Page 165 of One Hellish Love

“Hello, birthday girl. Here’s your present,” he said, extending the box toward her.

Kashish took it with trembling hands, trying to steady herself. She forced a smile.

“It’s from Rudra, isn’t it?”

Shekhar nodded.

“Jay told me it came yesterday from Paris, but Rudra specifically instructed him to give it to you today.”

Her heart swelled with love, but she maintained her composure.

“I’m sure it’s lovely,” she said, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll open it in a bit. Was there something else you needed?”

Shekhar hesitated. “I heard you’re planning to leave early today. Got any plans?”

Kashish chuckled lightly, masking her inner turmoil.

“Yes, a few important ones that can’t wait.”

Shekhar raised a brow.

“What plans, if I may ask?”

Kashish smirked, playing it off.

“You’ll find out when you get home, Shekhar. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to finish these designs before I leave.”

Shekhar smiled, though he was curious, and exited the room, leaving her alone again.

Kashish turned her attention back to the gift Rudra had sent her. There was no card, no message. She had no idea what was inside, but she didn’t need to open it yet. Just holding it close to her heart, she felt his presence. The man she loved, the man who loved her deeply—despite everything—had chosen this for her. She clutched it tighter, imagining that it was him she was holding. The pain in her chest grew sharper, an ache that wouldn’t leave her. Now, more than ever, she understoodthe torment he must have endured all those years, loving her without knowing if she would ever feel the same.

It was agony. Pure, unrelenting agony.

She closed her eyes, trying to push away the tears, but they came anyway. She had to finish her work. There was still something important she needed to do today. The most significant part of her birthday awaited her at home.

*******************

Paris

In the middle of a conference, Rudra couldn’t stop his thoughts from drifting to Kashish.

“Did she open my gift?” he whispered to Lavina, who sat beside him.

Lavina leaned closer, shaking her head. “No, I asked her. She said she’ll open it this evening.”

Rudra sighed, frustrated. Why was she delaying it? Didn’t she want to see what he had gifted her? Lavina noticed the tension on his face and tried to ease it.

“She’s probably just busy, Rudra. Let her open it at home—it’ll mean more that way.”

He nodded, trying to focus on the meeting, but his mind kept wandering back to Kashish. Since he had left for Paris, they hadn’t spoken directly—not once. Everything had gone through Lavina or someone else. There were so many moments when he had wanted to hear her voice, to hear her say his name again, but he had forced himself to maintain distance. He didn’t want to weaken the separation they had agreed upon. But today, on her birthday, he wished he could have broken that silence, just once. She must have expected it, too.

*******************

Raheja Mansion

Shekhar rushed into Kashish’s bedroom, breathless with urgency. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing—her bags were packed, the room nearly empty.

“Kashish, what are you doing?” he asked, his voice edged with panic.

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