Page 206 of One Hellish Love

After changing into his night clothes, his eyes fell on the bedside table. There was something missing—Kashish’s photo. He had framed it during his time in Paris and kept it beside him, needing to see her face every morning and night. But now it was gone. Rudra quickly searched the drawers, panic rising in his chest. His door opened, and Daadi stepped in.

“It’s in your closet,” she explained.

Rudra clenched his jaw, realizing that Daadi had hidden it on purpose. He walked to the closet and found the photo, exactly where she said it would be. As he held the frame in his hand, Daadi came closer.

“I didn’t want Suman to know about your... attachment. She’s here to meet a man who’s available, not someone already in love with another woman.”

Rudra let out a bitter laugh, turning to face her.

“She’s going to find out eventually, Daadi. Why hide it? I thought we agreed to be honest with each other. You know I hate lying.”

Daadi’s expression hardened.

“Just this one lie, Rudra. Just pretend for tonight that you’re single and not involved with any other woman. Can’t you do that much for me?”

“The woman who always told me to be truthful is now asking me to lie?” he countered, his voice low but cutting.

Daadi looked pained, as if his words had struck her deeply. Rudra sighed, but the sight of her vulnerability made his heart soften. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

“Fine,” he relented. “I’ll do this for you. But only because I can’t stand to see you hurt.”

Before she could respond, Ram Prasad appeared at the door, announcing that dinner was ready. Rudra led Daadi out, and they joined the others at the table.

As they began eating, Daadi couldn’t help herself.

“Rudra,” she called, “why don’t you ask Suman something? She’s eager to talk to you.”

Suman smiled again, her eyes darting shyly toward Rudra. He cleared his throat, forcing himself to play along.

“So, Suman,” he began, “I hear you work as Assistant Director in your father’s company.”

“Yes. I’m their only daughter, so I’ll keep supporting their business even after marriage.”

Rudra’s stomach churned. She was talking as if their marriage was already a done deal. He forced a smile and took a sip of water, his mind elsewhere.

Daadi, eager to promote Suman’s virtues, chimed in.

“Suman is very religious. She attends Satsang regularly with her grandmother. That’s how we met, and I instantly liked her.”

Rudra’s thoughts drifted back to Kashish, knowing that her connection with religion had always been complicated after losing her father at such a young age. But she was trying. She was making an effort, slowly reconnecting with faith. He admired that about her.

Suman’s voice pulled him back to the conversation.

“I’m glad that girl—what’s her name? Kashish, right?” she asked in a dismissive tone. “I’m glad she’s out of this house. You should fire her from your company as well. It’s the best way to get rid of her completely.”

Rudra froze, his blood boiling. Did Daadi tell Suman about Kashish’s father and the accident? His gaze turned to Daadi, but she avoided his eyes, continuing to eat in silence. Suman, however, continued speaking, oblivious to the tension in the air.

“Daadi told me how you are not fully responsible for her father’s accident. That girl doesn’t deserve to be anywhere near you. Her father ruined your family. She’s no different.”

Rudra’s fist tightened around his fork. He couldn’t take it anymore.

“What did Kashish do to deserve this hate?”

Suman blinked, confused by his sudden change in tone. “Her father—”

“I was the one driving the car that day,” Rudra cut her off. “I didn’t have a license. I was speeding. That’s my fault. Not hers.”

Suman stared at him, speechless. Daadi tensed, knowing she had triggered Rudra’s wrath.

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