Maruvarthai🤍

XXV

The sun had long dipped below the horizon, painting the streets of Hyderabad in hues of twilight. Prabhas, with his bandaged arm draped across the couch, fidgeted impatiently. His dark, expressive eyes scanned the living room, a space that held glimpses of Anushka's vibrant personality—framed photographs of her in her element as a forensic surgeon, books on criminal psychology, and a half-taken painting on the easel by the window.

He sighed, the dull ache in his arm reminding him of the reckless thrill that had landed him in this situation. Sure, he was the quintessential charmer, effortlessly drawing in anyone with his playful banter, but right now he felt utterly trapped. Anushka had placed him under strict orders to rest until she returned from work, and the boredom was driving him mad. He couldn't remember the last time he was at someone else's home for longer than thirty minutes without getting into some form of trouble.

Staring at his phone for what felt like the hundredth time, Prabhas finally succumbed to the overwhelming stillness. He leaned back on the couch, closing his eyes and replaying the last few weeks in his mind. Dating Anushka had been an exhilarating whirlwind—a dance of flirtation and repartee that sparked joy in him as nothing else had. She was fiery, confident, and downright sassy, able to tease him without fear of how he might respond. Oh, how he enjoyed her company!

Time dragged on as he daydreamed about her, until finally, he heard the sound of keys rattling at the door. A broad smile broke across his face as he sat up, excitement bubbling in his chest. The door swung open with a soft creak and Anushka stepped in, her hair swinging in a ponytail and a look of satisfied accomplishment lighting up her features.

"Hey, Nurse Hottie!" he called out in a playful tone, feigning nonchalance even as his heart raced.

"Hey, how is my favourite patient doing?" she teased, kicking off her shoes with a flourish.

"Feeling a bit like a caged parrot," he answered, mockingly clutching his tossed bandaged arm. "You should totally let me out of this prison. I promise I'll behave."

Anushka's laughter rang through the room, rich and melodious. "I have seen you behaving many times Prabhas!" She flashed him a playful smirk and dropped her bag on the table, her energy electrifying the space around them.

Prabhas watched her as she moved around the small kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water. "So, do I get a hug or what?" he asked, his eyes narrowing playfully.

She turned to face him, feigning innocence as she approached. Just as he leaned in, arms wide open, she held a finger up, halting him mid-hug. Her expression quickly shifted from playful to serious. "Wait, never go close to a doctor who just returned from work without a bath," she warned, eyes sparkling.

Prabhas dropped his arms, incredulous but somewhat amused. "Come on! I'll take my chances. You can't expect me to keep my distance forever, can you?"

"We both know that's what you need," she chuckled, shaking her head and walking towards the couch, where she plopped down beside him. "But I'll make an exception for today."

"Perfect," he grinned, leaning back into the couch with a sense of contentment. Their laughter faded into a comfortable silence for a moment before he said, "So, what's the scoop from the precinct? Anything exciting?"

Anushka took a sip of her water, her mind visibly shifting gears as she prepared to share the day's events. "Actually, yes. We got a new case that came through yesterday—some serious gas poisoning. A dead body was found at the outskirts and it looks like it might have been deliberate." Her tone shifted, taking on a much more serious note as she talked about it. "The initial reports are still coming in, but it's going to be a complex investigation."