At his father's command, the son of the Supreme God made a decision—
He would descend to Earth… in human form.
His purpose was singular.
To protect Abha.
Even if it meant protecting her… from his own brother.
The next day—
As announced, girls from across the city gathered at Singhania Industries.
The place was overflowing with excitement, ambition… and greed.
And as always—
Abha was late.
Rushing through the entrance, she collided with someone—
Atul.
The impact sent Atul stumbling forward… straight into Rudra.
Within seconds, all three of them were on the ground.
Rudra lay on the floor.
Atul had fallen at his feet.
And Abha sat a few steps away, stunned.
"I'm so sorry, My Lord! Please forgive me!" Atul panicked, quickly helping Rudra up.
In the process, Abha was pushed back onto the floor.
"You filthy girl! How dare you collide with My Lord?" Atul snapped.
Abha shot him an annoyed look.
"Excuse me? I didn't bump into him—you did."
She stood up, brushing off the dust.
"And don't you think this 'My Lord' nonsense is a bit too much? I saw your interview yesterday—'I'm looking for the queen of my empire' and all that."
Atul glared at her.
"Insolent human. You will pay for your actions in Paatal. I will—"
"Enough, Atul."
Rudra's voice cut through the tension.
He looked at Abha with cold disdain.
"Humans are born insolent," he said calmly."Rude. Ignorant. Shameless."
"To expect anything better from them is foolish."
Atul immediately fell silent.
"Excuse me?" Abha snapped. "Say that again."
Her anger flared.
"You're calling others rude and shameless? Look at yourself—you're human too!"
"How dare you talk like that? And who do you think you are? Just because you're wearing expensive clothes, you think you're God?"
Rudra smirked faintly.
"I'm not God," he said. "Because unlike Him… I dress well."
His gaze moved from her head to toe.
"And look at you."
"You don't even know how to speak to the man you came here to marry."
He turned away dismissively.
"Anyway, arguing with you is pointless."
"Go to the reception, collect your money, and leave. One look at you is enough to tell… you are of no use to me."
With that, he walked toward the elevator, Atul following behind him.
Abha stood there, fuming.
"What a great start to the day…" she muttered under her breath.
"My Lord… don't you think we should have stopped her?" Atul asked once they were inside.
"No."
Rudra scoffed.
"Did you see her face? My father would never choose someone like her."
"She would be beautiful… flawless. That girl was nothing like that."
He smirked.
"And those glasses… to have eyes and still be blind—that's what she looked like."
He glanced at Atul.
"And stop calling me My Lord here. Call me Sir."
"Yes, My Lo—… I mean, Sir," Atul corrected himself.
Meanwhile—
Abha stormed out of the building, burning with anger.
The receptionist forced an envelope of cash into her hands.
For a moment, she hesitated.
But seeing the awkward expression on the receptionist's face, she took it.
One day… I'll throw this money back in his face, she promised herself.
Back home—
She stood in front of the mirror.
"Do I really look that bad?" she murmured.
"No… not at all."
She frowned slightly.
"Or is it my clothes?"
She looked at her reflection—T-shirt, jeans, simplicity.
"Why would anyone want to wear those tight dresses? You can't walk, you can't sit… and everyone keeps staring at you."
"How do girls even wear those things?"
She sighed.
Maybe… she should have learned all this.
Spending most of her life around Arjun and Raj—
Sometimes she felt like she was becoming one of the boys.
But what was wrong with T-shirts and jeans?
They were comfortable.
They were her.
Then why…
Why were Rudra's words affecting her so much?
It wasn't like she had gone there to marry him.
Her thoughts drifted back—
To that moment when Arjun had given her hope.
Maybe… somewhere… someone exists who is meant just for you.
Someone… who would love her.
Elsewhere—
Rudra's entire day had been wasted.
The girl he had been searching for—
She was nowhere to be found.
Frustration burned within him as he entered his cabin.
"I feel like burning this entire place to the ground," he muttered.
"But I cannot. Not here. Not without my powers."
Atul stood silently nearby.
Suddenly—
A figure appeared in front of Rudra.
A messenger.
"How are you, My Lord?" he said with a smile. "I hear Paatal has been unusually quiet lately."
Rudra narrowed his eyes.
"You? How did you find me?"
The messenger chuckled.
"Oh, I've always been your admirer. How could I not follow you?"
"Just like humans have followers on social media… I am one of your biggest followers across Heaven and Paatal."
Rudra stepped closer.
"If you admire me so much… then tell me—who is she? Where will I find her?"
The messenger smiled.
"She is here… on Earth. In this very city. Close to you."
"She will come to you on her own."
"Trust me—you will meet her soon. And this time… you will recognize her."
"I can see the future. And I have seen yours."
Rudra's expression darkened.
"Your prophecy had better be true," he said coldly. "Or you know what I'm capable of."
The messenger didn't flinch.
"My prophecy will come true, My Lord. But your intentions… and her desires… may change the future."
Rudra smirked.
"Once I find her… I know exactly how to buy humans."
The messenger smiled quietly.
"Perhaps… but let's see who gets bought in the end."
"Oh, and one more thing," he added.
"Your brother… has already arrived on Earth."
"Find him soon."
"Or your troubles… will only grow."