Page 226 of One Hellish Love

Suman’s head hung low in shame, while Kashish’s eyes blazed with fury as she turned to Daadi.

“This is the woman you chose for Rudra?” Kashish asked. “She didn’t think twice before risking his life for her silly plans. Would you have taken responsibility if something had happened to him today?”

Daadi swallowed hard, guilt choking her.

“I might not be the woman you wanted for your grandson but I promise you this, Daadi—if anyone dares to play with hisfeelings, his dignity, or his life, I won’t tolerate it. Not even if that person is someone he considers his own.”

Daadi’s eyes met Kashish’s, and what she saw there made her pause. There was a fire in the young woman’s gaze, a determination that hadn’t been there before. Seeing Rudra’s distress had awakened something in Kashish, and now, like a lioness protecting her mate, she was ready to face down anyone who threatened their happiness – even the family matriarch herself.

“You both don’t want to see us married? Fine,” Kashish continued. “I don’t care anymore. Even if this marriage doesn’t happen today, it changes nothing between us.”

She took a step closer, her conviction growing with each word.

“We don’t need society’s approval for our love or for choosing to be together. So, even if you try to stop this wedding by manipulating him, by using your position in his heart to blackmail him emotionally, I want you to know something, Daadi. Rudra will never give any other woman the place he has given me in his heart and his life. And that truth…that’s enough for me to live on for a lifetime.”

From where he stood, Rudra watched her with undisguised pride and admiration. This was a side of Kashish he had never seen before – a warrior for their love, standing fierce and unafraid before the formidable women who opposed them.

Daadi stood speechless, her usual commanding presence momentarily shaken. Though she would never admit it openly, there was a glimmer of impressed recognition in her eyes. For the first time, she saw the depth of Kashish’s love for Rudra. And though she still didn’t approve, she couldn’t bring herself to stop the marriage anymore.

Perhaps Kashish was right – Suman had been a miscalculation. In her haste to secure what she thought was bestfor Rudra, Daadi realized she had set in motion a plan without considering its full consequences.

Suman, standing there, looked utterly defeated as Daadi turned away from Kashish and Rudra.

“Daadi, please,” Suman pleaded. “Forgive me.”

Daadi raised her hand, stopping her. “I expected more from you, Suman. I was wrong.”

She lowered her head, remorse clear on her face. “I was foolish. I thought I could prove myself, but I made a grave mistake. Kashish is right—I can never take her place in Rudra’s heart. What they have... it’s love. Real love.”

Daadi listened but said nothing.

“Please forgive me, Daadi. I wanted to make things right, but I only made things worse. I realize now that nothing can break Rudra and Kashish apart. The sooner you accept that, the sooner peace will return to your family.”

With that, Suman left the temple.

Daadi cast one last, long look at her grandson – the boy she had raised, the man he had become today. She then turned around to head back home. Even if she didn’t want it, the marriage was inevitable and she had no plans of interrupting it anymore. Shekhar tried to stop her but she didn’t. He ensured Mohan drove her back home and also informed Mohan to ask Ram Prasad to keep an eye on her strictly until they reached home. He didn’t want any more mishaps happening with her or anyone in the family.

Once that was taken care, he rushed back at the temple, pulling Rudra into a tight embrace.

“I was so scared for you,” Shekhar admitted.

Rudra, unaccustomed to such displays of affection, awkwardly returned the hug.

“I’m fine, Bhai.”

“No, you’re not,” Shekhar scolded, pulling away. “Come here.”

He dragged Rudra to the side, making him sit down as Anjali brought the first aid kit. Kashish knelt before Rudra, her tears flowing freely now. Rudra wiped her tears away, his touch gentle.

“Kashish, I’m fine. Stop crying.”

She swallowed her sobs and started cleaning his wounds. Anjali, understanding their need for privacy, spoke quietly with the priest, giving them space.

“You thought I wouldn’t come?” Rudra asked her.

She didn’t respond right away. She had tried to stay confident in his absence, but deep down, fear had gnawed at her, fear that his loyalty to Daadi might tear them apart. She had faith in their love, but Rudra’s complicated relationship with his grandmother had been too much to bear.

“Maybe we should push the wedding for later,” she suggested. “You’re hurt. I don’t want to see you in more pain.”

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