Page 147 of One Hellish Love

Rudra gently lowered her to the ground, his mood visibly shifting.

“I don’t like these kinds of jokes, Kashish. Please,” he muttered, taking out his phone to call the driver.

Before he could dial, she snatched the phone from his hand.

“I’m serious,” she said softly but firmly. “Shekhar told me you learned to drive when you were abroad. You even got a license. Why don’t you drive here?”

His temper flared, and his grip tightened on her wrist before she could reach for him again.

“You don’t know why I don’t drive anymore?”

She realized this had turned into more of a confrontation than a gentle conversation. She sighed and softened her tone.

“Let it go. That fear of hurting someone again—it won’t happen. Not anymore.”

Even though she addressed the root of his fear, Rudra remained unconvinced. His brow furrowed as he stared at her, his voice sharper now.

“Kashish, don’t. I don’t want to discuss this anymore.”

For years, he had carried the weight of believing he could be the cause of someone else’s pain. He’d built a wall of caution around himself, convincing his mind it was for everyone’s safety. But no matter how much reassurance Kashish or anyone else gave him, he couldn’t accept it. The driver finally appeared, apologizing for his delay. Rudra grabbed Kashish’s hand and tugged her toward the car, but she stood her ground.

Seeing her reluctance, he growled, “Fine. Good night then,” before storming back toward the house, his frustration simmering.

Kashish watched him go, unsurprised by his reaction. She hadn’t expected him to confront his fears so quickly. It would take time, but she didn’t have that luxury. Daadi’s looming threats haunted her mind, urging her to help Rudra heal before the situation spiraled further out of control.

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Rudra lay on his bed, replaying the events of the past hour. He’d been so eager to take Kashish out for dessert, but she had ruined the moment with her request for him to drive. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door knob turning. He glanced up to see Kashish entering his room, now dressed in her nightclothes. His anger hadn’t subsided, and he turned his back to her, hoping she’d take the hint and leave.

But she didn’t. Instead, he felt her arm gently slide around his waist as she hugged him from behind, careful not to touch his chest, her breath warm against his neck.

“I ruined your mood, didn’t I?” she whispered into his ear.

Rudra tensed. What was she doing?

“Go back to your room, Kashish. We’ve both had a long day,” he muttered.

Kashish felt a lump rise in her throat. She had pushed him too hard, too soon. She didn’t want to rush the healing process or make him uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I was trying to rush things, to make you feel normal again.”

Rudra turned around finally meeting her eyes.

“Won’t you love me the way I am?”

The pain in his voice broke her. Her tears threatened to spill, but she held them back. His question hurt so much. But maybe it was her fault - she’d acted so strange today, rushing around like that. Of course he’d think something was wrong.

Moving slowly, she reached up and put her hands on his face.

“I love you exactly as you are, Rudra. I don’t want to change you—not for me, not for anyone. I just want to take away your fears.”

He pulled her hand and kissed her palm.

“Then just stay with me, and those fears will disappear.”

Just then his mind processed her recent words and his entire being froze. She said she loved him?She loved him.

A sudden rush of elation surged through him. He pulled her closer, his hands trembling slightly with excitement, his breath shallow as he cupped her face gently and tilted it toward him.

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