Page 27 of One Hellish Love

Kashish didn’t flinch, nor did she deny it. Fear wasn’t in her vocabulary. She wasn’t afraid of the consequences, even if the entire truth was laid bare before them all.

“Daadi, what are you saying? Why are you accusing her?” Shekhar intervened, trying to diffuse the situation.

“These are not accusations, Shekhar,” Daadi retorted. “I’ve seen everything myself. You think I’d stay silent after such a spectacle in my own house?”

Shekhar’s confusion deepened, and he turned to Kashish, seeking clarity.

“Ask her, Shekhar!” Daadi pressed on, her voice rising with each word. “Ask her what Sheetal Sinha was doing here. None of us invited her. Sinha is our competitor! So, ask Kashish—did she invite Sheetal to that party or not?”

Shekhar knew that Sheetal and Kashish had been friends, having studied together for a couple of years. His trust in Daadi was unshakable, but Kashish’s friendship with Sheetal didn’t necessarily make her guilty.

“Daadi, even if she invited her, that doesn’t mean Kashish is responsible for what happened. Sheetal was drunk—”

But Kashish cut him off, her voice calm and resolute. “No, Shekhar. She’s right. I did it.”

Her confession hit like a lightning strike. Shekhar and Anjali were left speechless, the shock and disappointment evident in their faces. Daadi’s anger only grew.

“I called her,” Kashish continued, unafraid. “I called Sheetal to stir up that scene because I wanted him”—her eyes flicked toward the direction of Rudra’s room—”to be humiliated in front of everyone he knows. And no, I’m not sorry for it. If you want to punish me, go ahead.”

Daadi’s expression darkened. “Did you hear that, Shekhar? Did you hear what she just said?” Her voice trembled with rage. “I knew... Ialwaysknew there was a thorn growing between us, and it’s her. You’re the one who always defended her, cared for her. But who gave her the right to play with Rudra’s emotions? Who gave her the right to torment him? He stayed away from this house for 11 years because of her, and now that he’s finally back, she can’t let him have a moment’s peace?”

“Enough!” A commanding voice boomed from behind them, cutting through the tension like a blade.

The room fell silent as Rudra stepped forward. He moved between Kashish and Daadi, facing his grandmother with an unwavering gaze.

“Kashish is a part of this family,” Rudra declared, “and she has every right to turn against me.”

Daadi’s mouth fell open in disbelief. What was he saying?

“I gave her that right,” Rudra continued, his eyes locking with Daadi’s, “the moment I ruined her life.”

Kashish stood frozen, her breath catching in her throat. He wasn’t facing her, but she could hear every word as if they were meant solely for her. The guilt, the weight of his past mistakes, echoed in his voice.

“From now on,” Rudra’s voice grew harder, more resolute, “no one—no one—will point fingers at her for my problems. I’m more than capable of handling my own guilt. She is free to deal with this however she chooses. If her hatred for me is her way of healing, then let her have it. Let her take her revenge.”

Daadi’s eyes filled with tears. This was not the same Rudra she had known as a boy—the one who always demanded attention and care. He was standing tall now, strong in his vulnerability, ready to bear the weight of his own actions.

“Rudra... what are you saying?” Daadi whispered, her voice cracking.

“I’m saying this family needs to be free from the past,” Rudra replied, his tone softening slightly. “If it’s me she hates, let her direct her anger at me. No one else is responsible for what I did. If this is how she finds peace, I won’t stand in her way.”

Kashish, standing behind him, blinked in disbelief. And then she began to clap—slowly, mockingly.

“Wow,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I thought I was the one who knew how to put on a show, but it looks like you’re the real master here, Rudra Raheja.”

She met his eyes for the first time since the confrontation began, challenging him with every word.

“I don’t need your noble words to ease my pain,” she spat. “This won’t lessen my hatred for you. And let me make one thing very clear... I amnotpart of this family. I never was, and I never will be.”

Rudra’s face paled, the light fading from his eyes as her words sliced through him. But he said nothing as Kashish turned on her heel and stormed off to her room, leaving the others standing in stunned silence.

And yet, as she walked away, a faint smile tugged at Rudra’s lips. She was fierce, strong, and unrelenting—everything her father would have wanted her to be. In some twisted way, he was proud of her. Proud of the woman she had become, even if her hatred for him would never change.

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Later that night, Kashish heard the soft strumming of a guitar coming from Rudra’s room. The same haunting melody he played every night. She clenched her fists, trying to block out the sound, but it was useless.

How could he act so normal?she seethed. She had crushed his ego, humiliated him before everyone, and yet, here he was, defending her in front of his family. Why? He couldn’t be this good-hearted. Not him. Not the man who had ruined her life.

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