In the heart of chaos

Chapter 19.

Aarohi sat in her cabin at Sarvodaya Hospital, reviewing a particularly challenging case file. The soft hum of the air conditioning filled the silence, the steady rhythm of her work offering a brief escape from the whirlwind of emotions she had been navigating lately. Her life was already complicated enough with everything going on between Rishi, his family, and her own internal battles. She had hoped for a calm day—one without drama.

But calm was not in the cards.

Without warning, the door to her cabin burst open, and there stood Akshara and Abhimanyu, their expressions stormy with rage. Aarohi barely had time to register the intrusion before Akshara's sharp voice rang out.

"How could you do this, Aarohi?" Akshara's voice trembled with anger. "How could you go behind our backs and tell the family everything?"

Aarohi blinked, momentarily stunned by the accusation. "What are you talking about?" she asked, standing up slowly from her chair. Her fingers gripped the edges of the desk, her heart pounding in her chest.

"You know exactly what we're talking about!" Abhimanyu snapped, stepping forward. His tall frame loomed over her, his eyes burning with fury. "You told Bade Papa, Suwarna, and everyone else about things we never wanted to share with them. You've turned this entire situation into a circus, and now the family is against us!"

Aarohi's confusion turned to frustration. She hadn't told anyone anything, let alone orchestrated a situation that could cause such chaos. "I didn't say anything to anyone," she said coldly, her gaze locking with Abhimanyu's. "Whatever is going on between you two and the family has nothing to do with me. I've got my own life to deal with."

Akshara crossed her arms, her voice laced with disbelief. "Don't lie, Aarohi. You've always been good at playing the victim and making yourself look innocent. But we know you're the one stirring the pot."

Before Aarohi could retort, the door to her cabin opened again, and this time Rishi Malhotra walked in, his expression darkening as he took in the scene.

"What's going on here?" Rishi's voice was steady but firm, instantly breaking the tension in the room. His sharp eyes flicked between Akshara and Abhimanyu, then settled on Aarohi. "Is everything alright, Dr. Goenka?"

Aarohi, trying to keep her composure, glanced at Rishi and nodded. "It's fine," she said, her voice tight. "Just a misunderstanding."

But Rishi wasn't one to stand by and let chaos reign in his hospital. He turned his attention to Abhimanyu and Akshara, his expression hardening. "This is a professional space, and you're disrupting it," he said coldly. "If you have personal matters to discuss, this is not the place. I'll have to ask you to leave."

Abhimanyu bristled at Rishi's words, his fists clenching at his sides. "This doesn't concern you, Malhotra. This is between family."

Rishi didn't flinch. "It concerns me when it's happening in my hospital," he replied coolly. "Security!"

Two guards entered almost immediately, standing at attention. Rishi nodded towards them. "Escort Dr. Birla and Mrs. Akshara Birla out of the hospital."

Akshara's face reddened in anger, but before she could protest further, Abhimanyu grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the door. "We're leaving," he muttered through clenched teeth, casting one last furious glance at Aarohi before exiting.

Aarohi watched them go, her heart racing. She hadn't expected them to barge into her professional space and throw baseless accusations at her. The weight of everything was becoming too much to bear.

Rishi, who had been silently observing, approached her. His demeanor softened, and he let out a long breath. "You alright?"

Aarohi sank back into her chair, rubbing her temples. "No. Not really."

Rishi leaned against the desk, his arms crossed. "I'll inform Dr. Mehera about what just happened. You shouldn't have to deal with this right now."

Aarohi sighed in relief. "Thanks, Rishi. I just need to clear my head."

---

By noon, word had reached the Goenka family through Dr. Mehera about the scene at Sarvodaya Hospital. Manish, concerned for Aarohi's wellbeing, immediately called the hospital and insisted she take the rest of the day off. Despite her initial protests, Aarohi eventually relented, knowing that she needed some time to breathe and process everything.

As she stepped out of the hospital, the weight of the morning's events crashed over her like a wave. Her mind was swirling with everything—Akshara and Abhimanyu's confrontation, the constant comparisons to her sister, and now the tension between her family and the Birlas.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she wasn't sure where she stood. She had always prided herself on her strength, but today, she felt incredibly fragile.

Taking a deep breath, Aarohi decided to head home. Today, she would rest, gather her thoughts, and figure out how to handle the storm brewing all around her.