The hospital doors burst open as Arjun stormed inside, Sia cradled in his arms. His shirt was soaked with her blood, and his face was pale but determined. "Help! Somebody help!" he shouted, his voice hoarse with desperation.
A nurse rushed to his side, followed by a doctor. "We need a stretcher, now!" the doctor commanded, but Arjun didn't wait. He laid Sia down gently on the nearest gurney, his hands trembling.
"Please, save her," he begged, his voice breaking. "Do whatever it takes. She's myâ" His words caught in his throat as he struggled to say the word.
The doctor nodded firmly. "We'll do our best. Sir, please wait outside."
Arjun stepped back reluctantly, his eyes fixed on Sia as they wheeled her into the emergency room. His knees felt weak, but he refused to falter. Not now. Not when she needs me the most.
Ishika on Call
Back at the Rathor mansion, Ishika's voice trembled as she explained the events to everyone present there including Neha and Sia's mother. "Riya shot Sia, but Arjun got her to the hospital in time," she said. "I can't believe this happened. She's in surgery now."
Shreya stumbles nd Neha supports her.
Devika clutched Shalini's hand tightly, her face pale. "Stay with the grandparents," she whispered. "They can't handle this news right now. And Candy and Snowy... they'll sense something's wrong." Says Vijay.
Ishika, Shreya, Neha, Vijay, and Sanjay quickly headed to the hospital, their hearts heavy with worry.
Arjun's POV
In the stark fluorescent lighting of the hospital corridor, Arjun paced back and forth, his hands clenched into fists. This is my fault. I let her get hurt. I should've protected her.
A sudden commotion made him look up as Ishika, Neha, Vijay, Sanjay, and Sia's parents, Shreya and Harish, arrived.
"Where is she?!" Shreya cried, her eyes red and swollen. She grabbed Arjun's arm. "Tell me she's okay. Please tell me!"
Arjun's throat tightened as he met her pleading eyes. "She's in surgery. The doctors are doing everything they can," he said, his voice cracking.
Shreya collapsed into Harish's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Harish's face was a mask of guilt, his shoulders slumped as though carrying an unbearable weight.
"This is my fault," Harish muttered. "I should've stopped Riya before it came to this."
"It's not the time for blame," Vijay said firmly, placing a hand on Arjun's shoulder. "We need to focus on Sia."
Out of Danger
Hours passed like an eternity before the doctor finally emerged. "She's stable. The bullet missed any vital organs. She'll need rest and care, but she's out of danger."
A collective sigh of relief filled the room. Shreya cried harder, this time in gratitude, while Harish muttered a quiet prayer.
"Can we see her?" Arjun asked urgently.
The doctor nodded. "One at a time, for now."
Arjun didn't wait for anyone's approval. He stepped into the room, his heart racing.
Arjun and Sia
Sia's eyes fluttered open as he approached her bed. Her face was pale, but the sight of her alive filled Arjun with overwhelming emotion.
"Sia..." he whispered, sitting beside her and taking her hand gently. "I'm so sorry. For everything. Iâ" He paused, his voice trembling. "I almost lost you today, and it made me realize something. I can't... I can't live without you."
Sia blinked at him, her expression a mix of exhaustion and uncertainty. "Arjun... you don't have toâ"
"No," he interrupted, his grip on her hand tightening. "You need to hear this. I love you, Sia. I've been a fool, blinded by my own fears and insecurities. But not anymore. You're my everything, and I'll spend the rest of my life proving that to you."
Tears welled in Sia's eyes as she whispered, "Arjun..."
Befor she could say, the door opened, and Shreya and Harish Mehta walked in. Shreya's face was a mess of tears, and the moment she saw her daughter, she rushed to her side.
"Sia!" Shreya cried, clutching her hand tightly. "What have they done to you? My baby..." She broke down into sobs, brushing Sia's hair back gently as if reassuring herself that her daughter was truly there.
Sia tried to smile, her voice weak but comforting. "I'm okay, Maa. Don't cry, please."
Harish stood silently by the door, his guilt-ridden eyes fixed on his daughter. After a moment, he stepped forward, his shoulders slumped. "Sia," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I've failed you as a father. I couldn't protect you."
Sia shook her head softly. "Papa, don't say that. You didn't fail me. You're here now, and that's all that matters."
Shreya wiped her tears and straightened herself, trying to gather her composure. "You're coming home with us, Sia. Back to the Mehta mansion. I can't leave you here after everything that's happened."
Harish, who had been silently watching Sia's fragile form, suddenly interjected. "No, Shreya," he said firmly. "Her place is with her in-laws. They love her, and she'll find the environment she needs to heal there. I believe the Rathors will take care of her better than we can."
Sia looked between her parents, her heart aching for them. She squeezed her mother's hand. "Maa, Papa, I'll be okay. They've all been so kind to me."
Shreya's lips trembled, but she nodded reluctantly. "If that's what you want, Sia."
Not long after, Neha barged into the hospital room, her face streaked with tears. "Sia!" she exclaimed, rushing to her best friend's side. She collapsed into the chair beside the bed, holding Sia's hand tightly.
"You scared me to death, Sia!" Neha sobbed. "I thought I'd lost you."
Sia offered a faint smile, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Neha. I didn't mean to worry you."
Neha's tear-filled eyes darted to Arjun, who was standing nearby. She pointed a trembling finger at him. "And you! If you ever, ever hurt her again, Arjun Rathor, I swear you'll have to deal with me!"
Arjun raised his hands in surrender, his expression solemn. "I won't, Neha. I promise."
"You'd better not," Neha muttered, wiping her tears as she clung to Sia's hand. "She's too precious to be hurt again."
Aarav and Ishika arrived soon after, their faces lighting up with relief upon seeing Sia awake.
Aarav strode to her side, his usual mischievous demeanor replaced by genuine concern. "Bhabhi, don't you ever scare us like that again. You're not allowed to get into trouble without me." He tried to smile, but his voice cracked with emotion.
Ishika sat on the other side of Sia's bed, holding her hand gently. "You're our strength, Bhabhi. We can't function without you. Promise us you'll stay safe."
Sia chuckled weakly, touched by their love. "I promise."
Aarav leaned closer, grinning now. "Good. Because if you go through anything like this again, I'll have to tell Candy and Snowy that their favorite human left them without saying goodbye. And trust me, they won't forgive you!"
Sia's laughter was soft but genuine, the warmth from her siblings-in-law filling her heart with gratitude. Arjun, standing a few steps away, watched quietly as Sia was surrounded by love and care. He silently vowed to ensure she would never have to face pain again.
Back at the Mansion
When Sia was discharged, the entire Rathor family gathered to welcome her home. The atmosphere was filled with a mixture of relief, joy, and lingering guilt. Arjun walked beside her, keeping a protective hand on her shoulder as they entered the grand hallway.
Arjun's grandmother, usually a pillar of stoic grace, surprised everyone by wiping away a tear as Sia stepped inside. She approached Sia with a gentle smile, her aged eyes brimming with unspoken emotion.
"Sia," she said softly, taking her hand in hers. "I regret everything that's happened. But I want you to know, you belong here. This is your home." Her voice trembled slightly, but her grip on Sia's hand was firm, almost reassuring.
Then she turned to Arjun, her gaze sharpening. "And you..." She pointed a finger at him. "You better not hurt her again. Because if you do, Arjun, you'll have to answer to me. Do you understand?"
Arjun nodded solemnly, his expression earnest. "I won't, Dadi. I promise."
Sia looked between the two of them, her lips curving into a faint smile. For the first time, she felt the warmth of belongingâa feeling that this was not just Arjun's family but hers too.
Before she could say anything, Devika and Shalini rushed forward, their faces a mix of worry and frustration.
