I wasn't planning to surprise Ishita but when I came back I got to know that all the ladies had gone on a shopping trip. So, I was just casually resting in the bedroom when I heard the multiple voices downstairs. That's when I got the idea to surprise her.

But I think the idea is not good because the raw fear in her eyes is making me want to scold myself. I pull my hand away before taking her face in my hands.

"Hey, calm down. It's me Rudra." I tell her but she keeps breathing heavily.

"Ishita what's wrong? I was just trying to surprise you. I am sorry if you got scared." I try to console her but she still hasn't stopped shaking.

She is also silently crying which is making the situation more worse. So, I wrap one of my arms around her waist and the one behind her neck before pulling her for a comforting hug.

I start to whisper soothing words to her while threading my fingers through her hair. After a few minutes, I feel her getting comfortable because she also wraps her hands around me.

"Please forgive me. I didn't know that you would get so scared." I let out with a sigh.

"Don't need to say sorry. I wasn't expecting anyone in my room so when you grabbed me from behind it got me scared." She replies before pulling away from the hug.

"Are you okay now?" I ask tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

"Umm, I am okay. Just need to wash my face to feel better." She replies not looking at my eyes and walk inside the washroom leaving me in thinking about her sudden reaction.

I know anyone could have gotten scared if someone grabbed them from behind but the fear in her eyes is telling me something else. As if she is scared of something else, something so cruel that has left her scarred for a lifetime.

This is the first time I have seen her like this and I am not able to get that fearful look out of my mind. However, for now I need to calm down and handle the situation as gently as possible.

She comes out of the washroom after some time and gives me a small smile. But the smile doesn't reach her eyes and that only confirms my suspicions.

"When did you come?" She asks while picking up the shopping bags from the floor.

"One hour ago and got to know that you were not home." I answer sitting down on the bed.

"You didn't tell me that you would be here before the estimated time or I would have been here waiting for you." She replies.

"Ishita, have you seen my-" mom stops in the mid-sentence when she notices me.

"What are you doing here, Rudra?" She asks coming inside the room while I get up from the bed to hug her.

"My work was completed before time so I thought to come back soon," I reply.

"But you were going to come back in Mumbai then why the sudden change of plans?" She asks signaling towards Ishita.

"Mom are you not happy to see me here? Also, I didn't know that you are here." I accuse.

"Not only me but your dad is also here. We went on a little vacation with everyone yesterday." She replies before turning to look at Ishita who is folding her clothes.

"Ishita beta have you seen my purse?" Mom asks in which Ishita nods her head.

"Yes, maa. You gave me your purse in the mall as you were carrying another bags. Here it is." Ishita answers and hand mom her purse.

"If you guys are done with your talking then come downstairs. Roshni is heating up the dinner so I am going to help her." Mom says with a smile before getting out of the room.

I look at Ishita but she is looking lost as if thinking about something. I go to take her hand but then remember how she got scared earlier so I decide to call her to get her attention.

"Ishita, should we go downstairs?" I ask softly making her look at me for a few seconds before she nods her head.

"Yeah, let's go." She replies in a daze.

We both go downstairs and everyone is happy to see me. I talk to everyone while the ladies get the food ready. When the time comes to eat, we sit down in the dining area to enjoy the food. However, during the whole time Ishita hardly talks to anyone.

I think Gautam also notices his sister's behavior and he asks her about it. But she declines saying that she is just tired and will be alright after long hours of sleep.

••••••••

It's now nighttime and everyone is sleeping in their rooms. Ishita is also sleeping beside me but I have some important emails to send so I am working on my laptop.

Suddenly, I notice that Ishita is shaking while sweat drips from her forehead. I go to touch her to see if she has fever or not. But before I can do that she starts screaming while asking her papa to help her.

Out of instinct, I grab her in my arms and hug her tightly while trying to calm her down. Just then I hear knocking on the door so I put her down and get up from the bed to open her door.

The moment I open the door her father along with her family comes inside the room. On the other hand, I stay glued to my spot not understanding what's going on.

"Ishu, look papa is here. Nothing can happen wrong." Papa says trying to take her in his arms but she only shakes her head in denial.

"Papa, what's going on? She has never rejected your comfort." Gautam says looking worried.

"Jiju why don't you try and calm her down?" Kuhu suggests looking at me in which I nod my head.

"Ishita, can you hear me?" I let out after sitting beside her while touching her hand. When she doesn't take her hand away I decide to take another chance and pull her on my lap. I know it seems inappropriate to hold her like this when the whole family is here. But I don't care what others think. Because right now my wife's well-being is more important to me.

"Shh, calm down. I am here and I will not let anyone harm you. Now, stop crying." I tell her while rubbing her back gently.

She wraps her hands around my neck tightly and cries softly. But I don't stop rubbing her back. After a few minutes, I hear her breathing softly indicating that she has fallen asleep. So, I very gently lie her down on the bed before covering half of her body with the comforter.

I put a kiss on her forehead and ask everyone to follow me to the living room. Upon arriving at the living room I face papa who is looking so heartbroken that I am sure there is something about Ishita I don't know.

"Papa I won't force you if you don't want to tell me the reason behind Ishita's nightmare. But I want to know just one thing from you. Is there something I should know about Ishita?" I ask.

"Yes, Vinod Ji. We are not going to judge you nor Ishita. We just want to know why our daughter was looking so scared?" Mom says looking helpless.

"I don't know where to start or what to say. My princess is suffering from nightmares for quite a long time. She used to take medicines to get rid of the nightmares but after marriage, she stopped taking them. She told me that she didn't get nightmares anymore. So, I don't know what happened earlier." Papa replies looking lost.

"But what's the reason behind her nightmares?" Dad asks.

"Leave it, dad. If Ishita thinks we have the right to know then she will tell us everything by herself. I don't want to discuss this matter anymore." I reply.

"You are not going to leave her, are you?" Gautam asks making me give him a confused look.

"Why are saying this?" I ask.

"You didn't force papa to tell you everything so I thought you don't want to stay with my sister." He replies.

"I know I seem like a heartless person but always remember one thing I never leave my promise unfulfilled. Before the marriage, I have promised Papa that I will be keeping Ishita safe from any harm and I am not going to back down just because she has a nightmare. She is now my wife and her well-being is my responsibility. So, don't worry I am not leaving her at all." I answer and don't wait for any reply before making my way upstairs where Ishita is sleeping.

I lock the door from inside and get into the bed before pulling her in my arms. She snuggles closer to my warmth while clutching my t-shirt in her hands as if I will disappear somewhere.

"I don't know what's bothering you or what you're so scared of. But I know one thing for sure that I will not let anything happens to you. If necessary I will fight your every demon to set you free from the grasp of the nightmares. I will make you happy because that's the only thing you deserve." I let out looking at the sleeping face of her.

•••••••••••••••••••••••|||•••••••••••••••••••••

Only 1604 words this time but this chapter is a complete turning point for this story.

Finally, Rudra and his parents got to know about Ishita's nightmares. When I was writing the scene I could clearly imagine the scene and believe me I shed a few tears just thinking about some persons who really went through the same thing as Ishita.

Now, tell me what do you think about Rudra's reaction?

I have tried to do justice but don't know if I am successful or not.

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