Page 97 of One Hellish Love

“I’ve never gone back to that house since the accident, Kaaki. I’m scared… scared of the memories that place holds. Going back there… opening that trunk… it’ll bring everything back. I miss him so much,” she choked, her voice trembling as fresh tears began to fall.

Veeru Kaaka offered comforting words.

“Kashish, you have to gather your strength. It’s been years since the accident, and perhaps your father left you this key to tell you something important. You should go back, face it, and see what he wanted to show you.”

His words rang with wisdom, and although she was scared, they made sense. Kashish had always refused Shekhar’s attempts to take her back to her old home in Uttam Nagar. She had only ever admired it from afar, never daring to step inside. But now, it seemed inevitable. She nodded slowly.

“I’ll go.”

“That’s good,” Veeru Kaaki said gently, “but first, let’s eat dinner. I made your favorite—Aloo Puri, just like when you were a child.”

Kashish wasn’t hungry. Her mind was spinning from all that had happened—Rudra’s sudden confession, and now this mystery key from her father. How could she possibly process it all?

Later that night, after sharing dinner with Veeru Kaaka’s family, Kashish returned to Raheja Mansion. She held the key tightly in her hand, wondering when she would gather the courage to visit her old home and uncover what her father hadleft for her. Exhausted, she lay down on her bed, still clutching the key, feeling like it was the only tangible connection she had left to her father.

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

The next morning, Rudra stepped out of his room, dressed sharply for work. As he buttoned his suit, he was deep in conversation with Jay on his Bluetooth.

“Jay, what do you mean Daadi’s no longer in Haridwar? She told me it was a four-day trip!” Rudra barked into the phone; frustration evident in his tone.

At the same time, Kashish emerged from her room, shutting the door behind her. She hurried toward the stairs but collided with Rudra as he passed by. She stumbled, but before she could hit the ground, Rudra caught her, holding her securely in his arms. For a moment, their eyes locked, the weight of yesterday’s confession hanging between them. His grip tightened around her waist, and she clutched his shirt over his strong arms, wrinkling the pristine fabric.

“I don’t appreciate it when people close to me don’t inform me of their whereabouts,” Rudra snapped on the phone without moving his gaze from her.

Kashish’s confusion grew. Was that a dig at her for not telling him where she had gone last night? Her initial instinct was to argue back, but before she could, Rudra pointed to his Bluetooth, signaling that the comment was directed at someone else. Still, she knew part of it was aimed at her. He was playing it smart.

“No, Jay, don’t do anything. I’ll call her myself and confirm,” Rudra said, starting down the stairs. Kashish followed close behind.

As they reached the living room, Daadi walked in through the door. Rudra’s surprise was evident. He immediately approached her to take her blessings, but his concern quickly surfaced.

“Where did you go from Haridwar, Daadi? And why didn’t you inform me about your change of plans?” he asked.

Daadi smiled, touching his cheek lovingly.

“Rudra, if I had told you where I wanted to go, you wouldn’t have let me,” she replied, her tone light.

Before Rudra could press further, a new voice chimed in from behind them.

“Hello, handsome.”

Kashish, who was on her way to the kitchen, stopped in her tracks. She turned to see a young woman in her mid-twenties, removing her sunglasses and flashing a bold smile at Rudra. He turned to his Daadi, his expression unreadable, as she introduced the girl.

“Rudra, this is Ruchi, my friend’s granddaughter,” Daadi announced warmly.

Shekhar and Anjali joined them, equally surprised by Daadi’s sudden return with Ruchi. Everyone knew exactly what Daadi’s intentions were in bringing her here. Kashish’s jaw clenched. So, this was the woman Daadi had chosen for Rudra? Ruchi’s elegance and wealth were evident in her appearance and style, but Kashish couldn’t help but wonder if she would be the right fit for a man as complicated as Rudra Raheja. Could Ruchi even begin to heal the pain Rudra carried?

“Rudra, Ruchi will be staying with us for a week,” Daadi informed him with a smile.

While Shekhar and Anjali welcomed her, Rudra’s face darkened. Without saying a word, he walked out of the house. Ruchi pouted in disappointment.

“Daadi, he didn’t even talk to me,” she whined.

Daadi, clearly upset by Rudra’s cold behavior, tried to smooth things over.

“He must have something important at work, beta. Come, meet my elder grandson Shekhar and his wife.”

Shekhar introduced himself and Anjali, but when Ruchi turned her attention to Kashish, her tone shifted.

---