Chapter 11
Sana
“He’s not my boyfriend!” I protest, but Mom doesn’t look convinced. What really grates on my nerves, though, is Aditya staying silent, that smug smirk still playing on his lips. I just know he’s enjoying every second of this.
“How could you possibly let go of such a handsome man?” she teases, her eyes twinkling as she looks at Aditya with affection.
“See? Even your mom has good taste,” he finally chimes in, flashing that infuriating grin of his.
I shoot him a sharp glare, but his smirk only widens. I’ll deal with him later. Turning back to Mom, I let out an exasperated sigh. “Mom, I think the hospital is messing with your head. He is not my boyfriend,” I say firmly. “Now, can we please focus on the real reason you’re here?”
Before Mom can reply, a knock at the door pulls our attention. A doctor, likely in his mid-fifties, walks in, followed by a nurse.
“Hello,” the doctor greets as he walks up to Mom’s bedside, positioning himself next to Aditya.
“I’m Dr. Bajaj.” Taking the file from the nurse, he flips it open, his eyes skimming through the notes.
Handing the file back to the nurse, he snaps on a pair of gloves and turns his attention to Mom.
As he checks her pulse, he asks, “Mrs. Arora, how are you feeling? Any dizziness or weakness?”
Mom manages a faint smile. “Just a bit tired, but nothing too serious.”
Dr. Bajaj nods. “That’s good to hear. We’ll run a few more tests, but your vitals look stable so far.
” He glances at the nurse, who makes a note on the chart.
“However, your blood pressure is slightly high, so we’ll need to monitor it closely.
Just to be safe, we’ll keep you overnight for observation. ”
The mention of staying overnight makes my heart skip a beat, and I glance at him, concern tightening in my chest. “Is everything okay, doctor?”
He gives me a reassuring smile. “Nothing to be too concerned about,” he explains gently. “It’s just a precaution to ensure her blood pressure stabilises before we send her home.”
I nod as Dr. Bajaj continues, “I’ll check on her again tomorrow, and if her condition remains stable, we’ll move forward with the discharge.”
With that, he advises Mom to rest and take care before walking out of the room. The nurse checks the IV drip, then gives us a reassuring smile.
“If you need anything, just call,” she says before leaving as well.
Mom looks at me, sensing the tension in my posture.
“You can relax now,” she says softly, reaching for my hand. “I’m fine.”
I let out a shaky breath, my voice wavering. “You really scared me, Mom. When I got the call… I was terrified.” I pause, the knot in my throat tightening as I sink into the chair beside her. “I couldn’t breathe until I saw you. I thought… I thought I might lose you.”
Her eyes softens, filling with guilt. “I never meant to worry you, sweetheart. It was just a little dizziness. I had no idea it would blow up into all of this.”
“A little dizziness?” I repeat, my voice rising slightly. “Mom, the doctor just said your blood pressure is high! That’s not something to take lightly.”
She squeezes my hand. “I’m fine, beta.”
Before I can respond, Aditya pulls up a chair and sits beside Mom, taking her hand tenderly. “We’re just relieved you’re okay, Aunty. But honestly, Sana freaking out was inevitable. You really gave her a scare.”
Mom starts to say something, but he goes on, his voice softer. “I’ve never seen her this upset before. It’s clear just how much you mean to her.”
I whip my head toward him, my heart skipping a beat at his words. But then, I feel Mom’s gaze on me, and when I look down, I see her eyes shimmering with emotion. “You were really that worried?”
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Why do you look so surprised, Mom? You know better than anyone that you mean everything to me. I don’t know what I’d do if anything ever happened to you.”
She blinks away her tears and lifts her hand to cup my cheek. “I’m not going anywhere, my love. I promise to take better care of myself.”
“You better,” I mutter, attempting to sound stern but failing as my voice wavers. “I can’t handle that kind of fear again.”
She smiles softly, brushing my hair back just like she used to when I was a child. “You’re a good kid.”
Aditya clears his throat, his voice light. “Alright, you two need to cut the emotional stuff. Aunty, you should get some rest.”
Mom chuckles, dabbing at her eyes. “With you two acting as my bodyguards, I know I’ll be fine. Thanks, Aditya.”
I lift my eyes to Aditya. “You don’t have to stay.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I sigh. “Aditya…”
He leans back, crossing his arms. “I’m staying until your mom is discharged, so stop wasting time.”
Mom smiles knowingly at me. “I already like him.” She then looks at Aditya. “Tell me, son, are you single?”
I groan, covering my face with my hands. “Mom, seriously?”
Aditya, of course, doesn’t keep his mouth shut. “Yes, Aunty.”
Mom smiles. “I am happy to hear that. So, son, what do—”
I cut her off mid-sentence before she starts with her matchmaking questions. “Can we focus on your health, Mom, and not Aditya’s life, please?”
Mom simply shrugs. “I was just trying to make conversation.”
I roll my eyes. “Ya, right.”
Just then, Aditya’s phone rings. He glances at the screen before standing up. “Excuse me, I need to take this,” he says, stepping out of the room.
I exhale in relief, glad that Mom won’t be interrogating him further… for now. But, judging by the amused glint in her eyes, I know she’s not done just yet.
Before Mom can say anything, I shake my head. “Not now, Mom. Please. I’m still trying to process the fact that I’m seeing you lying in a hospital bed.”
She watches me for a moment before speaking softly. “I won’t give you a hard time anymore, sweetheart.”
I squeeze her hand gently. “Just promise me you’ll take better care of yourself.”
“I promise.”
With the tension easing, we fall into a more relaxed conversation—everything from her complaints about the hospital food to the latest gossip from our neighbour, Aruna Aunty, who had brought her to the hospital.
For the first time since I got that call, I begin to feel the weight lift, reassured that she’s truly okay.
Soon, Mom drifts off to sleep, her breathing even and peaceful. But I don’t move. I keep holding her hand, watching her, as if reassuring myself that she’s really okay.
But soon, my thoughts drift to Aditya. He still hasn’t come back. Maybe he left. I wouldn’t blame him. It’s late, and he didn’t have to stay. Still, I can’t thank him enough for bringing me here, for keeping me grounded when I was panicking.
Just then, a soft knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. I look up as the door opens, and Aditya walks in, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a brown paper bag in the other.
“I figured you could use some caffeine,” he says, holding out the cup.
I take the coffee from him with a small smile. “Thanks.”
He lifts the brown paper bag. “I got some sandwiches too.”
I shake my head, letting out a tired sigh. “I don’t really have the appetite right now.”
Aditya gives me a look that says this isn’t up for debate. “You should eat something. Running on stress and empty stomach isn’t exactly healthy.”
I glance at Mom, still peacefully asleep, then back at him. “Maybe later. For now, the coffee will do,” I murmur, taking a sip and feeling the warmth spread through me.
Aditya pulls up a chair beside me. “I’m not letting you starve all night,” he says, unwrapping a sandwich and offering it to me with a determined look.
I shake my head again. “Aditya, I really don’t—”
He raises an eyebrow. “Just take a bite. Humour me.”
I let out a small sigh, knowing he won’t give up. Reluctantly, I take the sandwich from him. “You’re annoyingly persistent.”
He smirks. “That I am.”
I take a small bite of the sandwich before looking at him. “Thanks.”
He shrugs, offering a small smile. “Bringing coffee and a sandwich was no hardship.”
“Not for the coffee.” I shake my head before adding. “For being here.” My voice is quieter now, more sincere.
He meets my gaze, and for once, there’s no teasing in his eyes—just something softer. “Where else would I be?”
His words send an unexpected flutter through my stomach, and for a moment, I find myself looking into his eyes, warmth settling in my chest. But I quickly shake it off, clearing my throat.
“You can really go home, Aditya. I’m fine now,” I say, trying to sound firm.
“Stop arguing.”
I open my mouth to protest, but stop myself. Instead, I just shake my head and take another bite of my sandwich. “Fine, suit yourself.”
He grins in victory.
I finish my sandwich in silence, then turn back to Mom, watching the steady rise and fall of her breathing. But what adds to my comfort is Aditya’s presence beside me, and for once, I don’t mind having him here with me.
God, what’s happening to me?
I steal a glance at him from the corner of my eye.
His eyes are on me, and I hope like crazy that he can’t read the strange chaos he’s stirring inside me.
I quickly pep-talk myself and remind myself—this is Aditya, the same annoying jerk who proposed out of the blue, flaunting his money.
The one who’s been with endless women. But deep down, my heart whispers something different.
Why does it feel like he’s someone I can trust? Someone I can…
I shake my head, pushing the thought away. Maybe it’s just exhaustion.
Or maybe…
I don’t even want to finish that thought. Instead, I take a deep breath, focusing back on Mom, pretending my heart isn’t acting ridiculous.