CHAPTER 53
Two months later – Raheja Mansion
The soft chime of the temple bells echoed through the early morning silence, startling Daadi awake. Confusion swept over her. No one but her ever rose this early to perform the morning Puja. Quickly dressing, she rushed downstairs to investigate. Entering the temple room, her eyes widened in shock—Kashish was standing before the deity, leading the Puja.
Daadi didn’t interrupt her. She stood frozen, recalling Kashish’s journey in this house. When Kashish first arrived, her faith had been shattered. She had lost all hope in God, anger festering within her heart after her father’s death. Slowly, due to the family’s routine, she started attending the morning prayers, though always as a passive participant. But after Rudra left for Paris, Kashish’s devotion shifted. She became an active part of the rituals, and today, she had even taken over the role that always belonged to Daadi—leading the Puja.
Anjali and Shekhar entered the temple room, equally stunned to see Kashish performing the Aarti with such devotion. Daadi signaled for them to remain silent, despite the rage building within her. The last thing she wanted was to insult the sanctity of the prayers. Together, they all recited the chants after Kashish.
As the prayers concluded, Kashish turned, offering Prasad with a serene smile. She was genuinely glad to see everyone gathered. They accepted the Prasad and began to leave, but Daadi couldn’t hold back any longer. She stopped Kashish in her tracks.
“What is this new drama? Who gave you the right to take my place in the temple room?”
Kashish met her gaze, unflinching, without a trace of fear or guilt.
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Daadi. I’ve lived in this house for so many years and never felt compelled to lead the prayers. But today, I couldn’t help myself. It’s a special day for me.”
Her explanation went right over Daadi’s head, but Shekhar suddenly realized.
“It’s your birthday. Oh, Kashish, how could we forget? Happy birthday.” He hugged her joyfully.
Kashish’s face lit up as Anjali joined in, wishing her as well. She then bent to touch Daadi’s feet for blessings.
“God bless you,” Daadi muttered, her face impassive.
Ever since Rudra had left for Paris, Kashish hadn’t tried to rebuild her bond with Daadi, but she also hadn’t been hostile or avoided her. Instead, Kashish had been following the family’s rules as if nothing had ever gone wrong between them. It confused Daadi—what was her true motive? Had she truly accepted the end of her relationship with Rudra?
But Daadi was bound by Rudra’s request. Before leaving for Paris, Rudra had made Daadi promise never to force Kashish out of the house, even after her 25th birthday, when the court order permitting her stay expired. It was the only way to regain her grandson’s trust, and now, even though today was the day Daadi had long awaited to sever ties with Kashish, she was helpless.
“Shekhar, I need to hurry to work. The meeting got preponed,” Kashish muttered.
Shekhar checked his watch.
“At least let me drive you to work today.”
Since Rudra’s departure, Kashish had avoided using the family cars, managing everything herself.
“Don’t spoil me. I’ll manage,” she replied, grabbing a pancake off the table as she rushed out the door.
“She’s handled her heartbreak so well,” Anjali commented, watching her leave.
Shekhar shook his head.
“It’s not heartbreak, Anjali. They’re just apart physically, but their hearts still beat for each other.”
Anjali smiled knowingly.
“Do you think Rudra is keeping tabs on her?”
“He is. Like me, even Jay is in touch with him, updating him on Kashish. Rudra may have left, but he’ll never stop looking out for her.”
“Then why are they doing this to each other? Why endure the pain when they love each other so much?”
Shekhar had no answers.
“They know how and when to end this distance. We just have to wait.”
“I wonder if Rudra will send her something for her birthday,” Anjali mused.
“I think he will,” Shekhar replied. “Let’s see what surprise he has for her.”
*******************
Paris
Rudra woke with a start, Kashish’s tear-streaked face haunting his dreams once again. Every night, it was the same. The day he had left for Paris replayed in his mind, her desperate pleas, her heartbreak. It was unbearable.
“Kashish…” he whispered into the silence of his room. This nightmare had replaced the old ones—her sorrow was more soul-wrenching than anything he had ever faced before. He had made the decision to leave, and though he had tried to act rationally, his heart had never stopped aching since.
He knew he was a man who had always followed his heart, but in this one decision, he had thought with his mind. He wanted Kashish to understand the depth of their love. Two months apart—was it enough? He wasn’t sure.
