AUTHOR'S POV

"Naina, what about the post-surgery issue-"

Saanvi's voice trailed off the moment she looked up. Expecting Naina, she paused, her fingers stilled on the paper. She stared blankly for a second before letting out a long, controlled breath as her eyes landed on the man standing at the door.

Her fingers instinctively tightened around the file she was holding.

"Mr. Anubhav Malhotra," she said in a calm, detached tone without glancing up again. "I hope you have an appointment before showing up in my office."

She flipped a page in the file.

"Saanvi beta, I-"

Her head lifted, eyes meeting his with a cold firmness.

"It's Doctor Saanvi," she corrected sharply. "Not some bloody 'beta' or any other endearment you think you're entitled to use. So I suggest you maintain a professional boundary, Mr. Malhotra." She stood slowly, placing the file back on the desk with quiet finality.

Anubhav stared at her, not in shock, but with a heaviness in his chest. He had expected hostility, but not this steel edged detachment. Not so soon. Not like this.

He exhaled slowly. "I'm sorry, Saanvi. I didn't come here to-"

"Naina!" Saanvi's voice rang through the office as her gaze remained locked on him.

The door opened quickly. Naina entered, shutting it behind her, her expression tense as her eyes darted between them.

"Yes, ma'am?"

Saanvi turned to her.

"Do I need to remind you that every visitor must have an appointment?" she asked, her voice clipped as she folded her arms across her chest. "Or did you assume exceptions apply to random walk ins?"

"Ma'am, I- I let him in because he's your father..."

"No, he isn't," Saanvi said flatly. "My father's name is Abhiraj Singhania."

Anubhav's eyes shut briefly, and his hand moved instinctively to his chest, curling slightly. The words hit harder than anything else she could have said.

"Only my real family sees me without an appointment. That includes my papa and maa. Not a stranger from the past."

She turned to face him directly.

"So Mr. Malhotra, no matter who you are or how influential your name might be in business next time, if you wish to meet me, book an appointment. I'm a doctor, not a charity worker. Now if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do my time is valuable, and I don't intend to waste it on people like you."

She sat down again, picking up her file, her fingers trembling slightly though she hid it well. Her tone remained cold, her words laced with venom but spoken with a professional grace.

Naina hesitated, then looked at Anubhav with soft eyes. "Sir..." she murmured.

Anubhav nodded once, slowly and looked at Saanvi one last time, his throat tightening.

"Stay happy, Saanvi... I'm glad you found the family you were searching for."

With that, he turned and left, Naina following behind quietly.

Saanvi kept staring at the open file in front of her, the text a blur. Her grip on the pages loosened. Her shoulders slumped as the silence settled again.

"Papa!" Six year old Saanvi squealed, perched happily on her father's lap as she struggled to comb her doll's messy hair with a tiny plastic brush.

"Yes, my precious?" Anubhav smiled, carefully parting her soft hair into two wobbly sections, tying them into ponytails with pink Barbie rubber bands.

Saanvi blinked up at him, wide-eyed.

"Papa... when I become big-big doctor, will you take 'pointment to meet me?"

She tilted her head, her doll still dangling from one hand, her tiny brows furrowed in thought.

Anubhav laughed softly, cupping her chubby cheeks. "If you ever make me take an appointment," he said with mock sadness, "I'll think my baby hates me."

Saanvi gasped, her eyes going wide.

"Nooo! I don't hate you! I wuv you, Papa! You're the bestest papa in whole world!" She flung her arms around his neck, squeezing him tight like a teddy bear.

Anubhav chuckled, hugging her close and pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

She leaned back slightly, placing her small hands over her mouth as she giggled. "Mumma never take 'pointment 'cause she loves you, right?"

"Exactly," he nodded proudly.

She held her doll up dramatically. "Then when I get my hus-band, I won't ask 'pointment too! He can meet me all the time, like Mumma do it!"

But Anubhav's smile faded. He frowned. "Hus-band? What hus-band? You no get any hus-band!" he almost scoffed under his breath.

She blinked at him, confused.

"Huh?" Her small hands hugged the doll to her chest like she was suddenly unsure.

Anubhav cleared his throat and sat straighter. He reached out, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You're not getting any husband." He shook his head. "You my baby. Too small. Forever small."

Saanvi stared at him, lips parting in disbelief. "But Mumma said every pwincess gets a pwince!" She crossed her arms.

Anubhav sighed and pulled her back into his arms protectively. "You're my precious princess. I don't wanna let you go..."

She wriggled in his lap, her lips wobbling. "No! I want hus-band! I want my pwince!" She started kicking her legs in tiny frustration, smacking his arm with her doll.

