Page 52
Story: When Love Trespassed
Her panicked scream from earlier still echoed in his ears. The way she’d crumpled beside her grandfather, trembling, her eyes wide and wet and scared, shook him to his core.
The same girl who’d been glaring at him with fury the night before was suddenly this fragile woman, falling apart in front of him. And he hadn’t known what to do except hold her hand and stay, offering whatever comfort he could.
And ever since, he hadn’t stopped thinking about her. Not just about her being okay, but hoping she wasn’t crying anymore. Because the truth was, he had no idea how much longer he could pretend not to care.
***************
Nandini had barely moved from her spot beside the hospital bed ever since the doctors informed her of the minor fracture in her grandfather’s ankle. The moment she’d heard the words‘he’ll recover in a few weeks’, her knees had buckled with relief, and she’d collapsed into the chair beside him, her hand clutching his like it was her lifeline.
She had messaged her parents right after, informing them about Grandpa’s condition, though she knew they would still be sleeping. It was still early morning in London, and she knew they’d been up late celebrating the New Year’s party. Her fingers had hovered above the screen for a few extra seconds before she’d pressed send. The image of her grandfather crumpled at the bottom of the stairs still haunted her.
If Shaurya hadn’t rushed into Raichand Villa the moment she screamed… if he hadn’t scooped up her grandfather and driven like a man possessed to get him to the hospital in time, then…
Nandini didn’t even want to finish that thought.
She knew he was still here. In the hallway. He chose to stay despite knowing her grandpa was okay. That simple act meant so much to her.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden movement beside her. Grandpa moved slightly, his fingers twitching, and then, his eyes fluttered open.
“Daadu!” Nandini gasped, her hand tightening around his. “You’re awake.”
He blinked groggily. “Nandu…? Where am I?”
“You fell down the stairs,” she whispered, pressing a glass of water to his lips as the nurse helped him sit up. “You have aminor fracture in your ankle. Nothing major. But you gave us all a heart attack by passing out in shock.”
He drank slowly, clearing his throat. “A fracture, hmm?” he murmured. “Figures. It does hurt like hell.”
She gave him a weak smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “The doctor’s advised complete bed rest for the next few weeks.”
He sighed, nodding, then turned his gaze on her, sharper now. “You must’ve been scared out of your wits. How did you… manage to get me here?”
Her fingers tightened slightly around the empty glass.
There it was—the question she’d been dreading.
She should’ve been prepared for it. Rehearsed a script. Come up with something half-believable that didn’t involve her stormy neighbour playing a hero and carrying her grandfather like in a scene straight from an action film.
Her lips parted, the word ‘ambulance’ nearly on the tip of her tongue.
But nothing came out.
Because honestly, she didn’t know whether to tell him the truth now or later, or maybe never at all. Would it make things worse? After everything that had already happened, the last thing she wanted was to send his blood pressure spiking again. So, she hesitated.
Just as she was about to open her mouth to speak, the door to the private ward opened.
And in walked Shaurya.
With him was his ever-grinning friend, Varun, whom she recalled meeting the other day.
The moment the older man’s eyes landed on Shaurya, whatever trace of softness had returned to his expression vanished. His mouth twisted into a hard scowl, his back stiffening despite the injury.
“What… what ishedoing here?” he snapped, his voice rising loud enough that even the nurse passing by couldn’t help but peek in, her curiosity piqued.
Nandini’s heart stuttered. She opened her mouth again, hoping to divert him, to explain gently, but Varun stepped forward before she could.
“Grandpa,” he said cheerfully, “Shaurya was the one who brought you here.”
“He what?” Grandpa turned his furious gaze to Nandini, as if she had just committed an act of pure betrayal. “You let him touch me? You let him carry me?”
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52 (Reading here)
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128
- Page 129
- Page 130
- Page 131
- Page 132
- Page 133
- Page 134
- Page 135
- Page 136
- Page 137
- Page 138
- Page 139
- Page 140
- Page 141
- Page 142
- Page 143
- Page 144
- Page 145
- Page 146
- Page 147
- Page 148
- Page 149
- Page 150
- Page 151
- Page 152
- Page 153
- Page 154
- Page 155
- Page 156