Page 202 of One Hellish Love

Rudra pushed open the door to Daadi’s room. She was sitting in bed while the nurse checked her vitals. The moment she saw him, she was startled, but she masked it quickly, turning her gaze away from him.

“Good morning, Daadi,” he greeted her casually, as though the tension from the previous day hadn’t existed at all.

Daadi didn’t respond, her silence colder than the room’s air.

“How is she doing today, nurse?” he asked.

“She’s stable. No fever. The medicines are taking effect,” the nurse replied.

“Saw, Daadi? Nothing can keep you down for long. You’ll be up and about soon, just like always.”

But Daadi still refused to meet his eyes, her expression distant, almost indifferent. Rudra walked over to her bed and placed the breakfast tray in front of her.

“That’s your soup,” he said softly. “Remember how you used to feed me soup when I was a kid? You’d tell me stories about animals and birds, and I’d always ask for more.”

Daadi’s eyes flickered, memories surfacing. She swallowed hard, remembering a time when Rudra, even at eight years old, still craved those stories. Despite being beyond the age for such tales, he’d loved them anyway. Rudra dipped the spoon into the bowl and held it up to her lips.

“Today, it’s my turn to feed you. Only... I don’t have any stories to tell,” he said with a soft chuckle, hoping to break through the cold wall she’d built around herself.

Before Daadi could respond, Shekhar entered the room and asked the nurse for a moment alone. Daadi glanced at Shekhar, her gaze sharp.

“Shekhar... ask him to leave,” Daadi commanded.

Shekhar hesitated, his eyes meeting Rudra’s, torn between Daadi’s wish and the pain written across Rudra’s face.

“Rudra, maybe we should—” Shekhar began, but Rudra cut him off.

“I’m not leaving, Daadi. I’ve spent too long running away—from your commands, from this world that judged me for my mistakes, and even from the love of my life. I’m done running. I want to face it all.”

Daadi’s eyes flared with anger as she looked at him, her fury unmasked.

“Look at him, Shekhar!” she spat. “He’s already bought a house to move in with that woman after their marriage, and yet he claims he’s not running away from me?”

Rudra was momentarily stunned. How did she find out about the house? Was that why she had fallen ill so suddenly? The weight of guilt settled in his chest as he nodded slowly.

“Yes, it’s true. I was planning to tell you yesterday, Daadi, but—”

“Don’t lie!” Daadi snapped. “You weren’t going to tell us. You don’t care about anyone anymore—just that woman, that woman who has poisoned your mind since the day she entered your life.”

Rudra clenched his teeth, struggling to control his temper. He could never tolerate false accusations against Kashish, but he knew he needed to remain calm.

“I will never accept her in this house,” she declared with finality.

Rudra’s heart ached, but he couldn’t let her hatred of Kashish’s father continue to poison everything.

“You can’t blame her for her father’s actions,” he still argued. “Kashish isn’t responsible for what he did.”

“That’s not the only reason I despise her,” Daadi shot back. “You’ve conveniently forgotten how she insulted you every chance she got, how she hurt you—physically and emotionally. That scar on your forehead,” she pointed angrily, “that was her doing, wasn’t it?”

Rudra instinctively touched the scar. It was true—Kashish had thrown that stone at him when they were children. But she had changed. And their love had healed so many wounds.

“Kashish has nothing to do with the phobia I have,” Rudra insisted. “She’s the one helping me overcome it, Daadi. She’s the reason I’m finally finding peace. She’s my solace.”

“Peace?” she echoed bitterly. “Is that what you think this is?”

Rudra exhaled sharply, trying to hold onto his patience.

“Fine. Let’s not talk about Kashish anymore. For the next few weeks, let’s just... be like we used to. Like the old days. No more fights, no more arguments about her. Please, Daadi. Can we just try to be a family again?”

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