CHAPTER 24
Raheja Mansion
“It’s been two hours, Shekhar. Why aren’t they back yet? Do you think she convinced him?” Daadi muttered, pacing restlessly across the room, her worry evident.
Shekhar and Anjali were just as anxious, their eyes flicking toward the door every few minutes.
“Daadi, relax. I’m sure Kashish will bring him back. She won’t let him leave for Paris,” Shekhar reassured her.
“That’s the only reason I agreed to this whole charade,” Daadi grumbled, shaking her head. “I hope you’re right. I’ve never gone this far in deceiving someone. Faking illness, pretending to collapse... it’s not right.”
Shekhar and Anjali tried to soothe her again, reminding her that this was the only way to stop Rudra. They had planned everything carefully, knowing only Kashish had the power to hold Rudra back. No one else could reach him the way she could. And their plan had worked—Kashish’s guilt over forcing Rudra away from his family, coupled with Daadi’s “illness,” had pushed her to the airport to stop him.
“Why don’t you call Kashish and check?” Anjali suggested nervously.
“No, we can’t risk raising her suspicions,” Shekhar replied firmly. “Let’s give them a little more time.”
At that moment, Ram Prasad rushed into the room.
“Daadiji, Rudra Bhaiya and Kashish Didi have returned,” he announced with a smile.
Relief flooded the room. The entire household had been part of the act, and now it seemed their efforts had paid off.
“Alright, everyone calm down,” Shekhar instructed. “Daadi, you need to lie back and act like you’re still recovering. Anjali, stay with her. I’ll go and check on them.”
Anjali helped Daadi settle on the bed, both preparing for the next part of their plan. Meanwhile, Shekhar headed downstairs.
Rudra had already thrown his bag onto the couch and was moving quickly toward Daadi’s room when Shekhar intercepted him, feigning surprise.
“Rudra? You’re back? How did this happen?”
Rudra’s eyes flashed with concern.
“Bhai, how is Daadi? Did the doctor come? What did they say?”
“Relax,” Shekhar replied, keeping up the act. “She’s stable now, but how did you find out?”
“I told him,” Kashish’s voice broke through, her expression unreadable as she stepped closer.
Shekhar maintained his confused facade for a moment longer, but Rudra didn’t wait. He hurried past them toward Daadi’s room.
Kashish looked at Shekhar, her voice laced with exhaustion.
“I just hope Daadi is alright now.”
Shekhar studied her.
“Why did you go through all this trouble for us?”
Kashish blinked, clearly taken aback by his question. “How could you even say that, Shekhar? This isn’t a favor. Do you think I’m so selfish that I’d stand by and let you and Daadi suffer because of Rudra leaving? I couldn’t let him go.”
Her words were exactly what they had anticipated. Despite her hatred for Rudra, Kashish had put the family’s love for him above her own feelings. She hadn’t let her animosity blind her to what mattered most—the Raheja family’s unity.
“Thank you, Kashish,” Shekhar said softly, genuinely grateful.
She managed a weak smile, but beneath it, her mind was racing. If what Anjali had told her was true about Rudra’s feelings, her life in this house was about to get even more complicated.
Inside Daadi’s room, Rudra immediately rushed to her side and hugged her tightly.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me about Daadi’s health earlier?” he demanded, his voice thick with frustration. Anjali stayed silent, while Daadi gave him a pale, tired smile.
“Would you have come for me?” Daadi asked quietly.
Rudra’s throat tightened. He kissed her forehead gently.
“Of course I’d come for you, Daadi. Kashish may have stopped me from going to Paris, but I only agreed because she told me about your condition. You’re the most important person in my life. Don’t ever hide something like this from me again.”
Happiness flooded Daadi’s heart. She hadn’t liked the idea of faking her illness, but it had brought her grandson back, and for that, she was grateful.
“I’m already feeling better,” Daadi murmured.
Rudra pulled away from the hug, guilt washing over him.
“I should’ve been taking better care of you. But not anymore. Tomorrow, I’m calling Dr. Banerjee to do your full check-up. We’ll get every test done before I think about returning to Paris.”
