CHAPTER 66
Bedi House
Kashish looked at her Mehndi-covered hands, her heart swelling with emotions. It was happening—her marriage to Rudra. The man who loved her without limits, who had fought the odds to make this union possible, despite the strong disapproval of his Daadi. A few months ago, his grandmother’s feelings toward her might have bothered Kashish more, but now, after seeing the irrational lengths Daadi had gone to by involving Suman, she had learned to let go of that concern. And as for Suman? She was only making a fool of herself by clinging to the impossible notion of winning Rudra’s heart when he so clearly belonged to someone else.
Amidst all this turmoil, Kashish still felt a deep sense of joy. Rudra’s decision to organize these pre-wedding rituals was just another reminder of how much he cared.
“Kashish…” Anjali entered the room, pulling Kashish from her thoughts. She had just stepped out to pay the Mehndi artists for their beautiful work.
Kashish held out her hands to show Anjali.
“It’s darkening,” Anjali said with a grin. “And why wouldn’t it? We all know how much Rudra loves you.”
Kashish blushed but quickly returned to reality.
“Where is he? Why hasn’t he come yet?”
“I’m not sure. Shekhar checked with Jay who said Rudra left the office. He must have stopped by Raheja Mansion to change,” Anjali reassured her.
Kashish’s heart clenched. Every time Rudra was with Daadi on such important occasions, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy. She never knew what Daadi might plot to try and stop this marriage.
“I don’t know, Anju. I’m starting to feel that hiding all of this from Daadi is like deceiving her. She’s older than us, and Rudra keeps saying he doesn’t want to hurt her, but by keeping these rituals a secret, aren’t we doing just that?”
Before Anjali could respond, Shekhar walked in, his expression somber.
“And what do you want us to do, Kashish? Tell her everything so she can come here and ruin it? Or plan something more drastic to stop the wedding entirely?”
Both women exchanged worried glances. The truth was, Daadi did have the power to disrupt everything if she wanted.
Shekhar sat next to Kashish and took her hand gently.
“Look, I understand this doesn’t feel right, but we’re doing the best thing under the circumstances. Daadi’s actions are wrong, and she needs to realize that. She won’t see it until she witnesses you and Rudra married.”
Kashish stayed quiet, overwhelmed by everything happening in their lives. How was it that in the happiest moments of your life, there was always something lurking to try and tear it apart?
*****************
Raheja Mansion
Rudra descended the stairs at Raheja Mansion, adjusting the traditional outfit he had changed into for the evening. He quickly texted Shekhar, letting him know he was leaving for Uttam Nagar. Just as he slipped his phone back into his pocket, Daadi stepped into his path, her piercing gaze scanning him from head to toe. She seemed to sense something.
“Where are you going, Rudra?” she asked, her voice sharp.
Rudra hated lying to her and he had already decided to be honest this time.
“I’m going to meet Kashish,” he replied plainly.
Her face fell, and the disappointment was clear in her eyes.
“In such traditional attire?”
Rudra felt a knot form in his stomach. He could see the realization dawning on her, just as he had expected. She had always been perceptive, and with the wedding deadline nearing, she must have calculated that the rituals were starting soon.
“So, you’ve begun the wedding rituals, haven’t you? That’s why Shekhar and Anjali aren’t home.”
Rudra swallowed hard, choosing his words carefully.
“You’re invited too, Daadi. You are the eldest in our family. Without your blessings, none of this would feel complete.”
Daadi narrowed her eyes.
“Then don’t do it, Rudra. If you truly care for me, don’t marry Kashish.”
“Daadi, this is madness. I’ve listened to you all my life, given in to most of your wishes, but this one? This one is not negotiable. I’ve made a promise to Kashish. This marriage will happen.”
Without waiting for her response, Rudra turned and walked away, leaving Daadi standing there in a storm of her own emotions. She trembled with rage and helplessness. Everything she had tried—every ploy, every plea—had failed. Was she truly losing this battle? Her grandsons, the same boys she had raised with such love and care, were now standing against her. They were going to bring Kashish into this family, and it felt like a personal defeat.
Her thoughts raced. What would happen now? What would she tell Suman, who had trusted her throughout this entire ordeal? Would Rudra truly leave this house, leave her behind, just to marry this woman? The very thought of it made her feel faint.
Gripping the railing of the stairs for support, she shut her eyes, fighting off the wave of dizziness. It was as if the walls were closing in on her, her world shrinking as her family drifted farther away. Tears stung her eyes. She had never imagined a day like this would come. A day when her own grandsons would defy her. She felt so utterly alone.
She lowered herself onto the stairs, breathing heavily, wondering if she had the strength to keep fighting or if it was time to surrender.
*****************
Bedi House
“Kashish, what are you doing?” Anjali’s voice cut through Kashish’s anxious pacing as she found her holding her phone, clearly about to make a call.
“I... I was going to call Rudra. What’s taking him so long?” Kashish responded, unable to hide her frustration.
Anjali sighed and gently took the phone from her.
“Careful with your Mehndi! You’ll ruin it. Rudra hasn’t even had the chance to admire it yet, and here you are about to smudge it all over the place. You need to be more careful.”
Kashish rolled her eyes dramatically.
“You’re expecting too much, Anju. I guess he doesn’t love me that passionately anymore. Typical guy—chasing you relentlessly until you give in, and then the moment they have you, they start taking you for granted.”
Anjali couldn’t help but giggle at Kashish’s exaggerated complaints.
