CHAPTER 3
Back in India
Savitri Raheja’s heart raced with excitement. She never thought this day would come. After years of pleading, Rudra had finally agreed to return home. For over a decade, she had practically begged him to come back, but he always dismissed the idea, hiding behind excuses of work, ignoring her requests. He hadn’t even attended Shekhar’s wedding, and the distance between the two brothers—once inseparable—seemed irreparable since the accident. Shekhar, as the older brother, had always extended a hand, reminding Rudra that no matter what, his family would always stand by him. But Rudra never accepted that hand. To him, it wasn’t support—it was sympathy, a kindness he refused to accept.
Despite maintaining professional communication, their personal bond was fractured. Whenever Shekhar tried to reach into Rudra’s private life, he was met with a wall. Rudra would change the topic or abruptly end the conversation. Over time, Shekhar stopped trying, waiting for the day Rudra would finally open up, as he once did when they were children. Even with Shekhar’s wife, Anjali, Rudra remained distant—he had spoken to her only a few times on video calls. Though he admired her gentle nature and believed she was the perfect match for his brother’s simple life, he never let anyone close enough to see the storm inside him.
It was a business deal that had finally lured Rudra back—nothing else. A new client was offering Raheja Designs 40% of their contracts, and Rudra’s presence, as the CEO and Managing Director, was essential. It was the only thing that could bring him back to India.
Despite being the youngest between Shekhar and Rudra, it was Rudra who held the reins when it came to the major management decisions in the company. His fire and ruthlessness in business, coupled with his razor-sharp focus and unmatched decision-making capabilities, had earned him the role of heading the empire. Shekhar, though powerful and skilled, didn’t possess the same cold, calculated edge that Rudra wielded effortlessly—a quality that was crucial in expanding and managing such a vast enterprise.
Shekhar had always been a bit softer in his approach, preferring balanced decisions over the ruthless ones that Rudra was willing to make. It was for this very reason that both Shekhar and Daadi had mutually decided to let Rudra take charge of the key business decisions. They knew it wasn’t just about his brilliance—it was also a way to keep his mind busy, to keep him distracted from the darkness of his past.
In the kitchen, Savitri was bustling with excitement, overseeing preparations for Rudra’s welcome dinner. Her grandson had always been a foodie, and she was determined to make this meal special.
“Ladoos—make them sugar-free,” she instructed the cook. “And tell Chanda to add plenty of walnuts in the kheer. Rudra loves it.”
The energy in her voice, the light in her eyes—it had been missing for the past 11 years. Shekhar walked into the kitchen and found her almost breathless with anticipation.
“Daadi, you need to calm down,” he said, gently guiding her to sit at the small dining table. “Your blood pressure will shoot up.”
She sighed but couldn’t contain her happiness.
“Shekhar, I’m so happy. These next four months are going to be the happiest we’ve had in years. I’ve already made plans...” She paused, her eyes lighting up with an idea. “You know Anjali’s uncle, Ram Verma, the textile factory owner?”
Shekhar raised an eyebrow, confused about where this was going. He nodded warily.
“He’s looking for a match for his youngest daughter. I’m thinking of introducing her to Rudra—”
“Hold on, Daadi,” Shekhar interrupted he in a serious tone. “Isn’t this going a bit too far? Rudra hasn’t even landed yet, and you’re already planning a marriage proposal? We don’t want to overwhelm him... He might run straight back to Paris if you push too hard.”
Savitri’s smile faltered, her excitement dimming.
“Let him arrive first,” Shekhar continued softly. “There’s a lot he’ll need to adjust to here. Let him settle in, and then we’ll talk about Uncle Verma’s daughter, okay?”
Savitri forced a smile, but inside, doubt gnawed at her.
“Shekhar... I hope everything will go smoothly while Rudra’s here. You know why I’m worried.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. Shekhar’s expression darkened, understanding exactly what she meant.
“Does she know he’s coming?” Savitri asked, her voice now laced with tension.
“Not yet,” Shekhar admitted. “I tried to tell her yesterday, but she was so excited about the new designs she’s working on for the company. I didn’t want to ruin her mood.”
Savitri’s temper flared.
“Shekhar! She has no right to be upset if my grandson is coming home. This is his house. He can return whenever he chooses.”
Shekhar sighed deeply.