Shekhar stepped into the room, pleased to see Rudra connecting with the family in this way. His presence brought a sense of completeness, a glimpse of what their family could be.
“Saw, Daadi?” Shekhar teased. “Your youngest grandson thinks Anjali and I haven’t been taking proper care of you.”
Rudra’s eyes widened in protest.
“Bhai, that’s not what I meant!”
Shekhar chuckled, patting Rudra’s back.
“I know, I know. But I’m just glad you’re back. Now we’re a complete family again. Promise us you’ll never leave us, no matter what.”
A pang of regret hit Rudra. He’d nearly abandoned everything—his family, his home—just to avoid confronting Kashish’s hatred. How foolish he had been to consider leaving them behind. He took Daadi’s hand and squeezed it gently.
“I promise I’ll never leave you,” he vowed, his voice steady.
Shekhar, Daadi, and Anjali embraced him, the warmth of the family wrapping around him like a safety net.
At the doorway, Kashish watched the reunion unfold, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She realized just how much this family meant to Rudra—and how close she’d come to tearing him away from them.
As they embraced, she silently thanked fate for stopping her from making a terrible mistake. In that moment, she understood one undeniable truth—despite everything, this family needed Rudra, and he needed them just as much.
For the first time, she had set aside her hatred and thought selflessly. That man—Rudra—had a family, bonds, and responsibilities toward them, and she was no one to keep him from them. She promised herself she would never hurt the family that had given her shelter and so much love by taking their beloved member away from them. In just a few months, she would leave this house forever, and she didn’t want to look back with regret for having caused them more pain.
****************
Kashish woke up the next morning and prepared for work. She had neglected her office duties over the past few days since the incident with the knife. It was time to focus again. But what about the complaint Daadi had filed against her? Had it been withdrawn? While she wasn’t sure she could fully trust Daadi, she was certain that Rudra wouldn’t let the issue linger. The way he had stormed into the police station with his lawyer and taken her away without hesitation—she knew he would never allow the investigation to touch her again.
That thought brought her back to what Anjali had confided about Rudra’s feelings for her. Could it really be true? Was that why he had quietly relocated her male colleague at work after noticing they were getting close? Was that why he had brought her home when she was accidentally drunk at a party, always watching out for her in ways that didn’t make sense to her before? Was that why she had often caught him glancing at her, both at home and at the office? The realization tightened like a knot in her throat. It seemed absurd, almost ridiculous. He knew the history between them—how deeply responsible he was for her father’s death, how fiercely she hated him. How could someone harbor such feelings after all that?
She walked downstairs to join Shekhar and Anjali at the breakfast table. Rudra was helping Daadi to the table as well. Kashish instantly felt her discomfort rise, but she forced herself to keep calm. Daadi, for her part, didn’t even acknowledge her presence.
“Rudra, I still have to do my puja before I eat,” Daadi said.
“At least drink some juice, or there’s no puja today,” he warned her, pushing a glass of juice toward her with a tone that brooked no argument.
Daadi looked at him, overwhelmed by his care. This was the Rudra she remembered—the boy who had always been protective of her, attentive to her needs. It was as if the years had rolled back, and Daadi couldn’t help but feel grateful that he was still here, all because Kashish had stopped him from leaving for Paris.
As they all began to eat, Kashish felt an inner tug of guilt. She was the only one who hadn’t asked about Daadi’s health. Despite her strained relationship with the family, she couldn’t remain silent anymore.
“How are you feeling today?” she asked softly.
Daadi gave her a thin smile, barely concealing the disdain behind it. “Better than before.”
Kashish nodded, trying to ignore the tension. “Good. I hope you don’t still blame me for almost taking your grandson away from this family,” she said, her voice laced with bitterness.
Shekhar and Anjali froze mid-bite. Was this really the time for this conversation? Rudra, too, seemed to tighten his focus on his plate, refusing to react.
