Page 201 of One Hellish Love

“Daadi... she doesn’t want to see me.”

Kashish’s heart twisted in pain.

“What? What did she say?”

Rudra relayed the events, each word dragging him deeper into despair. Kashish was stunned by the cruelty of it all. How could Daadi, who had always been Rudra’s greatest support, take such a severe stance?

“I don’t know what to do anymore,” Rudra confessed. He felt lost, powerless.

“Rudra, listen to me. She’s angry now, but she loves you deeply. This isn’t about you... it’s about the fear she’s carrying. She’ll never truly hurt you.”

“But I can’t let go of you. I’ll never give you up, Kashish!”

“I know. And I’m not asking you to. Right now, you need to focus on Daadi. Once she gets better, we’ll find a way to help her understand. She has to see that we belong together.”

Rudra exhaled, knowing she was right, though it pained him. He had to be there for Daadi, no matter how much she was pushing him away.

“She doesn’t even want me near her, Kashish. How am I supposed to bear that?”

Kashish thought for a moment, then a small smile touched her lips as an idea formed.

“Remember how stubborn you were as a teenager?”

“I was,” he admitted, confused. “But why does that matter now?”

“Because you need to be that stubborn again. Don’t let her push you away. Be there for her, even if she doesn’t want it. Just... don’t do anything to stress her more. But make sure she knows you’re not going anywhere.”

Rudra felt a spark of hope ignite in his chest. She was right. He needed to stay by Daadi’s side, even if she didn’t want to see him.

“You’re right.” His resolve returned. “I know what I need to do now. Thank you.”

Her heart lifted, hearing the shift in his voice. “Anytime.”

There was a pause, and then his voice dropped, filled with yearning.

“I wish I could see you.”

Kashish’s heart fluttered. “I wish I could see you too,” she admitted, “but right now, Daadi needs you more. Let’s meet on Monday at the office, okay?”

Rudra sighed, leaning back against the chair.

“How am I supposed to survive another day without you?”

“Just like I’ll survive without you,” she whispered.

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

The next morning, Rudra entered the kitchen to find Anjali preparing breakfast for Daadi.

“Keep the juice here,” Anjali instructed the maid, who placed the glass on the tray. Anjali was about to take the tray into Daadi’s room when Rudra stopped her.

“I’ll take it,” he said.

“Rudra, but Daadi doesn’t want—” Anjali started to protest, concern flashing in her eyes.

“I know,” he interrupted gently but decisively. “I’ll handle her.”

She hesitated but ultimately handed him the tray. She knew once Rudra made up his mind, there was no changing it. As he walked toward Daadi’s room, Anjali hurried to inform Shekhar.

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