Author POV
"Pass me more cotton, fast!" a girl in her twenties said quickly. Her voice was serious, but calm. She was wearing green-colored surgery clothes and a matching green mask. Her eyes looked focused.
She stood beside the operating table, holding a pair of tongs with blood-soaked cotton. Her hands moved fast but steady. She was fully ready and doing the surgery calmly.
The doctor standing across from her nodded and handed her more cotton. He was helping her with the surgery.
"Arrange more blood! And clean the sides properly," she instructed, not looking up from the patient.
Just then, one of the nurses shouted, "Dr. Saanvi! He's sinking!"
Everyone looked at the monitor. The patient's heartbeat was slowing down quickly. The beeping sound was getting slower and weaker.
But Saanvi didn't panic. She took a deep breath and said in a steady voice, "Don't lose focus. Prepare the defibrillator. We're not letting him go."
The nurse quickly moved to the machine. Another nurse wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"Charge to 200. Clear!" Saanvi said loudly.
Everyone moved back.
The patient's body jumped slightly as the shock went through. Everyone looked at the monitor.
Still no heartbeat.
"Again. This time 250. Hurry!" she said.
The second shock was stronger. The machine beeped once. Then again. A slow but steady rhythm returned.
"He's back..." the assistant surgeon whispered, relief on his face.
Saanvi didn't smile. She nodded and said, "He's not safe yet. We need to stop the bleeding. Clamp the valve. I'll stitch the side."
Her hands didn't shake even once.
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35 minutes later.....
The room was quiet now. The surgery was over. The patient had been saved.
Saanvi removed her gloves slowly and stepped back. Her scrubs were stained with blood. Her eyes looked tired, but her face was calm.
"Great work, Dr. Saanvi," one of the junior doctors said softly.
She didn't reply. She just gave a small nod and walked out of the OT.
Saanvi pushed the door open and stepped out of the operation theatre. The bright lights of the corridor felt too sharp after hours inside.
She let out a slow breath. Her back ached. Her legs felt heavy. But she had done it. Another life saved.
She took off her green cap and ran a hand through her messy bun. A few strands of hair fell on her forehead. She didn't bother fixing them.
Just then her phone ringed. She checked and saw a message from her mother.
"When are you coming home?"
Saanvi sighed loudly, throwing her head back before staring at the phone screen.
She typed few words and send it.
"In 10 minutes."
She stuffed the phone back in her pocket and started walking toward the changing room.
But as she turned around the corner-
Her foot got caught in the loose hem of her scrubs.
"Ahh-wait-!"
THUD.
She fell straight on the floor. Her arms flailed. A few papers she was carrying flew up like leaves in the air.
One paper landed right on her face.
"Ughhh..." she groaned, face flat on the cold hospital floor.
Just then, a young nurse came running from the other side.
"Dr. Saanvi?! Are you okay?"
Saanvi didn't get up right away. She stayed on the floor, too tired to care. "Yup. Just checking if the floor is clean."
The nurse helped her sit up. Saanvi rubbed her elbow and winced. "Note to self: learn how to walk properly."
The nurse giggled nervously. "You're really... um, different."
Saanvi looked at her and smiled a little. "Yeah. I save hearts for a living, but I can't save myself from falling over my own feet."
She stood up slowly, brushed her clothes, and sighed.
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Time skip to Taneja mansion
Devashi walked back and forth near the main gate of the mansion. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest. Her face showed worry, and she sighed again. She had lost count of how many times she had sighed in the last hour.
Just then, a car stopped right in front of the gate. The brakes made a slight screeching sound. The car brushed a little too close to the gate, making Devashi's eyes go wide in shock.
But then everything else faded when she saw Saanvi getting out of the car.
The girl stepped out, yawning, and looked around carefully at the car. She bent down to check for any scratch. Thankfully, there wasn't any.
She let out a sigh of relief.
Just then, her mother walked quickly towards her.
