CHAPTER 68
Kashish’s scream pierced the silence, cutting through the tension like a blade.
Everyone turned to see him. Relief washed over them, but it was short-lived. Their relief turned into shock as they saw the blood running down his face. Daadi was the next to run to him.
“Rudra, what happened to you?” she cried, reaching out to touch his face, but he stopped her, gripping her wrist tightly before she could make contact.
“You crossed the line today, Daadi,” he growled, his voice heavy with hurt. There was no softness in his eyes, only the sting of betrayal. “You were always the one who protected me, the one I could trust, and today you risked my life? Do you even realize what I went through when I read that note? I thought you were gone... forever away from me.” His voice cracked, the weight of his emotions suffocating him. “I felt guilty. Selfish.”
Tears welled in Daadi’s eyes as she saw the devastation in her grandson.
“Rudra,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “I didn’t write that note.”
But he didn’t believe her. How could he? The pain in his eyes refused to fade. Daadi cupped his face in desperation.
“Please, believe me,” she begged. “I had no idea about that note.”
Before he could respond, another voice interrupted them.
“She’s telling the truth, Rudra,” came Suman’s voice as she stepped into the temple. Daadi’s eyes widened in shock at seeing her there.
“Suman?” Daadi muttered, confused and taken aback.
“I’m sorry, Daadi,” Suman said as she approached them. “I wrote that note. It was me.”
Kashish fumed.
“What? You?” Daadi looked at Suman in disbelief.
“Yes,” Suman confessed. “I planned it all. I asked you to leave before Rudra and go to the temple so that he would chase after you. I wrote that letter and placed it in your room. I knew he’d come to you for blessings before leaving for the temple, and I counted on it working.”
“What the hell!” Kashish stepped forward, fury blazing in her eyes. “You risked his life, Suman? Do you have any idea how terrified he is of driving? How could you do this?”
“I thought it was the only way to stop him from reaching the temple,” Suman explained, her voice shaking. “I believed that note would remind him of Daadi’s worth, that it would pull him back to his family.”
“Shut up,” Kashish snapped. “He never needed reminding of his love for Daadi. She’s his world. You didn’t open his eyes, you almost cost him his life!”
Suman’s head hung low in shame, while Kashish’s eyes blazed with fury as she turned to Daadi.
“This is the woman you chose for Rudra?” Kashish asked. “She didn’t think twice before risking his life for her silly plans. Would you have taken responsibility if something had happened to him today?”
Daadi swallowed hard, guilt choking her.
“I might not be the woman you wanted for your grandson but I promise you this, Daadi—if anyone dares to play with his feelings, his dignity, or his life, I won’t tolerate it. Not even if that person is someone he considers his own.”
Daadi’s eyes met Kashish’s, and what she saw there made her pause. There was a fire in the young woman’s gaze, a determination that hadn’t been there before. Seeing Rudra’s distress had awakened something in Kashish, and now, like a lioness protecting her mate, she was ready to face down anyone who threatened their happiness – even the family matriarch herself.
“You both don’t want to see us married? Fine,” Kashish continued. “I don’t care anymore. Even if this marriage doesn’t happen today, it changes nothing between us.”
She took a step closer, her conviction growing with each word.
“We don’t need society’s approval for our love or for choosing to be together. So, even if you try to stop this wedding by manipulating him, by using your position in his heart to blackmail him emotionally, I want you to know something, Daadi. Rudra will never give any other woman the place he has given me in his heart and his life. And that truth…that’s enough for me to live on for a lifetime.”
From where he stood, Rudra watched her with undisguised pride and admiration. This was a side of Kashish he had never seen before – a warrior for their love, standing fierce and unafraid before the formidable women who opposed them.
Daadi stood speechless, her usual commanding presence momentarily shaken. Though she would never admit it openly, there was a glimmer of impressed recognition in her eyes. For the first time, she saw the depth of Kashish’s love for Rudra. And though she still didn’t approve, she couldn’t bring herself to stop the marriage anymore.
Perhaps Kashish was right – Suman had been a miscalculation. In her haste to secure what she thought was best for Rudra, Daadi realized she had set in motion a plan without considering its full consequences.
Suman, standing there, looked utterly defeated as Daadi turned away from Kashish and Rudra.
“Daadi, please,” Suman pleaded. “Forgive me.”
Daadi raised her hand, stopping her. “I expected more from you, Suman. I was wrong.”
She lowered her head, remorse clear on her face. “I was foolish. I thought I could prove myself, but I made a grave mistake. Kashish is right—I can never take her place in Rudra’s heart. What they have... it’s love. Real love.”
Daadi listened but said nothing.
“Please forgive me, Daadi. I wanted to make things right, but I only made things worse. I realize now that nothing can break Rudra and Kashish apart. The sooner you accept that, the sooner peace will return to your family.”
With that, Suman left the temple.
Daadi cast one last, long look at her grandson – the boy she had raised, the man he had become today. She then turned around to head back home. Even if she didn’t want it, the marriage was inevitable and she had no plans of interrupting it anymore. Shekhar tried to stop her but she didn’t. He ensured Mohan drove her back home and also informed Mohan to ask Ram Prasad to keep an eye on her strictly until they reached home. He didn’t want any more mishaps happening with her or anyone in the family.
