𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈!♡♡

Aishani's POV

One week.

Just one week ago, I was packing up my life, preparing to leave a place I had barely begun to call home. Now?

Now, it felt like the world was holding its breath, waiting for me to leave and stay at the same time.

I had been living here for months now. A few months and suddenly, everything felt like it belonged to me - the old wooden table in the dining room, the quiet corners, the soft murmur of conversation. I could've stayed. I would have stayed.

But life had its own plans. And those plans were about to become the weight of my chest, pressing in with every breath.

I woke up late today.

Which was surprising.

Because usually, this house woke me up before my alarm did.

Dadi's utensils. Isha's loud voice. Aunty calling someone. Footsteps.

The sun was creeping through the windows, Dadi's clock ticking softly in the corner. The house was already quiet, but it wasn't the same silence I had known before.

It was heavy. Loaded with things left unsaid. With too much left hanging between us.

I slipped out of bed, the soft creak of the floorboards beneath my feet loud in the stillness. As I stood by the window, staring at the city that seemed so familiar, I felt relieved.

For a second, I forgot I was still here.

Then reality hit.

Flat not ready.

Temporary extension.

I sighed and got up.

When I entered the dining area, everyone was already there.

"Good morning." Dadi's voice was soft, warm, just like it always was.

I turned with a small smile, trying to mask the turmoil I felt. "Good morning, Dadi."

Dadi smiled and patted the chair beside her. "Come, have breakfast."

Aunty was already bustling about in the kitchen, preparing something that smelled far too good for a morning like this.

Isha was in the dining room, her phone in her hand, scrolling aimlessly.

She looked up, offering a small, teasing grin. "So, you're still here. I am so happy."

I raised an eyebrow, trying to play it off. "Yeah, seems like it."

She laughed, not even missing a beat. "Guess you're not leaving anytime soon, huh? I was already preparing myself for a big 'goodbye' speech."

I chuckled, trying to ease the tension that seemed to be settling in my chest. "Not yet, I guess."

The quiet tension lingered as we ate breakfast, the usual chatter surrounding us, but it felt distant, muted. I couldn't stop thinking about the space I had just left. My room still sat in the corner of this house like an anchor, reminding me of how long I'd been here. How easily it had started to feel like home.

Then I saw his presence.

Dr.Angry Bird sat at the chair, reading something on his phone, coffee beside him.

White shirt.

Calm face.

Unbothered.

As if nothing had changed.

As if I wasn't still here.

"College?" he asked without looking at me.

"Yes."

"We will leave in ten minutes."

That's it.

Conversation over.

Why does he talk like a government notice?

He himself is a walking public announcement with no emotions, only instructions.

Ugh Leave it.

After breakfast, I gathered my things, getting ready to leave for the hospital.

Car Ride

The drive was silent

Not uncomfortable.

But heavy.

He drove calmly, eyes on the road.

I kept looking outside, pretending the trees were very interesting.

At one signal, he spoke.

"You're late today."

"I woke up late."

"Hm."

Again silence.

Same route.

Same car.

But today, for some reason, everything felt louder inside my head.

He stopped the car at the college gate.

I was about to step out when he said "Come straight after classes. Don't wander."

I turned. "I don't wander."

He gave me a look.

I got out without replying.

Why does he talk like I am five?

College Corridor

I was carrying way too many books.

Because apparently, I believe I am stronger than gravity.

I turned the corner in a hurry.

And collided straight into a wall.

A very solid, very human wall.

Books flew everywhere.

"Oh no no no sorry sorry!"

I bent down quickly, gathering them.

"I swear the corridor jumped in front of me--"

I stopped.

White shoes.

White coat.

I looked up slowly.

Him. Dr.AngryBird

Of course.

He stood there watching me struggle with the books.

I hurried.

Then I noticed -

He was staring.

Just staring.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" I asked.

He didn't answer immediately.

His gaze moved across my messy hair, the books in my arms.

Then calmly he said

"Trying to figure out how someone be this chaotic and still look so much cute."

I blinked. "Huh? What?"

He straightened.

"Uhm..Nothing. Be careful."

And walked past me.

I stood there confused.

"Weird man," I muttered.

Lab Scene

I don't know how I managed it.

One second I was arranging slides.

Next second -

Glass slipped.

"Ahh!"

A sharp sting in my palm.

Blood.

Great.

Just great.

My friend dragged me to the medical room despite my protests.

"It's small"

"It's bleeding!"

Within minutes, I was sitting inside.

Then the door opened.

Dr.Grumpy

He paused for one second seeing me.

Then walked in like this was routine.

"What happened?"

"Nothing. Small cut."

He took my wrist.

Removed the tissue.

His jaw tightened slightly.

"Small?"

I stayed quiet.

He cleaned the wound carefully.

Precise. Professional. Silent.

Not once did he look at my face.

"How do you manage to hurt yourself in a lab?" he asked calmly.

"Talent, Only I have it." I muttered.

"This will sting."

It did.

I flinched and unknowingly held his sleeve.

For half a second.

Then I realized and let go.

"Sorry."

No reaction.

He bandaged it neatly.

"Don't get it wet. Change dressing tonight."

I nodded.

He stood straight.

"Be careful next time, Aishani."

And left.

Like I was just another patient.

But my heart?

Behaving like something big just happened.

Evening - Back Home

I entered quietly.

Isha noticed first.

"Why are you walking like a wounded soldier?"

I showed my bandaged hand.

"Drama queen," she said. "What did you do?"

"Scientific experiment gone wrong."

He entered a few minutes later.

His eyes immediately went to my hand.

"What happened?"

Isha answered before I could.

"Madam cut herself in lab. Bhai"

He looked at me.

Not worried.

Not soft.

Just... observing.

"Changed dressing?" he asked.

I shook my head.

He sighed lightly. "Come."

I followed him silently to the living room.

He opened the first aid box.

Removed the old dressing.

Redid it.

I flinched a little. He noticed.

Same calm. Same precision.

"You don't listen," he said.

I smiled faintly. "I try."

"Try better."

And that was it.

But my stupid heart?

It was smiling like an idiot.

I tilted my head slightly, a teasing smile playing on my lips.

"Okay, Dr. Weirdo."

He looked at me, unimpressed as ever.

"You give nicknames faster than light speed. Miss.Chaos."

Author's POV

For him, it was routine.

For her, it was unforgettable.

He remained controlled.

She became a little more chaotic inside.

And somewhere between collisions, cuts, and careful bandages Aishani's heart quietly took one more step toward him.

Unnoticed.

Unacknowledged.

But irreversible.

✿✿✿

Minor injury for him. Major heartbeat for her. 🤭💗#ReAshi🧿

How was this chapter? Let me know in the comments.

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