Anubhav panicked. "Okay! Okay, you'll get your prince!" He raised his hands in surrender.

She stopped mid-flail and looked at him with a smug little grin. "Hmpf. Good."

He shook his head, laughing, and pulled her in for another warm hug, her messy ponytails bouncing.

Saanvi blinked as her vision blurred.

She quickly wiped her tears when her phone buzzed, a video call from Abhiraj.

She rolled her eyes and answered.

"What now?" she snapped.

"What's the time, you stupid nurse? Where's your proof you took your meds? you spoiled brat." Abhiraj's scolding came fast.

Without replying, Saanvi opened her drawer, took out the medicine strip, and popped a tablet into her mouth. She picked up the glass of water and swallowed it in front of the camera.

Then placed the glass back on the desk and looked at him.

"Satisfied?" she asked with a dry smile.

Abhiraj nodded with a grunt. "Now get to work. I'm hanging up."

She stuck her tongue out at him.

He narrowed his eyes, opening his mouth to retort but the call ended before he could.

Saanvi dropped the phone on her desk, leaned back in her chair, and smiled faintly.

✿✿✿✿✿

Saanvi sat curled up on the couch, a half-eaten bowl of salad in her lap, casually leaning against Abhiraj's arm. Her fork poked through the leafy greens as her eyes stayed on the television screen.

"What's supari?" she asked mid-bite, brows slightly furrowed in confusion.

Abhiraj glanced at the screen and then at her. "It's areca nut... in this context, it's slang. The character stammers, so they twisted the word for the comic effect because that guy stammers."

Saanvi frowned, shifting slightly.

"So they're basically making fun of his speech problem?" She blinked at the screen, as Suneil Shetty delivered a line in his iconic tone.

Abhiraj shrugged. "Pretty much, yeah."

She sighed, stabbing a piece of cucumber. "There are so many phrases I don't understand in this movie. Every time we watch, I have to keep asking you."

He chuckled softly, patting her head.

"That's because you grew up in California and New York. You didn't get the desi slang environment. Honestly, I'm surprised you even know basic Hindi, that's already a win and don't worry. One day, you'll watch this full movie without needing me as your live translator."

Their casual moment was interrupted by the sound of the front door unlocking.

Both turned instinctively.

Adrika entered, still on a call, her phone held to her ear. A navy blazer was draped over one arm, and her tailored formalwear made her look like she walked straight out of a boardroom.

Abhiraj's eyes softened. He tilted his head slightly, a small, quiet smile escaping as he breathed in relief.

"Finally, she's here-" Abhiraj caught saanvi's lingering gaze. His smile faltered. Because Saanvi's gaze stayed locked on Adrika too, her lips parted subtly as she scanned her from top to bottom. He blinked and glanced between the two, then frowned then abruptly reached over and covered her eyes with his palm.

She immediately shoved his hand away with a glare. "What the hell?"

He raised a brow. "That's my view. Don't look at her like that."

Saanvi smirked, tilting her head.

"Got it, OG. Got it. The real reason you ended up in this adorable little forced marriage of yours."

Adrika, meanwhile, dropped her bag and sat down on the other couch, still distracted by her phone.

"How was your day, Adrika-" Abhiraj began.

"How was your day, Maa?" Saanvi cut in quickly sweetly.

Abhiraj shot her a look.

Adrika glanced up from her phone, offering a faint smile. "It was good, beta. What about you?"

"Same." Saanvi nodded, then popped another bite into her mouth.

Abhiraj looked mildly offended.

"I asked too, you know. You ignored me."

Adrika rolled her eyes, still scrolling.

"What are you, five?"

She stopped mid-scroll. Something on screen made her chuckle.

"At least leave social media out of your arguments," she said with a soft laugh.

Saanvi rolled her eyes and pointed her fork at Abhiraj. "It's always him. He starts it every time."

Abhiraj scoffed, crossing his arms. "Shut up. And maybe swap Instagram for a newspaper sometime. Might actually inject some knowledge into that hollow brain of yours. At the very least, you'd know what's going on around you."

Saanvi gave a lazy yawn, unbothered. "I'm too sleepy for your lectures."

She got up, grabbing her bowl, and turned to Adrika with a smile. "Good night, Maa."

Adrika smiled back warmly.

"Good night, beta."

Saanvi disappeared upstairs. Abhiraj sighed, shaking his head, then looked back at his wife.

"Shall I serve you dinner?"

Adrika placed her phone aside and offered an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Abhi. I should've told you, I had dinner out with clients."

Abhiraj waved it off with a soft smile.

"No apology needed." He gestured for her to come closer. "Just sit with me for a bit."

