𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄 ✅

Chapter 23 : Healing Hearts

Ayaan was sleeping, his mind trapped in the nightmare of the accident. He could see the truck barreling towards them, hear the mother's frantic screams, and feel the moment of impact as he pushed Sathi and the child to safety. The pain and darkness enveloped him again, as vivid as the moment it happened.

He woke up with a start, his heart pounding and breath shallow. The hospital room was quiet, the machines beeping softly. As his vision cleared, he saw Sathi entering the room, carrying food boxes. She wore a determined expression, her concern for him evident in her eyes.

She placed the boxes on the bedside table and immediately noticed his distressed state. "Ayaan," she called softly, hurrying to his side. "Are you okay?"

He nodded slowly, trying to calm his racing heart. "Just a bad dream," he said, his voice weak.

Sathi sat beside him, taking his hand in hers. "You're safe now," she reassured him, her touch soothing. "I brought you some food. You need to eat to get your strength back."

Ayaan looked at her, feeling a rush of gratitude and love.
She smiled gently, opening one of the boxes. "It's the least I can do. You've done so much for me, Ayaan."

As she helped him sit up and prepared to feed him, the door opened, and Mr. Arora entered the room. He paused, taking in the scene before him-his daughter caring for her husband with such tenderness.

Sathi looked up, surprised but not upset. "Dad, you're here."

Mr. Arora nodded, stepping closer. "I wanted to see how Ayaan is doing." He turned to Ayaan, his expression softening. "Ayaan, I'm sorry for how I treated you. I let my fear and anger get the best of me."

Ayaan shook his head slightly. "I understand, sir. You were protecting your daughter."

Mr. Arora sighed, his shoulders slumping. "But I was wrong. I see now how much you love each other. I just want Sathi to be happy."

Sathi's eyes filled with tears of relief. "Thank you, Dad."

Mr. Arora placed a hand on Ayaan's shoulder. "Get well soon, son. You have a family that needs you."

Ayaan nodded, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't felt in days. "Thank you, sir."

As Mr. Arora left the room, Sathi turned back to Ayaan, her smile brighter than before. "See? Things are getting better."

Ayaan squeezed her hand. "Of course I have my Sweetheart with me."

----

Sasha was in her bedroom, surrounded by wedding magazines and samples of fabric. She had been meticulously planning her dream wedding with Ayaan, convinced that their union was imminent. As she carefully placed a swatch of ivory silk next to a bouquet of roses, she smiled, envisioning the perfect day.

"Everything is falling into place," she murmured to herself. Her phone buzzed on the bedside table, but she ignored it, lost in her wedding fantasies.

Downstairs, her father was reading the morning paper when his phone rang. It was one of his business associates, calling to inform him about Ayaan's accident. Shocked, he thanked the caller and immediately went upstairs to Sasha's room.

"Sasha," he said, knocking on her door. "We need to talk."

She looked up, annoyed by the interruption. "Dad, can't it wait? I'm in the middle of something important."

"No, it can't," he insisted, his tone serious. "It's about Ayaan."

The mention of Ayaan's name caught her attention. She set down the fabric and gave her father her full attention. "What about Ayaan?"