𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈!♡♡

Author’s Pov

Morning in the Roy house had a rhythm of its own.

Utensils clinking in the kitchen. Dadi’s voice chanting softly. Isha running around looking for something she herself had misplaced.

And in the middle of it -

Aishani.

Sitting on the dining chair, swinging her legs like a child, finishing the last bite of her toast while scrolling through her phone.

Revansh stood near the table, sipping his coffee in complete silence. White shirt. Perfectly ironed. As always.

Dadi walked out of the kitchen with a plate in her hand. “Aishani, shudhu toast kheye pet bhore?”

(Will your stomach fill with just toast?)

Aishani looked up innocently. “Dida, modern breakfast.”

“Modern holeo pet toh purono!” Dadi muttered, placing a boiled egg on her plate.

(Even if it is modern, your stomach is old)

Isha immediately reached across the table and stole a bite from Aishani’s toast.

“Chor!” Aishani gasped.

“Sharing is caring,” Isha replied proudly.

Aunty came from behind with a tiffin box. “I packed lunch for you. Don’t skip.”

“I won’t, aunty,” Aishani said smoothly.

Revansh’s eyes lifted for a brief second. He said nothing. But he heard it.

“You know,” Aishani said casually, not looking at him, “people who wear much white usually have very boring personalities.”

He didn’t look up. “Eat your breakfast.”

She squinted at him. “See? Government notice tone again.”

Isha giggled from the other side. “Bhai talks like he’s announcing exam results.”

Revansh exhaled. “Both of you, finish eating.”

Aishani leaned back in her chair.

“Why are you always in a hurry? Relax a little, Dr. HurryBird.”

He looked at her now. “Enough. Stop.”

That’s it. Conversation over.

She muttered under her breath, “He himself is a walking rulebook with legs.”

“What did you say?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she smiled sweetly. “Let’s go.”

In the Car

The road was familiar now.

Same route. Same things.

At a signal, Aishani leaned forward and changed the music.

Soft old song.

Revansh changed it back.

She changed it again.

He looked at her. “Don’t.”

“You have uncle music taste,” she accused.

“Sit quietly for two minutes.”

She folded her arms. “Fine. I’ll count.”

“One… two… three…”

He exhaled sharply.

“You are so irritating”

She teased him and said “Say something that I don't know.”

Revansh shot her a glare.

“So now you are coping me too. Huh!? Not bad.”

She smiled and looked out of the window, victorious.

Then suddenly -

“Sir.”

He didn’t react.

“Dr. Grumpy.”

Still nothing.

“Dr. Heartless.”

A sigh. “What?”

She grinned. “Just checking if you’re alive.”

“I’m driving.”

“That’s not an answer.”

He ignored her.

She smiled to herself, strangely satisfied.

When the car stopped at the college gate, Aishani unbuckled her seatbelt.

“Bye, Dr. AngryBird.”

“Go. You’re late.”

“Such a emotional goodbye,” she muttered, stepping out.

At College

Aishani's Pov

Students greeted him as he walked past.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Sir, the reports..”

He nodded calmly, answering briefly, walking with that same composed authority.

Aishani watched from a distance.

Why does he look so good even though he is just speaking?

She shook her head and hurried toward the hospital corridor.

After classes, I rushed toward the hospital side to submit some internship paperwork.

While walking through the corridor, I noticed a small crowd near the notice board.

Students were trying to read something pinned at the very top.

I squeezed my way through and stood on my toes.

Nothing.

I jumped slightly.

Still nothing.

“Why do they put important things where short people can’t reach…” I muttered.

A shadow fell over me.

Before I could turn, a hand reached past me and held the paper flat against the board.

I froze.

I didn’t need to look.

Dr. Grumpy.

He stood close, one hand above my head, casually holding the sheet so it wouldn’t curl.

Now I could read it clearly.

I read the schedule silently.

Then glanced sideways at him. “You could have just told me what’s written.”

“I could,” he replied calmly. “But this is faster.”

I tried not to smile.

Failed.

“Personal ladder service?”

“Height advantage.”

I looked up at him. “Show off.”

He removed his hand. “Done?”

I nodded. “Hmm.”

He exhaled softly through his nose.

Almost a laugh.

I smiled to myself.

Small victories.

He stepped aside.

But I didn’t move.

“Anything else?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No… just thinking.

“About?”

I smiled lightly. “How peaceful you look when you’re not scolding me.”

He gave me a flat look. “Don’t get used to it.”

I said. “Too late, Dr. Calm-Face.”

He walked away.

And I stood there for a few seconds longer than needed… reading a notice I had already memorized.

But still he indirectly called me short. That's not fair. Hmph!

Author's Pov

They ended up walking in the same direction for a few steps.

Silence.

He spoke first. “Go to your class.”

She looked at him. “You don’t have to shoo me like a stray cat. Sir”

“Then stop hovering like one.”

She gasped. “Rude!”

But she smiled the whole way.

Later..

Aishani was laughing with her friends, explaining something with dramatic hand gestures.

“And then I told him--”

She stopped.

Her fingers pressed harder into the desk.

The sound around her dulled.

Voices felt distant.

Her vision blurred slightly.

“Aishani?” her friend touched her arm. “You okay? You look pale.”

She blinked rapidly. “Yeah yeah… didn’t eat breakfast.”

“But you said you did..”

“I’m fine,” she cut in quickly, grabbing her bottle and drinking water.

She forced a smile.

But for the next several minutes, she stayed unusually quiet.

Evening - Back Home

Isha was talking non-stop about something.

“...and then the judge said my project is too creative!” she finished dramatically.

Usually, Aishani would have clapped, teased, added ten comments.

Today she only nodded with a faint smile.

Isha paused. “Why are you so silent?”

“I’m listening.”

“That’s suspicious.”

From the sofa, Dadi looked at her once.

Revansh noticed too.

But no one said anything.

Aishani nodded, smiling faintly.

Revansh noticed.

She wasn’t interrupting.

Wasn’t teasing.

Wasn’t arguing.

Just sitting.

“You’re quiet,” he said.

She looked up quickly. “No I’m not.”

“You are.”

She forced a grin. “Tired.”

He nodded once. “Sleep early.”

That was it.

But his eyes lingered a second longer than usual.

Night

She stood in front of the mirror for a long moment.

Her face looked tired.

She touched her cheek lightly.

“Not now.. please not now..” she whispered.

Her room was silent.

Table lamp on.

Bag open.

Aishani sat on the bed slowly.

Then she opened the inner chain of her bag.

Took out a small strip of medicines.

Her fingers trembled slightly.

She stared at it.

“I thought it stopped…” she whispered to herself.

A soft knock on the door.

She panicked.

Quickly shoved the strip back inside.

Zipped the bag.

“Aishani,” Revansh’s voice came from outside. “Dinner.”

She looked at the bag.

Then at the door.

Took a deep breath.

“Coming.”

She turned off the lamp.

And opened the door like nothing was wrong.

Because some battles are meant to be fought silently.

✿✿✿

Any guesses what medicine she is taking?

Twist or something much deeper?👀

Short nicknames, big hearts, and quiet moments that speak louder than words😌💗. #ReAshi🧿

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

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖🌸

𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆🩷