His jaw flexed in irritation.
“I said callanydoctor,” he bit out.
Maria lowered her gaze, wringing her hands. “I’m sorry, sir. But since she’s already on her way…”
He exhaled heavily, pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose. “Fine. When she comes, take her to Mishti’s room.”
“Yes, sir.”
Without another word, he walked away.
*****************
Thirty minutes later
Mishti was still staring at the handkerchief tied around her foot by Karan. Her fingers traced the edge of the fabric. She still couldn’t believe he had done so much for her today.
She didn’t know if she should feel happy or terrified. Because with Karan, nothing lasted. His moods changed like the wind, one moment filled with concern, the next cruel and cutting. Her foot still throbbed painfully, but she refused to let anyone, even Maria, undo what he had done. That simple knot, tied by his hands, meant so much to her.
Even with tears pricking her eyes, she smiled faintly.
A knock on the door snapped her out of her reverie. Dr Komal walked in with Maria right behind her. The moment Komal’s eyes fell on Mishti, her brows furrowed in irritation.
“What is wrong with you?” she scolded, walking briskly to the bed and opening her medical kit. “Maria told me you haven’t even let anyone clean this wound properly? You’ve already lost too much blood!”
Komal reached for the makeshift bandage, but Mishti quickly moved her foot back, clutching the edge of the bedsheet.
“He tied it,” she said softly. “Don’t take it off, please.”
Komal froze for a second with disbelief before frustration took over. “Shut up, Mishti. Just becausehetied it, you’re refusing proper treatment? Are you out of your mind?”
“It’s the first time he actually cared for me… the first time he took my pain away.”
Komal sighed, sitting beside Mishti. “Don’t let anyone affect you so much. It isn’t worth it.”
Her words stung. Deep down, Mishti knew they were true, but her heart rebelled against the logic.
Komal carefully untied the handkerchief, despite Mishti’s weak protest, and examined the wound. After cleaning and bandaging it properly, she finally held Mishti’s hand.
“Next time, don’t act so foolish. Only becauseyour husbandtied it doesn’t mean you’ll lose something precious by taking it off.”
Mishti smiled. “It’s rare, Dr Komal… people rarely do something for me. So, when they do, I can’t help but hold on to it.”
Komal frowned, shaking her head. “I’m sorry to say this, but I truly wonder how you even married a man like Karan Wadhwa. You’re innocent, gentle… and he’s angry, arrogant, and ruthless. He has no respect for anyone. Even his business reflects that coldness. How could you ever fit into this marriage? God has just been lucky, you know that he made a beautiful soul like you, his wife.”
Before Mishti could respond, Karan did, stepping inside the room.
“God hasn’t given me anything, Doctor,” Karan said. “Whatever happens in my life ismydoing, not his. In fact, it’s always been me who’s given him.”
Both women turned sharply. Mishti’s heart skipped a beat, while Komal’s eyes flared with indignation.
“Don’t overestimate yourself, Mr Wadhwa,” Komal snapped. “You have no idea when your arrogance will make you lose everything.”
Karan smirked, walking further into the room, his gaze briefly flicking to Mishti before returning to the doctor. “I hardly have anything to lose.”
“That hardly includes your wife, too, now.” She pointed toward Mishti.
His eyes darkened as they landed on his wife.
