Chapter 58: "Morning Surprises"
Hey lovely readers! Thank you for all the love and support for Anaya and Rudra's journey so far! In this chapter, we see a softer, more tender side of Rudra as he starts to express his care for Anaya in little ways. Anaya, too, is slowly discovering the warmth behind Rudra's cold exterior. What do you think of their growing bond? Are you excited for their dinner date?
_____AUTHOR'S POV:~~
Anaya woke up to the soft golden rays of the morning sun streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the vast room. She blinked, her mind slowly registering that the bed next to her was empty. Her heart gave a little flutter as she realized Rudra had already left for the office. The sheets where he had slept were still slightly warm, but there was no sign of him.
Stretching lazily, Anaya sat up, her hair cascading down her shoulders. The room was quiet except for the ticking of the clock on the wall. She glanced around, feeling the absence of her husband, but something caught her eye. A small, bright yellow sticky note was attached to the side table.
She leaned over and plucked it from the table, a soft smile spreading across her face as she read the familiar handwriting.
"Good morning, Mrs. Singhaniya. I had to leave early today for an important meeting. Don't be late for college. I've arranged for Ravi to drop you. Complete your assignments, and don't overwork yourself. And yes, don't forget to eat breakfast."
Anaya chuckled softly at the commanding tone that was so typical of Rudra, but there was also a sweetness in his words that warmed her heart. As she got out of bed and stretched, she noticed another sticky note on the mirror near the closet.
Curious, she walked over and peeled it off.
"Wear something comfortable but elegant. I expect nothing less."
Her smile widened, and she rolled her eyes at how precise and controlling Rudra could be. Yet, there was a hint of affection in each note that made her feel cared for in ways she wasn't used to. After showering, she went into the closet, where she found another note stuck on one of her favorite dresses.
"This one will make you look stunning. Don't argue, just wear it."
Laughing to herself, Anaya picked up the dress, a soft blush tinting her cheeks at how much thought Rudra had put into these messages. After getting ready, she noticed yet another sticky note on the bathroom door.
"Don't be late for breakfast. I'm serious. Ravi will handle the office, but he's under my orders to get you to college on time."
Shaking her head, Anaya finally finished getting ready and made her way downstairs. As promised, Ravi was waiting for her in the driveway with the car ready.
"Good morning, madam," Ravi greeted her politely, opening the door for her as she climbed in.
"Good morning, Ravi," she replied, settling into the seat. Her thoughts wandered back to the notes Rudra had left for her. It wasn't like him to be so expressive, even in writing, and yet this small gesture made her heart flutter with a new warmth.
As they drove through the streets of the city toward her college, Anaya couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—fondness for Rudra's care, but also curiosity about what might have prompted him to leave those notes. She knew he wasn't one to show his emotions so easily.
When they arrived at college, Anaya was greeted by the familiar bustle of students hurrying to their classes, bags slung over their shoulders, and the occasional groups huddled together discussing their latest assignments. She waved to a few friends as she entered the building, making her way toward the classroom where her group project awaited.
Inside the classroom, the atmosphere was lively. Students were spread across different tables, some scribbling notes, others discussing ideas for their papers. The clatter of laptops and the murmur of conversations filled the air, blending into a hum of productivity.
Anaya joined her group, where she found her friends already deep in discussion. The table was scattered with papers, textbooks, and laptops, and they quickly welcomed her, offering updates on their progress.
"Hey, Anaya! Finally, you're here," one of her friends, Suhani, said with a grin. "We were waiting for you to finalize the last part of our project."
Anaya smiled apologetically. "Sorry, I got a bit delayed. Let's get to work."
The next few hours passed in a blur as they focused on completing their project. Anaya was engrossed in her work, organizing the presentation slides and typing up the final draft of the report. The classroom buzzed with energy as students shared ideas, discussed theories, and prepared for upcoming exams.
By the time they wrapped up, it was already early afternoon. Anaya felt a sense of relief wash over her, knowing they had finished the work on time. She packed up her things and headed out of the classroom with suhani and a few others.
Ravi was waiting for her outside the college gates, as promised, and Ria had also joined him, scrolling through her phone while waiting for Anaya.
As they got into the car, Ria barely looked up from her phone, engrossed in a social media post. The car ride back to the mansion was peaceful, the gentle hum of the engine soothing after a long day of work. Ravi drove with his usual steady precision, but as they neared the mansion, Anaya noticed something curious.
Ravi glanced at her through the rearview mirror and, when he was sure Ria wasn't paying attention, discreetly passed her a folded note.
Anaya raised an eyebrow, taking the note without drawing attention to herself. She waited until they were inside the mansion before opening it. Her heart skipped a beat as she unfolded the small piece of paper and read the familiar handwriting.
