CHAPTER 49
Raheja Mansion
Shekhar and Anjali’s sudden decision to visit Jaipur caught Daadi completely off-guard.
“I don’t understand why you’re both so determined about this trip,” Daadi resisted, though it wasn’t that she didn’t want to see her grandson—she missed Rudra dearly.
“Daadi, I thought you’d be the first to agree!” Shekhar countered. “Rudra would be overjoyed to see you there.”
A faint smile touched Daadi’s lips.
“But our presence might disrupt his work.”
“Not at all! You know Rudra. He keeps his professional and personal life very separate,” Shekhar reassured.
Daadi glanced at Anjali, who nodded enthusiastically, echoing Shekhar’s plea.
“Fine,” Daadi sighed, “I’ll pack my bags too.”
Shekhar and Anjali exchanged triumphant glances.
“But this has to be a surprise,” Anjali chimed in. “Neither Rudra nor Kashish should know we’re coming.”
Daadi agreed, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this sudden trip than met the eye.
*******************
Jaipur
Kashish lounged on the couch, engrossed in a novel. It wasn’t something she usually indulged in, but after spotting a colleague reading it at work, curiosity had piqued her interest. As she read, her cheeks flushed at one particularly romantic passage.
Rudra approached from behind, lightly tapping her shoulder before handing her a mug of coffee.
“Thanks,” she said, barely glancing up as she took the cup, still lost in her story.
“Novel?” Rudra asked, settling beside her.
“Hmm. It’s pretty intriguing,” she replied, sipping her coffee.
“And what exactly makes it so intriguing?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“The hero,” she smiled, blushing again. “He’s so… perfect. Calm, focused, intelligent, and deeply passionate about the woman he loves.”
Rudra’s muscles tensed. “And what’s so special about this guy?”
“Everything,” she gushed, “He’s got this firm dedication to her. It’s just... mind-blowing.”
Rudra smirked before pulling her closer, his fingers threading through her hair.
“Why bother with fictional heroes when you’ve got a real one right here?”
His teasing words struck something deeper in her, though she knew he was just toying with her emotions.
“Well,” she quipped back, “I’m curious to see how their love story unfolds.”
But her playful smile vanished the moment she saw the flicker of pain in Rudra’s eyes. Her heart clenched. Did she say something wrong?
“Where is our love leading us, Kashish?” he asked with uncertainty in his voice.
Confused by the sudden shift, she placed the book aside and gently touched his cheek.
“What do you mean?”
“We need to start thinking about the future… about commitment.”
Commitment. The very word stabbed at her conscience, reminding her of the promise she made to Daadi—the one she knew she couldn’t keep.
Her silence was all the confirmation Rudra needed. He could feel her pulling away, and it cut deeper than any words.
“Kashish,” his grip tightened slightly around her neck as he brought her closer, their gazes locking with an intensity that seemed to freeze time. “Do you really love me?”
“More than you know.”
“Do you trust me?” His voice softened.
“More than I trust myself,” she admitted.
“Good,” he murmured near her ear before embracing her fully.
She clung to him as if trying to ground herself in the storm of emotions swirling inside her.
“Why do our conversations always feel so intense?” she mumbled, her fingers running through his hair.
Rudra smirked, stroking her back with deliberate tenderness. He didn’t need to answer that. His love for her had never been ordinary, so why should anything about them be?
After a few minutes, Kashish pulled away.
“I should get dinner started.”
“Stay,” he whispered, not wanting to let go.
She chuckled at his persistence. “Rudra, if we keep cozying up like this, we’ll be the reason for global warming.”
Her joke finally brought a smile to his face. Reluctantly, he let her go.
“So, what’s on the menu tonight?” he asked, playing along with her lightheartedness.
“Whatever Sir desires,” she teased.
“Then I’ll eat whatever Madam cooks,” he shot back with a grin.
She laughed softly and rushed to the kitchen, knowing full well that no matter what she prepared, he would love it. That’s what love was.
Rudra watched her leave. She may have dodged the topic of commitment for now, but tomorrow would be different. He had already laid out his plan, and by then, she would have no choice but to confront her deepest fears—and commit to his love once and for all.
