Page 103 of One Hellish Love

“That’s the last thing that will ever happen, Rudra. Even if my father came down from heaven and asked me to accept your feelings, I wouldn’t.”

He let go of her arm, but just as she was about to flee, the pendant around her neck got caught on his shirt button, pulling her back toward him. Their heads collided, and Rudra quickly steadied her, holding her still.

“Wait,” he said, his voice softening as he noticed the pendant. It was the same one Kashish had worn since childhood—the one her father had given her. Rudra smiled weakly.

“Maybe your father wants you to take back your words,” he whispered.

Kashish averted her gaze, about to untangle the pendant when Rudra gently caught her wrist, reminding her of his fear of being touched. She dropped her hands, and Rudra carefully unhooked the pendant from his shirt. In the process, his fingers brushed her neck. Kashish closed her eyes, feeling paralyzed by the touch. Rudra’s face tensed equally as the sensation of her skin sent a shockwave through his body.

The moment he unhooked the pendant and freed her, Kashish didn’t waste a second before rushing out of the room. Rudra leaned against the wall, breathing hard, trying to understand what had just happened between them. Whatever it was, it had shaken them both to the core.

CHAPTER 35

“He’s mad… he’s completely mad,” Kashish muttered angrily as she stormed out of Rudra’s room, his words echoing in her mind, leaving a deep, unsettling impact on her heart.

“Even if Ruchi proves to be the best wife in the world, I don’t need her, Kashish. And you know why.”

“Whatever I will ever need someday will be from YOU. Don’t generalize it.”

Kashish stopped abruptly, shutting her eyes tight. Did he even realize what he was doing? He was practically blackmailing her emotionally. If he thought confessing his feelings for her in front of Ruchi would push her out of his life, he was wrong. She didn’t care who knew about his so-called love for her, because it didn’t matter to her. Itwould nevermatter to her.

Just then, Ruchi blocked her path, glaring at Kashish with an accusatory look.

“What’s going on, Kashish?” Ruchi demanded, her frustration clear. “You said I had a call, but there was nothing! What are you playing at? One minute you’re trying to help me get close to Rudra, and the next, you’re ruining everything!”

Kashish pressed her forehead, trying to compose a response.

“I didn’t mean to disrupt anything, Ruchi. Believe me, I wasn’t trying to sabotage your efforts. I thought it would help you.”

“Oh really?” Ruchi scoffed, folding her arms. “I don’t believe you. You’re doing all this to show the family that you’re beingloyal, that you want to repay their kindness. But deep down, you’re selfish. You still hold a grudge against Rudra, and you can’t bear to see anything good happen in his life. You don’t want him to settle down.”

Ruchi’s words struck a nerve, igniting a fire of anger within Kashish. This girl had no idea how hard she had been working to help Rudra overcome his demons. But why did it matter what anyone thought? She didn’t need validation for her actions.

“What’s the matter? No comeback? Or should I take your silence as admission that I’m right?” Ruchi sneered.

Kashish sighed deeply. People were quick to judge, but they seldom saw the truth beneath the surface.

“I don’t care what you think, Ruchi. I know why I’m doing this, and that’s all that matters.” With that, she brushed past Ruchi and headed for her room, leaving the bewildered woman standing alone.

As soon as she entered her room, Kashish called Jay to check Rudra’s schedule for the next day. Though Jay asked why she needed to know, she dodged his questions. Rudra had a two-hour break in the afternoon, and she intended to use that time to drag him to his appointment with Dr. Akash. This was no longer a suggestion—it was a necessity. Rudra had to confront his past and get the help he desperately needed.

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

The next morning, Rudra finished a call with Jay, who had informed him of Kashish’s inquiry into his schedule. Rudra was no fool—he knew exactly what she was planning. He had no intention of being dragged to therapy. As he mulled over how to confront her, an envelope slid under his door. Curious, he picked it up and read the contents. It was a handwritten note, detailing his appointment with Dr. Akash. Rudra crumpled it in his hand, ready to toss it in the trash.

But before he could throw it away, the door opened, and Kashish walked in.

“Crushing that note won’t cancel the appointment,” she remarked.

Rudra tossed the crumpled paper into the bin anyway.

“You’re wasting your time. I’ve told you before—you should use it for something more productive.”

“I know exactly how I want to spend my time,” she shot back. “And I’m not letting you skip this appointment. You’re going.”

“For whom?” he snarled, stepping closer. “You want me ‘fixed’ so you can pair me up with Ruchi, right?”

Kashish froze. She hadn’t expected him to twist it like this.

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