CHAPTER 26
Next Day – Raheja Office
“Secret Valentine?” Kashish asked, her brow arched in curiosity. “Isn’t that usually called Secret Santa?”
Jay Mathur nodded but shrugged off the difference. It wasn’t his idea, after all—the staff had come up with it in a brainstorming session.
“What’s in a name, Kashish? Christmas is gone, and Valentine’s Day is here. It’ll be fun,” he replied with a grin.
Kashish rolled her eyes, unimpressed but mildly intrigued.
“Alright, so what’s the plan?” she asked.
“We’ll have a pot filled with chits, each with a staff member’s name on it, including the bosses and housekeeping. We’ll all gather, and everyone picks a chit. Whoever’s name you pick, you have to get them a Valentine’s gift—without telling anyone who it is, of course. I’ll collect all the gifts, and at the Valentine’s Day party, we’ll hand them out. The fun part is the secrecy,” Jay explained with enthusiasm.
Though Kashish wasn’t particularly keen on Valentine’s Day, the idea wasn’t bad. She didn’t have anyone special in her life to celebrate with, and usually kept herself detached from social events. But this year, perhaps joining the office festivities wouldn’t be so terrible. It might offer her a break from the heavy emotions clouding her lately.
“When’s the drawing?” she asked.
“3 p.m. sharp. The bosses will be free then.”
That part piqued her interest. The bosses? That meant Rudra would be part of this as well. He didn’t have time to discuss how she should repay him for paying off her house loan, but he had time for childish games? Typical. She knew he was doing this on purpose, trying to stay close yet maintain his distance in the most infuriating way possible.
**************
At 3 p.m., the entire staff gathered in the large auditorium. Jay and a few colleagues had already prepped the pot, filled with chits bearing everyone’s names. Kashish noticed Shekhar entering alongside Rudra and Lavina. The room, which had been filled with light chatter, suddenly fell silent as they walked in. Lavina, as usual, was full of excitement. Every time Kashish saw Rudra and Lavina together, she couldn’t help but think they made a striking pair—both so well-matched in style and charisma. It wouldn’t surprise her if they had a history together. Maybe she should suggest this match to Daadi. Then again, she didn’t want to dig her own grave by getting involved in Rudra’s personal life.
“Oh my God, Rudra! This is my favorite game!” Lavina giggled. “We used to play this back in college, remember?”
Rudra smirked but kept his usual cool demeanor. His eyes scanned the room, and when they landed on Kashish, who was talking to a colleague, he quickly diverted his gaze.
Jay took the mic and began addressing the group. “Thank you, everyone, for being a part of this fun activity. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and while some of you may have your own plans, there are a few single souls like me—” (the room chuckled) “—who rely on these little events to make the day special. We all know the rules, so let’s get started. Pick a chit, be someone’s secret Valentine, and make their day unforgettable!”
Applause filled the room as staff members began picking their chits one by one. When it was Kashish’s turn, she walked forward, reached into the pot, and after a few seconds of rifling through the chits, picked one. As she walked back to her place, her hand tightened around the slip of paper. Her heart suddenly raced as she read the name and shot a gaze straight to Rudra. Of all the names in the pot, she had to pick his? Rudra Raheja—her Secret Valentine? How was this possible? She clenched the chit tightly in her fist, struggling to process the absurdity of the situation. She would have to buy him a gift now? This was beyond coincidence; it felt like some kind of cosmic joke.
While she tried to calm herself, Rudra stepped forward to pick his chit. Kashish watched him intently, trying to decipher his reaction as he read the name. But his face remained unreadable. He pocketed the chit casually and focused on the others, giving no indication whose name he had drawn.
Kashish’s mind was racing. Whose Secret Valentine could he possibly be? But that shouldn’t be her concern. The real issue was that she had to be his. Of all the people in the room, fate had played the cruelest trick on her.
****************
When she returned home from work, she spotted Daadi already seated in the living room, almost as if waiting for her. Kashish had planned to unwind a bit, enjoy a quiet cup of tea, but seeing Daadi sitting there made her rethink. She knew exactly what conversation was waiting for her. Trying to avoid Daadi’s attention, she attempted to slip past unnoticed, but it was in vain.
