Page 192 of One Hellish Love

“But Rudra, that’s what relationships are. We work through these things together. What Dr. Scott suggested makes sense.”

“Yes,” he agreed, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. “But for me, that was Plan B.”

Kashish pulled her hand back, her patience thinning.

“And what was Plan A?”

“To heal myself,” he said firmly.

Kashish sighed, exasperated. “You always do this. You lock away your pain and fight it alone. That’s not how this works, Rudra.”

“It worked this time, didn’t it?” he interrupted, his eyes intense. “I don’t pull away from your touch anymore.”

“Lucky me,” she sighed again, resting her head on his chest. “Please, go on.”

Rudra gently combed his fingers through her hair as he continued. “Plan A was to fight my fears head-on. I started medication, but I also enrolled in Krav Maga.”

“Krav Maga?” Kashish looked at him, confused.

“It’s a form of self-defense. It’s intense, both physically and mentally. It teaches you how to handle dangerous situations, to fight back when you’re threatened,” he explained. “It gave me strength. Every time I practiced, I pictured myself fighting the woman who tried to hurt me… and every time, it made me feel stronger, like I was reclaiming that part of me.”

Kashish’s eyes filled with tears. “It helped you?”

“It saved me, Kashish,” he admitted. “That fear is almost gone.”

Overwhelmed, Kashish placed her hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. He was stronger now, more whole.

“Did you tell your family?” she asked.

“I told them I was learning martial arts, but I didn’t go into detail.”

“And the medication? Do you still take it?”

“Only when I have nightmares,” he said.

“How often do those happen now?” she asked softly.

Rudra thought for a moment before smiling. “I haven’t had one since I came back to you.”

Kashish’s heart swelled with pride. She smiled, sipping her coffee.

“I want to meet Dr. Scott. Just once. I want to help you, however I can.”

Rudra nodded, agreeing.

“We can visit him when we go to Paris. Maybe for our honeymoon?”

A smile tugged at her lips as she bit her inner lip. “Sounds good. I’ve always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower.”

“You’ll love Paris,” he whispered, scooping her into his arms again.

Their moment was interrupted by the ring of Rudra’s phone. Kashish urged him to check, and reluctantly, he left the comfort of her arms to answer.

“Yes, Bhai?” Rudra said.

“Where are you?” Shekhar’s voice carried concern. “You weren’t in your room, and Mohan said you didn’t come home last night. I’m worried.”

“I’ll be home in 30 minutes. Have Mohan pick me up,” Rudra replied, smirking.

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