The door creaked open, and Lavina stepped in holding a cake. She grinned, lighting a small candle on top.
“Happy birthday to her… happy birthday to her… Happy Birthday to Kashish, Happy birthday to her,” Lavina sang, placing the cake in front of Rudra.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. Of course, he hadn’t forgotten Kashish’s birthday, but Lavina’s gesture warmed his heart.
“Come on, make a wish for her and cut the cake,” Lavina urged, practically bouncing with excitement.
Rudra closed his eyes. Flashes of Kashish appeared—her smile, her blush, the way she’d shy away when he teased her, their first kiss, they sleeping in each other’s arms. But then, as always, came the haunting image of her tear-streaked face. His eyes snapped open, a chill running down his spine. Why couldn’t he forget that? Even though he knew she was doing fine, living her life as he had asked, he couldn’t shake the image of her pain.
He had kept tab on Kashish in the last two months. Even Shekhar told him on the phone that she was doing everything she could to be happy. She was eating well and going to bed on time. Her designs at work were amazing. She at times even danced with Anjali and cooked for everyone - even making pancakes, which she’d started eating herself after he left for Paris. She was doing exactly what he’d asked her to do. Everything pointed to her being happy, not sad. So why was it that every time he closed his eyes or tried to sleep, all he could see was her face with tears running down it?
“Rudra?” Lavina’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “Cut the cake!”
He nodded, cutting the cake and letting her feed him a piece. Lavina snapped a photo of the cake and immediately began typing on her phone.
“Sending this to Kashish,” she said, grinning. “Her birthday will be brighter knowing you cut a cake for her.”
Rudra didn’t stop her. Lavina had taken it upon herself to keep Kashish informed of the little things Rudra did for her—though he never allowed his face to be captured, only his actions.
“Did you send her a gift?” Lavina asked.
Rudra took another bite, focusing on the piece with Kashish’s name.
“Yes. She must have received it by now,” he replied.
“What did you send her?” Lavina pressed.
Rudra smirked. “You’ll find out soon.”
With that, he headed to the shower, his mind still heavy with thoughts of Kashish. No matter how far he went, she would always remain in his heart.
*******************
Raheja office – Delhi
Kashish sat alone in her cabin, staring at her phone as Lavina’s picture message popped up. She opened it slowly, knowing what was coming but still unprepared for the rush of emotion that followed. It was a picture of the birthday cake Lavina had sent her, with a piece missing—one Rudra had eaten. Her heart clenched. He had remembered her birthday. He hadn’t forgotten, even from thousands of miles away. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but the sound of footsteps approaching made her quickly wipe them away. She couldn’t afford to show weakness, not in front of anyone.
It was Shekhar. He entered the cabin with a bright smile, holding a gift-wrapped box in his hand.
“Hello, birthday girl. Here’s your present,” he said, extending the box toward her.
Kashish took it with trembling hands, trying to steady herself. She forced a smile.
“It’s from Rudra, isn’t it?”
Shekhar nodded.
“Jay told me it came yesterday from Paris, but Rudra specifically instructed him to give it to you today.”
Her heart swelled with love, but she maintained her composure.
“I’m sure it’s lovely,” she said, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ll open it in a bit. Was there something else you needed?”
Shekhar hesitated. “I heard you’re planning to leave early today. Got any plans?”
Kashish chuckled lightly, masking her inner turmoil.
“Yes, a few important ones that can’t wait.”
Shekhar raised a brow.
“What plans, if I may ask?”
Kashish smirked, playing it off.
“You’ll find out when you get home, Shekhar. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to finish these designs before I leave.”
Shekhar smiled, though he was curious, and exited the room, leaving her alone again.
Kashish turned her attention back to the gift Rudra had sent her. There was no card, no message. She had no idea what was inside, but she didn’t need to open it yet. Just holding it close to her heart, she felt his presence. The man she loved, the man who loved her deeply—despite everything—had chosen this for her. She clutched it tighter, imagining that it was him she was holding. The pain in her chest grew sharper, an ache that wouldn’t leave her. Now, more than ever, she understood the torment he must have endured all those years, loving her without knowing if she would ever feel the same.
It was agony. Pure, unrelenting agony.
She closed her eyes, trying to push away the tears, but they came anyway. She had to finish her work. There was still something important she needed to do today. The most significant part of her birthday awaited her at home.
