CHAPTER 65
Raheja Office
Though it was the weekend, Rudra was at the office with a few of his key employees. One of their projects had a crucial deadline, and he wasn’t willing to let it slip. To ensure everything was on track, he called the team into the conference room for a quick meeting.
As the meeting progressed, Rudra’s attention suddenly shifted as Kashish stormed into the office, heading straight for the conference room. Her face was a mix of frustration and urgency, and her sudden entry interrupted the meeting. She didn’t care.
“I’m sorry for barging in, but I need to speak with you,” she said, locking eyes with him.
The team, already aware of the growing relationship between their boss and Kashish, exchanged glances but didn’t seem too surprised. Most of them had come to accept the chemistry between the two.
Without hesitation, Rudra stood.
“Jay, I need the full status report on my desk by evening,” he addressed before turning back to Kashish. “Excuse me, everyone.” He followed her out of the room.
The moment they were out of sight, he stopped her in the hallway, his eyes scanned her face.
“What’s going on?”
Kashish didn’t waste a second.
“Let’s get married,” she blurted out.
Rudra’s brow furrowed slightly in surprise, though he wasn’t entirely taken aback by her sudden declaration.
“We are getting married… in three weeks,” he reminded her gently.
“That’s too far,” she muttered, her throat tightening. “I want to marry today… right now.”
Rudra smirked, stepping closer and brushing his thumb tenderly across her cheek.
“Okay.”
Her eyes widened with surprise. “Okay? Just like that? You’re not going to ask me why I’m in such a rush all of a sudden?”
He leaned in slightly, giving her a pointed look.
“Are you pregnant?” he asked bluntly.
Her cheeks flushed crimson. “What? No!” She hadn’t even considered that possibility. “I mean, I don’t know… Would you be happy if I was?” she stammered, flipping the question back at him.
“Yes,” he replied without hesitation, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
Kashish’s heart skipped at his words, but she shook her head, trying to stay focused.
“No, I’m not pregnant.”
“Then why are you suddenly so on edge?”
Kashish took a deep breath. She couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Suman came to the bungalow today. She said you gave her the address.”
Rudra’s expression hardened, but he was far from shocked.
“She lied,” he said firmly.
Kashish let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
“I needed to hear that from you,” she admitted, relieved. “I knew you wouldn’t share our private plans with her.”
“I have told her about us though. But how she got that address to our bungalow is suspicious.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that Suman already knows about us?”
Rudra sighed, realizing there was no more room for secrecy. “I wanted to make it clear to her that she shouldn’t have any hopes.”
“And you didn’t tell me because…?”
Rudra’s jaw tightened slightly. “Because that conversation took a turn I didn’t expect. She said something completely irrational.”
Kashish narrowed her eyes, her suspicions confirmed.
“She said she still wants to marry you, didn’t she?”
He exhaled heavily, rolling his eyes.
“Yes. She thinks my connection with Daadi is stronger than the one I have with you. That I’ll eventually give in to Daadi’s wishes.”
Kashish’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“I don’t care what she thinks,” Rudra added. “My decision isn’t changing. So, if you want to marry today, I’m ready. I’m yours.”
He opened his arms wide, inviting her into his embrace. She immediately collapsed against him, holding him tightly as if he were her lifeline.
“No…” she whispered into his chest.
“No?” he echoed, confused.
“I don’t want to marry today. We’ll stick to the original date.”
Rudra pulled back slightly, staring at her in bewilderment.
“Why are you women so complicated? A few minutes ago, you were ready to elope, and now you’re changing your mind? Why?”
“I was scared,” she admitted softly. “I felt insecure.”
Rudra cupped her face gently, his eyes intense.
“That’s exactly what Suman and Daadi want. Don’t let them win. Don’t fall into their trap.”
Kashish nodded, her resolve returning.
“Not anymore. You go back to work, and I’ll head home.”
Rudra kissed her wrist tenderly before releasing her.
“I’ll see you tonight.”
Kashish smiled, her cheeks flushing, and walked away. Rudra watched her until she disappeared from view, but the smile that had graced his face soon faded. Daadi was manipulating their relationship, and if she continued down this path, it wouldn’t just tear them apart—it would hurt her too. Something had to be done before it was too late.
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Satsang
“I wish I had been there to see Kashish’s reaction,” Daadi said to Suman, handing her a piece of prasad after their Satsang. The two had been attending many Satsang together lately, deepening their bond.
Suman accepted the prasad with a calm smile.
“Daadi, I have nothing personal against Kashish. She’s a good woman. But I do wonder what will happen to her once Rudra finally makes a decision in your favor.”
“Remember one thing, Suman. Even if Rudra marries you, he won’t accept you as his wife—not immediately, at least. You need to be prepared for that, to handle the situation with maturity.”
Suman took Daadi’s hands, her grip firm.
“Don’t worry about me, Daadi. I will be a good wife to Rudra. I’ll win his heart, in time.”
Daadi’s expression softened as she hugged Suman, blessing her once more.
“I couldn’t have found a better woman for my grandson. Even knowing he’s in love with someone else, you’ve trusted me enough to follow through with this decision. That shows your strength.”
