Page 51

City Hospital

Shaurya stood in the cool hospital lobby, his arms crossed as he listened to the doctor. The man spoke in a calm, professional tone, one Shaurya had heard far too many times over the years, usually in boardrooms, though never quite like this.

“There’s a clean fracture in the right ankle,” the doctor said. “Thankfully, it’s a minor one. No surgery required. Just a cast, plenty of rest, and regular check-ups. He’ll be discharged by the evening, but complete bed rest is a must for a few weeks.”

Shaurya nodded. “Thank you, Doctor.”

As the doctor walked away, Shaurya turned, only to be met by a flurry of motion advancing towards him. Varun, breathless and wide-eyed, came barrelling down the corridor, looking like he’d run across half the city.

“Tell me he’s fine,” Varun panted, skidding to a halt.

“He’s fine,” Shaurya replied. “It’s a minor ankle fracture. They are discharging him in the evening.”

Varun let out a dramatic sigh of relief and leaned against the wall just outside the private ward. “Oh, good. That means we have time till evening to hire you a solid legal team.”

Shaurya frowned. “What?”

Varun looked at him like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Come on, buddy. Think about it. Grandpa Raichandtumbles down the stairs the very next morning after you kissed his beloved granddaughter? You’re a prime suspect in every possible way. Hell, I’d be surprised if the man doesn’t press charges for emotional trauma once he’s awake.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Shaurya growled.

Varun grinned. “Mildly. But think about it. Nandini probably told him. And the poor man was so horrified, so shaken by the idea of your lips on her sweet little face that he just… lost all balance. One second, he’s standing, the next… boom. He tumbles down the stairs. And here you are, pacing hospital floors like a worried son-in-law.”

“Shut up,” Shaurya muttered. “I don’t think she told him.”

Varun narrowed his eyes. “You don’tthink? That’s what you’re going with?”

“She’s smarter than that,” Shaurya exhaled, his voice low. “Even if she wanted to throttle me last night, I don’t think she’d bring her grandfather into the mess. Not when he already despises me. She wouldn’t want to add fuel to that fire.”

Varun folded his arms across his chest. “And what makes you so sure? Did you talk to her? Like you were supposed to?”

Shaurya shook his head. “I was going to. I even waited in my garden this morning, watering my plans, hoping she’d come out like she usually does at that time. I thought… maybe if she did, I could talk to her. Say something, fix things.”

Varun lifted an eyebrow, curious to know more.

“But then, I heard her scream. And I dropped everything and ran straight to their villa.”

Varun placed a hand on his chest. “Shaurya Ahuja voluntarily barged into enemy territory. My heart can’t take this.”

Shaurya rolled his eyes. “It was instinct, okay? The panic in her voice. I didn’t think. I just ran. That’s when I saw him… lying there. And Nandini… she was a mess.”

Varun’s sarcasm flickered into a smile of genuine warmth. “So basically, enemy lines were erased the second she screamed?”

Shaurya rubbed the back of his neck. “She was so shaken. I’ve never seen her like that. I mean, I’ve never seen her crying before. But this… this was different.”

Varun smiled knowingly. “I’m glad you were there. In fact, I’ll give you this—despite all the mango wars and legal warnings, you still ran in and helped them. That says something.”

“I’m not a monster,” Shaurya replied. “That was just basic human courtesy.”

“Exactly,” Varun said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Show them who Shaurya Ahuja really is. Someone who’s more than just a grumpy neighbour who argues about mango trees and fruits.”

“Rotten mangoes, to be precise,” Shaurya corrected. “Now come on. Let’s go check on Mr. Raichand.”

He started walking down the corridor toward the private ward. But Varun, never one to miss a chance, followed right on his heels and threw in a teasing jab, his voice light as ever.

“Check on Grandpa? Or the granddaughter?”

Shaurya didn’t respond. Because the truth was, Varun was right. As much as he was concerned about Grandpa’s fall and hoped the old man hadn’t fractured anything too serious, what had stayed in his mind all morning was Nandini.