Page 248 of One Hellish Wedlock
“I still can’t believe Shagufta was behind all this,” Radhika muttered, shaking her head. “All this hatred just to separate you and Aanya? For what? What kind of person does that? She deserves the harshest punishment for everything she’s done to this family.”
Reyansh didn’t respond, just nodded. His mind was still inside that hospital room, with Aanya.
Moments later, the doctor stepped out, removing his gloves.
“Mr. Chopra,” he addressed him gently, “your wife is stable. The wound was clean and the stitches are in place. She’ll make a full recovery soon. We’ve kept her sedated for now though. She’s still unconscious but should wake up in a few hours.”
“Can I see her?” Reyansh asked, already halfway to the door.
“Of course.”
Without another word, he stepped into the room. The beeping of the monitors was the only sound echoing in the sterile space. Aanya lay motionless on the bed, pale and quiet, her vitals stable. A single IV drip and a blood bag hung beside her. Her right shoulder was wrapped in a thick bandage…proof of the chaos she’d just endured.
Reyansh pulled a chair beside her and sat, taking her cold fingers into his warm grip. He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it gently.
“I’m sorry, baby,” he whispered. “I promised you nothing would happen. I failed you. I should’ve been there sooner…”
He brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, his thumb trembling as it grazed her skin.
The hours ahead…waiting for her to wake…would be the longest of his life.
*****************
Aanya stirred as the first light of dawn filtered into the room. A sharp pain flared in her shoulder, making her wince. She tried to focus on the ceiling, the walls, anything familiar. Where was she? The penthouse? Shikha’s place? Di’s?
No. This wasn’t a home. The sterile smell, the white walls, the beeping machines—she recognized the hospital logo from the building she passed often on her way to work. And just like that, the memories crashed into her. The van. The syringe. Vicky’s madness. Her near escape from death.
She shivered.
“Aanya…” Reyansh’s voice cut through her panic as he sprang up from the nearby chair, gently yet firmly holding her trembling arms. “It’s okay… I’m here. You’re safe now, baby.”
Her heart slowly steadied at the sight of him. He’d come. He’d saved her. Just like she knew he would.
She winced again, her shoulder throbbing.
“I know,” Reyansh said softly. “You’ve got two stitches there. The pain will ease. Just give it time.”
Her jaw clenched. The ache was worse than she expected. Reyansh pressed the call button. Within moments, a nurse entered, followed by two doctors who checked her vitals and administered her next dose of painkillers.
The medication dulled her senses and she drifted back into sleep.
***************
When Aanya woke again a few hours later, she heard low voices. Reyansh and Radhika stood near the window, talking in hushed tones.
“Reyansh, you haven’t eaten since last night,” Radhika scolded. “You’ll fall sick yourself. Go home. Rest. Me and Rishi will stay with her.”
Aanya’s throat burned with dryness. She tried to reach for the water bottle on the bedside table, but her movement caught Reyansh’s attention first. He was at her side instantly.
“You want water? Just a second.” He poured some into a glass, then helped her sit up slightly, holding the glass to her lips. She drank slowly, gratefully.
“Go home,” she murmured, voice raspy. “You need rest too.”
Reyansh set the glass aside and cupped her face with one hand.
“We’re going home together. I’m not leaving you alone here.”
Radhika smiled gently and moved to Aanya’s side, stroking her hair. “How do you feel now?”