*******************
Paris
In the middle of a conference, Rudra couldn’t stop his thoughts from drifting to Kashish.
“Did she open my gift?” he whispered to Lavina, who sat beside him.
Lavina leaned closer, shaking her head. “No, I asked her. She said she’ll open it this evening.”
Rudra sighed, frustrated. Why was she delaying it? Didn’t she want to see what he had gifted her? Lavina noticed the tension on his face and tried to ease it.
“She’s probably just busy, Rudra. Let her open it at home—it’ll mean more that way.”
He nodded, trying to focus on the meeting, but his mind kept wandering back to Kashish. Since he had left for Paris, they hadn’t spoken directly—not once. Everything had gone through Lavina or someone else. There were so many moments when he had wanted to hear her voice, to hear her say his name again, but he had forced himself to maintain distance. He didn’t want to weaken the separation they had agreed upon. But today, on her birthday, he wished he could have broken that silence, just once. She must have expected it, too.
*******************
Raheja Mansion
Shekhar rushed into Kashish’s bedroom, breathless with urgency. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing—her bags were packed, the room nearly empty.
“Kashish, what are you doing?” he asked, his voice edged with panic.
Kashish calmly zipped the last bag.
“I’m doing what I’ve always known would happen, Shekhar.”
“I know the court’s custody orders end today, but none of us want you to leave. Even Daadi isn’t forcing you out. Why are you doing this?” he demanded.
“You and Anju love me too much to push me out. But that doesn’t mean I can take advantage of that love. My time here is up, and I don’t want to extend my stay unnecessarily.”
Anjali, who had been watching helplessly, now stepped forward, grabbing Kashish by the shoulders.
“Unnecessarily? Kashish, this isn’t about legality or court orders. You’re a part of us, part of this family. Why are you pretending like none of this matters?”
Kashish’s face softened, but her resolve remained. She turned to Shekhar.
“Rudra wanted me to be independent, to be happy. Staying here… after all that’s happened… wouldn’t bring me happiness. He would never want that.”
Shekhar’s frustration deepened.
“You too are running away. Think about Rudra. What do you think he’ll do when he finds out you left?”
“He’ll understand. He always does. This is what I need to do to keep my promise to him—to be strong, to be independent. He won’t like seeing me unhappy here. This is for the best.”
Shekhar watched her, feeling powerless. Kashish had made up her mind, and nothing he said would change that. Ram Prasad entered to collect her bags, taking them downstairs to the waiting cab. Daadi, secretly pleased but outwardly composed, watched as Kashish prepared to leave.
Kashish hugged Shekhar and Anjali one last time.
“I’ll be staying at my house in Uttam Nagar. It’s not far. You can visit me anytime, and we’ll still see each other at the office.”
Tears welled up in Shekhar’s eyes as he embraced her.
“You’ve never stayed alone, Kashish. You don’t have to start now.”
Kashish smiled weakly, her own tears threatening to spill.
“I have to learn, Shekhar. I’ll manage.”
Anjali broke into sobs as she hugged Kashish tightly, unable to say goodbye.
The court personnel arrived, and Kashish signed the final papers, officially ending her custody with the Raheja family. Daadi offered her superficial blessings, and with a final glance at the home that had once been her sanctuary, Kashish left. The cab drove away, leaving behind a family distanced by circumstance.
*******************
Paris
Rudra was in the middle of his conference when his phone rang. It was Shekhar. He excused himself and took the call, his face hardening as Shekhar recounted what had happened—Kashish had left Raheja Mansion. She was heading back to her old home in Uttam Nagar, determined to live alone.
His hand clenched the phone so tightly he thought it might break. How could she do this without consulting him? She knew how much it meant to him that she stay with the family. How could she make such a huge decision on her own?
She wanted independence. She wanted to fulfill her promise to him, to be strong, but this wasn’t strength—it was isolation. He knew she wouldn’t be able to adjust to this new life so easily, after being surrounded by family for so long. Who would ensure she was safe, that she ate, that she slept?
Rage and frustration surged through him. Enough was enough. He wasn’t going to let this go on. Whatever it took, he was going back to India. He had never stopped caring for her, and if it meant ending their separation sooner than planned, so be it. He couldn’t bear the thought of her being alone—he was going to fix this. Now .