Sacred Games Of Twisted Fate {18+}

*AN ACCIDENT*

***author's pov***

As Aayara made her way down the grand staircase, her mind still reeling from Arjun's teasing comment, she didn't notice the thin layer of oil spread across a few of the steps. The moment her foot touched it, she lost her balance, her hands flailing as she tried to grab onto the railing.

Her scream echoed through the hall as she slipped, her body hitting the steps hard, one after another. Pain shot through her as she tumbled, each impact leaving her more disoriented. Finally, she landed at the bottom, a dull, throbbing ache spreading across her body, her vision blurring from the shock.

A hush fell over the household as the staff rushed toward her, murmuring anxiously. Aayara's mind grew hazy, her surroundings becoming a fog as she struggled to stay conscious. Just before her world faded to black, she heard footsteps approaching, steady and strong, and she caught a glimpse of familiar dark eyes staring down at her-Arjun's eyes, filled with an intensity she couldn't quite understand.

And then everything went dark.

Arjun's movements were swift and determined as he scooped Aayara into his arms, his usually cold eyes betraying a flicker of worry as he noticed the blood beginning to stain her forehead. Ignoring the murmurs and concerned whispers around him, he hurried up the stairs to their bedroom, his jaw clenched tightly.

Once inside, he carefully placed her on the bed, his gaze lingering on her unconscious form for a brief second before he pulled back, his expression unreadable. He didn't look away even as Rudra entered, immediately grabbing his phone and calling the doctor with urgency in his voice.

The room was tense and silent, save for Aayara's shallow breaths and the faint buzz of Rudra's phone. Arjun stood at the edge of the bed, his fingers tightening into fists as he watched her, anger and worry simmering just beneath his composed exterior.

The doctor hurried through the grand entrance of the Oberoi mansion, nearly stumbling in his haste, his heart pounding with the urgency of the situation. He had heard of Arjun Oberoi's ruthless nature and knew that even the smallest delay could cost him dearly.

As he entered the bedroom, he found Arjun standing by the bedside, his face an unreadable mask, yet his tense posture spoke volumes. The doctor's eyes darted to Aayara, lying unconscious with a small cut on her forehead that had continued to bleed. Swallowing his own nervousness, the doctor quickly set to work, pulling out his kit and beginning to tend to the wound, aware that every second was being scrutinized by Arjun's piercing gaze.

Once he was sure she was stable, he glanced up to meet Arjun's eyes. "She'll be fine, but she needs rest. The fall may leave her feeling disoriented when she wakes up."

Arjun clenched his fists, watching the doctor's hands as they carefully treated Aayara's wound. A sharp pang of jealousy surged through him, unexpected and almost irrational, but he forced himself to stay composed. It's just a doctor, Arjun. Control yourself. He repeated the words internally, attempting to suppress the possessive anger simmering inside.

With every gentle touch the doctor applied to her face, Arjun's jaw tightened further, his fingers digging into his palms. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to step back and focus elsewhere, letting his gaze wander momentarily around the room, desperate for a distraction. But each time he glanced at Aayara, that feeling of jealousy returned, creeping back no matter how much he tried to rationalize it.

Finally, when the doctor finished and began to pack his things, Arjun's shoulders relaxed a fraction. He cleared his throat, giving the doctor a cold, almost dismissive nod, and without another word, sat beside Aayara. The anger lingered, though, subtly embedded beneath the surface, but he remained outwardly calm, his hand brushing her forehead lightly, as if silently reclaiming her as his own.

Arjun knelt down beside Aayara's bed, his expression a mix of frustration and worry as he looked at her unconscious form. His jaw clenched, the usual coldness in his eyes replaced by a flicker of something he couldn't quite suppress.

"Can't you see where you're walking?" he muttered under his breath, his voice low, almost as if he was speaking more to himself than her. "Are you blind, woman? You made me worry like an idiot," he added, sounding almost like he was complaining, yet the tension in his voice betrayed the depth of his concern.

As he knelt there, his hands reached out instinctively, brushing back a stray lock of hair from her face. His touch lingered, gentle and cautious, as though he feared disturbing her. The sight of her lying there, so still, stirred something he was unprepared for-a vulnerability he didn't recognize within himself.

Finally, he leaned his head down onto her arm, his eyes growing heavy with exhaustion. It had been hours since the fall, and though he wouldn't admit it, the fear of losing her had gnawed at him more than he expected. Slowly, he drifted off, the worries momentarily easing as he stayed by her side.

Much later in the night, Aayara's eyes fluttered open, blinking against the faint glow in the room. Her gaze traveled down, and she felt a surge of surprise-and warmth-when she noticed Arjun beside her, fast asleep, his head resting on her arm. She could feel the weight of his presence, his soft breaths brushing against her skin.