Shadow of redemption

Agrogant Rakshit 2

By the third day, Rakshit’s arrogance hadn’t faded, but something else had taken root beneath it. Aaravi entered his room early that morning to check his wound. The healing process was going well, despite Rakshit’s constant attempts to move against her advice. The wound was clean, the tissue was regenerating, and there were no signs of infection.

As she worked, Rakshit’s gaze followed her, sharp and unreadable. He could feel her hands as they gently redressed his wound, applying antiseptic and clean bandages.

“Why do you care so much?” Rakshit’s voice broke the silence. “I’ve been nothing but trouble.”

Aaravi looked up at him, her hands stilling for a moment. “It’s my job to care, Mr. Rakshit.”

“There are plenty of doctors. You could have just let me go.”

She met his eyes, her expression soft yet serious. “Every life matters. Yours isn’t an exception, no matter what you think.”

Rakshit stared at her, unable to respond. There was a warmth in her words, a kindness that made something inside him stir. He wasn’t used to this—this genuine care, this feeling that someone actually wanted him to heal. Not for power, not for gain, but because it was the right thing to do.

He didn’t know how to react, so he fell back on what he knew—arrogance.

“You think saving me changes anything?” he asked, his tone cold, trying to regain control of the conversation.

“I’m not trying to change anything,” Aaravi replied calmly, going back to her work. “I’m just doing my part.”

For the first time in years, Rakshit found himself speechless. There was no fear in her eyes, no desire to manipulate or gain favor. Just calm determination.

Rakshit had grown used to Aaravi’s presence by now. Every morning, she came to check on his progress, treating him with the same care and professionalism. But today, something was different.

He had grown restless again, his body aching to move, to escape the confinement of the hospital. Against her orders, he tried to get out of bed once more, only for the wound to tear slightly, blood dripping onto the floor.

Aaravi entered the room at that moment, her eyes widening as she saw him standing, gripping the bed frame for support.

“What on earth are you doing?” she exclaimed, rushing to his side.

Rakshit, for once, couldn’t muster his usual arrogance. The pain in his abdomen flared, making him wince.

“I told you not to move like this!” Aaravi scolded, guiding him back to the bed with surprising strength. “You’re reopening the wound, and you’re going to make things worse.”

He sat back, breathing heavily, watching her as she hurried to clean the blood and redress the wound. Her hands were quick and efficient, but her face was tense, a mix of frustration and concern.

“I’ve had enough of this,” Aaravi muttered under her breath. “You may think you’re invincible, but you’re not. Stop being so reckless.”

Rakshit blinked, stunned. No one had ever spoken to him like that before—not with that mix of authority and genuine care. Most people either feared him or tried to gain something from him. But here she was, scolding him like a child, and for some reason, he didn’t feel the usual surge of anger.

Instead, something else stirred within him—an unfamiliar warmth.

He watched her as she worked, her expression softening as she focused on the task at hand. Her presence was comforting, calming, and for the first time in a long while, he felt… safe.

As she finished, Aaravi sighed, looking at him with exasperation. “Please, just let yourself heal. You’re not doing yourself any favors by being stubborn.”

Rakshit, still watching her intently, finally nodded, though reluctantly.

Over the next few hours, Rakshit found himself thinking about Aaravi more than he liked to admit. She was different—kind, calm, and strangely warm. Her presence had a way of softenig the sharp edges of his world, and though he wouldn’t say it out loud, he was beginning to crave it.

His world had always been filled with darkness, violence, and power struggles. But here, in this small hospital room, under her care, he felt a fleeting sense of peace—a peace he hadn’t realized he needed.

Rakshit’s world was one of shadows, but with Aaravi, he had found a fleeting glimpse of light.

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