Chapter 47: chapter 47

Suvika slowly pulled away from a peacefully sleeping Imara, her heart heavy with the knowledge that it wasn’t wise to stay by her daughter’s side for a longer period. She wiped away her tears and hurried to the washroom, determined to erase any trace of her sadness.Just as she emerged, Adhiraj entered the room, his eyes filled with concern as they locked onto his wife. Suvika’s heart warmed at his expression, and she couldn’t help but speak up, “I know she must be being stubborn...”Adhiraj shook his head, briefly glancing at Suvika before replying, “She is just being herself. And this is her home. She has every right to be that way.”A smile tugged at Suvika’s lips as she nodded and left the room, saying, “I’m grateful she has you by her side.”With a warm smile, Adhiraj nodded and made his way to Imara, while Suvika stepped out, feeling a weight lifted off her chest. Her daughter had someone who loved her unconditionally. Descending the stairs, she found Vandana in the living room with Virender, Jaidev, and Sanjay. When Sanjay noticed her, he stood up from the couch, his hands folded, and gratefully said, “We can’t thank you all enough for taking care of our daughter.” His voice choked with emotion.Virender rolled his eyes and also stood up, gently patting Sanjay’s shoulder before responding, “She’s our daughter too, Sanjay. You don’t need to worry about her.”Sanjay’s face lit up with a warm and grateful smile as Suvika turned to Vandana and quietly remarked, “I hope she doesn’t trouble you much.”“I really hope she does,” Vandana chuckled, her voice filled with amusement. “She agrees to everything I say.”Upon hearing this, Suvika’s eyes lost their sparkle, and she held onto the hope that her daughter would soon find her own happiness.—————That evening, Imara found herself under a mountain of blankets, steaming with anger thanks to Adhiraj’s strict orders. Earlier, her body temperature was through the roof, but now it was her temper that was on fire.“Dinner time!” Adhiraj announced, handing her a bowl of Khichdi.Imara snatched the bowl, fuming, and snapped, “Stop treating me like a little kid.”“You’re not well, Imara!” Adhiraj pointed out, serving himself a delicious portion of Kathal Biryani and settling on the other side of the bed. Imara’s hand paused in mid-air, her mouth watering.“Eat Imara,” Adhiraj insisted, stuffing a spoonful of Biryani into his mouth, trying to hide his grin.She pursed her lips, eyeing the bowl of bland Khichdi, and grumbled, “I hate you...”“I’m aware,” he chuckled, focusing on the biryani.Imara let out a groan as she forced down the ‘Bimaron Wala Khana’. She was so over this whole situation and just wanted to be back at her factory, catching up with Isha. Because Mr. Hawk-Eye, over here, was monitoring her every move, not even letting her touch her phone for fear of straining her eyes because she was unwell. She was downright pissed off and bored.After taking the last bite of her meal, she remarked, “I haven’t got a fever since morning.”The soft clink of dishes being placed on the table interrupted her as Adhiraj cut her off with, “Four more days, Imara!”Though, his actions took her by surprise as he extended his hand towards her, his palm upturned in an inviting gesture. She looked at him in confusion, her brows furrowing, and he clarified, “You just had dinner. It is only wise to take a short walk before you take your medicines.”Imara’s eyes locked onto his outstretched hand, her heart pounding. She bit her lip, feeling the slight sting as she made her decision not to hold his hand, and whispered, “I can manage,” as she cautiously stepped down from the bed.But Adhiraj didn’t retract his hand. Instead, he gently wrapped it around her waist as she stumbled, her legs still weak from her recent illness. Imara’s head spun, and she instinctively clung to his t-shirt for support, the fabric soft against her fingertips, his cologne assaulting her senses. Yet, in that moment, she felt a sense of security and warmth enveloping her.“I have got you,” he murmured, his voice filled with tenderness. His hand securely wrapped around her waist, as if promising to never let her fall.Imara shivered at the pleasant sensation that ran down her spine, causing her breath to catch in her throat. She slowly lifted her gaze, meeting his intense eyes. With a gentle touch, he brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. The sensation sent a tingling sensation through her scalp.