“Kashish,” Daadi’s voice called out, forcing her to stop. “Why do I feel like you’re trying to escape me?” Daadi asked, her eyes narrowing.
Kashish frowned. “Because I am escaping,” she bluntly replied.
Daadi sighed in disappointment. The tension between her and Kashish felt unbreakable. What on earth did Rudra see in this girl that made him so protective, so devoted to her?
“Had you thought about my proposal?” Daadi cut straight to the point. “I hoped you’d reconsidered.”
Kashish let out a heavy sigh. Why was Daadi still pursuing this after she had already declined last night? What was it going to take to make her stop?
“I already told you, I’m not interested in doing this. Please ask someone else,” Kashish responded, her voice firm but weary.
“What are you making her do, Daadi?” Rudra suddenly interrupted. He and Shekhar had just walked in and overheard the tail end of the conversation. Kashish stiffened the moment she saw him. Lately, every time she crossed paths with him, she was reminded of the fact that she was his secret valentine . How was she supposed to pick a gift for a man who already had everything?
Rudra strode forward, his gaze flicking between Daadi and Kashish.
“Rudra, it’s nothing important,” Daadi quickly tried to deflect. “You two are home early today.”
“Yes, Daadi. We finished up at the office quicker than usual,” Shekhar added.
But Rudra wasn’t convinced. Daadi and Kashish barely exchanged words, so any conversation between them was certainly not trivial. He sensed something was off, and his sharp instincts told him that there was more to this than met the eye. While Daadi distracted Shekhar, Rudra stepped closer to Kashish.
“What’s going on?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.
Kashish crossed her arms, a sigh escaping her. “Oh, so now you have time to talk to me?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm, her frustration bubbling to the surface.
Rudra held back a smile. She looked striking when she was angry, a fire in her eyes that made her even more defiant. He had always seen her treat him with cold indifference or outright hatred, but this was different—she actually wanted to talk to him. And of course, it had to be about the favors he had done for her.
Suddenly, a smirk crept across Kashish’s face as an idea hit her. “You know what? Let’s make a deal. I’ll tell you exactly what Daadi wants from me—on one condition. You talk to me about this repayment thing,” she offered, her smirk widening.
It was a challenge, a daring move on her part. She was clearly hiding something, and the idea that she and Daadi might be plotting together piqued his curiosity. What could these two possibly have in common?
“Is that how you think deals are made?” he shot back.
“It’s not a deal. It’s the ancient barter system,” she retorted with a glint in her eyes. “You give me something, I give you something in return. Think about it. Good night.”
Before he could respond, Kashish turned on her heel and headed to her bedroom, leaving him standing there, momentarily speechless. Did she just... wish him good night? She had never, in all their history, offered him anything remotely polite, let alone a good night. Tonight was definitely different. Yet amidst all this, Rudra couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was brewing between them.
**************
That night, as Kashish sat in her room sketching designs, the soft strumming of a guitar drifted into her ears. So, Mr. Music Lover was at it again. She tried to ignore it, focusing on her sketches, but the melancholic tune kept pulling at her attention. Couldn’t he play something more cheerful for once? But what was she expecting from a man who had no concept of happiness? A man who only knew how to steal others’ joy, just like he had stolen hers. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the wave of bitterness. Why was she even thinking about this now? She had promised herself to move past it.
Yet, as the guitar’s tune shifted, something in the sound tugged at her, compelling her to get up. She found herself walking toward his room, unsure if she really wanted to go in. She stopped at his door, which was slightly ajar. Couldn’t he at least close it? But then again, this was his house. He could do whatever he wanted. Peeking through the crack, she saw him—sitting on the floor, his back leaned against the edge of the bed, lost in the music. His face was clouded with sadness, as if he were mourning something. Was he missing someone? An ex, maybe? The small yellow lamp illuminated the room dimly, casting soft shadows. It suited him, she thought—a man who thrived in darkness.
He noticed her shadow before he saw her face, thanks to that dim light and his hands stopped playing as he slowly looked up at her.
