Page 162 of One Hellish Love

Even as he prepared to leave, there was no way he could fully distance himself from her. Wherever he was, his eyes would always be on her. Protecting her was still his responsibility, even if she had bruised his heart. This separation, this anger, was their fight, a battle between them to prove that all they really needed was each other. But it ached. Every second felt like a dagger, the memories of her lingering in his mind, her presence haunting him in his dreams.

Rudra stood at the poolside, staring at the still water, his eyes moist when Shekhar stepped there and noticed the packed bags.

“So, you’re really leaving?” Shekhar asked quietly.

Rudra blinked out of his daze and nodded.

“Kashish hasn’t eaten since yesterday,” Shekhar revealed. “She’s breaking down, Rudra. She’s drained, and I don’t think she can handle this kind of trauma again. I’ve seen her like this before—when she first came to live with us, after her father’s death. But this time... this time the pain in her eyes is even worse. I managed to pull her out of that shell back then, but I can’t do it now.Only you can. Forgive her, Rudra. You’ve always put her happiness above everything, even your own. Why not now?”

Rudra clenched his fists. Of course, he knew Kashish would do something like this, depriving herself of food. How could she hurt herself like this?

“I thought I should tell you, but the decision is yours,” Shekhar added softly before leaving the room.

Rudra felt a war raging inside him. If he saw Kashish now, he knew he would weaken. He might change his decision. What should he do?

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

Kashish sat at the balcony window of her bedroom, lost in her thoughts, drowning in pain. She felt numb.

The door clicked open, but she didn’t move. She knew it couldn’t be Rudra. Not when he was so furious with her. But then she felt something—his presence, unmistakable, like a familiar breeze that touched her soul. Turning slowly, she found him standing there, dressed in a suit, ready to leave, holding a glass of juice. Tears welled up in her eyes at the sight of him.

Rudra walked to her and held out the glass.

“Drink,” he commanded.

She sobbed, meeting his eyes, but made no move to take the juice.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, the words trembling on her lips. He hated seeing her like this, but she had to learn. This was a lesson she’d carry for life.

“Drink,” he repeated, more firmly this time. She turned fully to face him, still ignoring the glass.

“Don’t leave me like this. Please, I’m begging you, Rudra.”

But he remained cold, his face emotionless.

“I know I hurt you,” she cried. “I didn’t know you’d react like this.”

“You took me too lightly then,” he muttered. “But I don’t care anymore.” He lied—he had to. He needed to show her that her pleas didn’t move him, that he was stronger than the pain shecaused. “Drink this and stop punishing yourself. Ignoring your health won’t fix anything.”

“I know you care for me. Then why won’t you forgive me? You’re in as much pain as I am. Why won’t you let me heal you?”

She reached for his chest, but Rudra instantly swatted her hand away.

“Don’t,” he scolded. “If I wanted to heal, I’d see a doctor. I needed a partner, Kashish. I needed love. Now I don’t even know if what we had in Jaipur was real. What if you were just trying to soothe your guilt? Because if you truly loved me, you wouldn’t have promised to leave me.”

His words cut through her like a knife. She was crying, pleading, baring her soul, and still, he doubted her love?

“I thought you loved me, flaws and all,” he sighed.

“I do,” she whimpered.

“Maybe you do,” he conceded, “but your love comes with an obligation to heal me. And I can’t live like that—constantly waiting for the day wondering if you will leave me once I’m healed. You brought this fear in me by making that promise to Daadi. You weren’t loving me; you were fixing me. And I won’t give you another chance to repeat that mistake.”

“Don’t hate me,” she sobbed.

“I don’t,” he replied softly. “I could never hate you, Kashish. But you need to figure out who you are, and what you want. Stop living for everyone else. I’ve survived loving you, knowing I might never get it in return. I need you to love me the same way—with all of you, no reservations. But I don’t think you’re ready for that yet. If you want to do something for me, stop hurting yourself, and please stop crying.”

Kashish wiped her tears with trembling hands.

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