Page 115 of One Hellish Love

“And you didn’t tell me? How could you keep this from me, Shekhar?”

“I was afraid, Daadi. You’ve never liked Kashish, and I knew this would upset you. I couldn’t risk it,” Shekhar explained. “I didn’t know how you’d react.”

Daadi’s anger flared as she rose from her chair. “If I had known, this disaster could have been avoided. I must speak to Ruchi. I can’t let her leave like this, feeling humiliated and hurt.”

Shekhar nodded and quickly settled the bill before following Daadi out of the restaurant.

Meanwhile, outside, Anjali had tried calling Kashish, but there was no answer. Shekhar and Daadi joined her by the entrance.

“Anju, where’s Kashish?” Shekhar asked, concern lacing his voice.

“She left in a cab before I could stop her,” Anjali replied, looking troubled.

“And Rudra?” Daadi asked, her voice heavy with worry.

“He left too. Mohan drove him,” Anjali said quietly.

Shekhar sighed deeply. “Let’s get home. We need to sort this out.”

He hurried to bring the car around, and together, they headed back to Raheja Mansion, the weight of the evening pressing heavily on them all.

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

Kashish was back home, though every fiber of her being screamed not to step into this house again. She had to, at least to gather her belongings. The events at the hotel had given her the perfect excuse to walk away—for good. She couldn’t stay here, not after what happened. She grabbed a bag from her closet and started tossing her clothes inside. Her tears flowed freely, but she didn’t bother to wipe them away. Rudra’s intentions had crossed a line she could never forgive. Whatever he wanted from her was simply not possible—not in this lifetime.

“Kashish? What are you doing?” Anjali asked, rushing into the room.

“I’m leaving, Anju,” Kashish replied, her voice raw. “Please don’t try to stop me this time.”

“Leaving? Where will you go?” Anjali’s voice trembled, but Kashish didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Words would only break her further.

She stuffed her clothes into the bag and zipped it up. Before she could make it out the door, Anjali stepped in front of her, trying to block her way.

“Kashish, you can’t do this. I know Rudra’s proposal blindsided you, but…”

Kashish raised her hand, silencing her.

“Anju, what happened tonight is beyond anything I can tolerate. If I stay here, things will spiral out of control. I have to leave before it’s too late. Please, just let me go.”

She gently pushed Anjali aside and walked out, dragging her bag behind her, determined to never look back.

CHAPTER 39

Daadi had just returned after failing to convince Ruchi to stay. She entered the living room, her eyes brimming with tears when she saw Kashish standing there with her bags.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she barked.

“I’m leaving this house,” Kashish retorted, her tone equally sharp, matching Daadi’s frustration.

Shekhar and Anjali hurried over, and Shekhar stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

“Kashish, what is all this? You can’t make rash decisions like this. I understand Rudra’s proposal upset you, but we can work it out. Leaving isn’t the answer,” Shekhar pleaded.

Kashish tried to push past him. She knew everyone would try to stop her, but she wasn’t going to listen.

“Shekhar, please. I need to leave. I can’t breathe here anymore,” she confessed.

“I know it’s hard, but running away isn’t going to solve anything. Just don’t go like this, not now,” Shekhar implored.

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