Suman just smiled. The night Rudra had revealed his relationship with Kashish while dropping her home, she had thought long and hard about it. Despite the red flags he had raised, she’d made the choice to stick by Daadi’s side. She truly believed Rudra wouldn’t break his grandmother’s heart. Though he had clearly asked her not to keep any hopes, she persisted. After all, Daadi had confided in her, even revealing Rudra’s plan to buy a new home to live with Kashish. That’s when Suman made up her mind to confront Kashish directly, setting the stage for what she believed would be her victory.
****************
Rudra mentioned Suman’s visit to Kashish to Shekhar as they drove back from work, his frustration barely concealed. Shekhar, equally taken aback, shook his head.
“Suman knows? And she’s still backing Daadi’s plan?” Shekhar asked, disbelief coloring his tone.
Rudra sighed, his weariness evident.
“This whole thing is a disaster. At first, I thought we were being unfair by keeping Suman in the dark about Kashish and me, but now… now I’m just frustrated. And what was the point of her confronting Kashish? She and Daadi are crossing limits, Bhai. We need to stop this before it gets out of control.”
Shekhar, always the voice of reason, nodded slowly. “I know, Rudra. Daadi has always been our weak spot.”
Rudra recalled how upset Kashish had been earlier, her sudden insistence to get married immediately. She had been so anxious, and if she had stood firm, he would have married her then and there. In his heart, Kashish was already his wife. The formal wedding was just for the world to see. A thought struck him.
“Bhai,” he interrupted, “I want you and Anjali Bhabhi to organize our pre-wedding rituals next week.”
Shekhar’s face lit up with surprise and approval. “Of course. We’d be honored to do that for you both.”
Rudra nodded, feeling a flicker of relief. He could already picture Kashish’s happiness once the rituals began. It was something she needed—something they both needed.
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Raheja Mansion
“Shekhar, where is Rudra?” Daadi asked as soon as Shekhar walked through the door after work.
“He stopped by Uttam Nagar,” Shekhar informed her, watching her reaction closely.
Daadi’s expression darkened with anger. Shekhar noticed the priest seated on the couch, waiting for further instructions from Daadi.
“Panditji, my grandson will be late,” Daadi said as she handed the priest Rudra and Suman’s horoscopes. “But you can still begin matching their Kundalis.”
Shekhar’s shoulders slumped in disappointment as he watched Daadi’s actions. Anjali joined them, bringing a glass of milk for the priest, her expression equally troubled. She exchanged a knowing glance with her husband.
Once alone in their room, Shekhar voiced his frustration.
“Why didn’t you tell me Daadi had invited a priest?”
“I didn’t know either,” Anjali replied, exasperated. “She’s keeping everything a secret now because she knows we’re on Rudra and Kashish’s side.”
Shekhar let out a deep sigh.
“Did the Kundalis match?”
“Almost 80%,” Anjali said, her voice filled with disbelief.
“This is ridiculous,” Shekhar groaned. “By the way, Rudra asked us to arrange his and Kashish’s pre-wedding rituals. He wants them to start next week.”
Anjali’s face lit up.
“That’s wonderful! Kashish has been so stressed lately. She needs this. I’ll get started on her shopping. Or should we let them handle that while we take care of everything else?”
“Whatever you decide,” Shekhar said with a chuckle. “I’ll look for another priest and make the necessary arrangements.”
****************
A week passed. Kashish was busy with work at the Raheja office and overseeing the decoration of the bungalow she and Rudra would call home after their wedding. Though the situation with Daadi hadn’t changed, and it was clear she still wanted Rudra to marry Suman, Kashish focused on the tasks at hand, making sure their future home reflected their shared tastes.
One evening, after a long day at work, Kashish arrived home only to find Anjali and Shekhar waiting for her inside. The house had been beautifully decorated, lights glowing warmly throughout the living room.
“Anju… What’s all this?” Kashish asked, her eyes widening as she took in the transformed space. “Why did you decorate the house like this?”
“It’s finally looking like a bride’s home should,” Shekhar teased with a smile.
“What? What are you talking about?”
Anjali stepped forward, holding Kashish’s shoulders warmly.
“Your pre-wedding rituals are starting, darling. Today is your Mehndi ceremony.”
Kashish’s heart soared with joy. “I can’t believe this!”
“Rudra planned this all a week ago and put Shekhar and me in charge of arranging everything,” Anjali explained, smiling proudly.
Kashish’s heart swelled with love for Rudra. He always knew how to surprise her, how to make her feel cherished.
“Where is he?” she asked eagerly.
“He’ll be here soon,” Anjali assured. “Now go freshen up. I’ve left a lehenga for you on the bed, and the beauticians will be here any moment to start your Mehndi.”
Overwhelmed with happiness, Kashish threw her arms around Anjali in a tight hug.
“Thank you, Anju.”
Anjali smiled, returning the hug.
“Thank Rudra. This was all his idea.”
Kashish nodded, but then a shadow passed over her face.
“Does Daadi know?”
Anjali sighed. “No. We couldn’t afford to let her know. Even Rudra thought it best to keep it quiet.”
Kashish sighed in disappointment but quickly shook it off. Anjali squeezed her shoulders reassuringly.
“Don’t worry about that now. Just enjoy your wedding. Now go get ready!”
Smiling brightly, Kashish hurried off to change, her heart full of love for the man who always managed to make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.