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Shaurya’s jaw clenched as he watched Nandini nod along, trying to be agreeable when she clearly looked exhausted, like she hadn’t slept a wink.

He knew old age could make people irrational, forgetful of the emotional toll they placed on others. But it didn’t excuse theblind spots. Especially not when those blind spots fell squarely on someone like Nandini. And the realisation, that she was being overlooked, taken for granted, somehow, made Shaurya fume all the more.

The other doctor left with a few final instructions, confirming the discharge for later that evening.

“Honestly,” Varun piped up, ever the mood-lightener, “with the spirit this man has? I give it five days max before he marches out with that cast like a war hero. Grandpa’s built different.”

To everyone’s surprise, Grandpa actually cracked a smile at that. He turned to Nandini and said, “Add him to the list. This mango season, even Varun gets his share.”

Shaurya stood still, his fists clenched at his sides.

Seriously?

He was the one who carried him, drove him here, risked a fine… hell everything, and Varun gets the mangoes?

His jaw ticked as he felt the sting.

Across the room, Nandini’s eyes met his.

There was understanding in them. A silent apology. Maybe even guilt. But she said nothing. That was enough for him to snap.

Without a word, Shaurya turned on his heel and stalked out of the ward.

Varun blinked, then turned to Nandini. “I’ll… just check on him.”

Grandpa barely glanced up. “Go ahead. The windbag probably needs company.”

“And mangoes,” Varun muttered under his breath, already rushing after his friend.

“Daadu!” Nandini scolded lightly.

“What?” he shrugged. “Don’t assume he’s upset just because he’s not getting any of our mangoes. The man barely cares aboutthat tree. Why waste the good ones on someone who sees them as a nuisance?”

Nandini didn’t argue. Not because she agreed, but because the exhaustion of the day, of the fall, the hospital chaos, the guilt of the kiss, had dulled her usual spark.

Once the door shut behind Varun, without another word, she leaned in and wrapped her arms around her grandfather, pressing her face to his chest, holding on tighter than she meant to.

“I was so scared,” she whispered. “I thought… I thought I was going to lose you.”

Grandpa’s expression softened and he patted her head gently. “I’m not going anywhere, Nandu. Not until I see my great-grandchildren running around our villa and the mango tree. That’s a promise.”

Nandini laughed through her tears, lifting her head to look at him. But the smile faltered just as quickly as it appeared.

Great-grandchildren.

Her mind jumped to that argument she had with Shaurya the other day—the one over the brass cake stand when he’d said,“They’ll have you married to me and pregnant with twins before February if they ever find out it was you in my villa that night.”

And then, her thoughts spiralled to last night’s heart-thudding, soul-stirring kiss. Then came the aftermath. The way he’d pulled away and said it had been a mistake. That he’d thought she was someone else.

And just like that, her mood was sour again. But she forced herself to push those thoughts away.

Whatever happened with Shaurya could wait.

Right now, her grandfather was safe. Healing. Breathing.

And she would leave nothing undone to ensure he was back on his feet soon, hale and hearty.

CHAPTER 11