The moment Niranya and I stepped into the sacred grounds of the Shiv Mandir, a heavy silence surrounded us, almost as if the temple itself was holding its breath. The ancient stones beneath our feet seemed to whisper, their cool touch contrasting with the heat rising in my chest.
My gaze drifted to her. She stood beside me, her presence unwavering, her beauty untouched by the weight of the rituals we were about to face. But I could see it in her eyes—determination. My Angel, as stubborn as she was beautiful.
I should have stopped her. I should have told her to walk away from this madness, from this pain. But no matter how much I wanted to shield her, to save her from the fire that awaited her, I knew I couldn't. She had made up her mind.
And so, we stood here, before the Temple of Shiv, with her poised to perform the Shiv Tandav on the hot coals. Her feet, so delicate, would soon dance on fire, and every step would burn her, but she wouldn't back down. She was willing to face that agony, knowing it was the only way to truly connect with the sacred rituals of this place, to honor the union we were about to begin.
Her stubbornness was a curse in this moment, and yet, it was a part of her that I had come to love. But what would happen when the pain consumed her? How could I stand by, knowing that she would endure it all for me?
I clenched my fists, my jaw tight. If she was going to feel that pain, I would bear it with her. I wouldn’t let her suffer alone. I couldn’t.
Shaurya Rathod had already instructed me to head into the backyards of the temple before the ceremony began. He had said that the remedies needed to be placed on my body—things that would prepare me for the inevitable pain. It had been two centuries, and the years had taken their toll, even if I could still stand as strong as ever.
But the pain, the weariness—no, that wasn’t something anyone should have to endure alone. And as much as I hated the thought of Niranya walking on fire, there was nothing I could do to change it.
It was necessary, they said.
The last step before the final bond. The bond that would mark the end of my endless curse.
I walked towards the back of the temple, each step echoing in the hollow air, my thoughts a mix of rage and helplessness. But the moment I entered, the elderly priests were already waiting. They began with their ritualistic remedies, placing oils and herbs on my skin, their hands moving with reverence. The remedies were not for healing but for something more.
I stood still, biting back the emotions threatening to overtake me. Every touch they gave me felt like an intrusion—these weren’t just remedies, they were tools. Tools that might strip away the cursed existence I had known for two centuries.
I wanted to be stronger. I wanted to walk beside her, untouched by the pain, to hold her hand and promise her that I would always protect her.
But today, there was nothing I could do to shield her. This was her journey. Her trial. And if she had to face the fire, I would stand beside her—if not in body, then in spirit.
The warmth from the backyards didn’t compare to the coldness that gripped my heart. I could only hope that whatever happened today—whatever pain she endured—would finally be worth the sacrifice we had both made for love.
I stood on the edge of the fire, the hot coals beneath my feet a reminder of the test I was about to face. Shaurya uncle's blessings still echoed in my ears, "You are very strong, my child." But my strength didn’t come from mere words. It came from something deeper, something more powerful—Ashtram.
My heart was already on fire, not just from the burning coals but from the love that consumed me every waking moment. A wife would do anything for her husband, and in this moment, I would prove just how far I would go.
But Ashtram... My Ash... He wasn't here to see this. This was the test. This was my love for him, tested in fire and flame.
I took a deep breath and felt the warmth of the coals against my skin, the anticipation of the pain rising in my chest. But this was no ordinary pain. This was a challenge. A challenge to prove my love, my devotion to the man who had given me everything.
The moment I stepped onto the hot coals, the pain shot up my legs like a sharp sting. But I didn’t falter. I couldn’t. I had to keep moving. I had to keep going, not just for me, but for Ashtram.
As my feet landed on the first scorching coal, I began to move in rhythm. The beats of my heart synchronized with the steps of the Shiv Tandav, the ancient dance that was now my ritual of strength. With every movement, I felt the fire beneath me rise, threatening to pull me under. But with every movement, I grew stronger. I spun and twirled, my body flowing with the ancient grace of the Tandav, each step an offering to the fire, to the gods, and to Ashtram.
The dance was not just about steps; it was a manifestation of my love. It was the fire in my soul, the passion for the man who held my heart. I felt the flames licking at my feet, trying to pull me down, but the rhythm of the Tandav kept me grounded. My movements were fluid, powerful, each one an expression of my unwavering devotion.
