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Aradhya Rajvansh's life shattered the day her own family turned their backs on her, believing lies that landed her in prison. After four years, she walks free-not as the girl she once was, but as a woman forged in pain and silence. With only h...
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Aradhya rolled her eyes faintly, but for the first time since the hospital chaos began, her lips curved into a real, soft smile.
Rishav caught it — that tiny, fleeting glimpse of warmth — and his own grin deepened like he’d just won a battle. “There it is,” he said softly, leaning back in his chair. “Finally, the great Dr. Aradhya decides to smile. Should I call the press?”
She gave him a look that would’ve frozen anyone else. “Don’t push your luck, Rishav.”
He chuckled, pretending to take her warning seriously. “Noted. No teasing the patient.” Then, picking up the bowl again, he scooped another spoonful and held it near her lips. “Now, open your mouth before it gets cold.”
Aradhya frowned slightly, crossing her arms like a stubborn child. “I’m not hungry anymore.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Really? Because five minutes ago you were practically glaring at me for interrupting your peace.”
“That was before I realized you’d turn into a nurse with too much attitude,” she muttered under her breath.
Rishav gasped dramatically. “Excuse me? I’m a very caring caretaker. Ask anyone.”
She tilted her head, unimpressed. “You mean ask the people you’ve bullied into eating?”
He smirked. “If bullying you keeps you alive, I’ll take that title with pride.”
“Rishav—”
“Ah, she says my name like she’s about to throw the bowl at me,” he teased, grinning as he gently nudged the spoon toward her again. “Come on, sweetheart. One bite. Or do I have to call your mother-in-law and tell her you’re disobeying the doctor’s orders?”
Her eyes widened slightly. “You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, I would.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice like it was a secret. “She’ll march in here with a spoon herself, you know she will.”
That earned him another eye roll, but this time, she sighed in defeat and leaned forward to take the bite. “You’re impossible.”
“Only for you,” he said under his breath, so soft she almost didn’t hear it.
Her gaze flickered to him for a moment — quick, unreadable — before she looked away again, pretending to focus on the bowl instead. But the faint pink rising on her cheeks betrayed her calm expression.
Rishav noticed, of course. He always did. And this time, he didn’t tease her for it. He just smiled quietly, feeding her another spoonful with the gentleness that made her chest ache in ways she couldn’t explain.
When she finished, he set the bowl aside and wiped the corner of her lip with a tissue, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin. “See? Wasn’t so bad.”
