|| R U H I K A ||

" And make sure to eat healthy okay , no nakhre on eating the green vegetables okay " i spoke or you can say scolded the little ayush , whose mother complained to me about him not eating the vegies ..the usual kids .

" But I don't like them they taste so bad" i shook my head hearing his response before giving his hair a soft ruffle .

" But you need to baccha they make you stronger and you need to be strong to go inside that room , look last time you weren't that strong so we couldn't perform your surgery right " i made him understand while he just nodded his head .

His surgery was supposed to be held 2 weeks ago but his bp shot up making us retrieve him back from the OT , it's been a month since he is staying here and has formed a quite good bond with me and everyone whether of its the nurse, the peon or any doctor .

I was talking to him when someone suddenly hugged my legs making me look down .

Hello Ruhi di " spoke the little voice of kridha —yes the girl from that day in mam's cabin Even she has also formed a quite good bond with everyone .

I bent down to her level, brushing back a stray strand of her hair that had escaped the pink clips she wore like little crowns.

"Hey my little fairy," I smiled, "How come you're here so early today? Aren't you supposed to be at your drawing class right now?"

She giggled, "I was, but I finished my butterfly early… and I made one for you too!"

She pulled out a crumpled paper from behind her back — a child’s colorful attempt at art, where a slightly wonky butterfly flew near a girl in a white coat with an oversized smile drawn on her face.

“That’s me?” I asked, touched.

She nodded proudly. “You’re the butterfly doctor. Because you make everyone feel lighter.”

For a second… just a second… I forgot about the hospital walls, the beeping monitors, the pain that lurked behind curtains and syringes. I just smiled, holding her close.

"Thank you, Kridha. This might be my favorite butterfly ever."

Ayush tugged at my coat. “I want to draw something for you too.”

“You better,” I teased. “But only if you finish your lunch today — including the green sabzi.”

He groaned, and Kridha giggled again.

And in that moment, surrounded by little warriors with tubes in their arms but laughter in their hearts, I realized something…

Maybe healing wasn’t just about medicines and machines.

Maybe it was also about love, warmth… and butterflies.

And maybe, just maybe… I was healing too.

" Kridha " I was talking to her when a sudden voice made us turn back only to see Ragini mam standing with her stetascope in her hand while moving towards the little girl beside me , she crouched down to her level before talking to her .

" Hello baby where were you I was looking for my little fairy, we need to get your X- Ray done right " she asked while stroking her hair to which she nodded before replying.

"I will dr. Aunty but before that can I go somewhere " she spoke

"Where" asked mam

" To washroom susu aai hai " she spoke before running towards the washroom making all of us laugh at her innocence . In this 1 month of me knowing her not once had I seen her complain. She had the kind of innocence that made your heart ache and the kind of strength that left you speechless.

" So Ruhi when is your shift completing today " asked Ragini mam after calming ourselves from the burst of laughter.

" I guess at 6 " she gave a curt nod before again answering.

" Okay then I guess you guys will arrive by 7 right , finally today the date of your marriage is going to be fixed, i can't wait till you enter my home becoming my Vyansh wife , my bahu " i chuckled at her excitement.

Well yes I said yes to the alliance, I gave my answer after a week , for a week i just let myself think and trust me I've thought of each possibility of this alliance not working but the words said by him every time calmed my overthinking mind .

The words maybe i want you as my wife , those words they made me blush and created havoc in me at the same time , since that day my mind has been playing his words on loop  , the way he was trying to keep the conversation because I was too nervous to let my lips speak .

"Okay mam " i spoke after realising how i suddenly got lost in my thoughts , she gave a quick nod to me but before we could talk further a voice intrupted us .

"Stop touching it " spoke with little anger in her voice , i looked down at her who was removing the hand of Ayush from her head who was maybe touching her small hairpins .

"Stop shouting I was only seeing it and they look bad " he also spoke with anger giving kridha an angry stare .

Well did I tell you they fight alot or they are practically enemy's who just fight whenever they are around each other , i shook head at them before detaching them from eachother while Ragini mam took kridha lecturing on how wrongly she spoke while i made ayush understand before moving forwards to other sections .

