The Second Chance

Shaurya's Tender Care

Palki was resting on the bed, her eyes fluttering open to the soft morning light streaming through the curtains. Shaurya was sitting on the sofa nearby, focused on his laptop, typing away. The peaceful silence was interrupted when Mukesh, their loyal servant, entered the room. He greeted them with a warm "Good morning," and set a tray with tea and breakfast on the side table beside Palki's bed. But something was off. Mukesh's usual cheerful demeanor was replaced with a sad expression.

Palki, always attuned to others' feelings, immediately noticed and asked gently, "Mukesh, what's wrong? Why do you look so sad?"

Mukesh hesitated for a moment before replying, "Palki Ma'am, Karan sir has asked me to make tea eight times since morning, but he keeps complaining that it doesn’t taste like the tea you make with your hands."

Hearing this, Palki's face softened with concern. She began to push the covers off her, ready to get out of bed. "I’ll make tea for Dad. He shouldn’t be upset."

Just as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, Shaurya was there in an instant, gently but firmly stopping her. "No, Palki," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You’re not getting out of this bed."

"But Shaurya, Dad needs his tea," she protested, worry creasing her forehead.

Shaurya softened his tone slightly but remained resolute. "Mukesh, go tell Dad that he won’t be getting tea made by Palki’s hands for a few days. And make sure to tell him it was me who said so."

Mukesh nodded and left to deliver the message. Palki looked at Shaurya, her eyes filled with both gratitude and frustration. Before she could say anything, Shaurya crossed his arms and gave her a stern look.

"I told you to rest and smile, Palki, but that doesn’t mean I can’t scold you when you’re being stubborn," Shaurya chided, though there was a hint of playfulness in his voice. "Now, tell me, what are you going to do?"

Palki, her voice small and sweet, responded, "Rest."

Shaurya’s expression softened into a smile. "Good girl."

Just then, Mukesh returned, followed by the nurse who had been attending to Palki’s injury. The nurse greeted them and went straight to examining Palki's wound. After a moment, she looked up, her expression serious. "The wound is quite deep. I’m afraid she might need an injection."

Palki’s eyes widened in fear. The very mention of an injection made her anxious. The nurse, noticing her reaction, turned to Shaurya. "You shouldn’t have kept the wound open for so long. I’ll consult with the doctor."

As the nurse left the room, Shaurya noticed Palki’s discomfort. He gently lifted her foot, intending to check the bandage, but Palki stopped him, her face flushing slightly. "Shaurya, don’t touch my foot. You’re my husband."

Shaurya smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. "Exactly, I’m your husband. That’s why I can touch your foot. I have every right."

Ignoring her protests, he began to carefully dress her wound, his movements gentle and precise. As he worked, he couldn’t help but scold her softly. "You should have told me about this earlier, Palki. You’re too careless sometimes. And don’t tell me not to touch your foot because I’m your husband—because that’s exactly why I can."

Unbeknownst to them, Karan stood just outside the room, witnessing the entire scene. His eyes welled up with emotion as he saw the care and affection Shaurya was showing towards Palki. Rajveer arrived just then and noticed his father’s tears. "Dad, why are you crying?"

Karan pointed towards the room where Shaurya and Palki were, both of them lost in their own little world. Rajveer followed his gaze, and seeing the tender moment between the couple, he too felt a surge of emotion.

They quietly left, heading towards the temple in their house. Once there, they both offered prayers, thanking God for the sweet moments and happiness that were finally entering Shaurya and Palki’s lives. Determined to nurture this bond further, Karan and Rajveer silently resolved to team up in bringing Palki and Shaurya even closer.

Meanwhile, back in the room, the nurse returned, interrupting the quiet moment between Shaurya and Palki. She checked the newly dressed wound and gave an approving nod. "Well done, Mr. Luthra. If you had dressed it like this last night, she wouldn’t have needed an injection now."

Hearing the word "injection," Palki’s eyes went wide again, fear overtaking her features. The nurse filled a syringe with the prescribed medicine, and Palki’s panic grew. Shaurya noticed her trembling and quickly moved closer to her, taking her hand in his.

"Don’t worry, Palki," he whispered, trying to comfort her. "It’ll be over before you know it. Just look at me, okay?"

Palki nodded, her eyes fixed on Shaurya’s face as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded. The nurse administered the injection, and Palki, unable to control her anxiety, squeezed Shaurya’s hand so tightly that her nails dug into his skin.

Once the first injection was done, the nurse informed them that another one was needed. Palki’s fear escalated, and she began to plead with Shaurya, "Please, Shaurya, tell her not to give me another one. It hurts so much."

Shaurya’s heart ached seeing her in pain, but he knew it was necessary. He kissed her forehead softly and whispered, "Just one more, bacha. I’m right here with you."

As the nurse prepared the second injection, Shaurya tried to lighten the mood by teasing Palki, calling her "dramatic" and "such a baby." But when the needle pricked her skin again, and she whimpered, Shaurya’s teasing stopped. Tears welled up in his eyes as he watched her struggle, and he held her hand even tighter, wishing he could take her pain away.

After the injections were done, Palki was left feeling drained, both emotionally and physically. Shaurya, noticing her distress, gently pulled her into his lap. She buried her face in his chest, tears still falling as she clung to him.

"Shh, it’s over now," Shaurya murmured, stroking her hair. "You’re okay, sweetheart. It’s all over."

Palki, her voice muffled against his chest, kept repeating, "It hurts, Shaurya. Make it stop."

Shaurya held her even closer, his protective instincts in overdrive. "I know, bacha. I’m here. I won’t let anything hurt you anymore."

For a long time, they stayed like that, Shaurya gently rocking Palki in his arms, trying to soothe away her fears. The nurse watched the scene with a soft smile, silently leaving the room to give them some privacy.

Eventually, Palki’s sobs quieted, and she relaxed in Shaurya’s embrace, her fingers still gripping his shirt tightly. Shaurya continued to hold her, whispering words of comfort until she drifted off to sleep, her face finally peaceful against his chest.

That's it for today's update
Signing off
Diksha

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