CHAPTER 14
AARAV
"Still can't locate him, Aarav," Samarth informs, his voice tight. I sigh heavily, dragging a hand through my hair, frustration clawing at me.
"Okay, but keep looking. I want that bastard to pay," I whisper, my voice coming out darker than intended. Samarth nods and leaves, shutting the door softly behind him.
Vikram hasn’t just messed with me—he almost ruined Anika’s life.
God knows what he would have done after marrying her.
My jaw tightens, teeth grinding together at the thought.
Anika trapped with that motherfucker... If I hadn't gotten there in time—I shake my head, pushing the thought away before I lose it completely.
My phone buzzes on the desk, screen lighting up with Anika's name. That's... strange. She’s never called me before. Not after our marriage, not even before obviously. A humorless chuckle escapes me as I grab the phone and answer.
"Yes?" I say, voice flat, stripped of any emotion.
"Aarav," she breathes out, her voice breaking halfway through my name.
"I... I need money." My body goes rigid.
I shoot up from my chair so fast it scrapes loudly against the floor.
Something's wrong. Something's terribly wrong.
She's one hell of a stubborn, proud woman, she would rather die on the streets than ask for someone's help—but if she is, then it means she needs me.
"What's wrong, Anika?" I pace around, my heart pounding like a drum, tension curling tight in my chest. Her voice—God, it sounds like she’s trying not to cry, and that sound... it guts me. I never could handle her tears. Never knew what to do with them. They’re my biggest damn weakness.
"Anika," I press when she doesn’t answer, voice tight with panic. "Talk to me. Why do you need money? What’s going on?"
"My mother..." she finally says, and her voice cracks, slicing right through me. I stop dead in my tracks, the world around me slowing down. A sick and heavy feeling settles in my stomach.
"What happened to your mother?" I rasp, throat dry. "Is she okay?" I grip the phone tighter, knuckles turning bone white. Every worst-case scenario flashes before my eyes and I can't think straight.
"The doctor says she needs surgery," she sniffles.
I don't even wait for her to explain further. "Where are you?" I'm already halfway out of my office, grabbing my car keys like my body is moving on autopilot.
"I’m at Kiran Hospital," she whispers between sobs. "But you don’t have to come, Aarav. I’ll be fine. I just wanted some money, if you could please—"
Is she fucking serious right now? Does she think of me as some stranger she'd need to ask? That woman—her mother—is practically another mother to me too. She’s fed me, scolded me, loved me like her own son when I had no one. And Anika thinks she needs to plead for money at a time like this?
"Don’t," I grit out, anger and pain swirling together inside me.
"I’m on my way. You tell the doctor to go ahead.
If anyone asks anything, give them my name.
Tell them you're my wife." And I hang up before she can say a word.
On my way out I ask my secretary to call Kiran hospital immediately and ask them to move on with the operation and that they will get the money.
The drive to the hospital feels endless, every red light, every slow driver making me want to punch something. I tap my fingers restlessly against the steering wheel, replaying her broken voice in my head. Please. Don’t come. I'll be fine.
She should know better. She’s my wife. She’s not alone in this.
Finally, I screech into the hospital parking lot, barely locking the car before rushing inside. The woman behind the reception desk stiffens the second she sees me approach. I don’t have time for her wide eyes and gaping mouth.
"I’m looking for Rekha Kapoor," I say briskly. "My wife is with her."
Her mouth parts in shock, as she fumbles quickly on the keyboard. "Your... your wife?" she stammers, blinking up at me.
I clench my jaw, barely holding back my impatience. "Yes. Where are they?"
She snaps back to attention, typing furiously. "Rekha Kapoor, yes... third floor. She’s in the operation theatre right now."
I don’t wait for anything else. I turn and head straight for the elevators, my heart slamming against my ribs like it’s trying to break free. As I jab the elevator button, flashes of Anika flood my mind—She must be so scared.
The elevator finally arrives, and I step inside, hitting the third floor button with more force than necessary.
I lean back against the wall, trying to steady my breathing, but it’s useless.
What if something happens to Rekha Aunty?
What if Anika breaks down completely? God, I’m not ready to see that look in her eyes.
The one that says the world has ended and no one can put it back together.
The doors ping open and I stride down the hallway.
I spot her almost immediately. Anika is sitting slumped on the metallic chair outside the OT, her whole body shaking with silent sobs.
She looks so small, so broken, nothing like the fiery, stubborn woman who always gave back twice as good as she got.
My feet move before my brain does. She hears me, her head jerks up—and the moment our eyes meet, she’s on her feet and running towards me.
Before I can react, she crashes into me, wrapping her arms around my torso like she’s afraid I’ll disappear if she lets go.
I stagger back a step, momentarily stunned.
Her scent, the feel of her clinging to me, the rawness of her sobs against my chest—it’s too much. It punches the air from my lungs.
My arms wrap around her without a second thought, pulling her tightly against me. She’s trembling so badly it feels like she might fall apart if I loosen my grip even a little. I press a hand to the back of her head, cradling it gently against me, and without thinking, I press a kiss into her hair.
"Shh... it's okay," I murmur, voice thick with emotion. "I'm here." The moment the words leave my mouth, I feel her stiffen slightly. Shit.
I mentally curse myself. Maybe I shouldn’t have said that. Maybe I shouldn’t have kissed her head. Maybe it’s too much. Too soon. But damn it, seeing her like this rips me apart.
She pulls back a little, looking up at me with those wide, glassy eyes. There’s so much sadness in them, it physically hurts to look at her. If something happens to her mother... Anika will shatter.
I cup her face lightly, brushing my thumb over her damp cheek. "Anika," I say softly, "Don’t worry, okay? The doctors here are the best. They’ll do everything they can. She’s going to be alright."
She nods jerkily, wiping her face with the back of her hand, but doesn’t let go of my shirt, still clutching it tightly like she’s scared to face this alone.
And maybe, just maybe... for once, she’s not alone. Because as long as I’m breathing, I’m not going anywhere.