Page 104 of One Hellish Love

“I don’t want to get treated if this is all for Ruchi,” he repeated, his smirk mocking. “So, tell me, Kashish—who are you really doing this for?”

His question caught her off guard. Rudra always had a way of trapping her in these impossible conversations, leaving her fumbling for answers. By the time she gathered her thoughts, he had already closed the distance between them, his eyes piercing into hers.

“I live or die with my fears—it shouldn’t matter to you,” he said, his voice low but biting.

Kashish swallowed hard. Why did he always have to push things to the extreme? Gathering her strength, she finally responded.

“You matter to your family, and they matter to me. That’s why I’m doing this. Don’t make me regret helping you. Just this once—please, show up.”

“I won’t,” he declared coldly.

“I’ll wait for you,” she challenged.

“That wait will never end,” he warned, his tone hardening.

Kashish smiled, undeterred.

“I don’t think so. You’ll come, Rudra. You’ll come, and you’ll prove me right.”

Her confidence seemed to catch him off guard. Without another word, Kashish turned and left the room, leaving him stunned and unsettled by her certainty.

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The Clinic

“Ma’am, it’s your turn now. Please take the left for the doctor’s cabin,” the receptionist guided Kashish.

With a heavy sigh, Kashish stood up, casting one last glance at the entrance of the clinic. Rudra was nowhere to be seen. Disappointment washed over her. He’d let her down again, just as she had feared. She had booked the appointment for him, hoping he’d finally confront his phobia, but he hadn’t shown up. She should have known better. But she wasn’t going to leave without seeing Dr. Akash. If Rudra refused to face this, maybe the doctor could offer her some guidance. She walked through the lobby and took a left turn. As she reached for the door knob, someone else’s hand covered hers. Her heart skipped a beat.

She looked up, and a wave of both relief and disbelief washed over her.He was here.Rudra had come. Though disoriented and restless, he stood beside her, gripping her hand as if reluctant to be here, like a child afraid of a doctor’s visit.

“I’m glad you made it,” she whispered softly.

Rudra rolled his eyes, turned the knob, and walked in, leading them both inside.

“Please come in,” Dr. Akash Dixit welcomed them with a warm smile. His jovial energy was evident, a calm aura that seemed fitting for his profession. Rudra, however, remained stiff. He pulled out a chair for Kashish before sitting down next to her, though his body language screamed reluctance.

Dr. Akash skimmed through the patient form Kashish had filled out, then addressed them both.

“Based on the symptoms and brief history mentioned here, it seems you’re dealing with haphephobia. It’s a rare but treatable condition.”

Rudra immediately shot a look at Kashish.

“What symptoms?” he demanded.

“Just a few that I noticed living with you. I know they’re not all, so you can add anything else you think is important,” Kashish explained calmly.

“She’s right,” Dr. Akash chimed in. “Sometimes, family members notice things that the individual might not. But I’ll need a more comprehensive history from you to tailor the right therapy.”

Rudra’s face hardened. The idea of revisiting the past, the root of his phobia, visibly disturbed him.

“I don’t need to share anything. You already know the problem—just treat it,” he snapped, anger flickering in his eyes.

Kashish sighed, feeling his frustration. She knew how hard it was for him to open up, but this was necessary.

“Rudra,” Dr. Akash began in a gentle tone, “it’s crucial for me to understand where this all started so I can figure out the best approach for your treatment. I need your cooperation to help you through this. Give me something to work with.”

Rudra’s jaw tightened, and Kashish could see the struggle in his eyes. She decided it was time for her to leave the room.

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