“I know, Daadi. But you have to understand—it’s not going to be easy for either of them. They’re both still haunted by what happened 11 years ago.”
Savitri’s face tightened.
“Tell her, Shekhar. I don’t want her to be shocked when she sees him at the door.”
Without another word, Savitri left the kitchen, leaving Shekhar standing in frustrated silence. Daadi had never truly understood Kashish’s pain. That was why they had always kept their distance, why their interactions remained cold and formal. Savitri and Kashish only saw each other during the morning prayers—a ritual Savitri insisted the entire family attend. Every morning, Anjali and Kashish would take turns circling the aarti thali before the idol. Kashish had resisted going to the temple at first, angry at God for taking her father from her. It had taken her four years to stop hating God, though Shekhar always felt her faith was only superficial. Her resentment hadn’t fully faded.
As Shekhar stood there, lost in thought, Ram Prasad, the housekeeper, approached.
“Bhaiyya, Rudra Sir’s room is ready. Everything has been arranged as per his preferences.”
Shekhar nodded. “I’ll check it myself. Rudra’s not the type anymore to ask if he needs something.”
Ram Prasad looked confused, but Shekhar was right. Rudra never asked for anything, not anymore. He would either make do with what he had or find a way to get it on his own. The same independence that once made him thrive now threatened to keep him isolated, even in the place that should have felt like home.
*****************
The cab rolled to a stop inside the gates of Raheja Mansion, and Kashish quickly made her way toward the living room. Her steps faltered when she saw Chanda, the loyal servant who had cared for her since childhood, carrying a tray filled with ladoos. Kashish blocked her path.
“Mausi, no one told me we were making ladoos today. I would’ve helped,” she said, reaching for one.
But Chanda stopped her gently.
“They’re for Rudra,” she replied.
The moment she heard that name, Kashish froze, pulling her hand back as if she had touched fire. Her eyes flashed with anger. His name pierced her heart like a dagger, no matter how many years had passed.
“His flight must have landed by now. Everyone is preparing for his arrival,” Chanda continued, the joy in her voice oblivious to the storm brewing in Kashish’s chest.
Chanda caught the shift in her expression and placed a comforting hand on Kashish’s cheek.
“Don’t let it eat you up, beta. This is his house too. Sooner or later, this day had to come.”
Sooner or later. Kashish had known that. But now ? Not when she was still trapped in this house, forced to live under the same roof as him. Not when she had no way to escape. Her breath quickened, and without another word, she turned and fled to her room, slamming the door behind her as if she could shut out the reality crashing down on her.
Ten minutes later, Shekhar found out from Chanda that Kashish knew about Rudra’s arrival. He felt a pit of worry open inside him. He rushed to her room, knocking softly, but there was no response. He pushed the door open, revealing a dark room. He flipped the switch, and his heart sank at the sight before him. Kashish was sitting on the floor, knees pulled to her chest, her back pressed against the edge of the bed. She wasn’t crying, but her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and only she knew how hard it was to keep them from falling. She looked as fragile as she had 11 years ago, broken and hollowed out by the same unresolved pain.
Shekhar knelt beside her.
“I’m sorry, Kashish... I can’t stop him. There’s nothing I can do to make this easier for you.”
Kashish remained silent, her gaze distant, lost somewhere far beyond his reach.
“I tried to prepare you for this day. You remember that, don’t you?” He gently lifted her chin, meeting her eyes that brimmed with unspeakable sorrow. “This is the hardest challenge of your life. Don’t let it break you. Don’t let your anger consume you,” Shekhar urged.
For years, his words had been her anchor, giving her the strength to carry on. But today, they felt like fragile promises, impossible to hold onto. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice laced with quiet fury.
“Tell him to stay away from me. It’s for his own good. If he comes near me, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
Shekhar swallowed hard. He knew she wasn’t exaggerating. The hatred Kashish held for Rudra ran deep—deep enough to make her a threat to him.
*******************
Rudra’s flight landed, and he agreed to drop Lavina off before heading to Raheja Mansion. Ever since they had landed here, in India, his heart pounded with worry while Lavina, seated beside him, was buzzing with excitement.
“I can’t believe I’m finally here! It’s been forever since I’ve seen Mom and Dad!” she exclaimed.
