2 weeks later

The car ride back to the Shergill mansion was quiet, save for the hum of the engine. Rakshit leaned against the window, his face pale but composed, his thoughts a swirl of exhaustion and unresolved emotions. Drishti sat beside him, her posture straight, hands clasped in her lap as she glanced sideways at him from time to time.

As the car pulled up to the mansion, the heavy wooden doors swung open, and Mahima stepped out, her heart racing with anticipation. Her son was finally coming home.

“Rakshit” she called softly, her voice thick with emotion as she hurried to his side.

Rakshit stepped out of the car, his movements slow and careful. Mahima immediately enveloped him in a gentle hug, her arms trembling slightly as she held him close. “Thank God you’re home, beta...” she whispered, tears brimming in her eyes.

Rakshit returned the embrace, though his own movements were more restrained. “I’m fine, Maa” he replied, his voice hoarse. “There’s no need to worry.”

Mahima pulled back, her hands still gripping his arms as she looked him over, her gaze searching for any signs of discomfort. “You need rest. We’ve arranged everything in your room. Just focus on getting better.”

Before Rakshit could respond, Drishti stepped forward, her tone laced with light sarcasm. “Yes, you’re under strict orders to do nothing but rest and recover. So no arguments, Mr. Shergill.”

Rakshit turned his gaze towards her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he simply stared at her, as if trying to gauge her intentions. But Drishti merely raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to protest.

“Fine” he muttered, too tired to engage in another round of banter. He looked back at his mother. “I’ll go up to my room.”

Mahima nodded, brushing a hand through his hair affectionately. “I’ll be up to check on you later.”

Without another word, Rakshit began to make his way toward the stairs, but before he could take more than a few steps, Drishti moved to his side, gently slipping her arm under his to offer support.

“I can manage on my own” Rakshit insisted, though he didn’t pull away.

“Of course you can” Drishti replied, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. “But why should you when you’ve got someone as capable as me to help?”

Rakshit sighed but allowed her to guide him up the stairs and into his room.

ROOM

As they entered the room, Drishti guided Rakshit towards the bed, her touch surprisingly gentle despite the sarcastic front she had been putting up. “Lie down...” she instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Rakshit glanced at her, a hint of amusement in his tired eyes. “Bossy, aren’t you?”

“Always,” Drishti shot back, not missing a beat.

"You should be in control. This will end right after I'm well." He spoke, a slight smirk lingering on his face.

“Yeah yeah sure CEO Mr. Rakshit Shergill, but you need rest. Now, down you go.”

Rakshit complied, easing himself onto the bed with a weary sigh. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he closed his eyes, the weight of exhaustion pulling at him.

Drishti adjusted the pillows behind him, ensuring he was comfortable before stepping back. “I’m going to get some water and do the puja. You just rest. And no sneaking out of bed,” she added, pointing a finger at him sternly.

Rakshit opened one eye and gave her a mock salute. “Haanji Biwi Ji”

"Very good pati dev ji" She couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips before she turned and left the room. She descended the stairs quietly, her mind shifting from Rakshit to what she needed to do next.

PUJA

In the living room, Drishti approached the small temple set up in the corner, the deities adorned with flowers and incense. She knelt before the idol of Kanha ji, her hands folded in prayer. The flame from the diya flickered softly, casting a warm glow on her face.

Taking a deep breath, Drishti closed her eyes, her thoughts a whirlwind of emotion. She had tried so hard to reach out to Rakshit while he was in the hospital, but every time she got close, he had pushed her away. The pain of his rejection still stung, but she had learned to mask it with her sarcasm and sharp wit, the tools she had always used to protect herself.

“Please, Kanha ji...” she murmured under her breath, “Help me make things right. I’ve done all I can, but he won’t let me in. Give me the strength to keep going, to be strong for him, even if he doesn’t want me to be.”

As she prayed, a sense of calm washed over her, the familiar rhythm of the puja grounding her in the midst of her turmoil. She opened her eyes, gazing at the idol with renewed determination.

“If he won’t let me close, then fine...” she whispered, her voice laced with a hint of defiance. “I’ll go back to being the Drishti he’s always known. The sarcastic, savage one. Maybe that’s what he needs right now.”

With that resolve in mind, she rose to her feet, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. There was work to be done, and she wasn’t going to let anything—or anyone—stand in her way.

KITCHEN

After finishing the puja, Drishti headed straight for the kitchen. She rolled up her sleeves, deciding to take matters into her own hands. She wasn’t going to leave Rakshit’s recovery to anyone else, especially when it came to his meals. She began preparing porridge, her movements quick and efficient as she measured out the ingredients.

As the porridge simmered on the stove, she found herself smirking. She could already imagine the look on Rakshit’s face when she marched into his room with a bowl of this “special” breakfast.

Once it was ready, Drishti carefully poured the porridge into a bowl and arranged it on a tray along with a glass of juice. With a satisfied nod, she picked up the tray and made her way back upstairs.

When she entered Rakshit’s room, she found him sitting up in bed, his tablet in hand as he scrolled through emails, his brow furrowed in concentration.

“Well, well” Drishti said loudly, catching his attention as she walked in. “What part of ‘no work’ did you not understand?”

Rakshit looked up, startled, and then quickly recovered his composure. “I’m not working. I’m just... catching up.”

“Uh-huh,” Drishti replied, unimpressed. She set the tray down on the bedside table and without warning, snatched the tablet from his hands.

“Hey!” Rakshit protested, reaching out to take it back, but Drishti held it out of his reach, her glare silencing him.

“No more work,” she said firmly. “Doctor’s orders.”

Rakshit stared at her for a moment, weighing his options. But something in her eyes made him back down. He sighed, leaning back against the pillows, clearly annoyed but unwilling to argue further.

“Good,” Drishti said with a satisfied nod. She set the tablet aside and picked up the bowl of porridge, stirring it with the spoon. “Now, breakfast time.”

Rakshit eyed the porridge with visible distaste. “I’m not hungry.”

Drishti’s eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. “You’re going to eat this, Mr. Shergill, whether you like it or not.”

He turned his face away stubbornly. “I said, I’m not hungry.”

Drishti let out an exasperated sigh. She was done playing nice. Without warning, she reached out and grabbed his chin with one hand, turning his face back towards her.

“You’re going to eat this” she repeated, her voice low and dangerous. “And you’re going to like it.”

Rakshit was momentarily stunned by her assertiveness. He opened his mouth to protest, but before he could say anything, Drishti had already shoved a spoonful of porridge into his mouth.

He blinked, momentarily taken aback, but then he swallowed, the bland taste of the porridge settling on his tongue. “You know,” he said after a moment, his tone still defiant, “I could fire you for this.”

Drishti smirked, scooping up another spoonful. "PA ko toh fire kar sakte hai, biwi ko kaise fire krenge?"

"Biwi? Kaun biwi?" He spoke purposely to annoy her.

However, her smirk didn't died down. Instead, it increased more.

"Pta nhi tha Injuries ke saath saath Amnesia bhi hogya hai aapko."

Rakshit couldn’t help rolling his eyes at her comment “You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re impossible” Drishti shot back, pushing another spoonful into his mouth. “Now shut up and eat.”

Rakshit didn’t argue further. He continued to eat, his gaze fixed on Drishti as she fed him, their usual banter flowing easily between them. The tension that had lingered between them for so long seemed to dissipate, if only for a moment, replaced by something lighter, something more familiar.

When the bowl was finally empty, Drishti set it aside and stood up, brushing off her hands. “There. Now that you’re fed, you can rest. And don’t even think about touching that tablet,” she warned, pointing a finger at him.

Rakshit raised an eyebrow, a hint of a challenge in his eyes. “You think you can manage everything on your own?”

Drishti’s expression softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. "I’ve been handling things just fine while you’ve been out of commission, Mr. Shergill. I can manage the company until you’re fully recovered. You just focus on getting better.”

Rakshit narrowed his eyes, studying her. “You’re not serious about this, are you?”

Drishti crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly as she met his gaze. “Why wouldn’t I be? It’s not like you can go back to the office right now.”

Rakshit opened his mouth to protest, but the determined look on Drishti’s face made him pause. She was right; he wasn’t in any shape to handle the pressures of work just yet. But the thought of leaving everything in her hands, especially after everything that had happened between them, made him uneasy.

“What’s the change in you, Mrs. Shergill?” Rakshit finally asked, his tone cautious. “Why are you suddenly so eager to help me?”

Drishti’s lips curved into a smirk, but there was a hint of something deeper in her eyes—something that Rakshit couldn’t quite place. “Well, Let's just say I wanted to, and, someone’s got to make sure you don’t mess things up.” she turned and started to walk away.

"Toh, tumhara dil badal gaya?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes.

Drishti froze mid-step, turning around slowly to face him. His question caught her off guard, and for a split second, she nodded instinctively. Realizing what she had just done, her eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head, trying to cover up her mistake.

“No!” she said quickly, her voice a bit too high-pitched. “Bilkul nahi.”

But it was too late. Rakshit had caught the brief nod, and his lips curled into a smirk that was both teasing and satisfied. The sight of it made Drishti’s heart skip a beat—this was the Rakshit she knew all too well, the one who thrived on their playful banter and loved getting under her skin.

“Oh really?” he drawled, leaning back against the pillows with a smug expression. “Lekin abhi tumne haan mein sar hilaya.”

Drishti crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes at him. “Aisa kuch nhi hai, Mr. Shergill. Main bas... bas...”

“Bas?” he prompted, clearly enjoying her discomfort.

She huffed, her frustration growing as she struggled to come up with a retort. “kuch nhi! Bhaad me jao!”

Rakshit chuckled softly, the sound deep and rich, and Drishti felt an involuntary shiver run down her spine. He had a way of getting under her skin like no one else, and he knew it.

Rakshit’s expression remained same, but he couldn’t deny the strange comfort her presence brought him.

He knew being hurt was not the solution. It will only hurt both of them more, damage them a lot more than they already were. They had their own struggles, and while Drishti surely did a mistake--- He knew she was willing to apologize, to fix it all. He had seen her efforts. She came to hospital every day, sat beside him for hours, even during nights, despite him saying hurtful things to her. She didn't gave up. She used to bring him food everytime, even though he refused to eat.

They needed to find their way back to each other and be like before, and he knew that.

It wasn’t that he suddenly trusted her completely, but the old dynamic between them—the banter, the back-and-forth—felt oddly reassuring.

“You’re going to regret this, you know.” He muttered, almost as if he was trying to convince himself.

Drishti leaned down slightly, meeting his gaze head-on. “Maybe. But I’ve handled worse than you, Mr. Shergill.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them was thick with unspoken words, unresolved emotions, and the remnants of old wounds. But there was also something new—an unspoken agreement, a tentative truce in their ongoing battle.

Drishti finally straightened up, brushing off her hands as if to signify the end of the conversation. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a company to run. You just stay here and rest, okay?”

Rakshit watched her, his gaze lingering on her retreating figure as she walked towards the door.

And with that, she left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

As the door closed behind her, Drishti took a deep breath, her emotions swirling. She had made a decision to go back to her old self, to put up the walls that had kept her safe for so long. She was determined to ease the tension which had grown between them. And in moments like these, it was hard to deny that the tension was starting to crumble, piece by piece, getting replaced by their old banter, behind which lay a strange sense of comfort none of them is ready to acknowledge.

Rakshit leaned back against the pillows, closing his eyes as he let out a slow breath. The exhaustion he had been holding at bay finally caught up with him, but his mind was still racing, turning over the events of the past few days, the look in Drishti’s eyes, the way she had taken charge so effortlessly.

He didn’t know what to make of it all, but for now, he was too tired to keep thinking. Sleep finally claimed him, his mind drifting off into a restless slumber.

STUDY ROOM

Downstairs, Drishti entered the office that Rakshit had so meticulously maintained. The air was thick with his presence, the faint scent of his cologne lingering in the room, and the papers on the desk were neatly arranged, just as he liked them. But now, it was her responsibility to manage everything until he was back on his feet.

She already informed Vinay that she will work from home until he has recovered. This way she can look over Rakshit and manage the work as well.

She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the responsibility settle on her shoulders. This was her chance to prove herself—not just to Rakshit, but to herself as well. She had always been capable, always been strong, but now, more than ever, she needed to step up.

As she sat down at the desk, Drishti’s eyes flickered over the files, her mind already working through the tasks at hand. There was a lot to do, and she couldn’t afford to waste any time. But a small part of her, the part that had softened in Rakshit’s presence, couldn’t help but wonder how he was doing upstairs.

She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. There was no time for distractions. She had work to do, and she was going to do it well. She wasn’t just going to manage the company; she was going to excel.

AFTERNOON

Later that afternoon, Drishti returned to Rakshit’s room, balancing a tray with a light lunch. To her surprise, she found him awake and sitting up in bed, flipping through a business magazine with a slight frown on his face.

“Shouldn’t you be resting?” Drishti teased as she entered the room.

Rakshit looked up, a smirk playing on his lips. “Shouldn’t you be at the office?”

“I can do both” Drishti replied, setting the tray down on the table beside the bed. “Unlike you, I’m capable of multitasking.”

Rakshit rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. “What did you bring me this time? More porridge?”

Drishti grinned. “Nope, I thought I’d spare you the torture today. Just some light lunch—salad and soup.”

Rakshit eyed the food suspiciously. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you? Well, to your misfortune, I'm still alive, Mrs. Shergill ”

Drishti laughed, shaking her head. “If I wanted to kill you, Mr. Shergill, you wouldn’t see it coming.”

Rakshit couldn’t help but chuckle at that. “Touché.”

Drishti picked up the spoon, offering it to him with a challenging look. “Now, are you going to eat, or do I have to force-feed you again?”

Rakshit sighed dramatically, taking the spoon from her. “I guess I have no choice, do I?”

“Nope” Drishti said, watching as he began to eat. She leaned against the bedside table, crossing her arms as she observed him.

As Rakshit ate, there was a comfortable silence between them—a stark contrast to the tension that had been there just hours ago. The familiar rhythm of their banter had returned, and for a moment, it felt like everything was normal again.

She watched as he ate, her feelings a tangled mess of guilt, affection, and confusion. But in that moment, something inside her settled. The anger, the hurt, the misunderstandings—they all faded into the background, leaving just the two of them, connected in a way that words couldn’t capture.

Her heart found a quiet solace in that moment, knowing that despite the complications and the pain, there was still a thread that tied them together. And for now, that was enough.

When Rakshit finished, he handed the bowl back to her. “Done.”

Drishti blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the softness in his voice.
Before she could speak, his voice reached her ears

"Aisa lagta hai tum meri personal nurse ban gyi ho."  His usual sarcasm laced his tone, a slight smirk on his lips.

She quickly clapped back, her sarcasm kicking in. “Don’t get used to it, Mr. Shergill. I’m only doing this because you’re helpless.”

Rakshit chuckled, shaking his head. “Whatever you say.”

But as Drishti turned to leave, a warmth spread through her chest—something that hadn’t been there in a long time. Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to change between them.

━━༻❁༺━━

GAMING ROOM

Meanwhile, in another part of the mansion, Akshit was busy setting up his gaming console in his gaming room, much to the amusement of Divya, who was watching him with a fond smile.

“You’re really into this, aren’t you?” Divya teased, leaning back on the couch.

Akshit grinned at her, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “You have no idea, Di. I’ve been waiting for this new game to come out for weeks.”

Divya chuckled, shaking her head. “I don’t understand how you can spend so much time on these games.”

Akshit looked at her, his grin widening. “You should try it sometime. It’s a great way to relax.”

Divya raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “I’ll take your word for it.”

Akshit finished setting up the console and plopped down on the couch beside her, picking up the controller. “Come on, I’ll show you how it’s done.”

Divya hesitated for a moment, then finally gave in, taking the controller he offered. “Fine, but don’t expect me to be any good at this.”

Akshit laughed, shaking his head. “It’s all about having fun, D. Just relax and enjoy it.”

Both are in their element—Akshit with his usual air of superiority and Divya with a fierce determination.

"You know, Divya, it’s impressive how you manage to keep up with me. But don't get too excited. This game’s not over yet." He grinned.

"Impressive, huh? Funny coming from someone who’s about to lose. You’ve been so cocky all along, but look where it’s got you." She narrowed her eyes.

"Cocky? Maybe. But I prefer to call it confidence. After all, someone has to show you how it's done." Akshit said in a mocking tone.

"Confidence, or just overconfidence? I think we both know you’re not as unbeatable as you like to think." She smirked.

As the game progresses, Akshit’s expression changes from confident to increasingly frustrated. Divya is consistently outperforming him, her moves precise and strategic. The tension in the room rises as the match nears its climax.

"You’re actually not bad, Ms. Doctor. But let’s see if you can handle the final level." He said through gritted teeth.

"Oh, I’m just getting started. And by the way, if you lose, I expect a public apology."

"Deal. But don’t think for a second that I’m going to let you win easily."

With a final, intense sequence of gameplay, Divya pulls off a spectacular move that clinches her victory. The screen flashes with her win, and she can’t help but smile triumphantly.

"Looks like I’ve won this round. Hope you’re ready for that apology."

*"Alright, madam. You win this time. But don’t get too used to it. I’ll be back to reclaim my title." He threw his hands up in the air, surrendering to her.

"I’ll be waiting. And next time, maybe you’ll have to work a little harder for that victory." She teased.

They share a look—both competitive and slightly amused. Despite their rivalry, there’s a mutual respect in their playful banter. The game has ended, but their rivalry is far from over. They both know this won’t be the last time they clash, but for now, the game is theirs to savor.

"Well played. I’ll give you that." He smiled.

"Thanks. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure to remind you of this victory every chance I get." Divya grinned.

They laugh, the tension from the game giving way to a shared sense of camaraderie, even if their competitive nature remains as strong as ever.

━━༻❁༺━━

The bedroom was dimly lit by the soft glow of a bedside lamp. Rakshit, still in bed with his leg elevated, was trying to get comfortable despite his injury. Drishti, having just finished arranging his medications and checking on him, prepared to make herself comfortable on the floor with a pillow and blanket.

“What are you doing?” Rakshit’s voice carried a hint of curiosity mixed with amusement as he watched her lay down the blanket.

Drishti glanced up, a determined look on her face. “I figured I’d make a bed on the floor. It’s not like there’s enough room for both of us on the bed.”

Rakshit raised an eyebrow, his tone playful. “And here I thought you were going to spend the night by taking care of me. Do you really want to sleep on the floor?”

Drishti looked at him, her lips curving into a teasing smile. “Well, considering you’re taking up most of the bed with your leg propped up, it seemed like the best option.”

Rakshit smirked, wincing slightly as he shifted his position. “I suppose I could move over a bit, but I’d rather not risk falling off. How about you come up here instead?”

Drishti hesitated for a moment, her gaze softening as she considered his offer. “You’re not going to turn into a grumpy old man if I get too close, are you?”

Rakshit chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “you have no idea how young I am, Mrs. Shergill.” His voice was low and quiet, which made her shiver a little.

With a resigned sigh, Drishti stood up and moved to the edge of the bed. “Alright, but if you start snoring, I’m out of here.”

Rakshit’s smile widened as he patted the space beside him. “Deal. And for the record, I don’t snore.”

Drishti climbed into bed carefully, making sure not to disturb his injured leg. Once she was settled beside him, she adjusted the blanket to cover them both. They lay there in the soft glow of the lamp, the space between them filled with warmth and a touch of awkwardness.

“Goodnight...” Drishti murmured, her voice a gentle whisper.

“Goodnight...” Rakshit replied, his tone softened by fatigue.

As the minutes passed, both began to drift off to sleep. Rakshit’s breathing became steady, and his hand relaxed beside him. Drishti, shifting slightly in her sleep, found herself inching closer to him. She unconsciously snuggled against his side, her head resting on his chest. Her movements were subtle but filled with a quiet comfort.

Rakshit stirred slightly in his sleep as he felt her warmth against him. He shifted his arm, instinctively wrapping it around her. His touch was gentle, careful not to jostle his injury but enough to hold her close. Drishti let out a soft sigh, finding solace in the embrace.

The two of them lay there in peaceful silence, their bodies intertwined and their hearts finally at ease after weeks of emotional turmoil. The night stretched on, and the quiet intimacy of their shared space brought a sense of calm. Drishti’s head rested against Rakshit’s chest, and his arm held her securely.

In their sleep, their breathing became synchronized, a rhythm of mutual comfort. The earlier tensions and unspoken worries seemed to dissolve, replaced by a tranquil connection.

The gentle rise and fall of their chests and the steady beat of Rakshit’s heart against Drishti’s ear created a soothing lullaby. They slept soundly in each other’s arms, finding peace in the closeness that they had longed for amidst the chaos of their lives.

As the night deepened, the bedroom was filled with a serene quiet, the soft glow of the moonlight casting a gentle hue over the couple. Their hearts were at rest, and the world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just the comforting embrace of their shared peace.

They're definitely going to find their way back to each other.