CHAPTER 7 #2
When they reached the mansion, Karan parked the car.
Mishti thought he’d let her limp her way inside, but before she could even reach for the handle, he was already at her side.
Without a word, he opened the door, bent down, and lifted her into his arms once again, effortlessly, carrying her up the front steps in that bridal style.
She shouldn’t have liked it, not after everything he’d said to her, not after all the ways he had hurt her. But she did. Somewhere deep in her chest, her heart fluttered like a foolish, hopeful thing.
Maria rushed to them the moment they entered the foyer, looking horrified when she saw Mishti’s foot wrapped in a blood-stained handkerchief.
“Ma’am, what happened?” she gasped, hurrying toward them.
Before Mishti could say a word, Karan ordered. “Call the doctor.”
Maria immediately nodded and hurried away while Karan climbed the stairs, still carrying Mishti in his arms. When they reached her room, he pushed the door open with his shoulder and strode in.
Karan walked to the bed and gently set her down, adjusting the pillows behind her, so her back was supported.
Although his hands moved with ease, she noticed how careful he was not to hurt her foot.
She wanted to thank him, to say something, but the words died on her lips as he was already stepping back.
For a fleeting moment, his eyes met hers. But before she could read too much into it, he turned away.
He walked out without another word, as if he needed distance from the very feeling he had just betrayed.
Downstairs, Maria approached him nervously. “Sir, I’ve called Dr Komal. She’s on her way.”
Karan stopped mid-step. “You called Dr Komal?”
Maria blinked, startled. “Yes, sir. You said to call the doctor. I thought since Dr Komal treated ma’am after her last accident, you meant her.”
His jaw flexed in irritation.
“I said call any doctor,” he bit out.
Maria lowered her gaze, wringing her hands. “I’m sorry, sir. But since she’s already on her way…”
He exhaled heavily, pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose. “Fine. When she comes, take her to Mishti’s room.”
“Yes, sir.”
Without another word, he walked away.
*****************
Thirty minutes later
Mishti was still staring at the handkerchief tied around her foot by Karan. Her fingers traced the edge of the fabric. She still couldn’t believe he had done so much for her today.
She didn’t know if she should feel happy or terrified.
Because with Karan, nothing lasted. His moods changed like the wind, one moment filled with concern, the next cruel and cutting.
Her foot still throbbed painfully, but she refused to let anyone, even Maria, undo what he had done.
That simple knot, tied by his hands, meant so much to her.
Even with tears pricking her eyes, she smiled faintly.
A knock on the door snapped her out of her reverie. Dr Komal walked in with Maria right behind her. The moment Komal’s eyes fell on Mishti, her brows furrowed in irritation.
“What is wrong with you?” she scolded, walking briskly to the bed and opening her medical kit. “Maria told me you haven’t even let anyone clean this wound properly? You’ve already lost too much blood!”
Komal reached for the makeshift bandage, but Mishti quickly moved her foot back, clutching the edge of the bedsheet.
“He tied it,” she said softly. “Don’t take it off, please.”
Komal froze for a second with disbelief before frustration took over. “Shut up, Mishti. Just because he tied it, you’re refusing proper treatment? Are you out of your mind?”
“It’s the first time he actually cared for me… the first time he took my pain away.”
Komal sighed, sitting beside Mishti. “Don’t let anyone affect you so much. It isn’t worth it.”
Her words stung. Deep down, Mishti knew they were true, but her heart rebelled against the logic.
Komal carefully untied the handkerchief, despite Mishti’s weak protest, and examined the wound. After cleaning and bandaging it properly, she finally held Mishti’s hand.
“Next time, don’t act so foolish. Only because your husband tied it doesn’t mean you’ll lose something precious by taking it off.”
Mishti smiled. “It’s rare, Dr Komal… people rarely do something for me. So, when they do, I can’t help but hold on to it.”
Komal frowned, shaking her head. “I’m sorry to say this, but I truly wonder how you even married a man like Karan Wadhwa.
You’re innocent, gentle… and he’s angry, arrogant, and ruthless.
He has no respect for anyone. Even his business reflects that coldness.
How could you ever fit into this marriage?
God has just been lucky, you know that he made a beautiful soul like you, his wife. ”
Before Mishti could respond, Karan did, stepping inside the room.
“God hasn’t given me anything, Doctor,” Karan said. “Whatever happens in my life is my doing, not his. In fact, it’s always been me who’s given him.”
Both women turned sharply. Mishti’s heart skipped a beat, while Komal’s eyes flared with indignation.
“Don’t overestimate yourself, Mr Wadhwa,” Komal snapped. “You have no idea when your arrogance will make you lose everything.”
Karan smirked, walking further into the room, his gaze briefly flicking to Mishti before returning to the doctor. “I hardly have anything to lose.”
“That hardly includes your wife, too, now.” She pointed toward Mishti.
His eyes darkened as they landed on his wife.
“I’m not in the mood for another argument, Doctor,” he said. “Finish your work and leave. Maria will pay your fees downstairs.”
Komal sighed, shaking her head in disappointment as she packed her kit. “You know,” she said quietly, “I once believed that good people could change even the worst ones around them. I thought your wife’s innocence might soften you. But I guess that’s too much to expect from you, Mr Wadhwa.”
“You’re standing in my house, Doctor. And you have no right to judge me.”
Komal met his glare head-on. “I’m not judging. I’m simply wondering how a sweet, pure-hearted woman got trapped in a marriage with a man who thrives on hurting her both knowingly and unknowingly.”
Mishti’s heart twisted. “Doctor, please…” she whispered.
Komal softened immediately. “Call me Komal,” she said, turning around.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I have no right to judge anyone.
But being a doctor, someone who’s meant to heal and help people, there are some things I just can’t turn a blind eye to.
Anyway… I’ll be back tomorrow to change the bandage and check the wound. ”
Saying that, she walked out. Karan exhaled hard.
“I hate that doctor.”
“You hate almost everyone… me, the doctor. Is there anyone you don’t hate?” Mishti asked.
Before he could answer, Maria entered with a food tray. At his silent signal, she placed it before Mishti and left the room.
Mishti frowned in confusion. Why would he bring her food? He knew she was fasting. Did he really want her to eat, or was this another power play?
“Eat,” Karan ordered.
She turned her face away. “I can’t. I’m fasting.”
“I don’t want you to fast,” he snapped.
She looked back at him. “But it’s every wife’s right to fast for her husband.”
“And you aren’t a normal wife,” he bit out. “Firstly, this marriage isn’t the usual kind. It’s a deal, one I made with your brother. Secondly, I don’t consider you as my wife. And thirdly, I hate anyone fasting for me.”
Mishti’s lips trembled, but she didn’t reply.
“And I don’t hate everyone,” he added coldly, “just a few. And you, Mishti, top that list.”
Her throat ached, but she managed to hold back her tears.
“I won’t force you to eat, just like you won’t force me to break your fast tonight. I’m least interested in doing that. So, if you plan to continue this fast, then break it yourself later, because I won’t.”
Without waiting for her reply, he turned and walked out. Mishti sat still for a long time, staring at the tray before her. He might hate her as much as wants, but she would still fast for him.