❥

"Ahh, finally," I yawned as I walked out of the hospital premises, my white coat still draped over my shoulders, the stethoscope nestled in the pocket swaying with each tired step. The sun had already set, surrendering the sky to the silver hues of the moon, which peeked shyly from behind a veil of clouds—like a secret trying not to be discovered.

The weather was cloudy today, the kind that made the air feel like a soft whisper. The moon kept playing hide and seek, slipping behind the clouds again as if afraid someone might steal its glow… or maybe its loneliness.

It's already past 7 of evening and I was supposed to be at Rajvansh's by now fixing the date for marriage but a sudden emergency case pulled me back , An elderly woman in the ICU . A heartbeat to fragile to trust time .

I took out my phone from my bag to call the driver from home —papa had dropped me off in the morning, insisting I don’t drive after such a hectic night shift. I scrolled through my contacts, the screen glowing dimly against the deepening dusk, when I heard my name being called out , I turned only to witness Kavyansh Rajvansh standing still in his three piece suit—maybe just came from work .

I walked towards him while looking at my dishiveiled appearance, my hair tied in a messy bun— functional not fashionable while a few rebellious strands fell across my face , my eyes felt heavy probably puffy from the lack of sleep and face bare except the smudged kajal from the morning , now slightly spread after I'd washed my face before leaving the hospital.

Meanwhile him — he still looked handsome — hair messy probably from the amount of times he had runned his fingers through them , his coat missing maybe kept in the car , sleeves folded upto his elbow giving the perfect view of his veiny hands — i gulped looking at his veins bulging from his arm they made me remember the episode from one of the book i read where the male lead used his hand to...

Okay no. nope. lets not go there .

" Hi-i " i spoke or stammered surprises at his presence here My voice came out breathier than I intended, slightly shaky from the surprise—and maybe a little from the thought I was still trying very hard to bury.

He turned his head slightly, his gaze landing on me with that calm intensity .

Hi," he said, his voice gentler now, "Maa informed me you got a sudden emergency case. Told me to pick you up from the hospital on my way back from the office."

I blinked, taken aback for a moment—not just by his presence, but by how casual he made it sound. As if it were the most natural thing for him—Kavyansh Rajvansh—to be running errands on his mother's word. To be here for me.

“Oh…” I managed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear again, a nervous habit I didn’t know I still had. “You really didn’t have to. I mean, I could’ve just—”

“Waited another hour for the driver who probably stopped to eat chole bhature on the way?” he interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

I stifled a laugh. “Okay, fair.”

"But still I am sorry you came all the way from your office to pick me " i whispered a small apology but a sudden twitch in his eyebrows confused me  .

"You don't have to be sorry Ruhika for such a pety thing . In fact I did not came here out of any compulsion or responsibility—I came because I wanted to , I wanted to know you , you're the women whose gonna be my wife and the women who I am gonna love — so no there shouldn't be any kind of apologies for such pety stuffs "

I felt my heart fluttering with the each word he spoke , or it's just stopped beating altogether. His voice wasn’t rushed, wasn’t dramatic. It was calm. Certain. And maybe that certainty is what caught me off guard the most.

My eyes lingered on his face for a moment longer, trying to find even a hint of hesitation… but there was none. Just him—honest, composed, and completely present while a soft smile adorned my lips .

We walked side by side towards his Car , the silence no longer awkward rather comforting . As we reached the parking lot a sleek Black SUV stood tall , gleaming under the streetlight .

He unlocked it with a casual press of his thumb across the key , the lights blink in acknowledgement . Without missing a beat , he walked over the passenger side and opened the door for me while i whispered a small thank you before walking over the driving side and settling inside .

"Take me home , ineed to change before heading to your house " i whispered while he nodded before giving a quick okay .

Soon the car rumbled before rolling down the streets , a sudden hush fell the streetlights created a soft glow across the window of the car , my gaze traveled outside the window as the car rolled over the bridge .

Jaipur has always been pretty , it's the place where i grew , made friends , made memories , the city looked beautiful with streetlights lightning the dark — as the car passed the park where me and suha used to play I felt all the memories flooding back .

I was lost in my thoughts gazing out of the window as the car passed by the old banyan tree. The silence between us was comfortable — until gently broken by him—his voice as usual calm .

