Page 68 of One Hellish Love

She walked downstairs to join Shekhar and Anjali at the breakfast table. Rudra was helping Daadi to the table as well. Kashish instantly felt her discomfort rise, but she forced herself to keep calm. Daadi, for her part, didn’t even acknowledge her presence.

“Rudra, I still have to do my puja before I eat,” Daadi said.

“At least drink some juice, or there’s no puja today,” he warned her, pushing a glass of juice toward her with a tone that brooked no argument.

Daadi looked at him, overwhelmed by his care. This was the Rudra she remembered—the boy who had always been protective of her, attentive to her needs. It was as if the years had rolled back, and Daadi couldn’t help but feel grateful that he was still here, all because Kashish had stopped him from leaving for Paris.

As they all began to eat, Kashish felt an inner tug of guilt. She was the only one who hadn’t asked about Daadi’s health. Despite her strained relationship with the family, she couldn’t remain silent anymore.

“How are you feeling today?” she asked softly.

Daadi gave her a thin smile, barely concealing the disdain behind it. “Better than before.”

Kashish nodded, trying to ignore the tension. “Good. I hope you don’t still blame me for almost taking your grandson away from this family,” she said, her voice laced with bitterness.

Shekhar and Anjali froze mid-bite. Was this really the time for this conversation? Rudra, too, seemed to tighten his focus on his plate, refusing to react.

Daadi’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile. “One good deed doesn’t erase eleven years of coldness. You may not be fully responsible for everything, but you’ve certainly played your part.”

Kashish felt the sting of Daadi’s words burn through her. She shot a glance at Rudra, who remained frustratingly silent, choosing not to intervene.

“Don’t worry, Daadi,” Kashish snapped back. “A few more months, and you won’t have to tolerate me in this house anymore. I was ready to leave the night Rudra brought me back from the police station, but he wouldn’t let me.”

Daadi’s smile didn’t waver.

“That’s the problem, isn’t it? No matter how much you complicate his life, he’s always the first one to protect you.”

“Complicate?” Kashish’s voice rose. “If that’s how you see it, then why don’t you find a bride for your grandson and get him married? Maybe then things wouldn’t be so complicated.”

The entire table fell into an awkward silence. Everyone’s gaze shifted to Kashish, except Rudra, who continued eating as if nothing had been said. He didn’t even blink at her suggestion,though she had thrown it at him deliberately, trying to provoke a reaction.

Daadi’s eyes narrowed. “Now you’re giving me advice on how to handle my grandson?”

“Yes, because your ‘grandson’—” Kashish’s words cut off abruptly when Rudra finally raised his head, his cold, irritated glare silencing her.

Everyone waited for the inevitable clash, but instead, Rudra calmly wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood. Without a word, he strode to Kashish’s side, grabbed the back of her chair, and pulled her up to her feet.

Before she could react, he dragged her out of the dining room. She was too stunned to speak, her feet stumbling as he pulled her outside to the car. Shekhar and Anjali exchanged bewildered looks, unsure of what was happening but too shocked to intervene.

Once they reached the car, Rudra let go of her arm, his eyes blazing with restrained fury.

“Has arguing over every little thing become your new hobby?” he snapped. “Daadi is old and unwell. I’m doing everything I can to help her recover. If you can’t contribute, fine, but stay out of her way. For her sake—and yours.”

Kashish’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. He was scolding her? Before she could respond, he opened the car door and climbed inside. Mohan started the engine, and within moments, they drove away, leaving Kashish standing there, seething.

Just when she had begun to think Anjali might be right about Rudra’s feelings for her, he had gone and shattered any such illusion with his harsh words. Maybe she had misread everything. Maybe Anjali was wrong. Whatever she had thought she understood, Rudra was making it clear—he had no such feelings. Not now, not ever.

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Kashish returned to work with a sense of relief. Fortunately, no one at the office seemed aware of the intense events that had unfolded between her and Rudra just a few days ago, so no one was prying into her personal life. She was grateful that her reputation and dignity remained intact here, unchanged. After a busy day finalizing designs, getting client approvals, and conducting a team meeting, she finally returned to her cabin, trying to center herself.

Just as she settled in, Jay Mathur knocked and entered swiftly.

“Hey, Rudra asked me to give you this.” He handed her an envelope. “Even though he canceled his trip, I’ve been holding onto it.”

Kashish’s eyes flickered with understanding. Jay must know it was her who stopped Rudra from leaving for Paris. His observant gaze told her as much.

“Thanks,” she murmured, taking the envelope.

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