CHAPTER 33
Veeru Kaaka returned, holding a small wooden box. “This is it,” he said, handing it to her.
Kashish stared at the box, her confusion deepening. What could it possibly contain?
“I’ve never opened it. It belongs to you,” Veeru Kaaka assured her.
Kashish trusted him completely. The wrapping on the box was still intact, aged but untouched, suggesting it had been preserved for years. With trembling hands, she carefully unwrapped the box and opened it. Inside, nestled on a soft cloth, was a small key.
“A key? What is this for?” Kashish murmured, staring at it in bewilderment.
Veeru and his wife exchanged puzzled glances. “We have no idea,” Veeru Kaaka replied softly.
Kashish spotted a small folded note tucked beneath the key. Her father’s handwriting was unmistakable, and as she unfolded the paper, memories flooded back. She read the note slowly, her heart clenching with emotion.
“This key belongs to the same trunk where you used to hide your doll.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. The note was like a fragile thread pulling her back to her father, to a time when everything was simple, and he was still with her. She broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, the emotions too heavy to bear. Veeru Kaaki rushed to her side, gently rubbing her back.
“Kashish, please compose yourself. Your father loved you dearly, and he wouldn’t want to see you like this.”
Kashish struggled to regain control, wiping her tears as best she could.
“I’ve never gone back to that house since the accident, Kaaki. I’m scared… scared of the memories that place holds. Going back there… opening that trunk… it’ll bring everything back. I miss him so much,” she choked, her voice trembling as fresh tears began to fall.
Veeru Kaaka offered comforting words.
“Kashish, you have to gather your strength. It’s been years since the accident, and perhaps your father left you this key to tell you something important. You should go back, face it, and see what he wanted to show you.”
His words rang with wisdom, and although she was scared, they made sense. Kashish had always refused Shekhar’s attempts to take her back to her old home in Uttam Nagar. She had only ever admired it from afar, never daring to step inside. But now, it seemed inevitable. She nodded slowly.
“I’ll go.”
“That’s good,” Veeru Kaaki said gently, “but first, let’s eat dinner. I made your favorite—Aloo Puri, just like when you were a child.”
Kashish wasn’t hungry. Her mind was spinning from all that had happened—Rudra’s sudden confession, and now this mystery key from her father. How could she possibly process it all?
Later that night, after sharing dinner with Veeru Kaaka’s family, Kashish returned to Raheja Mansion. She held the key tightly in her hand, wondering when she would gather the courage to visit her old home and uncover what her father had left for her. Exhausted, she lay down on her bed, still clutching the key, feeling like it was the only tangible connection she had left to her father.
*****************
The next morning, Rudra stepped out of his room, dressed sharply for work. As he buttoned his suit, he was deep in conversation with Jay on his Bluetooth.
“Jay, what do you mean Daadi’s no longer in Haridwar? She told me it was a four-day trip!” Rudra barked into the phone; frustration evident in his tone.
At the same time, Kashish emerged from her room, shutting the door behind her. She hurried toward the stairs but collided with Rudra as he passed by. She stumbled, but before she could hit the ground, Rudra caught her, holding her securely in his arms. For a moment, their eyes locked, the weight of yesterday’s confession hanging between them. His grip tightened around her waist, and she clutched his shirt over his strong arms, wrinkling the pristine fabric.
“I don’t appreciate it when people close to me don’t inform me of their whereabouts,” Rudra snapped on the phone without moving his gaze from her.
Kashish’s confusion grew. Was that a dig at her for not telling him where she had gone last night? Her initial instinct was to argue back, but before she could, Rudra pointed to his Bluetooth, signaling that the comment was directed at someone else. Still, she knew part of it was aimed at her. He was playing it smart.
“No, Jay, don’t do anything. I’ll call her myself and confirm,” Rudra said, starting down the stairs. Kashish followed close behind.
As they reached the living room, Daadi walked in through the door. Rudra’s surprise was evident. He immediately approached her to take her blessings, but his concern quickly surfaced.
