But the car arrived and stopped in just two minutes. Surprised to hear the calling bell sound at her house just two minutes later, she looked outside, saw the driver, and said, "Just wait for five minutes, brother. I'll be right back." Saying so, she hurriedly picked up the baby, gathered the necessary things, locked the door, got into the car, and let out a deep breath of relief.
The baby was peacefully sleeping in her lap. The car was moving smoothly for a while.
"Brother, the sir just called now. I thought it would take you half an hour to come after taking the car. But you were here in just two minutes! How?" she asked curiously.
The driver replied, "No, ma'am. I had already parked the car on the street next to yours last night. Sir told me anything could happen anytime and sent me here last night itself. As soon as he called, I drove to your house."
"Oh!" she said and didn't speak further. She was amazed at the foresight of the elder. "That must be why they are such wealthy people. They plan everything meticulously. He knows everything about my house and more." Even in this situation, she couldn't help but admire the elder.
When they reached the hospital, she got down with the baby. Just then, a woman of about 35 years came running to her and took the baby from her.
"Give me the baby, ma'am. Sir is waiting for you. You go ahead; I'll take care of the child," said the woman as she carried the baby away. Adhvait was still asleep. Looking at the woman walking away with the baby, she anxiously asked, "Sister, what if the baby cries?"
"Don't worry, ma'am. If the baby cries, wherever you are, I'll bring him to you. Just leave him with me for a while and then take him back. I'll take care," she assured and walked away. Only then did Anvitha let out a breath of relief and rushed toward the hospital, searching for Chaitanya's room.
What she saw there was heart-wrenching and intense. Chaitanya was sitting in a wheelchair, angrily scolding everyone around him. It looked like wild animals bowing before a lion.
Nearly five doctors and two nurses were standing nearby.
"You all think I'm crazy, don't you?" he shouted, turning toward his grandfather.
"I've been asking since last night—where is Aadhira? It feels like a dream. Did she really come? Or was it an illusion? I need to see her now!" he screamed.
"Calm down, Chaitanya. We've told you many times since last night—what you saw was real. How can Aadhira come alone at night? I'll bring her once it's morning," his grandfather tried to reason with him.
"You all know I can't live without her, right, Grandpa? Then what's the point of showing her to me only to separate us again? I want to see her—now!" he shouted and knocked over a table nearby. Suddenly, something made him turn—and he saw Anvitha standing there, trembling, arms and legs shaking in fear.
Chaitanya scolded her harshly. The love from the previous night had now turned into fury. Anvitha trembled under the intensity of his gaze.
Oh my god… What a fierce look! It could crush enemies. Even when he was lying in bed, she never sensed this much authority in him. But now, even in a wheelchair, he sat with dignity. No one would believe he had lost function in his legs. That's how strongly he carried himself.
Looking at her, he demanded, "Where were you last night? I'm talking to you! You came crying like a river and left again—was it all a trick? Are you planning to deceive me again? Is that what you people always do?" he roared.
"What is this, Chaitanya?" the elder asked. "All this time you were angry that Aadhira hadn't come. Now this girl came just because you called, and you're yelling at her?"
Turning to him, Chaitanya said, "Please stay out of this, Grandpa. You don't know her. She's always planning to leave me. For her, love is just a game," he said with pain.
Hearing this, the elder looked at Anvitha with pity. Oh no… this girl is going to leave in anger, he thought and silently pleaded with her through his eyes.
But Anvitha wasn't ready to leave now. How could he think so lowly of my sister? she thought. If Aadhira had truly wanted to abandon Chaitanya, wouldn't she have given up the baby during pregnancy itself? But she cared for the child with such love, eating only what was good for the baby, taking medicines properly... Yet she kept saying she would die after giving birth. Remembering that brought tears to Anvitha's eyes. Now the man who caused my family so much pain is holding my hand, she thought sorrowfully.
Still, she told herself she must be strong—for both changing Chaitanya's wrong beliefs about her sister and for his recovery. With that thought, she slowly approached Chaitanya.
He watched her approach with bloodshot eyes. Then turning to the doctors and his grandfather, he said in a flat tone, "All of you, leave."
The doctors bowed their heads silently and walked out. So did the grandfather, looking at Anvitha with sympathy.
Halfway toward him, Anvitha stopped and stared at him fearfully.
"What now? You came toward me so bravely and stopped halfway? Come closer," he ordered. Terrified, she slowly came closer.
"Closer. Come stand where I can hold your hand," he said.
She came near. Without warning, he grabbed her hands and pulled her onto his lap. Shocked, Anvitha trembled and clung to him. His body felt like it was made of iron. He sensed her fear, gently ran his hand over her back and asked, "Why are you scared of me? Do I look like a tiger? A lion? Do you think I'll bite and eat you?"
"I need to know if you're real," he said in a confused voice. "Last night, you felt like a dream. That's why I wanted to see you now." Without warning, he grabbed her lips with his own in a rough kiss.
Caught off guard, Anvitha panicked and tried to pull away. But he was strong—far too strong for someone labeled a patient. She couldn't push him off. It was like the wheelchair was locked in place—it wouldn't even move.
Despite sensing her discomfort, he kissed her for a long time, and finally bit her lip before letting her go.
She stumbled, unable to stand properly. He caught her, waited for her to steady herself, then let go.
She looked at him in fear.
"From now on, you can't go anywhere without me. If you try, this is the punishment," he said coldly.
"Help me lie down. I'm sleepy."
She took his arm and placed it over her shoulder. But she knew she couldn't bear his full weight. She asked nervously, "I don't think I can do this alone. Shall I call someone for help?"
Chaitanya nodded.
She went outside and called two doctors, who helped him onto the bed. As soon as he lay down, he asked the doctors to leave and told Anvitha to sit beside him.
He took her hands in his and said, "You must always stay with me. Understand?" Then he called a doctor again and asked them to bring a chair and place it beside his bed.
They brought a comfortable reclining chair. As she sat, he again held her hands tightly.
"When I open my eyes, you must be right here. If I find you gone…" he left the threat hanging and closed his eyes.
Even while asleep, Chaitanya's grip on her hands remained tight. Anvitha stared at his hands for a long time.
How could he believe my sister deceived him? she wondered. If Aadhira had really wanted to leave him, she would've done so long ago. She cared for their child with such love. The only thing she kept saying was—once the baby is born, I will die…
Tears welled in her eyes again as she sat beside the man who tore her family apart but now clung to her hand.