Page 164 of One Hellish Love

“Then why are they doing this to each other? Why endure the pain when they love each other so much?”

Shekhar had no answers.

“They know how and when to end this distance. We just have to wait.”

“I wonder if Rudra will send her something for her birthday,” Anjali mused.

“I think he will,” Shekhar replied. “Let’s see what surprise he has for her.”

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

Paris

Rudra woke with a start, Kashish’s tear-streaked face haunting his dreams once again. Every night, it was the same. The day he had left for Paris replayed in his mind, her desperate pleas, her heartbreak. It was unbearable.

“Kashish…” he whispered into the silence of his room. This nightmare had replaced the old ones—her sorrow was more soul-wrenching than anything he had ever faced before. He hadmade the decision to leave, and though he had tried to act rationally, his heart had never stopped aching since.

He knew he was a man who had always followed his heart, but in this one decision, he had thought with his mind. He wanted Kashish to understand the depth of their love. Two months apart—was it enough? He wasn’t sure.

The door creaked open, and Lavina stepped in holding a cake. She grinned, lighting a small candle on top.

“Happy birthday to her… happy birthday to her… Happy Birthday to Kashish, Happy birthday to her,” Lavina sang, placing the cake in front of Rudra.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. Of course, he hadn’t forgotten Kashish’s birthday, but Lavina’s gesture warmed his heart.

“Come on, make a wish for her and cut the cake,” Lavina urged, practically bouncing with excitement.

Rudra closed his eyes. Flashes of Kashish appeared—her smile, her blush, the way she’d shy away when he teased her, their first kiss, they sleeping in each other’s arms. But then, as always, came the haunting image of her tear-streaked face. His eyes snapped open, a chill running down his spine. Why couldn’t he forget that? Even though he knew she was doing fine, living her life as he had asked, he couldn’t shake the image of her pain.

He had kept tab on Kashish in the last two months. Even Shekhar told him on the phone that she was doing everything she could to be happy. She was eating well and going to bed on time. Her designs at work were amazing. She at times even danced with Anjali and cooked for everyone - even making pancakes, which she’d started eating herself after he left for Paris. She was doing exactly what he’d asked her to do. Everything pointed to her being happy, not sad. So why was it that every time he closed his eyes or tried to sleep, all he could see was her face with tears running down it?

“Rudra?” Lavina’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “Cut the cake!”

He nodded, cutting the cake and letting her feed him a piece. Lavina snapped a photo of the cake and immediately began typing on her phone.

“Sending this to Kashish,” she said, grinning. “Her birthday will be brighter knowing you cut a cake for her.”

Rudra didn’t stop her. Lavina had taken it upon herself to keep Kashish informed of the little things Rudra did for her—though he never allowed his face to be captured, only his actions.

“Did you send her a gift?” Lavina asked.

Rudra took another bite, focusing on the piece with Kashish’s name.

“Yes. She must have received it by now,” he replied.

“What did you send her?” Lavina pressed.

Rudra smirked. “You’ll find out soon.”

With that, he headed to the shower, his mind still heavy with thoughts of Kashish. No matter how far he went, she would always remain in his heart.

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

Raheja office – Delhi

Kashish sat alone in her cabin, staring at her phone as Lavina’s picture message popped up. She opened it slowly, knowing what was coming but still unprepared for the rush of emotion that followed. It was a picture of the birthday cake Lavina had sent her, with a piece missing—one Rudra had eaten. Her heart clenched. He had remembered her birthday. He hadn’t forgotten, even from thousands of miles away. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but the sound of footsteps approaching made her quickly wipe them away. She couldn’t afford to show weakness, not in front of anyone.

It was Shekhar. He entered the cabin with a bright smile, holding a gift-wrapped box in his hand.

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