EPILOGUE
The honeymoon came to an end after four blissful days, and Rudra and Kashish returned to India. A week had passed since their return, and Kashish took the initiative to schedule another counselling session with Doctor Akshay, this time a joint one for both of them. Rudra seemed far more confident now, his fear slowly loosening its grip, thanks to the Krav Maga self-defence training. It had helped him manage his phobia, easing it to a point where it no longer paralyzed him. Kashish couldn’t hide her pride and relief. She knew the day wasn’t far when he would be completely free of it.
One bright afternoon, Kashish was waiting at home for Rudra. His meeting had gone longer than expected, delaying his return. As she flipped through their honeymoon photo album, reliving the beautiful memories, the doorbell rang. Assuming it was Rudra, she hurried to open it, but her heart skipped a beat when she saw who it was.
“Daadi?” Kashish stepped back.
Daadi stood at the door, her face stern and unreadable.
“Is Rudra home?”
“No, not yet… but he’ll be back any moment,” Kashish replied, unsure of Daadi’s intentions.
Daadi nodded and stepped inside.
“I’m not here to see him today.”
“I… I don’t understand,” she stammered.
Daadi’s expression remained unchanged.
“I came to talk to you, Kashish.”
Kashish’s body tensed. Was this a confrontation? Another challenge? Her mind raced with possibilities.
“Me? About what?”
Daadi raised an eyebrow.
“Will you stand there and question me, or invite me in properly?”
“Oh, sorry,” Kashish stuttered, stepping aside. “Please, come in.”
She guided Daadi to the living room and offered her some water, instructing the maid to prepare tea. But Daadi gestured for Kashish to sit beside her on the couch, her eyes never leaving Kashish.
“I’ve heard from Shekhar that Rudra is no longer taking his medication for his phobia,” Daadi began, her tone steady.
Kashish nodded.
“Yes, that’s because he’s improving.”
“I know,” Daadi muttered, surprising Kashish with her knowledge. “I’ve been keeping a close eye on him—his routine, his psychologist visits, even his self-defense training. I’ve seen his reports. He’s becoming the man he once was. And all of this… it’s because of you.”
Kashish swallowed hard. Did Daadi just acknowledge her efforts?
“Daadi, I didn’t—”
“Don’t interrupt me,” Daadi said, raising a hand. “You’ve always been the right woman for him, and I see that now. None of this would have been possible without you. I needed time to judge you properly. And now, after watching closely, I’ve come to my final decision.”
Kashish’s heart raced as Daadi’s words sank in. Was this real?
“I don’t need anything else if Rudra is happy. You’ve made him happy, both emotionally and physically. You might carry the burden of your father’s mistakes, but what I see now goes beyond that. Your love for him has conquered everything that stood between you.”
Kashish felt her chest tighten, unsure of where this conversation was leading. Daadi’s face softened, and she took Kashish’s hand in hers, pressing it gently.
“I proudly accept you as Rudra’s wife and a member of the Raheja family, Kashish. I’m here today to take you and Rudra back to Raheja Mansion, where you belong—where Rudra wanted you to be. This time, with my full blessing.”
Tears welled in Kashish’s eyes, her heart swelling with emotions she had longed to feel. She bent down, touching Daadi’s feet in gratitude. This time, Daadi blessed her, placing a tender kiss on her forehead. At that moment, Rudra stepped into the room, witnessing the exchange. His eyes widened with disbelief, and as Kashish stood up, her face glowing with joy, she rushed to him.
“Rudra… did you hear?” she asked, her voice trembling with happiness.
He nodded, his eyes moist with relief. Without wasting another moment, he strode over to his Daadi and embraced her tightly.
“I knew you would change your mind,” he whispered, his voice filled with love.
Daadi patted his back, her sternness melting away.
“Go and pack your things. We’re going home.”
Rudra smiled.
“We can always pack later. Getting home, where the family is, is more important.”
Daadi agreed, finally at peace with her decision, and clasped both Rudra and Kashish’s hands. Together, they prepared to return to Raheja Mansion—this time, for good.
*******************
Two months had passed since they moved back into Raheja Mansion, and life had taken a pleasant turn.
Kashish had asked Rudra if he would consider driving again, and, to her delight, he took the request seriously. He wasn’t completely confident behind the wheel just yet, but he was driving again—cautiously, keeping a strict eye on the speed limit. It gave her hope that one day, he would drive without fear, the way he used to. Every small victory in his recovery felt monumental.
Anjali’s pregnancy news had brought even more joy to the household, and everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the new family member. Ever since then, Daadi had been hinting that she couldn’t wait for Kashish to share similar news. But Rudra wasn’t ready for that step yet. He wasn’t willing to share Kashish, and she understood. She wasn’t in a rush either. She wanted to give him all of her, everything he deserved, before they took on the responsibility of a child.