“Let’s walk together,” he whispered.Taking her by surprise, he took a step forward, pulling her along with him. The sound of their footsteps echoed softly in their room as they walked side by side.Anticipating her discomfort, he guided the conversation in a murmur, “When I used to fall sick during my childhood, Dadi used to hold my hand and make me walk after every meal before giving me medicine. I was too close to her, more than Mom.”The warmth of his words enveloped her, making her feel strangely uneasy. His hands remained steady, resting gently on her waist, as he continued to reveal more intimate details about himself. His touch, his proximity, and his earnest attempt to connect made her heart race with each passing step. But something deep within her resisted. She didn’t want any of it. Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over her, and she hurriedly made her way towards the washroom.Concerned, Adhiraj called out, his voice filled with worry, “Imara...” and sprinted after her. His heart raced as he reached her, only to find her hunched over, the sight of her throwing up the dinner making his stomach churn. His brows furrowed with concern, and he gently held her open hair behind her back, feeling the strands slip through his fingers. He rubbed her back soothingly, the sensation of his touch, strangely, providing some comfort to her.After Imara had nearly thrown up everything, she groaned, the sound filled with exhaustion and discomfort. She splashed water on her face; the droplets hitting her skin with a refreshing coolness, and gargled, the sound of the water swishing in her mouth momentarily drowning out all the thoughts in her mind. The instant Adhiraj observed her faltering due to weakness, he let go of her hair and swiftly grasped her waist to steady her. He then reached for a towel and wiped her face.With his heart racing, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to the bed. Imara, weakened by her illness, didn’t protest, her body limp in his arms. Her head buzzed with a mix of dizziness and fatigue, the world around her becoming a blur.Just as Adhiraj settled her back into the bed and fetched the medicines, the door swung open and Vandana walked in. Although she had just come to ask about Imara’s well-being, her attention immediately shifted upon seeing Imara’s worn-out face.She looked at Adhiraj, who spoke with a hint of worry in his voice. “She just threw up!”“Raj,” she said, her voice tinged with concern, “She has caught a severe cold.”With that, she circled around Adhiraj and gently pressed her fingers against Imara’s forehead. “Her skin is cold,” she whispered in a hushed tone.Imara’s teeth clattered loudly, causing Vandana to exchange a concerned glance with Adhiraj. “Suvika told me it is natural with her,” she informed. “It will take her another two to three days to get rid of this fever completely.”Adhiraj nodded, his eyes filled with love as he held Imara’s hand and softly said, “Here, have medicines!”Imara couldn’t deny that she was feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of care Adhiraj was showing her, yet she couldn’t bring herself to reject his gestures. Witnessing the beautiful connection between them, Vandana silently exited the room, allowing their bond to flourish undisturbed.After gently tucking Imara into the bed, Adhiraj climbed in from the opposite side. He slipped beneath the warm blanket, gently turning her around and pulling her into the safety of his arms. A subtle tension filled the air as Imara stiffened, her body betraying her unease.Adhiraj, his hands tenderly caressing her back, spoke in a hushed voice, “Relax, Imara. I’ll move away once you’re warm enough. I promise not to cross any boundaries. Trust me.”Despite his reassurance, Imara tried to retreat. But Adhiraj refused to let go, his grip tightening as he expressed, “It’s killing me to see you like this, Imara.”In that moment, time seemed to stand still for Imara as those words settled in her mind, stirring a profound resonance within her heart. The struggle stopped as Adhiraj’s embrace grew stronger, drawing her nearer and enveloping her face in the warmth of his chest. “Sleep,” he whispered softly. “I’m here! Always! Forever!”Imara’s eyes teared up, and as the comforting heat of Adhiraj’s presence permeated her body, it slowly but surely began to penetrate her thoughts, her consciousness, and gradually, her heart.