"Sia Rathor!" Devika exclaimed, her hands planted firmly on her hips. "What were you even thinking, leaving this house without telling anyone? Do you know how much chaos you caused?"
Shalini, standing beside her, nodded in agreement. "We were worried sick, Sia! You left without a word and went through all that alone. Do you have any idea how reckless that was?"
Sia opened her mouth to respond, but Devika didn't let her. "No excuses! You're family now. That means we handle everything together. You don't get to disappear and fight your battles alone. Understood?"
Shalini softened slightly but still added, "We're your mothers, Sia. And that means you're stuck with us. Next time, talk to us. Promise?"
Sia's smile grew wider, tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. "I promise," she whispered, her voice shaky.
Devika and Shalini pulled her into a tight hug, their earlier frustration melting into affection.
Arjun, Aarav and Ishika watched the scene unfold, his heart swelling with a mixture of pride and relief. For the first time in a long while, the Rathor mansion felt complete.
Arjun's POV: A Warm Welcome
As Arjun carried Sia into their room, he was greeted by an enthusiastic bark and a wagging tail. Candy and Snowy, their two beloved dogs, bounded toward them, their excitement palpable.
"Careful, you two," Arjun said, his voice firm but affectionate, as the dogs tried to jump up to reach Sia. He set her gently on the bed, watching as Candy nestled close to her side while Snowy lay at her feet.
Sia smiled softly, her hand brushing over Candy's fur. "I missed you both," she whispered, her voice filled with warmth.
Arjun leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed. "Of course, they get all the attention. I'm just the guy who carried you in here, risked his life to save you, and confessed his undying love. No big deal."
Sia's lips twitched, trying to suppress a smile. "Oh, stop pouting, Arjun. You're too big to be jealous of two dogs."
He walked over, pretending to sulk as he sat beside her on the bed. "I'm not jealous. I'm just saying it would be nice to get at least half as much attention as these two furballs."
Candy barked in response, almost as if defending his claim to Sia, which made Arjun feign exasperation. "See? Even he thinks I'm not worthy."
Sia let out a small laugh, the sound light but genuine. "You're impossible."
Arjun grinned. "And you love it."
Unresolved Tension
Though the warmth of the moment brought a smile to Sia's face, the lingering tension between them couldn't be ignored. As the evening stretched on, Arjun watched her closely, noting the quiet hesitations in her expressions. He couldn't shake the guilt or the weight of her mistrust.
Breaking the silence, he shifted in his seat. "You know, I've been warned by pretty much everyone in the family today. Neha nearly strangled me in the hospital, Aarav keeps calling me a bodyguard, and Ishika threatened to report me to Candy and Snowy if I ever hurt you again."
Sia glanced at him, her lips curving into a faint smile despite herself. "Sounds like they care more about me than you."
"Clearly," Arjun said with mock indignation. "Even Dadi gave me the 'you'd better behave or else' speech. It's like the whole house has formed a Sia Protection Squad."
Sia chuckled softly, her defenses momentarily lowering. "Maybe they have."
Arjun leaned forward, his voice gentler now. "And they're right. You deserve to be cared for, to feel safe. I know I've let you down before, but I won't let it happen again. I swear it, Sia."
Her eyes met his, and for a moment, the air between them was thick with unspoken emotions. She didn't respond, but the flicker of vulnerability in her gaze gave Arjun a sliver of hope.
Determined to ease the tension further, he gestured toward Candy and Snowy, who were now curled up on the rug. "You know," he said with a smirk, "if I had to compete with anyone, I'm glad it's them. At least they're cute."
Sia couldn't help but laugh, the sound filling the room with a much-needed lightness. "You're ridiculous, Arjun."
"And you're smiling," he replied softly, his tone carrying a mixture of relief and longing.
As the evening gave way to quiet conversation and shared moments, the walls between them began to crackâjust slightly. For the first time in weeks, Sia allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, Arjun's words weren't empty promises.