*******************
Kashish woke up earlier than usual the next morning, her heart still racing from the remnants of another nightmare. In her dream today, she had seen Daadi arranging Rudra’s marriage with another woman—right in front of her. The sight of Rudra, solemnly tying the knot out of loyalty to Daadi, had torn her apart. Would that day ever come? Would Rudra, bound by his love for Daadi, choose someone else if she left him? The thought sent shivers through her. She could almost see it—the woman standing beside him, while she watched from the sidelines, powerless. Her chest tightened, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Rudra’s love for her was boundless, fierce, and undeniable. How could she ever imagine him enduring the agony of separation? She was going to hurt him—deeply, irrationally, by leaving him to fulfil a promise she never meant to keep with her heart. She was about to strike at the one place where he was most vulnerable: his heart.
The desperate need to see him, to feel him near, overcame her. She threw off her blankets and rushed to his room. It was Sunday, and they had no pressing commitments. She didn’t want to spend even a moment apart from him, not after the haunting images of that dream. But panic surged when she didn’t find him in his room. Her breath hitched as she hurried down the stairs until she finally spotted him—working out in the gym, focused on his abs. Relief washed over her like a wave as she stopped at the door, her heart racing for a different reason now.
Rudra was drenched in sweat, his T-shirt clinging to his toned muscles. Her gaze trailed over his chest, down to his flat, sculpted abdomen, the strength of him drawing her in like a magnet.
“You know what your stare does to me,” he called out, breaking her trance.
She flinched, caught off guard. He had seen her watching, and now he was wiping his face with a towel, grinning knowingly. She tried to suppress the playful smile tugging at her lips, but it was hard. He was every bit the man who could make a woman fall hopelessly in love. And then the nightmare flashed again in her mind. Any woman would be lucky to call him her husband, and here she was, preparing to leave him over a promise she had never truly accepted.
Before she realized it, he was standing right in front of her. His hand lifted her chin gently, and without warning, his lips brushed against hers. The soft kiss sent shivers down her spine, but the sharp bite that followed made her gasp. A wave of heat surged through her body, and her hand shot up to touch the spot, rubbing where it stung.
“Why did you do that?”
“That was your punishment,” he murmured.
“Punishment?” she repeated, incredulous. “For what?”
He turned and walked out of the gym, leaving her standing there, bewildered.
“You’ll find out soon enough,” he called over his shoulder.
Kashish’s curiosity flared. What could he possibly be talking about? What did she do to deserve punishment?
“Rudra, wait!” she hurried after him, catching up as he strode toward his room. She blocked his path, her hands on her hips, determined to get answers.
“Tell me now!”
“Don’t be so impatient, Kashish.”
She could sense he was up to something.
“You’re going to love my surprise,” he added, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
“Fine. But what are we doing today? It’s Sunday, remember?”
“I booked a spa appointment for you this afternoon.”
“A spa? For me?” she asked, pleasantly surprised.
“Yes,” he smiled. “You’ve been stressed all week. I want you to relax, to take care of yourself.”
It was moments like these that reminded her why he was so different, so special—his care, his thoughtfulness, set him apart from everyone else.
She pouted slightly. “Are you joining me?”
He chuckled softly. “I wish I could, but I’ve got some important work to finish.”
Kashish frowned, disheartened by the thought of spending the day apart.
“But,” he leaned in, kissing her forehead tenderly, “we’ll see each other once you are back. I promise.”
His words were enough to lift her spirits again. She smiled, her heart swelling with the warmth of his love, and headed back to her room to prepare for the spa.
*******************
It was evening, and the spa had done wonders for Kashish, recharging both her mind and spirit. She felt radiant, refreshed, ready for anything. When she returned to her room, another surprise awaited her: a beautiful pink lehenga lying on the bed, along with a familiar note from Rudra. He wanted her to wear it and meet him on the terrace. The sequence of surprises—first the spa, now this lehenga—hinted at something special, something intensely romantic. Her heart quickened with excitement. She wanted to forget the painful promise she had made to Daadi, even if just for tonight, and lose herself in the moment with Rudra. She knew such a night might never come again. Determined, she began dressing.