"Kitna time lag gaya, Saanvi? I've been waiting since one whole hour!"
Saanvi scratched the back of her neck, looking nervous. "Uh... I accidentally over-boarded the police bridge. Hehee!"
Devashi shook her head and sighed. "Tu nahi sudhregi. Chal, ab jaldi andar aa."
(You'll never change. Now, come inside fast.)
Saanvi giggled and ran inside the house.
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Inside the Living Room
Her father was sitting on the couch, sipping his black coffee. He looked neat and sharp in a dark three-piece suit. Even at his age, he looked handsome and young.
"Morning, Papa!" Saanvi said cheerfully as she walked in.
Her father, Hriday Taneja, looked up. The moment he saw her tired eyes, messy hair, and that big smile - his expression softened.
"Morning, my baby. Come here."
Saanvi walked over to him and hugged him from the side. He smiled and wrapped his arm around her, placing a gentle kiss on her head.
Devashi watched the sweet father-daughter moment from a distance. Her eyes softened, but the mother in her quickly returned.
"Get up now, Saanvi. Go freshen up."
Saanvi pouted like a child. But instead of arguing, she walked over to her mother and placed a quick kiss on her cheek. Devashi tried to stay serious but failed to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
Saanvi giggled. Her father laughed softly, seeing the usual banter between his wife and daughter.
And then-
Saanvi looked around and spoke," Vardaan Bhai and Ishita bhabhi kaha hai?" Devashi looked at Saanvi," oh...They already left for office."
[Where's Vardaan brother and sister-in-law Ishita?]
Saanvi gave a small 'O' and spoke," ok I'll freshen up." Devashi and nisarg nodded gently," take a nap, beta." Hriday spoke softly
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Late Afternoon:-
Nisarg went to the company to handle the meetings and the work while devashi was busy watching news channel And scrolling through few Articles.
Just then- saanvi came out of her room after taking a long nap. She step her foot down and gasped as her foot slipped. But before she could fall, her hands automatically reached for the railing as she felt her body going down and with a slight thud, she was sitting on the staircase.
Her hands went to rest upon her chest as she took deep breaths and mumbled," Aisa laga jaise abhi abhi maut ko chu kar vapis ayi hun." She closed her eyes before opening them again at the voice of her mother.
(I felt as if I just came after nearly touching death.)
" Mai bhi toh sochu aaj laga nahi ki Saanvi Ghar par hai." Hearing Devashi's sarcastic words, Saanvi nervously laughed to herself," Kya mumma aap bhi."
[I also thought, didn't feel like Saanvi was at Home.]
[What ,mom.]
She descend the stairs carelessly again and jumped from the last second stair but landed near her mother with perfection. She smiled proudly, hands on her hips as she announced,"perfect landing Saanvi Taneja. Keep it up." She tap her shoulders, giving self appreciation.
Devashi gazed her with a done look," hogya tera?...ab chal khana kha le." Saanvi pouted but followed her anyway.
[Done?... Now eat]
But then as she step foot on the carpet, her unlucky fate strangled her foot with the carpet and she perfectly landed on the floor.
Well it's Saanvi Taneja! Second name of clumsiness
She groaned while Devashi face palmed before mumbling," well what can I expect from my blood?" She bite her lower lip, controlling herself from not laughing.
Saanvi groaned again as she slowly stood up, rubbing her arms in slight pain," what a clumsy luck I got." She pouted, whining on her place. Devashi chuckled," Stop whining and eat. I made all your favourites." Saanvi's face lighten up as she saw her favorites and with a kiss on Devashi's cheek, she sat down and started devouring the food.
" Areyy eat slowly, you idiot. Gale mein phas jayega." Saanvi had few food crumbles on her kurti as she ate. Ketchup on her lower lip and on her chin. Devashi stare her in disbelief before muttering to herself.
[It will get stuck in throat.]
"This girl is unbelievable. I wonder who'll bear her.
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Agnihotri Enterprises - 47th Floor, Mumbai.
