Page 199 of One Hellish Love

Rudra’s heart lurched.

“What happened to her?” he asked, nervously dragging Kashish toward the car.

“She has a high fever. She was fine this morning, but she suddenly got dizzy, and now she’s burning up. I’ve called the doctor, but you should come home right away.”

“I’m on my way. Keep me updated.”

Rudra ended the call and opened the car door for Kashish. She had already pieced together what had happened.

“Take us to Uttam Nagar first, Mohan,” Rudra commanded the driver as he slid into the car beside Kashish.

Kashish squeezed his hand gently.

“I want to come with you, Rudra. I need to see her,” she urged softly.

“Not now, Kashish.” Rudra shook his head, his gaze locked on the road ahead. “She won’t be happy to see you, and I don’t want her condition to worsen. I’ll drop you home.”

She understood. Daadi’s disapproval weighed heavily on Rudra’s mind, and bringing her along could make things worse.

“Okay,” she conceded. “But don’t waste time dropping me off. Just leave me anywhere in the city, I can manage. You need to get to her.”

Rudra appreciated her understanding and didn’t argue.

“She’ll be fine,” Kashish reassured him, but Rudra only nodded uncertainly.

Tonight was supposed to be the night he spoke to Daadi about his plan for them to live away from Raheja Mansion after the wedding. But now, that conversation would have to wait until Daadi recovered.

After dropping Kashish off in the city, Rudra sped back to Raheja Mansion. The moment he entered, he made his way to Daadi’s room, where Anjali and Shekhar stood by her bedside.

“Daadi,” Rudra stepped closer, his heart sinking at the sight of her pale, unconscious form.

Shekhar held him back.

“She’s sedated, Rudra. The fever was so high, the doctor had to give her something to make her rest,” he explained.

Rudra clenched his fists, guilt and helplessness overwhelming him.

“How is she Doctor?” he asked the Doctor who was packing up, ready to leave.

“She’s under stress. This fever is a direct result of that. Whatever is stressing her mind is manifesting in her health. She’ll be fine, but she needs complete rest.”

“We’ll need a nurse to monitor her,” Rudra suggested, desperate to ensure Daadi’s recovery.

“I’ve already arranged for one,” Shekhar replied.

Rudra sat by Daadi’s side, brushing his hand over her frail form. Her face was pale, her breathing labored. Seeing her like that broke him.

“Daadi,” he murmured, gently kissing the back of her hand.

Tears filled his eyes, but he held them back, realizing that her condition now was largely his doing. All her life, she had taken care of him, supported him, protected him after the accident that changed his life. She was his rock, and now he felt like he was betraying her by not fulfilling her last wish—to let go of Kashish.

But how could he? Kashish was his love, his lifeline. He couldn’t imagine a world without her. The conflict was tearing him apart inside.

“Please be okay, Daadi,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I need you. We all need you.”

As he sat there, caressing her hand, Rudra felt torn between two worlds. One that held the woman who raised him, and one that held the woman who completed him. How could he possibly choose between them?

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