Page 180 of One Hellish Love

“Tell me what?” she pressed.

“Uh… nothing. I’m not sure if he’s planning to tell you himself…”

“No, Shekhar, wait. What’s wrong? Where’s Rudra?” Her voice grew sharper, a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest.

“He’s at home, in his room.”

“What? How? He was supposed to come here. I’ve been waiting for him.”

Kashish’s frustration flared.

“Kashish, Daadi really crossed the line today…” Shekhar exhaled deeply.

He told her everything—about Daadi’s ultimatum, her declaration to leave the house if Rudra brought Kashish intoRaheja Mansion as his wife. Kashish’s heart raced in anger and disbelief. How could Daadi not see their happiness? Was that why Rudra hadn’t come? Was he… was he bowing to Daadi’s wishes? Was he really ready to sacrifice their love?

She couldn’t stand the thought. Without another word, Kashish ended the call, threw on her shoes, and rushed out. Within thirty minutes, she was outside Raheja Mansion. The servants greeted her with surprise, but she had no time for pleasantries. Her heart thudded as she hurried to Rudra’s room, pushing the door open. There he was—sitting on the recliner, lost in thought. His eyes widened in shock as he saw her storm in.

“Kashish?”

Without a word, she marched over to him and grabbed the collar of his shirt, shaking him.

“Is this it? Is this how it’s going to end, Rudra Raheja?” she shouted. “Daadi says something, and you just decide to sacrifice me? Sacrifice our love? Is that why you came back from Paris?”

Rudra stared at her, confused, trying to grasp the situation.

“Calm down,” he murmured, reaching for her face, but she shoved his hands away, her anger uncontainable.

“Do you even know what I’m going through right now? All these months, you fought to make me accept your love. Then you left because you wanted me to love you without anyone’s influence, not Daadi’s or anyone else’s. And now, when I love you more than anything in this world, you’re just going to give me up?”

Rudra’s jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with frustration.

“Who told you that?” he demanded.

“Who needs to tell me?” she shot back. “You were supposed to pick me up. I waited for you like a fool, and you didn’t even have the decency to let me know the plans had changed. What am I supposed to think? Did Daadi succeed in tearing us apart?”

She shoved him in anger, but Rudra caught her arms before she could push him further, pulling her close.

“I texted you an hour ago,” he said through gritted teeth.

Kashish blinked in confusion. He sent her a message? How had she missed it? She remembered waking up to Shekhar’s call and hadn’t even thought to check her inbox. Rudra released her arms, pulling out her phone. He showed her the screen—there it was, an unread message from him, saying he couldn’t make it tonight and that he missed her. Damn it! How could she have missed that?

Rudra tossed her phone on the bed and cupped her face between his hands, his eyes intense and filled with anguish.

“I amneverleaving you, Kashish. Not for Daadi, not even for God,” he whispered fiercely. “I just needed time—time to figure out how to stop Daadi from pushing us apart. That’s why I canceled our plans tonight.”

Kashish bit her lip, the shame of her impulsiveness hit her.

“I... I’m sorry, Rudra. Shekhar called, and when he told me about Daadi’s ultimatum, I panicked. I didn’t even think to check my phone or call you. I just rushed here…”

“Look at me, Kashish.” Rudra’s grip tightened on her cheeks, his gaze never leaving hers.

She shook her head, refusing to meet his gaze as the tears spilled down her cheeks. It was all too much. Rudra, sensing her distress, released her face and gently took her hands, guiding them to his chest. Her eyes widened in shock. He had always hated being touched there. His haphephobia had been an obstacle they could never overcome before.

“You have me, Kashish. All of me,” his voice softened, a vulnerable tremor beneath his words. “I can’t give you a better proof than this. You’re my heartbeat. What you’re feeling now, under your fingers—that’s yours.”

Kashish closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the realization of what he was doing. She could feel his heart beating beneath her palm. He was letting her in, breaking down the very barriers that had once stood between them. She let out a soft sob as she stroked her fingers across his chest. She felt him flinch slightly at first, but he didn’t pull away. He was giving her this right, giving her everything.

Tears streaming down her face, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight embrace. Rudra gently lifted her off the ground, rocking her back and forth. This moment—this raw, tender connection—was unlike any they had ever shared. She was the center of his universe, and he would never let her forget it.

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