High above the chaos of Mumbai, time moved slower-sharper.
The 47th floor of Agnihotri Enterprises didn't just offer a view; it radiated control, silence, and precision. The space was immaculate-marble floors, black leather chairs, and a sprawling glass desk that gleamed like a mirror.
Sitting behind it, Rishank Agnihotri was a portrait of command.
Crisp white shirt, sleeves rolled with mechanical precision, charcoal-grey vest hugging his form. His sharp jawline was clean-shaven, dark eyes unreadable, like stone that had never seen sunlight.
The man didn't fidget.
He didn't hum.
He didn't even breathe too loud.
Rishank stared at his laptop screen as if challenging it to defy him. Pages of merger documents flicked by under his fingers-an entire company's worth of decisions absorbed in minutes.
"Sir, the quarterly performance review from Berlin is ready. Do you want the report sent now or later?" his assistant asked, standing just inside the door, voice carefully balanced between respect and fear.
"Send it now," Rishank said, not looking up. "Also, push the legal call to 5:45. I don't like interruptions."
"Yes, sir."
The assistant vanished like smoke. No unnecessary words. Rishank liked it that way.
He leaned back, fingers steepled beneath his chin as he scanned the skyline of Mumbai through the massive windows. It should've been beautiful-the sunset bleeding over glass buildings, the ocean glimmering at the horizon-but Rishank barely blinked.
Beauty was a luxury.
And he didn't deal in luxuries. He dealt in logic.
His phone lay beside him, face down. Silent.
Just like him.
A faint buzz trembled against the glass desk, but he didn't even glance at it. Meetings were lined up, decisions pending. He didn't waste time-not on small talk, not on people, and definitely not on emotions.
Love?
Relationships?
He'd left those concepts back in textbooks-right next to Shakespeare and utopia.
He stood, walked to the espresso machine in the corner, poured himself a shot-no sugar, no milk. He liked things the way he liked his world: strong and bitter.
And just then-
His assistant knocked again, but this time didn't wait to be called in.
"Sir-uh-sorry to interrupt, but your mother is on my phone. She said it's urgent."
Rishank blinked. Slowly. His eyebrows narrowed just slightly.
"On your phone?" he repeated, puzzled.
"Yes, sir. She said you're not picking up her calls."
His gaze slid to his own phone.
Still face down.
He turned it over. One glance-and there it was.
Six missed calls. All from Mom. His phone had been on silent.
Again.
A muscle twitched in his jaw.
"Put her on speaker," he said curtly.
The assistant did, and the room filled with the sharp, no-nonsense voice of Ritika Agnihotri.
"Rishank, how many times have I told you not to ignore my calls? Main maa hoon Teri ya koi investor?"
[Am I your mother or some investor?]
"I had meetings, Mom," he replied, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I didn't hear it ring. The phone was on silent."
"Well, now you're going to hear me. You're coming to the mansion tonight. Everyone's waiting. No excuses."
"Mom, I have back-to-back calls-"
"Cancel them. Or I'll cancel you. Samjha?"
Click.
The call ended.
Just like that.
Rishank exhaled slowly, shoulders tightening as he stared at the phone like it had betrayed him.
His assistant cleared his throat awkwardly. "Sir... should I cancel the meetings?"
A pause.
Then, with an almost reluctant nod, Rishank said, "Yes. Cancel all meetings after 6. Block my calendar. I'll be heading to the mansion."
"Yes, sir. Should I inform the driver?"
"I'll drive myself."
"Understood."
The assistant quietly left, and the room returned to silence.
Rishank stood by the window again, jaw clenched, espresso cooling in his hand.
His world was flawless. Controlled.
Until his mother barged into it with just one call-unapologetic and unstoppable.
Somehow, that was the only chaos he allowed.
And maybe... the only one that didn't feel like chaos at all.
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Agnihotri Mansion.
The staff had just begun dimming the lights in the main corridor.
