CHAPTER56 [DISCHARGE FROM HOSPITAL]
The room had fallen into complete silence once again.
Vihaan was lost in his own thoughts.
Every passing second reminded him of the countless mistakes he had made.
His eyes unconsciously drifted towards Aarohi.
She was still lying peacefully on the bed.
A few moments later...
Her fingers moved ever so slightly.
Then...
Her eyelashes fluttered.
Slowly...
Very slowly...
Aarohi opened her eyes.
Everything around her looked blurry.
The lights above her seemed to spin.
She frowned and tried to sit up.
The moment she moved, a sharp pain shot through her head.
"Ahhh..."
A faint sound escaped her lips.
Vihaan immediately looked towards her.
His heartbeat skipped.
"Hey... wait!"
His voice was soft yet filled with panic.
"Don't get up."
Aarohi froze.
Her vision was still blurred.
She couldn't see his face clearly.
But...
How could she ever forget that voice?
Even after a year...
Even after everything...
She recognized it instantly.
Vihaan.
She slowly closed her eyes.
Took a deep breath.
Then opened them once again.
This time...
The blur had faded.
Her vision finally became clear.
She slowly turned her head.
Vihaan was looking at her.
Not blinking.
Not looking away.
Just...
Looking at her.
For a moment...
Time itself seemed to stop.
Their eyes met.
Neither of them spoke.
Because sometimes...
Eyes reveal what lips can never confess.
His eyes carried nothing but regret...
Her eyes carried nothing but pain.
One had countless apologies.
The other had countless unanswered questions.
They remained like that for a few silent moments.
Finally...
Aarohi was the first to break the eye contact.
She quietly looked away.
Unable to bear the emotions hidden in his gaze.
Vihaan swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Are you okay?"
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Should I call the doctor?"
Aarohi shook her head without looking at him.
"No..."
"There is no need."
Her tone was calm.
Professional.
Emotionless.
Vihaan nodded slowly.
"Okay..."
He didn't insist.
He didn't force her.
He simply respected her answer.
Silence settled between them once again.
Not because they had nothing to say...
But because both of them had far too much to
say...
Aarohi remained silent.
The room was once again filled with an awkward silence.
After a few moments...
She suddenly realized how dry her throat felt.
Her gaze shifted towards the bedside table.
A glass and a jug of water were placed there.
Slowly, she tried to get out of bed.
The moment Vihaan noticed her moving, he immediately spoke.
"Hey... wait."
"I'll get it."
Ignoring the sharp pain in his chest, he tried to sit up.
Before he could even move properly...
Aarohi looked at him.
"Are you crazy?"
Her voice wasn't rude.
It was calm.
"You've just had heart surgery."
"I can take care of myself."
For a second...
Vihaan forgot to breathe.
Even after everything...
She was still worried about his health.
Aarohi slowly stood up.
The moment her feet touched the floor...
Her head spun violently.
She instinctively held the edge of the table to steady herself.
Vihaan's heart almost stopped.
"Aarohi..."
"I'm okay."
She stopped him before he could say anything.
Taking a deep breath, she picked up the jug.
Poured some water into the glass.
Her trembling hands clearly showed how weak she still was.
She slowly drank the water.
It felt as though every drop gave her body a little strength back.
After finishing, she quietly sat back on the bed.
Neither of them spoke.
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A gentle knock echoed through the room.
Before anyone could answer...
The door slowly opened.
Mr. and Mrs. Singhania entered first.
And just a second later...
The door opened once again.
"Vihaan!"
A familiar voice echoed.
Everyone turned around.
Standing at the entrance were...
Aryan Singhania.
Vihaan's elder brother.
And beside him...
Sana.
Both of them had just returned from America after completing an important business meeting.
The moment they landed in India...
They were informed about everything.
Neither of them had even gone home.
They had come straight to the hospital.
Aryan's eyes immediately fell on Vihaan.
Then on Aarohi.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"What the hell happened here?"
His usually composed voice carried visible concern.
Sana's eyes instantly filled with tears when she saw Aarohi's bandaged head.
Without wasting another second...
She walked towards her.
"Aaru..."
She softly called.
Aarohi looked at her.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"I'm okay."
Sana shook her head.
"No..."
"You're not."
"You look terrible."
Aarohi gave a small smile.
"I've looked worse."
Sana couldn't stop herself anymore.
She gently hugged Aarohi.
Careful not to hurt her injuries.
For a few seconds...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Sana slowly pulled away.
"You scared all of us."
Aarohi looked at her calmly.
"I'm sorry."
"I didn't mean to."
Sana sighed.
"You never do."
"But somehow you always end up carrying everyone's pain alone."
Aarohi simply lowered her eyes.
She didn't deny it.
She didn't accept it either.
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Meanwhile...
Aryan walked towards Vihaan.
Without saying a word...
He punched his shoulder lightly.
"You idiot."
Vihaan looked at him.
Aryan's eyes had turned red.
"You nearly scared us to death."
Vihaan smiled weakly.
"I know..."
Aryan looked at him for a few seconds.
Then hugged him carefully.
"I'm just glad you're alive."