Daadi’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile. “One good deed doesn’t erase eleven years of coldness. You may not be fully responsible for everything, but you’ve certainly played your part.”
Kashish felt the sting of Daadi’s words burn through her. She shot a glance at Rudra, who remained frustratingly silent, choosing not to intervene.
“Don’t worry, Daadi,” Kashish snapped back. “A few more months, and you won’t have to tolerate me in this house anymore. I was ready to leave the night Rudra brought me back from the police station, but he wouldn’t let me.”
Daadi’s smile didn’t waver.
“That’s the problem, isn’t it? No matter how much you complicate his life, he’s always the first one to protect you.”
“Complicate?” Kashish’s voice rose. “If that’s how you see it, then why don’t you find a bride for your grandson and get him married? Maybe then things wouldn’t be so complicated.”
The entire table fell into an awkward silence. Everyone’s gaze shifted to Kashish, except Rudra, who continued eating as if nothing had been said. He didn’t even blink at her suggestion, though she had thrown it at him deliberately, trying to provoke a reaction.
Daadi’s eyes narrowed. “Now you’re giving me advice on how to handle my grandson?”
“Yes, because your ‘grandson’—” Kashish’s words cut off abruptly when Rudra finally raised his head, his cold, irritated glare silencing her.
Everyone waited for the inevitable clash, but instead, Rudra calmly wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood. Without a word, he strode to Kashish’s side, grabbed the back of her chair, and pulled her up to her feet.
Before she could react, he dragged her out of the dining room. She was too stunned to speak, her feet stumbling as he pulled her outside to the car. Shekhar and Anjali exchanged bewildered looks, unsure of what was happening but too shocked to intervene.
Once they reached the car, Rudra let go of her arm, his eyes blazing with restrained fury.
“Has arguing over every little thing become your new hobby?” he snapped. “Daadi is old and unwell. I’m doing everything I can to help her recover. If you can’t contribute, fine, but stay out of her way. For her sake—and yours.”
Kashish’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. He was scolding her? Before she could respond, he opened the car door and climbed inside. Mohan started the engine, and within moments, they drove away, leaving Kashish standing there, seething.
Just when she had begun to think Anjali might be right about Rudra’s feelings for her, he had gone and shattered any such illusion with his harsh words. Maybe she had misread everything. Maybe Anjali was wrong. Whatever she had thought she understood, Rudra was making it clear—he had no such feelings. Not now, not ever.
****************
Kashish returned to work with a sense of relief. Fortunately, no one at the office seemed aware of the intense events that had unfolded between her and Rudra just a few days ago, so no one was prying into her personal life. She was grateful that her reputation and dignity remained intact here, unchanged. After a busy day finalizing designs, getting client approvals, and conducting a team meeting, she finally returned to her cabin, trying to center herself.
Just as she settled in, Jay Mathur knocked and entered swiftly.
“Hey, Rudra asked me to give you this.” He handed her an envelope. “Even though he canceled his trip, I’ve been holding onto it.”
Kashish’s eyes flickered with understanding. Jay must know it was her who stopped Rudra from leaving for Paris. His observant gaze told her as much.
“Thanks,” she murmured, taking the envelope.
“You’re welcome. By the way, Valentine’s Day is coming up, and we’re raising funds for a small office party.”
“Oh, okay, I’ll contribute,” she responded, her thoughts elsewhere.
“Great. I’ll send you the details. Excuse me,” Jay said before leaving the cabin.
Kashish wasted no time opening the envelope. Inside were the agreement papers for her house—along with another notarized document clearly stating that the Khatris had been repaid the loan, with interest, and they had released her house from mortgage. She stared at the papers, placing them on her desk.
Why? Why had Rudra done this for her? He knew very well she wouldn’t want this favor. And yet, he had gone ahead, clearing another obstacle from her life, as if daring her to resist his help.
How was she supposed to accept this? Should she repay his kindness somehow? Or should she confront him and demand he stop interfering in her life? Each act of generosity from him felt like another chain binding her to a man she desperately wanted to keep at a distance.