Page 217 of One Hellish Love

Bedi House

“Kashish, what are you doing?” Anjali’s voice cut through Kashish’s anxious pacing as she found her holding her phone, clearly about to make a call.

“I... I was going to call Rudra. What’s taking him so long?” Kashish responded, unable to hide her frustration.

Anjali sighed and gently took the phone from her.

“Careful with your Mehndi! You’ll ruin it. Rudra hasn’t even had the chance to admire it yet, and here you are about to smudge it all over the place. You need to be more careful.”

Kashish rolled her eyes dramatically.

“You’re expecting too much, Anju. I guess he doesn’t love me that passionately anymore. Typical guy—chasing you relentlessly until you give in, and then the moment they have you, they start taking you for granted.”

Anjali couldn’t help but giggle at Kashish’s exaggerated complaints.

“Rudra isn’t like other men, and you know that better than anyone,” she said.

“Whatever,” Kashish mumbled, rolling her eyes again.

“‘Whatever?’” came a familiar voice from the doorway.

He was here—finally. Her heart raced as she took in his presence. He looked devastatingly handsome in that maroon kurta, and she couldn’t help but wonder who had selected that outfit for him. Perhaps Rudra really was taking their pre-wedding rituals seriously.

“There he is,” Shekhar said with a sigh of relief. “Rudra, you’ve been sorely missed. What kept you?”

But Rudra’s eyes never left Kashish. She stood there in a rich maroon lehnga, her face glowing with happiness, her hands hidden behind her back as if shielding her Mehndi from his gaze. She was clearly annoyed, and he could tell from the way she held her lips tight, trying to contain her frustration at his delay.

“Daadi caught me leaving,” Rudra replied.

The room fell silent. Everyone’s expressions changed.

“What did you tell her?” Shekhar asked cautiously.

“I didn’t make any excuses. You know I can’t lie to her. I told her I was coming here, and she figured it out. With you and Anjali gone, it wasn’t hard for her to realize we’ve started the wedding rituals.”

Anjali’s grip tightened on Shekhar’s hand, worry flashing in her eyes.

“And you think she’ll be okay with this?” she asked. “What will she do when she finds out about the wedding day?”

Shekhar gave her a reassuring squeeze, glancing at Kashish, who now looked even more tense.

“We shouldn’t create more fear,” he whispered to Anjali, trying to lift the mood.

Anjali forced a smile and tried to lighten everyone’s mood.

“Rudra, aren’t you going to see Kashish’s Mehndi?”

“I wouldn’t mind… if she’s willing to show it to me,” Rudra said, stepping closer to Kashish, who stubbornly kept her hands behind her back.

“You’re late,” she muttered under her breath.

Anjali and Shekhar exchanged knowing smiles and quietly excused themselves, leaving the couple alone.

“I explained why I was late,” Rudra said softly, stepping closer.

“You still deserve a punishment,” she shot back, a playful glint in her eyes.

“Punishment?” he raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “And what exactly would that be?”

---