In the heart of chaos

Chapter 43

The sun filtered through the windows of Sarvodya Hospital, casting soft shadows along the white-tiled corridors. The atmosphere was unusually calm for a hospital, though a quiet buzz of activity could still be felt. In the Emotional Support Department, Akshara had just finished setting up the new music therapy section, finally integrating her passion for music into her profession.

After a long debate and several back-and-forths with Aarohi and Rishi, Akshara was finally allowed to run music therapy as a part of emotional healing support instead of a standalone department. Though it wasn't exactly what she envisioned, it was still a victory for her, and she was eager to get started. Today, she had been assigned to her first patient, and she felt a surge of excitement.

Carrying the patient's file in her hands, she made her way to Aarohi's office to discuss the treatment plan. Akshara, dressed in a pastel kurta, felt slightly nervous as she approached her sister's office door. Despite the tension between them over the years, Akshara always hoped for moments of peace between them, and now, with her pregnancy in the mix, she was trying harder than ever.

Akshara knocked lightly before entering, her eyes immediately drawn to Aarohi sitting at her desk, reviewing a case file. Aarohi glanced up, momentarily startled by her presence, but quickly composed herself.

"Akshu, what brings you here?" Aarohi asked, her tone neutral but her eyes guarded.

Akshara smiled, holding up the file. "I came to drop off the patient's file for the new therapy program. I wanted to discuss the emotional support options you mentioned with you."

Aarohi nodded, motioning for Akshara to take a seat. "Sure. Let's take a look."

As Akshara sat down and placed the file on Aarohi's desk, her gaze briefly fell on Aarohi's hands. Aarohi was tapping her fingers on the desk—a usual habit when she was thinking deeply—but this time, something caught Akshara's attention.

Mehendi. The intricate designs from Aarohi's engagement mehendi had not entirely faded away yet.

Akshara's brow furrowed in confusion. "You still have mehendi on your hands?" she asked, her voice curious. 

Aarohi stiffened for a moment, quickly pulling her hands under the table, as if she had been caught off guard. Her mind raced, trying to come up with an explanation. The last thing she wanted was for Akshara to pry into her personal life.

"Oh, this?" Aarohi gave a dismissive wave, keeping her voice steady. "I...uh...had to attend another function recently, and they insisted on applying mehendi again. You know how those things go."

Akshara nodded slowly, though a part of her wasn't entirely convinced. Aarohi never particularly liked mehendi or fussing over functions. It seemed odd, but she decided not to press the matter for now. Besides, Aarohi was a master at deflecting questions she didn't want to answer.

"Right," Akshara said, shaking off her curiosity. "I was just surprised. You've always been so quick to wash it off."

Aarohi shrugged, keeping her focus on the file in front of her. "Well, you know how it is. Some traditions stick, I suppose."

There was a brief silence between them, each sister lost in her own thoughts. Akshara glanced down at the file, deciding to shift the conversation back to work. "So, about this patient, I think we can incorporate music therapy into their emotional recovery. They've been through quite a lot emotionally, and music might help with the healing process."

Aarohi nodded, grateful for the change in topic. "That sounds good. I agree that we should integrate emotional healing wherever we can. The psychological impact of long-term illness or surgery is often overlooked. Your department has been a helpful addition so far."

Akshara smiled, appreciating the compliment. For a brief moment, the tension between them seemed to ease, and they discussed the patient's case professionally, like two colleagues who had set aside their differences for the sake of their work.

But as the conversation came to a close, Akshara couldn't shake the feeling that there was more going on with Aarohi than she let on. She hadn't missed the faint edge of tension in her sister's voice when she mentioned the mehendi.

"Well, I'll leave you to it," Akshara said, standing up and gathering the file. She hesitated for a moment, glancing at Aarohi before heading for the door. "And Aarohi... if there's ever anything you need to talk about—anything at all—you know I'm here, right?"

Aarohi looked up, her expression unreadable. For a split second, it seemed like she might say something—something more personal—but then she simply nodded.

"Thanks, Akshu. I'll keep that in mind."

As Akshara left the office, she couldn't help but feel like she had just missed an opportunity to bridge the gap between them. She sighed softly, hoping that someday, things might finally settle between them.

Meanwhile, Aarohi watched her sister leave, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. The mehendi on her hands wasn't just a design—it symbolized the beginning of her future with Rishi, a future she wasn't quite ready to talk about yet. Especially not with Akshara, who had been at the center of so much conflict in her life.

Aarohi glanced down at her hands, her thoughts drifting back to her engagement. Things had changed so much, and her relationship with Rishi was growing stronger every day, even though they still bickered and bantered like usual. But sharing these personal moments with Akshara? That was a step she wasn't ready for.

For now, she would keep her distance, protect her heart, and focus on the path ahead.