cross road

Chapter-7

Pallavi walked home, her heart heavy with frustration and regret. her uncle's warning echoed in her mind: blend into the background, stay unnoticed. Yet, on her first day, she had caused chaos instead of quietly fulfilling her duties.His uncle specifically told her she is working under false name. Some other Pallavi of 26 year old suppose to join the hospital but she has replaced her. She wiped away tears, hoping her uncle wouldn't find out what had happened and that her true identity remained hidden.

It's been updated in the hospital records but no one going to find it until she create a chaos but she has done the same thing. She was just hoping no one find her identity till her uncle find solution to her situation

As she entered her home, the light flickered on, revealing Raghav sitting in a chair. Startled, she took a deep breath. "How did you get in? I have the key," she asked, her voice shaky.

He rose slowly, advancing toward her, pinning her against the door with a stern expression. "I told you to be aware of your surroundings. You're not here to impress my father."

Pallavi's frustration bubbled over. "What do you think I am? I didn't create chaos for attention! I didn't even know your father was in town! I was just trying to save a life!.What will I get proving my self good infront of your father, nothing. Do not be macho and impose your insecurities on me.if you are jealous ,I did what you couldn't do in years.thats your problem" Her anger surged as she pushed past him into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of cold water from the fridge.

Raghav was taken aback by her fierce response. He felt a mix of admiration and jealousy, frustrated that she had achieved something he hadn't. His emotions tangled, making him angrier with himself.

"Hey!" he said, stepping toward her and pulling her back. "We're not done here."

Seeing the tears in her eyes made his heart ache. He stepped closer, gently cupping her face with his hands, wiping away the tears with his thumbs. "Are you in danger? Is someone threatening you? Remember, no one can hurt you while I'm here."

Pallavi managed a small smile. "I'm just hungry. I haven't eaten in 24 hours."

Raghav chuckled, relief flooding through him. "You're crying for food? Here I thought you were in trouble. My father arranged for a maid to come tomorrow, and I stocked the fridge with ingredients. You can cook whatever you like."

Her face fell slightly as she realized the implications of relying on someone else. She attempted to step back, but he pulled her closer again. "You're not leaving until you tell me what's really bothering you."

With a deep breath, she confessed, "I went to your house just before coming here. The village heads want to punish me for treating patients. They decided no one will assist me in my household work. Your father tried to intervene, but they overruled him."

Raghav frowned, realizing the weight of her words. "You're upset about that? You stood up to the entire village. If you can do that, you can manage on your own at home. I believe in you." He leaned down, kissing her gently on the temple, and she leaned into him, seeking comfort.

"I think I'm scared," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I'm new here, and everyone seems against me. I feel so alone. I had a family before, and now..." Her words trailed off as she broke down, the weight of her recent experiences overwhelming her.

Raghav wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as she cried. When she finally pulled away, she noticed the tear stains and lipstick marks on his shirt. "I'm so sorry about your shirt. I'll wash it for you," she said, her voice still shaky.

"It doesn't matter," he replied, his tone softening. "What matters is that you know I'll always be here for you." Just then, her stomach growled loudly.

Raghav chuckled. "Looks like someone's hungry. Why don't you make something to eat? I'll let you get to it." He turned to leave, but she grabbed his hand.

"Wait!" she said, a hint of shyness in her voice. "I don't know how to cook. I can't even turn on the stove. I tried looking it up, but I'm scared."

Frustration flared in him. He was trying to maintain distance, yet here he was, getting pulled back in. Without a word, he moved to the kitchen and started pulling out ingredients.

"Hey! I can help," she offered, stepping forward, but he waved her away. "I don't need any distractions right now."

She sat at the table, watching him work intently. He moved with confidence, and soon enough, the kitchen was filled with the smell of cooking. After he finished, he served her a generous portion. "I made enough for three meals. Don't skip any tomorrow," he said, turning to leave.

Pallavi was left in a whirlpool of confusion. One moment, he was raging at her; the next, he was comforting her, and then he reverted to his cold demeanor. She couldn't make sense of him.