" Dadu was thinking of making an official announcement regarding the marriage " he spoke while still keeping his eyes on the road " next week there's a business gathering — Top industrialists from all over India will be attending . He wants me to take you along with me ...and announce the News there"

I turned to look at him and the weight of his words suddenly felt heavy , his tone wasn't forceful rather it was calm with seriousness in it — maybe because after the announcement there would be a massive shift in everything that lay ahead .

He glanced at me before whispering
" Only if you're okay with it " .

My gaze locks with his , his green eyes  — the calmness in them always made my something flutter in me , something unexplainable , I nodded my head at him before replying.

" Okay " that's all I could say — my voice , quiteier but he heard even though the words left my mouth my thoughts weren't here anymore they drifted  — the weight of his words settled in my chest making it feels tight.

I need to tell him , tell him about the nightmares , which creep in without warning , the anxiety that always leaves me vulnerable, i need to tell him before the announcement .

My gaze traveled to my lap —gatheribg the courage to tell him about Me , the real Me , who cannot stand a Anxiety Attack without her pills , the one who struggle with nightmares of past —A haunting past which still lingers on my body like a second skin .

Slowly lifting my gaze i turned to him but before i could open my mouth he spoke " We're Here " i gazed at him before turning my eyes towards the window where a white lavish door with wooden carvings on it stood , weve reached my house and i didn't even notice when we entered the gate maybe when I was too busy in my thoughts...God when did i became so unaware of my surroundings .

" Ohh , i didn't realise when we reached " i spoke still little taken back by my own absentmindness , my voice softer with a hint of nervousness as he opened the gate for me while i gave him one of those nervous smile .

" Its okay i guess you were just lost in some of your thoughts " i smiled at him before moving forwards towards the door before while rumging through my back for the keys .

Pushing the door open i waked in  followed by him closing the door behind us . Setting my bag on the dinning table i walked towards the kitchens to grab a glass of water for ourselves .

"Here " i mumured passing the glass of water to him who sat on the couch doing something on his phone , accepting the glass he spoke " you didn't have to " while i just gave that gentle smile telling it's fine .

Taking the glass back from him i spoke " you sit I'll quickly change and come "he nodded his head before speaking .

"It's fine take your time " while i just smiled at him before heading towards my room to get ready not before asking him if he wanted anything which he kindly denied .

Entering my room i directly went towards the washroom to wash off the remenants of the day , pushing the door open of washroomi stepped in before stood infront of the mirror while looking at myself .

God...I look miserable , like I haven't slept in weeks well that's technically true , my eyes were puffy, that screamed ' overworked and under- rested ' ahh..did he really saw me like this , the smuged  kajal from the morning added more to the perfection of my look .

Not wanting to look at myself like this anymore i quickly washed my face . After patting my face dry with the towel , i glanced at myself better.

Moving out I walked in to my Walk-in  wardrobe , without wasting much time i slipped myself out off my scrubs before putting on the Anarkali which got stuck on my head .

God..why is it always so difficult to wear these heavy dresses without anyones help , like who's gonna push this down my head now , uhhh... finally after like an eternity i was done wearing my Anarkali which was no less than a war.

It was Chiffon Anarkali , Red Wine in colour with gold embelishments . The fabric is Rich in colour The dupatta is adorned with gold embroidery and shimmering sequin detailing, especially noticeable along the borders.

The sleeves are full-length and also feature similar gold embroidered patterns, adding elegance to the overall look.

Brushing my hair back , I sat infront of the mirror to do my makeup , applying the the thin layer of compact to even out my skin tone . The soft hum of ceiling fan filled the silent room as i moved my fingers across my cheeks and forehead .

Well to be honest i have good skin - Am not Flaunting just the facts , my skin is quite good even though i lack in taking care of it , it's pale white with chubby cheeks and doe eyes .

I don't really have any sharp features but still they look beautiful , applying a dark Layer of kajal along with a thin layer of Eyeliner i competed my look with A Nude lipstick , brushing my hair i let them hung loose on my shoulder .

Taking in a last glance at myself I walked out of the room while picking my dupata along the way i moved out of room , Reaching downstairs i saw him , He was there, standing near the couch, speaking to someone over the phone. His posture was relaxed but there was a certain seriousness in the way he spoke, like he was used to being in control of things.