Once that was taken care, he rushed back at the temple, pulling Rudra into a tight embrace.
“I was so scared for you,” Shekhar admitted.
Rudra, unaccustomed to such displays of affection, awkwardly returned the hug.
“I’m fine, Bhai.”
“No, you’re not,” Shekhar scolded, pulling away. “Come here.”
He dragged Rudra to the side, making him sit down as Anjali brought the first aid kit. Kashish knelt before Rudra, her tears flowing freely now. Rudra wiped her tears away, his touch gentle.
“Kashish, I’m fine. Stop crying.”
She swallowed her sobs and started cleaning his wounds. Anjali, understanding their need for privacy, spoke quietly with the priest, giving them space.
“You thought I wouldn’t come?” Rudra asked her.
She didn’t respond right away. She had tried to stay confident in his absence, but deep down, fear had gnawed at her, fear that his loyalty to Daadi might tear them apart. She had faith in their love, but Rudra’s complicated relationship with his grandmother had been too much to bear.
“Maybe we should push the wedding for later,” she suggested. “You’re hurt. I don’t want to see you in more pain.”
Rudra stood, ignoring her concerns.
“Every pain will vanish the moment we marry.”
He extended his hand toward her, a small smile tugging at his lips. Kashish, despite the heaviness in her heart, smiled weakly and placed her hand in his. Together, they walked toward the altar to complete the wedding rituals that would bind them forever.
******************
The priests chanted the mantras as Rudra and Kashish sat before the holy fire, their hands entwined as they slowly performed each ritual, binding their hearts and souls to one another. Every word, every vow felt sacred, marking the beginning of a lifetime together. When Rudra took a pinch of Sindoor and filled her forehead partition, it was the most profound moment of Kashish’s life. As he circled his arm around her neck to tie the Mangalsutra, he whispered those three magical words in her ear once again. He had said them to her countless times before, but now, with their marriage as the backdrop, it carried a weight that made her heart race.
Soon, it was time for the pheras. With each step around the sacred fire, Rudra listened intently to the priest’s instructions, absorbing the promises they were making to each other. The seven circles completed, and they were finally declared husband and wife.
The newly-wed couple sought the blessings of Shekhar and Anjali, and as soon as they were done, Kashish threw herself into Rudra’s arms who hugged her back just as fiercely, kissing her forehead with the utmost tenderness.
Anjali cleared her throat, bringing them back to reality.
“Congratulations! May God continue to bless you both.”
She fed them sweets as part of the post-wedding tradition.
Shekhar, not one to be left out, interrupted with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Anjali, don’t forget to give them the other blessing.”
“What other blessing?” Anjali asked, looking genuinely confused.
Shekhar grinned.
“To give the Raheja family the tiniest family member soon.”
Kashish’s eyes widened in shock while Rudra couldn’t help but smirk, replying with his usual cheeky flair.
“We won’t steal that honor from you two. You deserve to give us that news first.”
Anjali blushed furiously, but Rudra’s comment didn’t deter Shekhar from teasing further.
“Does that mean we should start planning for a baby soon? It’s been more than a year since we married.” He winked playfully, earning a sharp pinch from Anjali.
“Enough about us!” Anjali exclaimed, slightly embarrassed. “This day is about them. We should head back to the bungalow. There are still so many things left to do. Come on.”
They all retreated to the house, and after completing Kashish and Rudra’s Grihapravesh—the official welcoming of a bride and groom the two left the newly married couple to enjoy their privacy.
Once Shekhar and Anjali’s car left the bungalow, Kashish’s heart skipped a beat as she locked eyes with Rudra. He was her husband now—really, truly hers. The thought stirred desires deep within her heart. But her thoughts were cut short when she suddenly found herself swept into Rudra’s arms.
“Rudra!” she protested. “You’re hurt.”
He didn’t care to reply, but just carried her toward their room. Their bedroom had been adorned with candles and flowers. Kashish was awe-struck by the decorations and silently thanked Anjali and Shekhar for their efforts. Gently, Rudra laid her down on the bed and immediately placed a soft kiss on her lips. She instinctively pressed her hands against the back of his head, pulling him closer, but he winced in pain.
“Sorry… does it hurt?” she asked, concerned.
Rudra nodded slightly.
“A little.”
Kashish took his wrist, guiding him to sit beside her.
“How did you get injured? Did you crash?”
“The brakes failed,” he explained, wincing as he remembered the experience. “That’s why the car was locked in the garage. I drove recklessly when I realized the brakes were gone. Luckily, I managed to veer into a construction site to avoid a major accident.”
Kashish’s heart raced at the thought of how close he had come to another tragedy. Her skin prickled with fear.
“Then how did you make it to the temple?”
“Suman,” he revealed. “She was following me. I didn’t realize it until I saw her after the crash. That’s when I figured out she was behind Daadi’s note. I made her bring me to the temple.”
Kashish sighed in relief, but her mind raced with the possibilities of what could have happened.
“Enough about her,” Rudra murmured, his voice suddenly huskier. “This is our night. Our wedding night. Let’s not waste any more time on things that don’t matter.”
He pulled her into his embrace, and Kashish melted against him. She had never wanted to be away from him, and tonight, she wouldn’t be. Their journey together had just begun.