Unexpected Horizons

(6)

Protecting Ruhi

Reyansh’s heart raced as he held Ruhi close, feeling the termor of her anxiety begin to subside. Her breathing was shallow, and he could feel the rapid beat of her heart against his chest.
He whispered soothing words, but it seemed that his presence alone wasn't enough.
That’s when Aanshika knelt beside them, her calm voice cutting through the haze of Ruhi’s panic.

"Ruhi," Aanshika said gently, her hand resting lightly on Ruhi’s shoulder. "I’m right here. You’re safe. Can you take a deep breath with me? Slowly."

Reyansh watched as Aanshika demonstrated a slow, deep breath, her hand moving to guide Ruhi’s. Surprisingly, Ruhi followed, her small body shaking as she struggled to regain control. A few moments passed, and then another breath. Gradually, Ruhi’s breathing evened out. She leaned into Reyansh’s chest, her grip on his sleeve loosening.

"That’s it," Aanshika encouraged softly. "One breath at a time."

Reyansh couldn’t help but feel a swell of gratitude toward Aanshika. She had this uncanny ability to step in and make Ruhi feel grounded. His daughter was fragile in ways most people didn’t see, but Aanshika seemed to understand Ruhi’s vulnerabilities instinctively.

Once Ruhi was calm, Reyansh scooped her up in his arms, her weight light and familiar against him. "We’ll get through this," he whispered to his daughter, his tone full of quiet determination. He gave Aanshika a grateful nod, appreciating her help more than words could express. They made their way out of the school, Reyansh carrying Ruhi while Aanshika walked beside them.

After making sure Ruhi was settled in the backseat of the car, Reyansh turned to Aanshika. "I need to deal with the school. Can you stay with her for a few minutes?"

"Of course," Aanshika replied, her voice steady.

With a curt nod, Reyansh strode back into the school, his entire demeanor shifting from father to protector. The principal greeted him nervously, already aware of the storm that was about to break.

"Mr. Malhotra, I assure you we are investigating the situation—"

"Investigating isn’t enough," Reyansh interrupted, his voice low and controlled, but laced with a dangerous edge. "My daughter was bullied, and it’s your responsibility to ensure that this doesn’t happen. Those kids need to learn a lesson. I don’t care if they’re only children—they need to face consequences for what they’ve done."

The principal paled, nodding quickly. "We will make sure to take disciplinary action."

Reyansh’s eyes darkened. "If I hear even a whisper of this happening again, I will handle it myself. You won’t like the outcome if I have to get involved."

The principal’s face flushed as she nodded again. Reyansh turned on his heel, satisfied that his point had been made. Those bullies would regret ever laying a finger on Ruhi. He wasn’t the type to let things slide, especially when it came to his daughter.

When he returned to the parking lot, a strange sight greeted him. Ruhi was sitting in the backseat, laughing softly with aanshika a young man standing beside next to them, smiling warmly. Reyansh approached, confusion flickering in his eyes.

"Aanshika, who is this?" he asked, glancing at the unfamiliar young man.

"This is Yash, my little cousin," Aanshika explained with a grin. "He’s in his last year at the same school as Ruhi. I called him."

Yash smiled politely, offering Reyansh a respectful nod. "It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Malhotra. I’ve heard a lot about your family."

Reyansh nodded, still protective but slightly more at ease. Aanshika had clearly brought someone she trusted. "Thank you for looking out for her," he said, his voice still laced with authority.

"Ms. Aanshika Let's go, we"ll drop you" Reyansh offered.

"I appreciate it, but we’ll manage Yash will drop me home."

"Okay, then. Thanks a lot for today.
And let's fix a meeting again as per your schedule."
Aanshika smiled, "Mr. Malhotra sure, I'll let you know through my secretary, Take care Ruhi" she said.

As Yash and Aanshika waved goodbye, Ruhi climbed beside her dad  into her usual passenger seat, her usual spark slowly returning. Reyansh took his place in the front of wheels, and started the car.

Ruhi, still a bit shaken but better now, couldn’t resist teasing her father. "Dad, how come Aanshika’s with you? Were you guys, like, on a date or something?" She grinned mischievously from her seat.

Reyansh glanced at the rearview mirror, before meeting Ruhi's gaze. "We were in a meeting, It was purely business."

"Sure," Ruhi muttered, still grinning. But her energy was fading quickly, exhaustion setting in after the emotional toll of the day.

Halfway through the drive, Ruhi had drifted off to sleep, her head resting against the car window. Reyansh glanced at her, his heart softening. She looked peaceful now, all the stress and anxiety momentarily gone. It had been a long day, and he couldn’t help but feel relieved that it was over.

When they finally reached home, Reyansh gently carried Ruhi in his arms, careful not to wake her.
His mother, Avanti, was waiting by the door, her face etched with concern. His brothers, Raghav and Rishab, and Rishab’s wife Priya, stood nearby, all anxious for news.

"Is she okay?" Avanti asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Reyansh nodded. "She’s fine now. She just needs rest."

They all sighed in relief as Reyansh carried Ruhi upstairs to her room. He laid her down on the bed, tucking her in gently. He brushed a few strands of hair from her forehead and watched her sleep for a moment, making sure she was comfortable.

Reyansh’s gaze lingered on the portrait of Natasha, placed delicately on the side table. The picture captured her in her early twenties, full of life, her eyes sparkling with the same timid shyness that Ruhi carried. It was uncanny how much Ruhi resembled her mother—the same delicate features, the same softness in her expression.

But as Reyansh looked closer, the differences became painfully clear. Natasha had been healthier, her frame not weighed down by the anxiety and fragility that seemed to have settled on Ruhi. Where Natasha had been resilient, even in her quietness, Ruhi struggled with the pressures of the world. Her anxieties, her fears they were the burdens of a girl who had grown up without a mother, facing challenges alone, despite his best efforts.

Reyansh sighed heavily, his fingers brushing lightly against the photo frame. The weight of fatherhood, single fatherhood, had been heavier than he had ever imagined. No matter how much he tried, he couldn’t fill the void Natasha had left in Ruhi’s life. He could protect her, shield her from the world, but he couldn’t be the mother she never had.

The thought settled in his chest, a mix of guilt and helplessness. As strong and capable as he was in the business world, when it came to Ruhi, he often felt like he was stumbling in the dark, unsure of how to help her heal, how to make her feel whole.

As he left the room and closed the door behind him, he felt the weight of the day finally catch up with him. But Ruhi was safe, and that was all that mattered. For now.

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