“Rudra isn’t like other men, and you know that better than anyone,” she said.
“Whatever,” Kashish mumbled, rolling her eyes again.
“ ‘Whatever?’ ” came a familiar voice from the doorway.
He was here—finally. Her heart raced as she took in his presence. He looked devastatingly handsome in that maroon kurta, and she couldn’t help but wonder who had selected that outfit for him. Perhaps Rudra really was taking their pre-wedding rituals seriously.
“There he is,” Shekhar said with a sigh of relief. “Rudra, you’ve been sorely missed. What kept you?”
But Rudra’s eyes never left Kashish. She stood there in a rich maroon lehnga, her face glowing with happiness, her hands hidden behind her back as if shielding her Mehndi from his gaze. She was clearly annoyed, and he could tell from the way she held her lips tight, trying to contain her frustration at his delay.
“Daadi caught me leaving,” Rudra replied.
The room fell silent. Everyone’s expressions changed.
“What did you tell her?” Shekhar asked cautiously.
“I didn’t make any excuses. You know I can’t lie to her. I told her I was coming here, and she figured it out. With you and Anjali gone, it wasn’t hard for her to realize we’ve started the wedding rituals.”
Anjali’s grip tightened on Shekhar’s hand, worry flashing in her eyes.
“And you think she’ll be okay with this?” she asked. “What will she do when she finds out about the wedding day?”
Shekhar gave her a reassuring squeeze, glancing at Kashish, who now looked even more tense.
“We shouldn’t create more fear,” he whispered to Anjali, trying to lift the mood.
Anjali forced a smile and tried to lighten everyone’s mood.
“Rudra, aren’t you going to see Kashish’s Mehndi?”
“I wouldn’t mind… if she’s willing to show it to me,” Rudra said, stepping closer to Kashish, who stubbornly kept her hands behind her back.
“You’re late,” she muttered under her breath.
Anjali and Shekhar exchanged knowing smiles and quietly excused themselves, leaving the couple alone.
“I explained why I was late,” Rudra said softly, stepping closer.
“You still deserve a punishment,” she shot back, a playful glint in her eyes.
“Punishment?” he raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “And what exactly would that be?”
“You need to apply Mehndi on your hands too,” she declared, her lips curving into a sly smile.
Rudra recoiled slightly.
“Never.”
Since childhood, he had always hated the smell of Mehndi. Whenever his mother used to apply it during special occasions, he’d run out of the house to avoid it. The scent was too overpowering for him.
“I can’t stand the smell. It’s too strong,” he replied, crossing his arms.
Kashish’s jaw dropped in mock horror.
“Really? Well, that makes it the perfect punishment then.”
“Kashish, come on. Just show me your hands,” Rudra said, reaching for her.
But she pulled back, keeping them firmly behind her.
“Not until you take your punishment,” she teased.
Rudra’s patience snapped.
“That’s it,” he growled, swiftly bending down and lifting her over his shoulder like a sack of rice.
“Rudra, what are you doing? Put me down!” Kashish squealed, her embarrassment growing as he carried her toward the bedroom.
Once inside, he gently placed her down, only for her to gasp in horror.
“Look what you’ve done!” she said, showing him her slightly smudged Mehndi. Fortunately, the design wasn’t completely ruined, but some parts had definitely suffered.
Rudra’s face fell with guilt. He stepped closer, gently grabbing her wrists.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, pressing soft kisses to each palm, as if trying to make up for the damage.
Kashish’s anger melted at his sincere regret. Suddenly, an idea struck Rudra.
“Wait here.” He disappeared from the room.
Moments later, he returned with a Mehndi cone in hand. He sat beside her, placed her hand on his lap, and began carefully redrawing the parts he had smudged.
She watched in awe as he concentrated on the design, his hands moving skillfully despite his earlier complaints about the smell.
“You should shave,” she teased, touching his rough stubble. “It’s prickly.”
“Ssh… let me focus,” he grumbled playfully, though his lips twitched in amusement.
Kashish couldn’t stop smiling as she gazed at him, her heart swelling with love. It was impossible to focus on her Mehndi when all she could do was admire the man sitting next to her.
A few minutes later, Rudra finished and held her hand up for inspection.
“How’s that?”
She gasped in surprise. The design was perfect—more beautiful than before. But what really caught her attention was the prominent “R” he had carefully embedded in the pattern.
“Impressive,” she whispered, her voice full of admiration.
Rudra leaned closer, lifting her chin with his fingers.
“Happy now?”
“Very,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a tight hug.
“I have something for you.”
Kashish pulled back seeing Rudra’s hand reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small box.
“What’s this?”
“Patience, Kashish,” he teased, slowly opening the box to reveal the sparkling diamond ring. The one which belonged to his mother. Kashish recalled he had put this ring on her during that dinner date which Daadi and Ruchi had organized. But that time she wasn’t ready to accept his proposal.
Tonight, as she watched him slid it onto her finger again with a smile, she couldn’t resist pulling him into another hug.
“So now, technically… we’re engaged.” Rudra declared. “In a few days, you’ll officially be Mrs. Kashish Rudra Raheja.”
Kashish was speechless. All of this feeling no less than a beautiful dream she didn’t want to wake up from. Everything was falling into place, but there was still a lingering uncertainty in her heart. Could this really happen without any more unexpected hurdles? After reaching this far, she couldn’t bear the thought of anything standing between them now.