a little. The hook of her anklet was painfully protruding into her skin. She tried correcting the hook by pressing it, but in vain.

"May I?" Rudra asked, somewhat amused. Gauri reluctantly agreed. He kneelt and gently pressed the hook to bend the prickling part. His fingers grazed over her ankle's skin in the process, making her shiver.

She looked around to see a few girls and couples staring at them; some murmuring, some smiling, others passing the looks of envy. Red colour splashed over her cheeks.

"Are you okay, Gauri? You look a bit red?" Rudra questioned her with most innocent look, feeling her temperature.

"Hmm, umm hmm. I, I am okay." She stood startled.

She tried moving apart from him when a firm grip on her wrist stopped her. She turned to see Rudra holding her hand. Few women giggled at them.

Gauri's face resembled a tomato. "This, actually, came out in process" he said while keeping two broken bells of her anklet on her palm. She looked up at him. His intense eyes were boring at her. In this close context, she was able to see gold flecks in his warm chocolate brown eyes. "When was the last time I found this combination absolutely enticing?" She enquired herself.

Rudra snapped his fingers infront of her eyes, bringing her back to earth. He raised his brows. She shook her head vigorously and marched towards her family. Rudra passed his fingers through his hair and grinned.

"I asked their permission. We are going for our outing as per our tradition." Radhika announced, "You both can join us too." Rudra looked at her with utmost gratitude. He promised Gauri's Nani sa to bring her granddaughter safe and sound. All four climbed the jeep.

Siddharth ended up sitting in the backseat with Radhika due to Rudra's constant stomps on his foot. The former had to fake an illness to grab the backseat and save his foot from a fracture.

The group halted in the traditional market. Small stalls and shops were selling varying range of local and traditional goods, from jewelleries to handmade bedsheets. The girls walked inside the jewellery shop. Although they were cheap, they reflected the intricrate design and charm of Rajasthan.

"That one, yes" Gauri pointed towards a colourful earring. She checked herself in the mirror and frowned.
"Madam, this suits you well," the shopkeeper flattered in order to sell his goods.

A lady in tattered clothes entered the shop making the shopkeeper grimace. "Don't you beggars have work at all? Go, move ahead. I ain't giving you a single penny," the shopkeeper yelled.

The lady treaded out with glassy eyes. Gauri bit her lips. "Umm, I don't think it looks good. Rads, you buy whatever you need. I remembered something. I am going ahead."

Gauri came out of the shop and stopped the woman. She gave her a generous amount. The lady thanked her profusely and showered her with blessings. Rudra watched the scene unfold from background. He came towards her and said, "Why didn't you buy the earrings?" Gauri faced him,

"That was my desire but the money was this woman's necessity. My mother is a divorcee, Rudra. Although my family is always at the beck and call to fulfill our needs and wishes, never once has my Maa taken advantage of it. Right from the beginning, she took all my monetary responsibilities. She taught me the difference between desire and necessity long back. Probably, that's the reason I decided to work early."

Rudra stared at her with adoration. Her modesty and humility seemed to engulf him. How could someone be so naive and mature at the same time was beyond his thinking. While walking she stumbled over, he held her shoulders, "Careful," he whispered. A red hue graced her cheeks for the second time.

.
.
.

In a dark alleyway, a man clicked their photos. He was dressed in a blue shirt. An ugly scar ran over his face. He dialled a number, "Sir, he is back. Rudra Pratap Rathore is in Jaipur. I am sending you his photo. Yes sir, as you wish," he spoke in gruff voice.

.
.
.

They reached Gauri's home late in the evening.

"Won't you both at least have the dinner?" Gauri pleaded. Siddharth and Rudra exchanged sorry glances.
"Sorry Gauri. Need to go. But... I have a gift for you," Rudra said, taking something out of the jeep. He returned with a pot of plant. Gauri gasped, "Oh my god, it's the 'Queen of Night'; Bramha Kamal."

Radhika looked surprised, "You mean the one which blooms once a year in night and wilts before dawn."

Rudra gave a cheeky grin, "Yeah. I read it has spiritual strength and brings prosperity to whom it's gifted. Bud is there, its yet to bloom. Don't miss that chance, the moment is divine and so is the fragrance."

Gauri smiled at him in gratitude, firmly clutching the pot. They parted their ways for the night.

.
.
.

In a dark room, the same man in blue shirt was bound in a chair. The flickering fluorescent bulb was the only source of light. Rudra walked in with confident strides.
"Welcome dear friend, what would you like to have tea, coffee, anything else?" Rudra asked with a sardonic smile.

"You...you will not live long..."

The man was cut off when a resounding slap landed on his face. "Tsk. Perhaps something better," Rudra said, cracking his fingers.

And the room filled with the man's painful screams.