“Where did you go from Haridwar, Daadi? And why didn’t you inform me about your change of plans?” he asked.
Daadi smiled, touching his cheek lovingly.
“Rudra, if I had told you where I wanted to go, you wouldn’t have let me,” she replied, her tone light.
Before Rudra could press further, a new voice chimed in from behind them.
“Hello, handsome.”
Kashish, who was on her way to the kitchen, stopped in her tracks. She turned to see a young woman in her mid-twenties, removing her sunglasses and flashing a bold smile at Rudra. He turned to his Daadi, his expression unreadable, as she introduced the girl.
“Rudra, this is Ruchi, my friend’s granddaughter,” Daadi announced warmly.
Shekhar and Anjali joined them, equally surprised by Daadi’s sudden return with Ruchi. Everyone knew exactly what Daadi’s intentions were in bringing her here. Kashish’s jaw clenched. So, this was the woman Daadi had chosen for Rudra? Ruchi’s elegance and wealth were evident in her appearance and style, but Kashish couldn’t help but wonder if she would be the right fit for a man as complicated as Rudra Raheja. Could Ruchi even begin to heal the pain Rudra carried?
“Rudra, Ruchi will be staying with us for a week,” Daadi informed him with a smile.
While Shekhar and Anjali welcomed her, Rudra’s face darkened. Without saying a word, he walked out of the house. Ruchi pouted in disappointment.
“Daadi, he didn’t even talk to me,” she whined.
Daadi, clearly upset by Rudra’s cold behavior, tried to smooth things over.
“He must have something important at work, beta. Come, meet my elder grandson Shekhar and his wife.”
Shekhar introduced himself and Anjali, but when Ruchi turned her attention to Kashish, her tone shifted.
“And you must be Kashish?” she asked, her words sharp.
Kashish had no idea how much Ruchi or her family knew about Rudra’s tragic past, but it was clear Ruchi was aware of her.
“Hi,” Kashish murmured softly, turning back toward the kitchen. She had no time for unnecessary confrontation—her mind was still racing with everything she had learned and experienced in the past two days.
As Anjali led Ruchi to the guest room, Shekhar pulled Daadi aside.
“Daadi, you should have told us beforehand.”
“You didn’t like me bringing Ruchi here?” Daadi asked, her voice defensive.
“That’s not what I meant, Daadi,” Shekhar explained. “You know Rudra. He won’t accept this easily. And if he decides to leave for Paris again, who’s going to stop him? Last time, Kashish managed to keep him here, but if he’s made up his mind, no one can change it.”
Daadi sighed. “He won’t go anywhere, Shekhar. I’m not forcing him to marry. I just want him to spend time with Ruchi. I’m sure that after a week, he’ll realize how much he needs a life partner.”
Daadi’s intentions were clear, but Shekhar remained skeptical. He knew the truth—that Rudra had already chosen someone. It was Kashish. But would she ever accept him in that role?
*****************
Kashish sat in Lavina’s cabin, her mind still reeling from everything that had happened.
“So, what was your Valentine’s gift?” Lavina asked, curious.
Kashish offered a weak smile. “Silver anklets.”
Lavina’s eyes widened. “Oh my God, that’s such a cute gift! Who do you think was your secret Santa?”
Kashish shrugged. “What’s the point in guessing now? There are more important matters to deal with. Like Rudra’s next appointment with Dr. Akash Dixit.”
Lavina nodded thoughtfully.
“True. Do you think Rudra will agree to go this time?”
“He will,” Kashish said, her voice filled with determination. “Because this time, I’m taking him there myself.”
Lavina blinked in surprise at Kashish’s resolve. “You’re really going all out for him. He’s lucky to have you.”
Kashish felt a knot form in her stomach. Was she doing too much for him? After all, Rudra was the one responsible for ruining her life, even if unintentionally. But now, knowing the darkness that had haunted him for so long, she just couldn’t stand by. She needed to help him break free from that past.
