Fractured Crowns

ᯓᡣ𐭩

Aaryansh and Adviti settled in a small café, both leaning back in their chairs as they caught up.

The atmosphere was relaxed, the background hum of the bustling city creating the perfect soundtrack to their reunion.

“So, stop calling me ‘big sis’ already,” Adviti said with a playful frown. “We’re the same age, or maybe even younger.” She waved a hand dismissively.

Aaryansh laughed, shaking his head. “No way, Advi. You’ve always been like a big sis to us. You were the one who took charge, made sure we all stayed out of trouble. Even Rudra bhai listened to you!” He smirked at the thought of the usually hot-headed Rudraksh following her advice without question.

Adviti rolled her eyes. “Rudra listened, but only because I had the best bribes in school. Don't think I didn’t know that.” She leaned back, a nostalgic smile crossing her face as memories flooded her.

“So, what happened after school? You disappeared, and no one heard from you for years. We thought you were gone for good!” Aaryansh’s voice was laced with curiosity.

Adviti took a deep breath, her expression growing serious for a moment. “I went back to my village. I stayed there for a while. I finished my studies—actually, I went on to complete my medical degree. I’m a doctor now.” She said it so matter-of-factly, as if it had been a natural progression.

Aaryansh stared at her, his eyes widening. “A doctor? That’s amazing! I can’t believe it. But... why didn’t you tell us?”

Adviti shrugged. “I was focused on my studies. And I had lost all your numbers so that left me with no way to reconnect with everyone.”

Aaryansh nodded, but something in his mind was still swirling. The mention of her being a doctor brought up a strange sense of unease.

His thoughts shifted to Mahira—the girl he had been so worried about lately. The girl he barely knew but already felt a protective instinct toward.

“Wait…” Aaryansh’s voice trailed off as he processed his thoughts. “There’s something I need to talk to you about. It’s about someone. Her name is Mahira. I don’t know what happened to her, but I’m really worried. I think she's been through so much, and now, with everything that’s been happening around her, I feel like I’m losing track of what’s really going on.” His tone was tight, the anxiety palpable.

Adviti’s expression softened as she leaned forward. “What happened to her?”

Aaryansh hesitated, the weight of the situation sinking in deeper with every second. “I don’t know all the details, but something’s not right. And I think whatever happened, it’s affecting her in ways I can’t understand. I just... I need to know what happened to her, and I need to help.”

Adviti’s eyes narrowed, concern flickering across her face. “Mahira?”

She repeated the name, her voice thoughtful. “I’ve heard of her. In fact, I’ll be joining her hospital soon as the chief surgeon.”

Aaryansh froze, his heart beating a little faster. “Wait, what? You’ll be working at her hospital?”

“Yeah,” Adviti replied. “I’ll be heading there soon. I was just finalizing a few things, but I’ll be joining as the chief surgeon. I actually heard a lot about Mahira, and everything seems to be tied around her... how she’s been running the hospital, her vision. It’s a big thing.”

She paused, studying Aaryansh closely. “But what’s going on with her? Why does it sound like you’re so worried?”

Aaryansh’s mind raced. He wasn’t sure if he could explain everything—but he needed answers. He just had to know what had happened to her.