Page 150 of One Hellish Love

“It was Savitri Raheja, your grandmother.”

The words hit him like a blow. Rudra stood in stunned silence. “Daadi was in Jaipur?”

“Yes, Boss. She had a return ticket booked for the same evening,” Jay added.

Why had Daadi come to Jaipur? Why hadn’t she told him? His thoughts immediately shifted to Kashish. That was the same day she had taken off from work, the same day she had confessed her love for him. Could this be connected?

Was Kashish’s confession genuine, or had Daadi somehow influenced her? The possibility tore at his heart. No, Kashish loved him—he had felt it. But what had really happened that day? Had Daadi and Kashish met? What was said between them?

Rudra ended the call and sank onto the bed. He had to get to the bottom of this. Kashish was keeping something from him—something big. And now he had proof that Daadi was involved.

He knew Kashish wouldn’t willingly reveal the truth, especially if she had promised Daadi something. She was too loyal, too determined to keep her word. But he couldn’t stand being kept in the dark any longer.

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

The afternoon crawled by slowly. Kashish wrapped up her presentation at Mehta’s office, her heart brimming with satisfaction. Most of her designs had been approved, marking the successful beginning of the next phase of the project. Her first instinct was to share this moment of triumph with Rudra. She hurried to his cabin, excitement bubbling inside her, only to find it empty. A quick inquiry with the manager revealed that Rudra was in the conference room. Without wasting a moment, she headed there and knocked softly before entering.

Rudra was on the phone, his voice clipped, his expression focused. The second he saw her, though, his gaze softened.

“I’ll call you back,” he muttered into the phone, disconnecting almost immediately, his eyes now solely on her.

Kashish smiled, but it was tentative, unsure. She could sense the importance of the call he had just ended, and the fact that he cut it short—just for her—made her heart stir in ways she didn’t want to admit.

“Sorry... I thought you were done,” she apologized, feeling slightly guilty for interrupting.

“I am done now,” Rudra replied, standing and moving toward her, his presence filling the space between them.

Without wasting another second, Kashish pulled out the papers, beaming with pride.

“My designs got selected!”

Rudra’s face lit up, but there was a flicker of something else—something darker, heavier—that briefly clouded his eyes. She noticed but decided to ignore it, choosing instead to focus on the moment.

“I knew they would. They were the best,” he said, his voice full of certainty.

“You saw them?”

“Of course. I went over them before the presentation. They were brilliant,” he praised, his words sending her spirits soaring.

Kashish was over the moon. It felt good to hear him acknowledge her work, though she’d never doubted it. Their combined efforts had paid off, and now, the success felt even sweeter.

“The team is planning to celebrate,” she announced, her joy bubbling over.

“Let them celebrate. We won’t be joining.”

Her excitement faltered slightly.

“We’re not? Why?”

“Because we have other plans.”

“Plans?” she echoed, her brows knitting together in confusion. “What plans, Rudra?”

He only smiled wider, clearly enjoying the suspense.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Rudra, please, no more surprises. Just tell me what you’re planning.” Kashish crossed her arms.

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