“So, when are you booking the next appointment?” Lavina broke into her thoughts again.
“Tomorrow,” Kashish replied. “But don’t tell him yet. I’ll figure out a way to get him there.”
Lavina smiled and nodded. “Keep me posted then.”
Kashish left the cabin. With Daadi pushing harder for Rudra’s marriage, she needed to move fast if she wanted to help him heal before things spiraled out of control. She had a mountain of responsibilities in such little time. And then there was tonight—she had to return to her childhood home, unlock that trunk, and uncover the message her father had left behind.
As she walked through the office lobby, Kashish absently pulled the small key from her wallet, staring at it while lost in thought. She didn’t notice Rudra coming from the opposite direction until it was almost too late. Just before she could collide with a pillar, Rudra grabbed her arm, pulling her close to him, saving her from the inevitable impact. It took her a moment to process what had just happened.
His arm rested firmly on her back, holding her against him.
“What is wrong with you? Have you completely lost your senses?” he snapped.
Kashish swallowed hard, realizing how close they were.
“You don’t seem to notice any danger around you. First the speeding car, then you bump into me this morning, and now you almost walked into a pillar!” he yelled, his voice raising with every word.
She pushed him away, her own temper flaring. “The most dangerous thing of all is running into you ! You save me, only to shout at me afterward. What is your problem?” Her voice rose, matching his intensity.
He narrowed his eyes at her, but before either of them could say more, Kashish decided to tackle the topic that had been lingering in her mind.
“And if you have so much free time to argue with me, why don’t you spend some of it with your guest at home? You didn’t even greet her this morning, let alone acknowledge her.”
Rudra clenched his jaw, stepping closer, forcing her to take a step back. Her heart pounded in her chest, cursing herself for starting this conversation.
“You really want me to spend time with her?” His voice was cold, almost mocking.
She stammered, “Y-Yes. I mean… two people who are supposed to spend the rest of their lives together should start by getting to know each other. It brings them closer.”
Kashish cringed at her own words. What am I doing? This was the same man she once wanted to destroy, and now she was practically pushing him towards another woman.
Rudra stopped advancing and raised an eyebrow.
“In that case, let’s start with coffee today. We can plan lunch or dinner tomorrow.”
Her jaw dropped. “What?”
“You just said two people need to spend time together to get closer, right? Well, you should know me better before attempting to fix my phobias,” he replied coolly, his words dripping with sarcasm.
Kashish gritted her teeth, realizing he was playing with her. “Stop twisting my words. Go home and spend time with Ruchi. She’s staying for a week, at least.”
Rudra shook his head, his smile sharp. “I could make her leave in an hour if I wanted to.”
Kashish stared at him, her chest tightening. “What are you talking about?”
“I’d just have to tell her what I told you on Valentine’s night—that she’s 11 years, 3 months, and 17 days late to make me fall for her,” he said, his voice low and taunting. “I’m sure she’d get the message.”
Kashish felt her pulse quicken. He remembered the exact day they met? His words, his unapologetic confessions, left her feeling raw and exposed.
“You won’t say that to her,” she tried to warn him.
Rudra’s expression hardened. “Oh, I will. Because no other woman will ever take the place I’ve already given to someone else.”
Urgh! This man—his intensity, his defiance—it rattled her to her core. “You… you’re being insane, Rudra. Stop this madness.”
His eyes darkened, and in one swift move, he gripped her arms tightly, pulling her close.
“Forcing me to marry someone I don’t love is madness. Don’t push me, Kashish. You don’t have the right to play matchmaker for someone who’s already given his heart. You can’t love me, fine. But don’t expect me to ever feel this way for anyone else. The sooner you realize that, the fewer hearts will be broken.”
With that, he released her and stormed off, leaving Kashish standing there, her mind swirling with guilt, confusion, and an undeniable pull toward the man she never thought she could care for.