Shadow of redemption

Rakshit's emotion 2

The next morning, the air was thick with unspoken emotions as Rakshit prepared for his discharge. Aaravi had already prepared everything, making sure all the paperwork was completed, and his final treatment was given with utmost care. Her steps were measured, her heart weighed down by a quiet worry she couldn’t shake. Today was the day he would walk out of the hospital, and with him, he would take the strange bond they had formed over the last few days.

Aaravi entered the room, carrying a small folder filled with post-discharge instructions. As she approached Rakshit, who sat on the hospital bed with a steady, unreadable gaze, she took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure how to say goodbye to someone she had grown so unexpectedly attached to.

"I’ve prepared everything for your discharge," Aaravi said, her voice calm but tinged with a hint of sadness. "But before you leave, I need to go over a few things."

Rakshit nodded, surprisingly quiet, his usual arrogant smirk absent. He watched her as she sat beside him on the bed, opening the folder and pulling out the neatly written instructions. For the first time since their meeting, he didn’t interrupt her. He didn’t brush her off with a snide remark or roll his eyes in disdain. Instead, he sat silently, watching her intently, almost curiously, as she began to speak.

"You need to make sure the wound stays clean and dry," Aaravi began, her tone professional yet gentle. "Change the dressing every day, and if you notice any signs of infection—redness, swelling, or unusual pain—come back immediately. Don’t ignore it."

Rakshit’s dark eyes remained fixed on her, absorbing every word, though his mind wasn’t entirely focused on the medical instructions. He could feel the genuine concern in her voice, the way she spoke not as just a doctor, but as someone who truly cared for his well-being. It was a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long time—if ever. People didn’t worry about him; they feared him, obeyed him, but they never cared.

"And please, no heavy lifting or sudden movements for at least a few weeks," Aaravi continued, her brow furrowing slightly as she emphasized the importance of her words. "You have to give your body time to heal properly."

He found himself nodding again, though inside, a storm of unfamiliar emotions churned. Her kindness, her warmth—it was foreign to him, yet it touched something deep within. He couldn’t understand why she cared so much. He was just another patient to her, wasn’t he? Or was he something more?

Aaravi’s hands trembled slightly as she flipped to the next page of instructions, though she tried to maintain her composure. She could feel the weight of his gaze on her, and it unnerved her in a way she hadn’t expected. Over the past few days, she had grown used to his arrogance, his dismissive attitude. But now, as he sat there quietly, listening to her with an intensity that made her heart race, she wasn’t sure how to handle this new version of him.

"And most importantly," she added softly, her voice almost breaking, "please take care of yourself, Rakshit. I know you’re used to handling things on your own, but your health is just as important as anything else. Don’t push yourself too hard."

Rakshit blinked, her words striking a chord within him. There it was again—that sincerity, that genuine concern. He had spent so long in a world where trust and care were foreign concepts, where every relationship was transactional, calculated. But Aaravi… she was different. She didn’t want anything from him. She just wanted him to be safe, to be healthy.

For a brief moment, Rakshit felt the walls he had built around himself begin to crack. He didn’t like it—this vulnerability, this feeling of being seen. But he couldn’t help it. The warmth in her eyes, the softness in her voice, the way she cared without expecting anything in return—it was disarming.

"You don’t have to worry about me, Doctor," Rakshit finally spoke, his voice quieter than usual, almost contemplative. "I’ve been through worse."

Aaravi looked up at him, her eyes meeting his for a moment longer than she had intended. "Maybe you have, but that doesn’t mean you have to go through everything alone."

Her words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Rakshit’s heart clenched, and for the first time, he didn’t have a sarcastic retort or an arrogant dismissal. He simply stared at her, his usual confidence shaken by the depth of her care.

Aaravi swallowed, feeling a strange mix of relief and sadness. She had done her part, given him all the instructions he needed to recover. But a part of her worried—no, feared—that once he walked out of that hospital, he would slip back into the dangerous, reckless life that had nearly claimed him.

She stood up, forcing a small smile. "That’s it, Rakshit. You’re free to go."

Rakshit watched her carefully as she gathered her things. A part of him wanted to walk out without looking back, to bury these strange emotions that had surfaced in her presence. But another part of him—a part he wasn’t ready to acknowledge—didn’t want to leave just yet.

As Aaravi moved toward the door, Rakshit’s voice stopped her. "Thank you," he said, his voice low but sincere.

Aaravi turned back to him, surprised. "For what?"

"For… everything," he said, the words feeling foreign on his tongue. He wasn’t used to thanking anyone, but somehow, it felt right.

Aaravi smiled softly, her eyes warm. "You’re welcome, Rakshit. Just… take care of yourself, okay?"

As she left the room, Rakshit sat in silence, the weight of their exchange settling over him. For the first time in years, someone had seen past his arrogance, his hardened exterior. And for the first time, he wondered if maybe—just maybe—there was more to life than the darkness he had embraced for so long.

But as much as her concern moved him, he knew he couldn’t stay. The world he lived in, the choices he had made—there was no room for softness, for warmth. Yet, deep down, he couldn’t shake the thought that Aaravi had left an imprint on him, a crack in the stone wall he had built around his heart.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺
Thanks everyone for reading my story. I request you please leave your valuable comments to share your views of my story. If you think that this story is worth reading then please vote. And share it with your friends. Thanks so much once again.