Page 89 of One Hellish Love

“Reality?” he scoffed. “Which reality are you talking about? The phobias I carry are none of your concern. That’s the reality. I mean nothing to you, so don’t bother yourself with my problems. And this is the last time I’m warning you.”

He moved her aside and hurried to his room, leaving Kashish fuming as she watched him walk away. Just then, Ram Prasad came out with a glass of water, looking for Rudra. Without a word, Kashish took the glass from him and headed toward Rudra’s room herself.

Shekhar and Anjali, observing the scene from afar, were stunned by the unexpected bond slowly forming between Rudra and Kashish. Though they couldn’t hear anything what Kashish and Rudra were arguing about, they still had witnessed the scene from far.

“What’s going on with those two?” Shekhar muttered, bewildered.

Anjali, however, smiled knowingly. “Maybe it’s not what’s wrong, but what’s right.”

“What do you mean?” Shekhar asked, still confused.

“Can’t you see the change? Kashish has started taking steps toward Rudra. She’s beginning to connect with him, whether she realizes it or not. And that’s good—for the peace of this family, and for both of them.”

Shekhar still felt uncertain, but if what Anjali said was true—if Kashish and Rudra were slowly bridging the gap between them—then he was ready to accept it. He had always hoped they’d both find peace, though he never imagined they’d become cordial with each other.

Kashish pushed open Rudra’s bedroom door and stepped inside with the glass of water. Rudra who was standing by the closet, turned to face her, his expression darkening as soon as he saw her.

She set the glass on the table, her gaze locking with his.

“I know why you’re doing this,” she said softly. “You’re scared—scared of healing, of making your life better.”

Kashish didn’t want to push him further, but she couldn’t leave without saying what needed to be said. She turned to leave,but before she could reach the door, he grabbed her wrist and pinned her against the wall beside it.

“Yes, I’m scared,” he spat. “I’m scared of healing myself, just like you’re scared of forgiving me for my sins.”

Her eyes widened in shock. He was comparing their pain?

“Don’t you dare twist this around,” she choked out.

“Why not? You want reality? Here it is. Our lives are intertwined, Kashish. Our pain is shared. You can’t forgive me, and I choose to live with my demons. That’s how we balance out each other.”

Kashish stared at him. Why did he always have to be so intense? And those eyes—why did they always seem so full of pain? She had never seen him like this before, or maybe she had never looked closely enough.

Suddenly, he released her, pressing his hands to his temples as if to ward off a headache. Concern flickered in her eyes.

“You... you okay?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“Get out,” he snapped, opening the door.

But Kashish couldn’t move.

“What’s happening to you?” she asked, her voice laced with fear.

Without warning, Rudra grabbed her elbow, dragging her out of the room and slamming the door shut. He didn’t want her to see him like this—not now, not ever. He could feel the panic attack building, and the last thing he needed was her witnessing it.

Kashish pounded on the door, her heart racing.

“Rudra! Open the door! Please!”

Inside, Rudra’s hands trembled as he knocked over a flower vase, desperately searching for his medication to calm the panic that was overtaking him.

Kashish’s panic escalated as she heard the sound of the vase crashing. Tears welled in her eyes. Had she pushed him too far?Was this her fault? She kept banging on the door, helpless and terrified. How much more pain was Rudra hiding? How many more wounds did she have to heal? And was she even doing the right thing by trying to help him?

CHAPTER 31

After 15 minutes of relentless banging on the door, Rudra finally opened it. Kashish’s heart leaped as she looked up at him. He stood there, exhausted, stress evident in his eyes. He must have taken some sedative to ease whatever had triggered his panic attack.

“Just go back to your room and leave me alone,” he snarled. “Which part of that do you not understand?”

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