I felt the heat rise with each beat of the dance. The fire beneath me seemed to grow hotter, the coals more intense, but I refused to stop. My body screamed in pain, but my heart... my heart was filled with nothing but love for Ashtram. I would not let this fire consume me. No. This fire was nothing compared to the fire that burned inside me for him.
This is our test. Not just the fire. Not just the pain. But my love for you, Ashtram. I will endure this. I will walk through this fire, not just for me, but for us. I will prove to you, to myself, that my love will always conquer the darkness.
The steps grew harder, my feet feeling as though they were being torn apart by the hot coals. Yet, with every breath, with every beat of the dance, I pushed myself forward. The world blurred around me. The pain, the heat, the fire—they all faded into the background as my movements became my voice.
I didn’t need Ashtram to watch me. I didn’t need his eyes on me to know that this was my promise to him. That no matter what tests life put before us, I would endure. I would fight for our love. For him.
With every step of the Shiv Tandav, I danced through the fire. Not just to prove my strength, but to prove that I would stand by Ashtram, no matter the pain, no matter the fire.
Finally, I reached the end. My body was on fire, every part of me aching and raw from the hot coals beneath me. But there was a quiet triumph in my chest. I had endured. I had faced the flames, the pain, and the test of my love.
I looked down at my feet, bloodied and burned, but I felt nothing but a fierce sense of pride. I had done this. For him. For us.
Just as I swayed in exhaustion, about to collapse, strong arms wrapped around me, lifting me up and pulling me into the safety of their embrace. I didn't need to look to know whose arms they were. Ashtram. My Ash.
The remedies on my body were completed, but I couldn’t focus on anything but Niranya. My Jaan. My Angel. Every fiber of my being screamed for her. I felt her pain, her exhaustion, and it was unbearable. She’s doing this for me, I thought, my chest tightening. My little baby—because of me, she is enduring this agony.
I couldn’t bear it any longer. I had to see her, to hold her. I rushed toward the courtyard, my heart pounding in my chest. And there she was—on the verge of collapse, her body trembling, but her spirit still unbroken. She is my Goddess, and seeing her suffer in front of me felt like a thousand knives ripping through my heart. But she had chosen this path. She loved me enough to do it.
Without a second thought, I swept her into my arms, pulling her to my chest. My baccha... I whispered her name, my voice breaking. I’m so sorry… My tears fell freely as I held her tightly against me. “Jaan,” I murmured, my heart swelling with guilt, “I never wanted this for you.”
She looked up at me, her eyes filled with determination despite the pain. “Ash, stop,” she whispered, her voice weak but laced with love. “You’ve done enough. This... this is my test. Don’t make it harder for you.”
“No, Jaan,” I growled softly, brushing a tear from her cheek. “If you feel pain, I will bear it too. I won’t let you go through this alone.” My gaze softened as I stared down at her. "You are everything to me.
Her hand pressed weakly against my chest, and her voice trembled. “Please, Ash... don’t... please don’t do this... it’s too much.” She looked at me desperately, her eyes a mirror of the love and concern she always carried for me. "I don't want you to suffer because of me."
I shook my head, my grip tightening around her. "No, Jaan," I repeated, my voice low and filled with raw emotion. "I can’t let you go through this pain alone. I would never forgive myself if you did this without me. You’re not just my wife, Niranya. You’re my everything. And if you walk through fire for me, I’ll walk through it with you."
As I spoke, I turned, stepping into the hot coals, holding her tightly to my chest. The heat was unbearable, but the pain didn’t matter. Nothing mattered but her.
She gasped in shock, her hands gripping my shirt tighter. "Ash, please!" Her voice was panicked. “It’s too much. You don’t have to do this for me—please, stop!"
But I didn’t. I couldn’t.
"I will never stop for you, Jaan," I said, my voice steady despite the agony coursing through my body. "I will take on your pain because I live for you. You are my life, and I will bear anything for you."
The onlookers stared in stunned silence, their eyes wide in disbelief. They couldn’t understand what I was doing. A man, a Mafia King, the cursed prince of Rajgarh—walking through fire for a woman. For his wife. For the love of his life.