But Rudra’s thoughts were miles away. What will happen when I see her? She must be 24 now, a grown woman. Would she understand that the accident wasn’t his choice? Could she ever forgive him? Why did her forgiveness matter so much to him? These questions had plagued him for years, but he had never found an answer. The guilt, the shame, and the scar she left on his forehead—none of it had faded.
Lavina shook him from his thoughts.
“Rudra? Are you even listening?”
He blinked, shaking off the haze.
“We’re almost at your place.”
Lavina frowned at his distraction but let it slide. When the car stopped, she got out, and while the driver unloaded her bags, Rudra stepped out to say goodbye.
“Okay, see you tomorrow at Raheja Mansion,” Lavina said, smiling brightly.
“Call me before you come. I might be... away for a while,” Rudra replied.
“Away? But tomorrow’s our big client meeting, Rudra,” she reminded him.
He gave her a hollow smile. “Mentally away, Lavina. That’s what I meant. Bye.”
He gave her a quick hug and got back into the car. As the vehicle moved toward Raheja Mansion, Rudra’s anxiety surged. His heart raced, and he wished more than anything that he could turn around, head straight back to the airport, and catch the next flight to Paris. He wasn’t ready for this—he would never be.
When the car finally pulled up in front of Raheja Mansion, his stomach churned. Daadi, Shekhar, and Anjali were already standing outside, waiting to greet him. Anjali was beaming—she was about to meet her brother-in-law for the first time. She had rushed back from her mother’s house as soon as Shekhar told her Rudra was coming, eager to be part of this long-awaited homecoming. Though she knew about the tragedy that had torn their family apart 11 years ago, she chose to remain neutral, not letting the past cloud the joy of Rudra’s return.
Rudra stepped out of the car; his legs shaky beneath him. He forced a smile as Daadi’s eyes filled with tears. She rushed to him, and he bent to touch her feet, taking her blessings. She kissed his forehead, whispering, “My Rudra...”
Shekhar hugged him tightly, clapping him on the back.
“Daadi, hasn’t he grown taller again? And more handsome too!” Shekhar teased, lightening the mood.
They all chuckled, but Rudra’s smile felt strained, fragile. Anjali then stepped forward, circling him with the puja thali, her eyes twinkling with joy.
“Finally, Raheja Mansion will breathe again,” she said, her voice full of hope.
But Rudra knew the truth. Raheja Mansion might breathe, but there would be two souls suffocating inside it—his and hers. His eyes flickered toward the house, searching for the fourth member of this family. Kashish. Of course, she wasn’t here. She wouldn’t join the welcoming party. She hated him too much for that. He steeled himself for the days ahead. He would have to remind himself every day that she wanted nothing to do with him—and he had to respect that.
As they stepped inside the mansion, Rudra was overwhelmed by memories. Everything had changed, yet every corner of the house still echoed with his childhood laughter. He remembered riding his bike around the hallways, making the servants chase him, playing video games with Shekhar on the couch, sitting in the kitchen while Daadi fed him hot parathas. This place had once been full of life, but now it felt like a stranger’s home.
“Your room is still the same, Rudra,” Daadi said softly.
“Ram Prasad has already taken your bags upstairs. Come on, I’ll show you,” Shekhar added.
Rudra shook his head. “I remember where it is, Bhai. I’ll change and come down soon. Excuse me.”
The formality in his tone worried them, but they understood. It wasn’t easy for him to be back. Once he left, Daadi turned to Shekhar, her face tight with concern.
“Where is she?”
“She’s in her room, Daadi. She needs time.”
“She can take all the time she wants,” Daadi snapped. “But tell her not to create unnecessary drama in front of Rudra. I don’t want him upset any more than he already is.”
Shekhar sighed deeply, knowing the tension between Kashish, Daadi, and Rudra was not going to let him live in peace either. He could only hope the coming months wouldn’t tear them all apart.
******************
Rudra stood under the shower, his hands braced against the glass walls, letting the hot water run over him. He closed his eyes, feeling the steam rise around him, washing away the fear that clung to him. I can do this. I have to. He couldn’t afford to let fear control him, not now. If he showed even a hint of weakness, his family would only pity him more—and he had had enough of their pity for a lifetime.
But she was here. He could sense it. He had seen the nervous glances Shekhar kept throwing toward the first-floor guest room. That’s where she stayed. She was avoiding him, and it was for the best. As long as they kept their distance, maybe, just maybe, they could survive these next four months without tearing each other apart.