Page 193 of One Hellish Love

“Where should he pick you up from?”

“Kashish’s home.”

Shekhar paused, no doubt processing the implications, but he didn’t ask questions. “Alright, I’ll send Mohan. See you soon.”

As Rudra hung up, he glanced at Kashish, who was busy checking her phone too.

“Who’s messaging you?” he asked.

“Roma. My team’s calling me for a movie this afternoon.”

“And are you going?”

Kashish approached him, playing with the hem of his shirt. “Not if you don’t want me to.”

He pulled her close, his grip firm. “Go.”

“What?” she blinked.

“Go. I’ve got work to do too. Besides, you need a little distraction from me, or you’ll get bored of me soon enough,” he teased.

She playfully punched his chest, but Rudra caught her wrist, softly twisting her around.

“Easy, sweetheart,” he whispered in her ear.

Kashish relaxed into his embrace, smiling.

“I could never get bored of you, Rudra. Don’t say things like that.”

“I’m sorry,” he kissed her forehead, smoothing over the moment. “But really, go. I won’t mind.”

She had to agree.

Within thirty minutes, Rudra was ready to leave. As he got into the car, Kashish stood at the door, watching him drive away, a small smile playing on her lips.

Her phone buzzed immediately after the car left. It was a message from Rudra.

‘Did you sleep well last night?’

Kashish grinned, typing back quickly.

‘I’ve never slept so peacefully before. Did you?’

His reply came almost instantly.

‘Yes. Looking forward to such peaceful sleep forever.’

Kashish’s heart soared. Yes, that’s exactly what she wanted too. The thought of spending even a single night apart from Rudra felt unbearable now. Two months couldn’t pass fast enough.

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

Raheja Mansion

Rudra walked into the house. Shekhar and Anjali, seated at the breakfast table, immediately noticed the subtle yet undeniable change in him. There was a different light in his eyes, a quiet joy radiating from him that hadn’t been there before.

“Rudra,” Shekhar called out, eyeing him curiously.

Rudra didn’t avoid them, didn’t try to mask his mood.

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