As I walked on, the searing heat clawing at my skin, I could feel the burn, but it was nothing compared to the way I felt when I saw her suffering. She had become my world, and if she had to endure this, so would I. We were one soul, bound together by a bond so deep that nothing—nothing—could separate us.
She rested her head against my chest, her breathing ragged but steady. "Ashtram... please..." Her voice was barely a whisper. "I love you so much."
"I love you more than you’ll ever know," I whispered back, my heart swelling with love, regret, and gratitude. "And if you are my Goddess, then I am your devoted worshipper. Whatever you endure, I will endure with you."
And with those words, I carried her through the fire.
As Ashtram stepped out of the hot coals, holding Niranya tightly in his arms, the air around them seemed to hum with the intensity of their connection. He had watched her endure the unimaginable, and now, as she lay exhausted in his embrace, his every instinct was to protect her. His heart, however, remained heavy with the weight of her sacrifice. Her feet were still burning from the pain of the Shiv Tandav, but his strength would see her through this.
Shaurya, who had witnessed the extraordinary bond between them, spoke with reverence. “You both have proven that your love is more powerful than any trial, more indestructible than anything the world can throw at you.”
Ashtram, never one to share his emotions easily, simply nodded. He didn’t need anyone to tell him how powerful their connection is—he felt it with every beat of his heart. He isn’t going to let anyone else tend to Niranya. Not now, not ever.
“We must prepare for the remarriage,” Shaurya continued, but before that, he suggested, “The remedies for Niranya’s feet are ready. Some women are here to help.”
But Ashtram was firm in his decision. “No. I will tend to her myself. I will take care of my Wife.”
The women, understanding the depth of Ashtram’s love and the sacredness of the moment, stepped back, offering a respectful silence as Ashtram carefully cradled Niranya and carried her toward the back of the temple.
As they reached the secluded courtyard, Ashtram gently lowered her onto a stone bench. The coolness of the temple’s stone was a stark contrast to the heat of her burning feet, but it offered a moment of reprieve. Ashtram knelt before her, his fingers trembling slightly, though his face remained composed. The homemade remedies—ancient and infused with the knowledge passed down through generations—were already prepared. The healing balm was thick and smelled of herbs and oils, a mix of old-world magic and love.
He dipped his fingers into the ointment, the warmth of his touch a soothing comfort against the fire of her pain. But his movements were filled with reverence, as if every brush of his hand was an act of devotion.
Niranya, though exhausted, couldn’t help but notice the raw tenderness in his eyes as he applied the balm to her feet. She winced, her heart aching for him, knowing that the coals had also burned him, but he never let her see his pain.
“Ash...” she whispered softly, her eyes filling with concern. “Your feet... they’re burning too. You walked on the coals... you didn’t need to.”
Ashtram, his voice steady and deep, looked up at her, his love unwavering. “I will take care of myself for you, baccha,” he said quietly. “You gave me this life. I owe it to you.”
As he spoke, his hands moved to her feet again, this time more gently. The ancient remedies were soothing, but they couldn’t take away the overwhelming love he felt for her. As he applied the balm, he lowered his lips to her feet, brushing a soft kiss on each of them. The action was both an act of healing and reverence. Her pain was his pain, and in this moment, he wanted her to know that his devotion ran deeper than any remedy or healing.
Niranya’s eyes widened in surprise and emotion. “Ash...” Her voice faltered as she reached for him. “You don’t have to...”
“I do,” he whispered, kissing her feet once more. “I will always take care of you. This is how I show you my love. By sharing your pain, by standing with you through everything.”
Niranya felt tears prickle in her eyes as she looked down at him, her heart full. “You’ve already given me everything...”
Ashtram stood up slowly, his gaze never leaving her. He cradled her in his arms again, refusing to let go, unwilling to let her face even the smallest part of the world alone. “And I will keep giving, Jaan. I’ll keep giving everything to you.”
With her in his arms, they were ready for whatever came next. Nothing would stand in their way—not pain, not the past, not even the forces of fate. Together, they were unstoppable.
The bond between them had been tested, and they had emerged stronger. Their love was not just a feeling—it was a force, something that could conquer anything.
As they prepared for the next step in their journey, Ashtram held her close, knowing that whatever happened next, they would face it together.
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