Almost an hour later, standing before the mirror, Kashish looked like a bride. The lehenga was simple but beautiful, and though she hadn’t adorned herself elaborately, her reflection was undeniably stunning. She hoped the maids wouldn’t see her like this on her way up; she’d already overheard their gossip about her and Rudra, and she knew they suspected they were more than just colleagues. With one last glance at her reflection, she adjusted the dupatta (veil) over her shoulder and made her way to the terrace, anticipation coursing through her.
The terrace was softly lit, but instead of the candlelight dinner she had expected, Kashish’s eyes were drawn to the center, where a fire burned brightly. It wasn’t just any fire—it looked ceremonial, almost sacred. A sense of nervousness crept into her as she saw Rudra approaching, dressed simply in his regular suit, yet somehow looking more handsome than ever. His eyes roved over her appreciatively as he reached her. Gently, he removed the dupatta from her shoulder and draped it over her head like a bride’s veil. She stared at him in shock, her heart pounding as she noticed the garlands, Sindoor, and Mangalsutra laid out beside the fire.
“Rudra… what is all this?”
Rudra didn’t hesitate. He looked into her eyes, answering with a calm intensity that sent chills through her.
“We are marrying tonight,” he replied simply.
Kashish felt the ground shift beneath her.
“Marrying?” she stammered, wide-eyed.
“Yes, that’s the next step in love,” he declared firmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Panic welled inside her. She loved him, yes, but she couldn’t forget the promise she had made to Daadi. How could she marry him knowing she was meant to leave him one day? Guilt and fear intertwined in her heart—Rudra had suffered so much because of her father’s sins, and now, despite her love, she felt unworthy of him.
“Rudra… we… we can’t do this,” she managed to say.
“Why not? We love each other, and you said you trust me. Trust me on this, Kashish. It’s for us. For our love.”
But Kashish shook her head, tears stinging her eyes.
“No… it’s not about trust. You’re rushing into this.”
But Rudra wasn’t going to back down. She saw the frustration building in his eyes, his jaw tightening as anger rose in him. He had always been patient, but tonight, something had shifted.
“Why are you denying me?”
Unable to meet his gaze, Kashish lowered her eyes, knowing she couldn’t reveal the truth.
Rudra gripped her arm, forcing her to face him.
“Tell me, why are you backing off?” he demanded.
Kashish shook free from his grip, her frustration mounting alongside his.
“I’m not backing off!” she insisted.
“Then marry me!” he demanded once more.
“I can’t,” she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Rudra’s expression hardened.
“Give me one reason,” he said through gritted teeth. “One good reason, and I’ll walk away.”
“I can’t,” she repeated.
Fury darkened Rudra’s face.
“Under normal circumstances, I would have gone down on one knee and asked for your hand. But not anymore. I don’t understand why you won’t marry me when you love me so much. So, this is happening, Kashish, whether you like it or not.”
Before she could react, Rudra swept her into his arms and began circling the fire.
“How many circles do we need to take around the holy fire? Seven, right?”
“Rudra, please stop!” she cried, struggling in his arms. But he ignored her pleas, counting as he circled the fire.
“Two done. Five more to go,” he said darkly.
Panic surged through Kashish. She knew he was angry, hurt, but this wasn’t the way. He couldn’t force her into this, not like this.
“Rudra… listen to me,” she begged. “I do have a reason.”
“Then tell me.” He slowed his pace slightly but didn’t stop.
“Daadi doesn’t like me,” she blurted out, desperate to make him understand.
“That will change once we’re married,” he replied without missing a beat.
“No, it won’t,” Kashish cried. “I made a promise to Daadi… I promised her I would leave you once you were healed. She asked me to leave you forever, and I agreed.”
Rudra stopped abruptly. Kashish looked up at him, her heart pounding in her chest, terrified of his reaction. His face paled, but instead of dropping her or lashing out, he turned slowly, his gaze fixed on something ahead of them.
Kashish followed his line of sight and gasped. Daadi, Shekhar, and Anjali stood at the entrance, watching them in shock.
Her heart sank. Rudra knew. He had known all along. This was the punishment, the sin he had been hinting at. He had planned this.