She moved to his side, slipping under his arm. Her head rested against his chest, and his hand came up to gently trace her arm.

"Is there something you need to tell me, Abhi?" Adrika asked softly, her fingers resting against his chest.

Abhiraj exhaled slowly, his palm gently caressing her arm in a soothing rhythm.

"What is it?" she asked again, lifting her head to look at him, still curled beside him.

He met her eyes. "It's Rudra."

He drew in a breath. "He's officially proposed to the Board of Serenity to be appointed as the Managing Director."

Adrika's brows furrowed instantly. "What?"

Abhiraj cut in gently, "I know why he wants the position." He looked away briefly. "But I'm not going to let him get that close to Saanvi."

Adrika's expression shifted to concern as she sat up slightly.

"Don't worry Adrika he may hold majority shares through Singhania Elite Ventures, but for the appointment to go through, the Board of Directors must vote on the resolution. And I've already spoken to key board members. I've made sure they understand this isn't in Serenity's best interest. I've put everything in place to ensure the resolution doesn't pass, legally and procedurally."

Adrika let out a breath, still clearly anxious.

He pulled her back gently, pressing a reassuring kiss to her forehead. "Don't worry, Adrika. I've handled it." His voice dropped to a whisper. "He's not getting near her again, not through the hospital, not through anything."

She nodded slowly.

✿✿✿✿✿

-Board Meeting Room | 10:00 AM-

The boardroom of Serenity Healing Haven was solemn, shielded from the chaos of the world outside by tall glass walls and heavy oak paneling. The long rectangular table seated eight members medical experts, legal advisors, and trustees of legacy. At the head sat Abhiraj Singhania, a man carved from ice and discipline, his eyes fixed on the single item on the agenda: the appointment of a new Managing Director.

The door opened. Rudra walked in calmly. His black tailored suit held not a single crease. He simply removed his sunglasses, set them on the table with quiet finality, and claimed the seat across from his father.

The Board Secretary cleared her throat, eyes scanning the sheet before her. "This meeting is convened under the provisions of the Companies Act, to deliberate on the resolution proposed by Mr. Rudra Singhania for appointment as Managing Director of Aravika Healing Haven."

Abhiraj's fingers steepled beneath his chin. "Before any motion is tabled, we'd like to hear your justification. You already serve as CEO of Singhania Elite Ventures, one of the country's largest private corporations. Why divert your attention to Aravika? And why now?"

Rudra adjusted his cufflinks.

"Aravika," he began, "has the soul of a legacy institution and the skeleton of a dying one. The hospital has goodwill, talent, and trust. But it lacks structure. It lacks vision. It's operational model hasn't changed in a decade. There's no digital backend. No scalable revenue streams. It's dependency on internal funding is outdated. The rest of the world is evolving. It's standing still."

One of the directors, a seasoned man in finance, raised a brow. "And you believe you can fix that while simultaneously running Singhania Elite Venture?"

"I don't believe," Rudra replied. "I know."

He leaned forward, palms on the table.

"I've already drafted a transformation blueprint. Strategic partnerships with three health-tech companies. Nura Labs has agreed in principle to a diagnostic pilot using AI triage. Aravika will be the first in India to offer precision care based on predictive analytics. I've also secured talks with MediBridge, a Dubai-based insurance aggregator, for cross-border wellness packages. We can bring in global patients, priced at premium packages, without compromising domestic service quality. That revenue will fund our expansion. Our research. Our outreach."

He straightened. "I'm not here to rebrand Aravika Healing Haven. I'm here to relaunch it."

"You could fund these reforms without assuming the title of MD. What you're proposing doesn't require authority. It requires investment." Abhiraj opposed.

Rudra's gaze locked onto his father's. "Authority lets me move without obstruction. We both know board consensus slows execution. Aravika needs leadership, not more debate."

"You mean it needs your name stamped on every success."

"No," Rudra said coolly. "It needs a mind that understands markets. And right now, that's me."

There was a long pause.

"And what about Singhania Venture?" Abhiraj asked. "You walk away from the empire you're building?"

Rudra's lips curved slightly. "Delegation isn't abandonment. Singhania Venture has matured to a point where micromanagement limits its growth. My operational deputies have handled three verticals for over a year. I've prepared for this shift. Aravika is not a distraction. It's a new phase."

Another board member leaned in. "Why now?"

"Because in five years, Aravika won't survive if it stays the same. The market won't allow it. Competitors are aligning with tech firms. Government panels are mandating data transparency. Insurance audits are getting stricter. If we don't adapt now, we'll be obsolete."

He returned to his seat, relaxed, gaze impassive.

Abhiraj said nothing. He had made his calls before this meeting. He'd subtly influenced three directors over the past week, two by threatening to cut their equity benefits through a restructuring motion in Singhania Elite Venture, one through a silent campaign about Rudra's 'emotional interference' in hospital matters. He had pulled strings. Now, he expected them to hold.

The secretary raised the motion for vote.

"Resolution 12-B: Appointment of Mr. Rudra Singhania as Managing Director of Aravika Healing Haven. All those in favor..."

Abhiraj watched Rudra with a small smirk curling at the corner of his lips.

Rudra sat still legs casually crossed, fingers steepled against his chin. His body leaned back.

Then the first hand went up.

Then another. And another. Four hands. Five.

Abhiraj leaned forward.

Six.

His smirk began to falter.

Seven hands.

The room grew still. The secretary nodded.

"Resolution passed by majority. Appointment effective immediately."

Abhiraj's eyes snapped toward Rudra.

Rudra's lips curled, slow and subtle.

He stood up adjusting the suit. The board members rose with him. They shook his hand, exchanged low congratulations. One by one, they exited, leaving behind the tension and the quiet aftermath of a victory that shouldn't have been his.

Finally, Rudra turned back to the man still seated at the head of the table.

Abhiraj sat stiffly, fist clenched against the mahogany. The quiet hum of the central AC buzzed between them.

Rudra walked up then placed a single palm flat on the table, directly across from his father.

He tilted his head just a little.

"You know what they say, Dad...Never underestimate the student who was taught by the best, especially when the best forgot he was still teaching."

Abhiraj stared at him. "You planned this."

"Dad..." He gave Abhiraj a lazy smile. "I orchestrated it. Planning is for interns."

He leaned slightly closer.

"You forgot to check the proxy filings last week. Three of your 'loyals' transferred voting rights. I made them a better offer. Influence isn't inherited, dad. It's negotiated."

He collected sunglasses from the table.

"You know, I still remember your golden rule from my first investor pitch. 'Control the room before you enter it. And if you can't, change the game they're playing.'" He chuckled. "You really should've trademarked that advice. Might've earned a royalty every time I used it against you."

He turned to leave again, then stopped, half-laughing remembering something. "And yeah, say hi to my pearl... and tell her her husband's coming back soon."

And with that he slipped on his shades, hands sliding into his pockets. Then, without a backward glance, he walked out.

✿✿✿✿✿

–Aravika Healing Haven | Joining Day–

"Naina, shut up!"

Saanvi's voice echoed down the hallway as she marched ahead, her heels clicking with purpose. Naina hurried after her, clutching a tablet.

"But ma'am, the news-"

"Say one more word and I'll deduct ₹2000 from your salary," Saanvi snapped without breaking stride. Naina clamped her mouth shut, sighing as she lowered the tablet, shaking her head in frustration.

Reaching the hospital entrance, Saanvi slowed, her brows furrowing at the growing crowd gathered near the lobby. "The new MD is fucking late," she muttered, folding her arms. "Brilliant start. Why am I not surprised? God forbid we get someone who actually knows what a clock is. If they can't drag their arrogant ass here on time, how the hell are they supposed to manage a goddamn hospital? What a genius move, appoint a dumbass clown with zero punctuality. We’re doomed."

She leaned against the reception desk, scrolling through her phone. Naina stood beside her, still tense, tablet now raised in hesitation.

Saanvi didn't even look up. "I already know what this is. Another one of your ridiculous cat videos fighting, meowing, doing god knows what. Spare me, Naina. Just stand still and be quiet."

Naina blinked in disbelief, gripping the tablet tighter as she reluctantly fell silent.

Then the murmurs started.

A wave of hushed whispers rolled through the lobby.

Saanvi lifted her head from her phone, and in that instant, her eyes went wide, almost bulging, pure shock flooding her face. Her fingers, resting on the edge of the reception desk, twitched and slipped slightly as if even her body refused to process what she was seeing.

Rudra walked through the hospital's glass doors in a crisp navy blue suit, exuding power with every step. Behind him, Vedant followed in his usual stoic fashion, holding a bouquet of pristine white roses.

Rudra's gaze swept the lobby then paused. His eyes locked on her.

There she was, leaning at the reception desk, scrolling through her phone like the world hadn’t just shifted around her. His lips curved into a smile. But the moment her eyes lifted and collided with his, his smile faltered.

Like someone knocked the air from his lungs.

His throat worked as he swallowed, his hand moved unconsciously to his chest. The rhythm of his heartbeat spiked, wild and uneven.

"She looked at me…" he whispered with a smile, "Finally."

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