Page 50 of One Hellish Love

“Rudra, where did you go so early this morning? Ram Prasad mentioned something about urgent work,” Daadi asked, turning toward him with a hint of curiosity.

Rudra quietly shut the door, ensuring no one—especially Kashish—could overhear this conversation. The look on his face was unmistakable: anger, frustration, and something deeper. Daadi noticed instantly, her eyes narrowing in concern.

“You know Uday Khatri?” Rudra’s voice was sharp, direct, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

Daadi’s heart skipped a beat. The name caught her off guard. How did Rudra know? But she quickly composed herself, masking her shock with denial.

“No, I don’t know anyone by that name,” she lied, attempting to move past him.

But Rudra stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

“You always taught me to tell the truth. Why are you lying to me now, Daadi?” he demanded.

Daadi sighed, realizing there was no escaping this. Somehow, Rudra had uncovered the connection between Kashish, Uday Khatri, and herself.

“I lied because I don’t want you involved in this mess, Rudra,” she admitted, her voice trembling with emotion. “You’ve been through enough. You’ve come back after so long, and I want you to find peace. I want you to be happy.”

Her concern was genuine, but Rudra wasn’t swayed.

“Why didn’t you just pay off the debt and settle it?” he asked, his tone strained.

Daadi looked at him incredulously. “Why should we? It’s their debt, not ours. We have no business getting involved.”

Rudra had expected this answer, but it didn’t make it any easier to hear. He needed to make her understand.

“Her house is mortgaged to them, Daadi. That’s all she has left from her family. You can’t expect her to lose it.”

Daadi’s face hardened with fury. “What happens to her house is her problem. You shouldn’t be getting entangled in this, Rudra. She isnotyour responsibility.”

“Sheismy responsibility!” Rudra’s voice thundered, filling the room with raw emotion. Daadi flinched, startled by the intensity in his voice. “She lost her father because of me. I won’t let her lose anything else.”

Daadi was shaken. She grasped his arm, trying to pull him back to reason.

“Rudra, why are you doing this for her? Can’t you see how much she hates you? No matter what you do, she’ll never acknowledge your good intentions. She’s filled with bitterness.”

“I’m not doing this for her forgiveness,” he said through gritted teeth. “What I’m doing, you or anyone else will never understand.”

With that, he shrugged off her hand and stormed out of the room.

Savitri stood there, stunned by his words. She realized the depth of Rudra’s resolve—his undying commitment to Kashish, despite her hatred. As his grandmother, she couldn’t bear to seehim suffer more because of that woman. She knew she had to act, and fast, to get Kashish out of Rudra’s life forever.

Rudra walked through the hallway. The confrontation with Daadi had only fuelled his frustration. As he approached his room, Kashish appeared, blocking his path. She had been waiting for him, and her sharp gaze told him she had overheard enough to be suspicious.

“What are you hiding from me?” she demanded, trying to keep her anger in check. She wasn’t here for a fight—she wanted answers.

Rudra stood silent, unmoved by her words.

“I know this has something to do with me. That’s why I need to know,” Kashish pressed on, her voice rising. “What were you doing in Uttam Nagar? Why did you drag me out of there so quickly?”

“When the time comes, I’ll tell you everything,” Rudra replied, keeping his voice calm, trying not to provoke her further. He turned to walk to his room, but she wasn’t done.

“So, itisabout me. What is it? I have a right to know. I don’t trust you with any of my personal matters,” she shouted after him, her frustration spilling over.

Rudra entered his bedroom, and despite his urge to shut the door in her face, he paused. She had followed him, stepping into his space—again. His silence was deliberate; he knew the truth about Uday Khatri would only infuriate her further. She would never accept his help, never allow him to pay the debt hanging over her head.

Kashish looked around the room, realizing where she had stepped. It washisroom—the place she despised the most. Her gaze shifted, landing on an easel by the poolside. A sketch was resting on it, partly concealed by a thin layer of translucent paper. The sight of it stopped her cold. Did he sketch? That wassomething she hadn’t known. And then she saw the face beneath the paper—a face that seemed eerily familiar.

Her breath hitched. Was that... her?

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