Forcibly Yours

It had been two hours since she regained consciousness, and still, there was no sign of Dheer. No call, no message. Ishaan had shown her a video of Dheer commanding Ragini to "handle" Carla, and in the clip, Carla looked like she'd been through a boxing match, loosing it badly. Bruised, battered, and defeated.

 Meanwhile, Kian, had proudly shared how Dheer had sent Carla's dad's business into a nosedive in Mexico while she was unconscious. "There's no way Carla's brothers are winning their political elections now," Kian had announced, smug as ever.

But none of it mattered. Not Carla, not her father's ruined empire, not the elections. The only thing that mattered to Ruhanika was Dheer—and his complete, maddening silence.

She stared at the ceiling, her thoughts swirling like a storm she couldn't escape. Did he even care? Was he upset? Angry? The thought of him keeping his distance gnawed at her more than the dull ache in her body.

Why had I gone so far for Dheer? Sure, he was my husband, but the way my mind and body reacted to him was downright unbelievable. Just thinking about him sent my heart racing and made this knot form in my stomach. The absence of him felt so heavy," she thought to herself.

A soft knock on the door broke through her spiral.

"Here's your dinner and medicine, bhabhi," Kian chirped, walking in with a tray balanced in his hands. He set it on the bed and helped her sit up, fluffing the pillows behind her back carefully.

Her gaze dropped to the tray. Moong dal khichdi and turmeric milk. She blinked at it like it was poison. Slowly, she lifted her head and stared at Kian with wide, betrayed eyes.

"Kian," she began, her voice dripping with disbelief. "I haven't eaten anything since lunch. Then I fought like a madwoman—first while getting kidnapped, then with that Carla—and this is what I get?" She gestured toward the tray like it offended her very existence.

Kian gave her a pointed look. "Bhabhi, the whole family had the same food. What was our fault that you got injured? Mom made us eat khichdi too! We suffered for you. Now stop looking at me like that and just eat," he said, holding out a spoon like it was a peace treaty.

"Kian, no. Please. I'm not hungry," Ruhanika whined, turning her head to the side like a stubborn child.

Kian groaned. "Bhabhi, Mom is waiting downstairs. She said she won't sleep until I show her your empty plate. She made it very clear, and trust me, Aunty also reminded her that you hate milk and patient food. Just eat, please!" He take the spoon closer to her mouth, his eyes pleading.

Ruhanika gave him her best puppy eyes, but Kian wasn't budging. Their silent battle lasted a full minute before she gave up with a defeated sigh. Opening her mouth, she let him feed her the first bite. The moment it touched her tongue, she gagged dramatically.

Kian rolled his eyes. "Don't be so dramatic."