Page 235 of One Hellish Love

“I’ll take her to Paris,” Rudra announced with certainty. “Unless she has another destination in mind?”

Kashish shook her head.

“Wherever you want to go, I’ll follow. It doesn’t matter if it’s just next door, Rudra. You are my world. Ever since you came into my life, I’ve had everything I need.”

The room fell silent. Shekhar, Anjali, and even Rudra were taken aback by her open confession. Kashish had never been one to express her feelings so boldly. Rudra’s eyes softened as he kissed her forehead, his heart full of affection.

“Paris, it is,” he murmured, and Kashish simply nodded, her heart swelling with joy.

Shekhar and Anjali exchanged a knowing glance, clearly moved by the moment.

“We should take some notes from them, Anju. What do you think?” Shekhar teased.

“Totally agree,” Anjali replied with a smile.

The couple rose to leave.

“Okay. We will see you both tomorrow again,” Anjali declared.

“Not in the morning, Anju.”

“Why?” Rudra asked, curious about what Kashish had planned.

“We have plans,” she said with a mischievous grin, leaving her husband clueless but intrigued.

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Next Morning

Rudra was locked in combat with his Krav Maga opponent, his muscles straining as he pushed the attacker’s arm away from his throat. With a surge of strength, he landed a punch square on the attacker’s nose, sending the man tumbling to the ground in defeat.

Kashish watched in awe from the sidelines. She had never seen him fight like this before. It had been her idea to enroll Rudra in Krav Maga again, a continuation of the lessons he had left unfinished in Paris when he had rushed back to her. She knew these self-defense sessions were crucial, not only for his physical strength but for rebuilding his confidence and helping him manage his fears.

“That’s enough!” the instructor called out, clapping his hands. “Well done, Rudra. You’ve clearly trained before. You’ll be back in top form in no time.”

Rudra wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel, nodding at the instructor.

“See you next week,” the man said, shaking Rudra’s hand before leaving. Kashish rushed over, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

“You were amazing!” she beamed.

Rudra shot her a mock glare.

“This wasn’t what I expected when you told Shekhar and Anjali to see us in the evening, not the morning.”

Kashish giggled, her eyes twinkling. Of course, he hadn’t expected her to sign him up for Krav Maga, but it was necessary. She had seen the fear in his eyes the other night when she touched him unexpectedly. It was a fleeting moment, but thepanic had been real. She needed him to work through that fear, and this was part of the solution.

“What did you have in mind for this morning then?” she teased, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Rudra’s irritation melted away as he held her close.

“Making love,” he whispered, not caring about the others practicing nearby.

Kashish’s grin widened as she glanced at her watch.

“We still have four hours and twenty-five minutes before Shekhar and Anjali show up.”

“Then we better hurry,” he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her out, both of them laughing as they dashed home.

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