Page 26 of One Hellish Love

“The meeting’s over,” Shekhar said gently.

Rudra nodded, barely acknowledging him, and hurried out of the room.

As he left, Shekhar sighed. “He’s still deeply affected by what happened at the party last night.”

Lavina, still piecing things together, shook her head.

“Even after knowing him for so long, I had no idea about his past. The accident... that he was convicted for it? Juvenile Detention for two years? That’s... heartbreaking.”

Shekhar was silent for a moment. Lavina had only recently learned bits and pieces of Rudra’s history—the reason behind his isolation from the family.

“I don’t know how to pull him out of this grief,” Shekhar admitted, his voice heavy. “He’s shut everyone out. Not just me, but the whole family. He won’t talk to anyone about what’s eating at him. How can we help him if he won’t let us in?”

Lavina’s eyes softened. “Let me try talking to him. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

Shekhar nodded. Lavina had always been his last hope in helping Rudra, though even he didn’t know that the only person who could truly heal Rudra’s pain was the very one responsible for it.

Lavina followed Rudra into his office.

“Rudra, wait,” she called after him.

Rudra barely glanced at her. “Lavina, contact the marketing team and manage the evening media conference,” he said curtly, trying to stay focused on work.

“But you were supposed to attend the conference with me,” she reminded him, stepping closer.

“I’ve got other matters to take care of,” he replied, his tone dismissive, trying to avoid further conversation.

“Other matters?” she asked, her voice tinged with frustration. “Or are you just going to sit and brood over the past?”

Her words hit him like a slap, and his sharp gaze locked onto her, silencing her immediately.

“That’s none of your business, Lavina,” he growled.

She swallowed hard, taken aback by the venom in his voice. “I thought we were friends, Rudra. And friends are supposed to be there for each other, to share their sorrows and pain.”

Rudra slammed his fist on the desk, rising from his chair with an intensity that made her flinch.

“I am not in grief!” he shouted, his voice harsh and unrecognizable. “Do you hear me? I don’t need pity. I don’t need sympathy. And I sure as hell don’t want anyone discussing it—ever.”

Lavina stood frozen, stunned by the cruelty in his tone. This wasn’t the Rudra she knew. He sounded so much colder, more distant than ever before.

“And tell that to everyone else who thinks they know me. It’s a lie, Lavina,” he continued, his voice seething with bitterness. “I don’t want to talk about my past. Not now, not ever. Is that clear?”

She nodded silently, picking up the file from his desk. Without another word, she left him alone, her heart heavy with the realization that Rudra was burying himself deeper into his pain.

Once she was gone, Rudra ran a frustrated hand through his hair, pacing the room. He shouldn’t have lashed out at her like that. Lavina wasn’t the one to blame. But it didn’t matter—he would push away anyone who tried to dig into his past. He wasn’t ready to confront it. Not with others. Not even with himself.

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

Kashish had spent the first half of her day engrossed in training and later met with Tanuja, their new client. Tanuja had been thoroughly impressed by both Kashish’s designs and her confident demeanor, predicting her swift rise in the fashion industry. Despite the success, the day had been exhausting, and Kashish and Shekhar finally returned home. Their car, now serviced, meant they didn’t need Rudra Raheja’s help anymore, much to Kashish’s relief.

But as they entered the house, the tension was thick. Savitri Raheja stood in the living room, her eyes blazing with fury. Kashish instantly sensed something was wrong.

“Stay right there,” Daadi commanded, her voice sharp with anger.

Both Shekhar and Kashish stopped in their tracks. Anjali emerged from the kitchen, curious to see what had stirred Daadi’s temper. Savitri’s expression alone spoke volumes—there was a storm brewing, and Kashish knew it was about to hit.

“So, all that drama... was your doing.” Daadi’s words weren’t a question but a cold, hard statement.

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