That night, as she lay beside him, watching him sleep peacefully, Kashish marvelled at how much had changed. He looked like a Greek god—handsome, strong, and serene. She traced her fingers softly over his face, down to his neck, and finally rested her hand on his chest. Rudra stirred, taking a deep breath, but instead of recoiling in fear like he used to, he simply shifted closer, pulling her into his arms. He had come so far—fearless again, like the boy he used to be.
A smile touched her lips as she nestled into his embrace. Love had transformed him. The man who once believed he didn’t deserve her love, because of the darkness in his past, was now loved unconditionally by the same woman. If this wasn’t a miracle, she thought, then what was?
“Stop admiring me and get some sleep,” Rudra murmured, his voice husky as he pulled her even closer, his arm protectively sliding around her waist. “You haven’t slept much last night.”
Kashish giggled softly, her fingers tracing lazy circles on his chest.
“Whose fault was that?”
He tilted his head down to look at her, his eyes half-lidded but filled with warmth.
“I don’t recall you complaining last night.”
Her cheeks flushed at the memory, and she buried her face against his chest, laughing quietly.
“I wasn’t… complaining.”
Rudra grinned, his fingers grazing the bare skin at her waist where her nightgown had ridden up.
“Good,” he whispered, his breath hot against her hair. “Because I intend to make sure you never do.”
Kashish lifted her head, meeting his gaze, and her fingers drifted to his stubbled jawline.
“You… you’ve given me everything, Rudra.”
He frowned slightly, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
“Everything?” he murmured. “Not yet… but I’m trying every day, for you.”
She cupped his face in her hands, her eyes brimming with love.
“You don’t need to try anymore. You’ve already given me the one thing I’ve always wanted— you .”
His eyes softened, and for a moment, he seemed to drink her in, like he couldn’t believe she was really there, with him. He lowered his head, brushing his lips against hers, slow and sweet at first, as if savoring the moment. Kashish’s breath hitched, and she kissed him back, her hands sliding up to tangle in his hair. The kiss deepened, the familiar warmth spreading through her, igniting every nerve.
Rudra pulled back just slightly, his forehead resting against hers, his breath uneven.
“You saved me, Kashish.”
She shook her head, her lips brushing against his in the process.
“No,” she whispered back. “We saved each other.”
That was all it took for Rudra to claim her lips again, this time with more urgency. His hands roamed her body, pulling her closer until there was no space between them. Kashish melted into him, her heart pounding in her chest as desire flared between them. Every touch, every kiss felt like a promise—one they had made long ago, but were finally fulfilling. It seemed like tonight too like the previous night he wasn’t going to get enough sleep. But she didn’t mind.
He gently rolled her beneath him, his body pressing against hers. His gaze burned into her, filled with love, lust, and something deeper—something eternal.
“You’re mine,” he whispered against her lips, his voice raw. “Always.”
Kashish’s heart swelled with emotion, and she nodded, breathless. “Always,” she echoed, her fingers trailing down his spine, urging him closer.
Their movements became fluid, instinctive, as if their bodies had always known how to dance together. Every touch sent shivers through Kashish, and she felt herself losing all sense of time, of space. There was only Rudra—his warmth, his strength, his love.
He moved against her, his kisses growing more fervent, and Kashish arched into him, her hands exploring the taut muscles of his back. The world outside seemed to vanish, leaving only the two of them, entwined in each other’s love and desire.
Their breaths mingled as they became one, the intensity of their connection leaving Kashish breathless. She clung to him, her heart soaring with the knowledge that this man—her man—was hers forever.
As they both reached that sweet crescendo, Rudra buried his face in her neck, his breathing ragged, and Kashish felt tears prick her eyes, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the moment. He kissed her tenderly, slowing down, until they both lay wrapped in each other’s arms, their hearts beating in perfect sync.
Rudra kissed her forehead, his hand gently caressing her hair.
“You’re everything to me, Kashish. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
She smiled, her fingers brushing his cheek.
“We were meant to find each other, Rudra. Through everything… we were always meant to be.”
He closed his eyes, pressing his lips to her temple again.
“I believe that now.”
As they lay in the stillness of the night, their bodies tangled, hearts full, a deep peace settled over her. Their journey had been anything but easy, but here they were—together, stronger than ever. The past no longer held them captive. The future lay before them, bright and full of promise.
And as Rudra’s breathing steadied, and he fell into a peaceful sleep beside her, Kashish realized that this was their happy ending—their hellish love had transformed into something beautiful, something sacred.
The darkness was behind them, and now, there was only light.
And love.
The end of one chapter, the beginning of forever.
THE END