𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 - 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐊𝐔𝐑

9.

Author POV'S

Paridhi lay on the bed, her face pale and still. Rajesh had already brought her there, carefully placing her down. He sat beside her, gently caressing her forehead, his eyes fixed on her. His gaze shifted briefly to a photo frame placed in the corner of the room. The frame held a bittersweet memory, one that still tugged at his heart.

Anjali standing by the door. She noticed where his eyes had been moments ago and gave a melancholic smile before stepping inside. Startled by the sound of her footsteps, Rajesh turned his gaze away, as though caught in a moment of vulnerability.

Moments later, Aarti entered, carrying a bowl of water in her hands. She placed it carefully on the table and approached the bed. Sitting beside Paridhi's feet, Aarti picked up a clean cloth from the table. Her movements were steady yet gentle as she dipped the cloth into the water, wrung it out, and turned her attention to Paridhi's injured leg.

Gently taking Paridhi's foot in her hands, Aarti carefully cleaned the dried wound with soft, deliberate movements, her touch tender and soothing.

Once Aarti finished, she quietly left the room, taking the bowl with her. Rajesh leaned down, placing a soft kiss on his daughter's forehead. Adjusting her blanket to ensure she was comfortable, he gave her one last glance before quietly leaving the room.

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Paridhi's grandmother walked into the kitchen, her face etched with concern. Seeing her daughter-in-law busy at the counter, she quietly asked, "He couldn't hide his emotions." That is not a question but a statement which is true.

Aarti nod.

She softly asked, "How is she now?"

Her daughter-in-law paused, wiping her hands on the edge of her saree, and nodded. "Her body's still a bit warm. I thought I'd sleep with her tonight, just to be close if she needs anything."

The older woman sighed, her worry unspoken but evident in her eyes, and left the kitchen to check on her son.

Back in Paridhi's room, Aarti entered, a steaming mug of water in her hands. She set it carefully on the table beside the bed, her movements quiet to avoid disturbing Paridhi. Gently, she sat down beside her, her eyes scanning Paridhi's face for any sign of emotion.

Aarti leaned closer, checking her temperature with the back of her hand, before finally lying down next to her. The silence of the room was oppressive, broken only by the soft sound of their breathing. Aarti closed her eyes, trying to will herself to sleep, but rest eluded her. She tossed and turned for a while, her mind restless, until she finally got up and slipped out of the room.

The moment the door clicked shut, Paridhi opened her eyes. A single tear escaped, sliding silently down her cheek before disappearing into her hair, the only outward sign of the storm raging inside her. She made no move to wipe it away, her body heavy with the weight of her heartbreak.

Her gaze turned to the window where the moon hung low in the night sky, its pale light spilling into the room. It felt as if the moon was mocking her pain, its beauty and serenity a sharp contrast to the storm raging within her. Her lips quivered, but no sound escaped. Even her cries were silenced by the ache in her chest.

Memories flashed before her eyes-his smile, his voice, the promises she had made. Her heart clenched painfully as the truth of her situation bore down on her. He wasn't coming back.

The emptiness was suffocating, a void where hope used to reside. She blinked slowly, her blank expression betraying no signs of the war within. But her soul felt fractured, and she didn't know how to piece it back together.