Vihaan slowly closed his eyes.
"So am I..."
Aryan broke the hug.
His gaze shifted towards Aarohi.
He folded his hands slightly.
"Thank you, Aarohi."
"I don't think words are enough."
"You saved my brother."
Aarohi looked at him for a brief moment.
Then replied in her usual calm tone.
"I only fulfilled my duty as a doctor."
"There is no need to thank me."
Her answer was simple.
Professional.
There was neither pride...
Nor bitterness.
Just quiet sincerity.
Everyone in the room fell silent.
Because they all knew...
She wasn't speaking as Vihaan's wife.
She was speaking as...
Three to four days passed by...
The hospital had slowly become quieter.
Every day followed almost the same routine.
Sometimes Sana stayed with them throughout the day.
Sometimes Anjali looked after both of them.
Sometimes Aryan spent the entire night at the hospital.
No one let either of them feel alone.
Yet...
Despite being in the same room...
Aarohi and Vihaan barely spoke.
It wasn't because they didn't want to.
They simply didn't know where to begin.
Some wounds are too deep for words to reach.
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Finally...
The day of discharge arrived.
The entire Singhania family stood inside the room.
The doctor entered with both of their files in his hands.
After checking their reports one last time, he smiled.
"Good news."
"You both are fit to be discharged."
Everyone sighed in relief.
The doctor first looked towards Aarohi.
"Miss Aarohi..."
"You've ignored your health enough."
"This time there will be no compromises."
"You are on complete bed rest for at least two to three weeks."
"No stress."
"No unnecessary walking."
"You understand?"
Aarohi gave a small nod.
The doctor then turned towards Vihaan.
"And Mr. Singhania..."
"You've had a major heart surgery."
"You'll also remain on complete bed rest."
"Minimal walking."
"No travelling."
"And absolutely no carelessness."
Vihaan didn't say but gave a small nod.
"Good."
The doctor signed both discharge files.
"You both are lucky."
"Now don't test your luck again."
With that...
He smiled and left the room.
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A little while later...
After completing all the formalities...
Everyone finally stepped outside the hospital.
It had been days since either of them had seen the open sky.
A cool breeze touched their faces.
For a brief moment...
Everything felt peaceful.
Aarohi slowly stopped walking.
She looked ahead quietly.
Sana noticed and smiled.
"What happened, Aaru?"
"Come."
Aarohi slowly shook her head.
"No..."
"You all go."
"I'm not coming."
Sana frowned.
"What?"
"Are you serious?"
Before Aarohi could answer...
Anjali walked closer.
"What happened, beta?"
"Why did you stop?"
Sana looked at her mother.
"Mom..."
"She's saying she won't come with us."
Silence fell over everyone.
Vihaan, who was sitting in his wheelchair, quietly looked at Aarohi.
After a few seconds...
He spoke softly.
"Your health isn't stable yet."
"Please..."
"Come home with us."
Aarohi looked at him for a moment.
Then calmly replied,
"It's okay."
"I'm fine."
"You all should go."
"I'll manage."
Mr. Singhania slowly stepped forward.
He gently placed his hand on Aarohi's head.
"Beta..."
"I know..."
"Our family has caused you more pain than anyone else."
"And for that..."
"I sincerely ask for your forgiveness."
Aarohi immediately shook her head.
"No, Uncle."
"I've never had any complaint against you."
Her voice remained soft.
She then looked towards Anjali.
"And not against Aunty either."
"It's just..."
She paused for a second.
Her words weren't filled with anger.
Only hesitation.
Because that mansion held too many memories.
Memories she had spent an entire year trying to bury.
Mr. Singhania's eyes became moist.
"I understand."
"I truly do."
"But right now..."
"You need people around you."
Before Aarohi could answer...
Aryan stepped forward.
A warm smile appeared on his face.
"You know..."
"I've always considered you my little sister."
"I know you don't want to come."
"And I won't force you."
"But..."
"Will you at least listen to your elder brother this once?"
"Please..."
"Come home."
His words carried neither pressure nor sympathy.
Only affection.
Aarohi lowered her eyes.
She didn't know how to refuse anymore.
Meanwhile...
Vihaan silently watched everything.
His eyes had become moist.
He quickly looked away before anyone could notice.
Because he knew...
Aarohi wasn't wrong.
How could she willingly return to the same house...
Where she had forgotten how to smile?
Where every corner reminded her of loneliness...
Of sleepless nights...
Of silent tears...
Of a marriage that had once felt like a prison.
She wasn't refusing the family.
She was refusing the memories.
And Vihaan couldn't blame her for that.
Not anymore.
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A few minutes later...
Aryan carefully helped Vihaan stand.
Supporting him from one side, he slowly seated him inside the car.
Anjali sat beside him in the back.
Mr. Singhania took the front passenger seat.
Aryan got behind the wheel.
In the second car...
Sana gently opened the door for Aarohi.
Karan settled into the driver's seat.
After a brief hesitation...
Aarohi quietly got inside.
Not because she wanted to return.
But because...
Sometimes people agree...
Not for a place...
But for the people who are waiting there with genuine concern.
Wait for next part......