She froze, her eyes locked with his. When had she even walked inside? She hadn’t realized it until now. Clearing her throat awkwardly, she scrambled to find an excuse for her presence.
“Uh... you’re disturbing others,” she blurted.
No, that wasn’t what she meant to say. But she wasn’t about to take it back either. His expression remained cold.
“I don’t see ‘others’ in this house complaining. Just you,” he replied, his voice indifferent.
Kashish swallowed, her throat dry. “Whatever. I know this is your room, your house. You can do whatever you want. But next time, close the door. I was sketching, and I couldn’t focus.”
“Focus, Kashish Bedi. Learn to focus through the noise,” he retorted, his voice sharp. “Life is full of distractions, and you’ll meet all kinds of annoying people. Ignore them. After all, you’ve mastered that with me. Just like I’ve learned how to be ignored from you.”
His words cut deep, sharper than she expected. When had he become like this? In the beginning, he had never taunted her, never provoked her. Now, he seemed to relish it. She couldn’t make sense of him anymore—he was a puzzle beyond her comprehension. But since she was already here, she might as well change the subject.
“Have you decided about the barter system deal?” she asked.
He sighed, standing up slowly. She instinctively stepped back as he put the guitar away in the closet and approached her.
“Keep your deal. I don’t care anymore,” he said coldly.
Her eyes widened in shock. He didn’t care? This was her only leverage to discuss the repayment matter. Crossing her arms, she glared at him.
“I haven’t met a more pigheaded man in my life,” she growled.
His jaw clenched as he stepped closer. “Pigheaded?” he repeated. She narrowed her eyes and nodded.
“Yes. You act like one with me. Or are you like this with every woman?”
Now she was crossing a line, and she knew it. His eyes darkened with anger.
“Who are you to question my relationships?” he snapped.
“I’m no one. But your Daadi seems to think I can help you find someone to marry. Isn’t that ironic?” she shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
His expression shifted—so this was what Daadi had been discussing with Kashish. Something shifted in Rudra’s eyes, and Kashish suddenly realized her mistake. She had just told him exactly what he’d been trying to find out - about her conversation with his Daadi. How could she have been so stupid? This had been her one chance to make him discuss repaying his debt to her, and she’d ruined it with a few careless words. As she backed away from him, panic rising in her chest, she found herself trapped. Her back hit the wall next to the door, and there was nowhere left to go. Rudra blocked her only escape.
Now she stood cornered, both literally and figuratively, watching as a dangerous smile spread across Rudra’s face. In trying to outsmart him, she’d only managed to outsmart herself.
“I’m glad you refused her,” he said, his tone suggestive. “You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.”
Her mouth fell open. Now he was provoking her .
“Don’t underestimate me. If I wanted to, I could find a woman who’s just your type and get you married in no time,” she challenged.
He leaned in close, his presence overpowering, but she refused to back down. She was too focused on winning this verbal battle.
“You don’t know my type,” he whispered.
She laughed bitterly. “Oh, really? Then why don’t you enlighten me?”
A dangerous glint sparked in his eyes. Should he tell her? Or leave her guessing?
“Forget it. You wouldn’t be able to handle the truth,” he said softly, a smirk playing on his lips.
The insult stung only growing her determination. She would prove him wrong. She would find someone for him, if only to show him she could.
“Stop stalling and just tell me,” she demanded again, prodding him.
In a swift move, he grabbed her by the shoulders, the touch making her feel something unsettling. It wasn’t hate. She couldn’t name it, but it wasn’t the familiar hatred. Rudra spun her around to face the mirror beside them.
Kashish stared at her own reflection, utterly confused. He remained behind her, his eyes boring into her from the mirror. She waited, her breath caught, as if needing him to explain.
“That’s my type,” he whispered, letting go of her shoulders.
Her heart slammed against her chest. Rudra walked out of the room without another word, leaving her standing there, stunned. A lump formed in her throat as her mind raced. What had just happened? Did he really mean that? Or was it another ploy to throw her off guard?
Anjali’s words echoed in her head. Was this what she had meant all along? Did Rudra really harbor those feelings for her?
Damn it.