Threads of Fate

The morning after Khushi's heartfelt confession to Arnav dawned with a sense of calm and clarity. For the first time in days, Khushi felt lighter, as if a burden had been lifted from her heart. She had finally expressed the depth of her feelings for Arnav, and his reciprocation had only strengthened the bond between them. It was a new beginning for their relationship, one built on openness, trust, and a love that had been tested and proven strong.

As Khushi arrived at the Raizada Pediatric Center, the familiar sight of the bustling hallways and cheerful staff greeted her. But despite the normalcy of her surroundings, there was a lingering unease in the back of her mind-one that was tied to Kabir.

The memory of his confession the previous evening still sent chills down her spine. She hadn't expected him to harbor such deep feelings for her, nor had she anticipated the intensity of his reaction when he discovered she was engaged to Arnav. While Kabir had seemed to accept her decision on the surface, Khushi couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the end of it.

As she made her way to her office, Khushi resolved to keep her distance from Kabir and focus on her work. She needed to maintain professionalism, both for her sake and for the center. But more importantly, she needed to protect the relationship she had with Arnav, which had become the most precious thing in her life.

The day passed in a blur of meetings, consultations, and paperwork. Khushi kept herself busy, trying to push thoughts of Kabir to the back of her mind. She knew that avoidance wasn't a permanent solution, but she needed time to process everything that had happened.

It was late in the afternoon when Khushi decided to take a break and grab a cup of tea from the staff lounge. As she entered, she noticed Nakul and a few other colleagues chatting amiably over their own drinks. The atmosphere was light, and Khushi welcomed the distraction.

"Hey, Khushi! Come join us," Nakul called out, waving her over to their table.

Khushi smiled and walked over, grateful for the company. As she sat down, she couldn't help but notice that Kabir was nowhere to be seen. She knew he was on duty today, but his absence was both a relief and a cause for concern.

"Have you seen Kabir?" she asked casually, trying to keep her tone neutral.

One of the nurses, Shreya, shook her head. "Not since the morning. He seemed a bit off today-quieter than usual. I hope everything's okay."

Khushi nodded, a knot of worry tightening in her chest. She didn't want to think too much about it, but the thought of Kabir's possible reaction to her engagement with Arnav kept gnawing at her.

"Maybe he's just busy," Nakul suggested, noticing the slight tension in Khushi's expression. "You know how things get around here."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Khushi replied, forcing a smile. "I'm sure he's fine."

But as the conversation continued around her, Khushi found herself distracted, her thoughts drifting back to Kabir and the unsettling intensity in his eyes when he had spoken to her. She hadn't shared the details of their conversation with anyone, not even Arnav. She wanted to protect him from unnecessary worry, but she was beginning to wonder if that had been the right decision.

After finishing her tea, Khushi excused herself and returned to her office, hoping to lose herself in work once more. But as she opened the door, she was startled to find a small envelope on her desk, one that hadn't been there when she left.

Her heart skipped a beat as she approached the desk, her mind racing with possibilities. She picked up the envelope with trembling hands, her breath catching in her throat as she recognized the handwriting on the front-Kabir's.