Dinner was being laid out on the table, the clinking of cutlery mixing with soft classical music playing from the living room speaker. A distant laugh echoed - likely Charvi's, loud and unfiltered as always. Shaurya and Vedika were seated on the couch, mid-conversation about a political news segment playing on mute.
Everything was... routine.
Predictable.
Until-
The sound of tires-not hurried, not harsh, but low and unmistakably elite-rolled into the driveway.
A black Aston Martin purred to a stop outside the main door.
One of the staff dropped a spoon on the floor.
Charvi, who was scrolling on her phone while lying across the couch, sat up.
"Wait... is that-?"
"Who on earth-?" Vedika frowned, her head turning sharply toward the door.
Shaurya narrowed his eyes, jaw tightening.
The door opened.
And in walked Rishank Agnihotri.
Impeccably dressed. Tie loosened but not undone. Face sharp, unreadable, untouched by the noise of the world.
It was as if a ghost had returned early.
Because Rishank never came home before 2 AM or sometimes never came home.
It was a rule. A rhythm everyone had come to accept.
If he did come-once in three nights-it was after the city slept.
So when he entered the house at eight-forty-five, with not a hair out of place, the silence cracked.
Charvi stood up hurriedly," Konsa earthquake a Gaya jo Aaj Bhai Ghar ka rasta bhul gaye?" She muttered, glancing Rishank who walked unbothered.
[What disaster happened today that bhai suddenly remembered the way home?]
From the hallway, Ishaan chocked on his protein bar as his jaw dropped, eyeballs streched," ....am I....blind?..... Rishank Bhai Ghar par? Even my Naked eye can't believe it." He mumbled, shooking his Head Slowly.
[Rishank brother at Home?]
Shaurya walked to rishank and placed a hand on his shoulder, shocking expressions visible on his face," woah. Are you really our rishank?" Rishank raised his eyebrow hearing Shaurya.
" He means to say......you never came home before midnight or sometimes you don't even come." Ritika Said, equally shocked.
Charvi then noticed Ishaan walking to rishank with his jaw dropped. She pulled him back and closed his mouth. Ishaan gulped, looking between Rishank and Charvi.
Charvi looked annoyed," what are you staring, you idiot?" Ishaan spoke," is it our rishank Bhai?" He asked Like he was having doubts. Well who Will not when Rishank barely stay Home.
" Kya kisi ka birthday hai? Koi death anniversary? ...aaj bhai ke darshan kuch digest nahi ho rahe." Ishaan spoke a Little loud for evryone to hear.
[Is someone's birthday? Any death anniversary?.... I'm having a hard time digesting the fact that we're seeing brother today.]
Rishank remained unfazed and moved to stairs when Ritika and nisarg step downstairs. Nisarg busy on his phone call.
Ritika spare Rishank a glance and looked at the staff," Sahabzade ko unka kamra dikhao. Bhul Gaye honge ki dikhta kaisa hai." sarcasm dripping from her every word.
[Show master his bedroom. He may have Forget how it looks like.]
Charvi, Ishaan, Vedika and Shaurya laughed under their breathe. Nisarg paused before cutting the call and glanced between Rishank and Ritika.
Rishank said lowly, looking at staff before looking away," no need. I know my house very well." Ritika gasped dramatically," oh?... You do? That's a great news to hear. I thought you might need assistance in reaching your always closed room...cause most of the time Mr Rishank Agnihotri stay at his office or penthouse, am I right Mr Agnihotri?" Ritika crossed his arms, raising her eyebrows sarcastically.
Rishank cleared his throat, glancing at nisarg who stood behind Ritika. Nisarg shrugged with expressions like-'deal with it yourself '.
Rishank's expressions didn't falter. His hand moving in his pocket as he excused himself. he moved upstairs and closed the door behind him.
Nisarg gulped before placing his hand on Ritika's shoulder, trying to calm her but gulped again as Ritika turned sharply to him and shot a glare.
To be continued....
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