I stood there for a second, unsure whether to call him or not, feeling the weight of unfamiliarity between us. Slowly, I reached out and gently tapped his shoulder, letting him know I was there.

He turned around but stilled mid way , his gaze fixed on my face making my face burn with embarrassment .

I could feel my cheeks warm under his stare, He ended the call without breaking the eye contact , slipping the phone in his pocket .

Finally breaking the silence i spoke " chale " he nodded his head before moving out of the house followed closely by me behind him .

...

The car buzzed with silence broken by the roars of engine and occasional blares of horns , his Gaze fixed at the road ahead , occasionally glancing at my side maybe making sure i was comfortable.

While my mind i was far away from the things in front , I kept on glancing at him trying to speak what has been in my mind lately now but the words they just don't come out , as if they are stuck in my throat . To be honest I never really talked about it with anyone neither did my family nor my friend they ask me anything from that day maybe because they also haven't forgotten yet .

But I need to speak , to tell him I need to tell this Men who is suppose to be my Husband , today we are suppose to fix the date and after this there's no turning back .

Meanwhile I was trying to gather the courage to tell him , it's not like I was scared or something it's just that , I want him to know about Me not The Dr. Ruhika Mehra who works with precision and Authority but the one in her bedroom , who shudders with fear when the memories hit .

I glanced at him before speaking " I wanna tell you something " our eyes locked , his brows furrowed a little before whispering a little sure.

"Um before Dadaji makes the Announcement i wanted you to know , after hearing it..it's your choice if you still want this " I paused a little looking at him while he parked the car side of he road keeping his full attention on what I was speaking .

uhh... I suffer from Anxiety...and nightmares " a sudden silence surrounded the car , it felt scary the nerves under my skin throbbed with nervousness my eyes scanned his face to find a hint of anger or mockness but no there were none he still looked at me— with the same gaze he looked earlier with .

I tugged a strand of hair behind my ear which kept on falling on my face while he spoke " are they your fears , your nightmares are you scared of something Ruhika " letting out a sigh i spoke .

" They are more like memories...from my past — brutal , cruel and vulnerable , Every other night they creep in as nightmares or as Anxiety I wanted you to know this because it's us who's gonna spend our life together, I wanted you to know Ruhika without the Dr. Prefix before her name who finds it hard to breath when her anxiety steeps in " i forced myself to speak each word rolled my tongues with difficulty , but I did because wanted to tell him — this Men infront of me he is ready to share his life with me , so atleast he deserves to know About the Truth  .

My gaze fixed at his face trying to understand what he thought but only if i could , he looked calm as ever as i didn't just dropped a bomb before I could think further he spoke" It's okay Ruhika to get Nightmares and having Anxiety and if I guess from your words maybe it's something horrible which still resides in you which comes out in the form of your anxiety and Nightmares "

"i am grateful to you for telling this to me and i am always all ears to listen but if you're doing it out of fear or responsibility then don't i want to know you but not out of compulsion or making you uncomfortable which you clearly are right now , I want to know when you'll express infront of me , and about your Anxiety and Nightmares will handle them together"

I felt my Heart thudding in my chest , his voice it was steady— more like you don't need to explain i understand, i felt that overthinking in me calming with eac word which rolled down his tongue .

I exhaled out a breath as if letting go of the burden that I was carrying on my shoulder since the day papa told me to meet them , but I guess papa was right he indeed is the right choice he made for me .

" Here " a sudden bottle of water came in front of me i traveled my eyes from the bottle through his arms up to his face which looked concerned .

Taking the bottle from his hand I drank it  calming my throat which went dry with all the overthinking i did , i looked at him again who was tapping his finger on his thighs while looking out of the window , keeping the bottle at its designed place i finally told him to move ahead to which he nodded his head before roaring the engine and soon we were again on the road passing the city  lights.

__________________________________
Finally my cuties are together, I can't wait to write more of their scene and do  tell me how the chapter was .

Do tell .e what you felt about Kavyansh reaction towards Ruhi' Nightmares and anxiety.

Next episode will soon be uploaded
Love you ❣️
Rooh