"Don't think I've forgotten. You still owe me a proper dinner date. Tonight. Be ready at 8. – Rudra"
Anaya's face flushed as she reread the note. Rudra had planned something for them tonight, and she couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. The strict, cold Rudra was also someone capable of surprising her in the most unexpected ways.
She quickly folded the note and slipped it into her pocket, feeling the weight of his words settle over her. The day had begun with little sticky notes, and now it seemed like it would end with a surprise dinner date.
Ria, who was still oblivious to everything, finally looked up from her phone as they entered the mansion. "What's with that look on your face?" she teased, nudging Anaya playfully.
Anaya quickly composed herself, shaking her head. "Nothing, just thinking about college work."
Ria eyed her suspiciously but shrugged, returning her attention to her phone. Anaya, however, couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at her lips. Tonight would be the first time Rudra had asked her out on a proper date, and she wasn't going to miss it for anything.
As the afternoon passed and Anaya went about her day, she couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and excitement for what the evening would bring. The tension between them, the cold distance, was slowly melting away, and in its place was something new—something she had longed for but never thought she'd have with Rudra.
She glanced at the clock, her heart racing slightly. It was almost time to get ready for their dinner. And this time, she would be the one surprising Rudra.
As the car pulled into the mansion driveway, Ravi discreetly passed a folded note to Anaya when Ria was busy with her phone. Anaya took it, her heart racing, and hid it in her purse without drawing attention to herself. Ria glanced over, but Anaya quickly composed herself, putting on a calm expression. Still, Ria's sharp eyes caught the slight tension in her friend's demeanor.
"Everything okay?" Ria asked, her eyebrows slightly raised in curiosity.
Anaya gave a quick smile, trying to seem nonchalant. "Yeah, just tired from the day. I'll head to my room and rest."
Ria eyed her for a moment longer, but then shrugged and returned her focus to her phone, not pressing further.
Anaya, meanwhile, hurried inside the mansion and made her way straight to her room, her mind buzzing with anticipation. The note felt like it was burning a hole in her purse, and once inside the privacy of her room, she locked the door and pulled it out.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she unfolded it, revealing Rudra's unmistakable handwriting:
"Be ready at 8. I'll be waiting for you. This time, we're doing it right. – Rudra"
Her heart fluttered, a mix of excitement and nerves surging through her. It wasn't just the fact that Rudra had planned this evening—it was the tone of the note, the promise of something new, something more between them.
She tucked the note away safely and took a deep breath. Tonight was the night they were going on their first proper date, and she wanted everything to be perfect.
As the hours passed, Anaya found herself standing in front of the mirror, carefully getting ready. She had chosen a dress Rudra had once commented on—elegant yet simple, with a soft fabric that hugged her figure. Her hair was styled loosely, cascading in soft waves around her shoulders. She applied light makeup, just enough to enhance her features without overpowering her natural look.
Her reflection stared back at her, and for a moment, she felt a mixture of nerves and excitement swirl in her chest. She was about to go on a date with Rudra—her husband, who she was slowly getting to know in ways she never expected.
As she finished getting ready, she glanced at the clock. It was almost 8 p.m. The time had come.
Gathering her purse, she stepped out of her room, her heels clicking softly against the floor as she made her way through the mansion. Her mind was racing, thoughts bouncing between how the night would unfold and the subtle but significant changes in her relationship with Rudra.
Ria noticed Anaya as she walked down the hallway, a curious look on her face. "Hey, where are you going?" she asked, pausing mid-scroll on her phone.
Anaya gave a small smile, her heart skipping a beat. "Just... going out for a bit."
Ria raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but not pushing any further. "Have fun."
Anaya nodded and continued down the hallway, trying to calm her racing heart. As she neared the main entrance, she saw Ravi standing near the front door, but Rudra was nowhere to be seen.
"Madam, sir is waiting in the parking area," Ravi said with a polite nod, gesturing toward the garage.
Anaya thanked him and walked outside, the cool evening air brushing against her skin as she made her way to the parking area. There, in the dim light of the night, she spotted Rudra leaning casually against his car, waiting for her.
He looked up as she approached, his gaze locking with hers, and for a moment, everything else faded away. There was something different in his eyes tonight—something softer, yet still carrying the intensity she had come to expect from him.
Rudra stood straight, walking toward her with a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You're right on time," he said, his voice low and smooth.
Anaya blushed slightly, feeling the warmth of his gaze as he looked her over. "You said not to be late," she replied, her voice steady despite the rapid beating of her heart.
Without another word, Rudra stepped closer, his hand reaching out to take hers. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt of electricity through her, and for the first time, she felt a sense of connection—like this wasn't just about obligation anymore. This was something real, something growing between them.
He led her toward the car, opening the door for her, and for a moment, their eyes met again. There was a quiet understanding between them—an unspoken promise that tonight would be different.
As Anaya settled into the car, she couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. This was their first real step toward something new, and she had no idea where it would lead, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a spark of hope.
##To be continue...**