AVYANSH

As she walked away, I stood rooted in my place and glanced at her retiring figure until her back disappeared in the crowd of doctors.

Once again, she left.

She walked away, as if I never mattered to her.

As if I didn't exist in her world anymore.

Dadi approached me with the look of sympathy that I have been getting all these seven years.

“It's okay, she is just mad.” She said softly.

“ Everything will be fine soon.”

Soon.

I don't know when that ‘soon’ will actually come.

I glanced down at my feet. Glass. The glass pieces were scattered all over the ground.

It's the glass wall that Ava broke, before leaving.

Funny, how Our relationship is just like that broken glass—shattered, sharp, and messy.

She really gave a live example of how things stand between us.

I glanced at my brother, Ankush.

“ Call Saad, and inform him about the broken glass.” I ordered.

Ankush nodded and walked away.

“ All of you can get back to your work.” I added, then gathered my things to shift to another cabin until this one’s cleaned.

I stood there, waiting for them to leave but it seemed like they had something more to say.

“ I need to leave for Delhi tonight.” Armaan informed me and I nodded , signalling him to continue. “ What should I tell Mom,dad & others?”

Right. It must have been a shock for them that we left abruptly and didn't even informed them.

But I can't let anyone know that I have found Ava.

“ For now, keep it a secret. No one means not a single person except us should know that Avantika is back. Got it.” They all nodded and left one by one.

*

“ Sir, here is the file regarding Avantika’s Schedule for this month.” I looked up from the patient's report and took the file from saad.

Saad Akthar. A last year resident in neurology and my secretary. He has been working with me for the last six years and is one of my most trusted men.

I flipped the file open and scanned the first Page, carefully.

Hmm, so madam is posted in the surgery department for this month. I see

But not anymore.

The corner of my lips curved up as i said,

“ Change her schedule, Saad. Dr. Avantika will be posted in Neurology department for this whole month”

Saad blinked, caught off guard. I can understand that look. Of course it's unexpected, I am not that kind of CEO who checks on the new residents. but this is different.

It's Ava, my Ava.

So I'm showing interest or else they can rot in hell.

I glared at him, and he instantly straightened.

“Yes sir, I will inform doctor Shyam.”

I shook my head. “ Not dr.Shyam.” I said,

“ She will be posted under me, I will be Supervising her.”

Saad’s eyes widened, as he looked at me shocked, “ Sir?”

I nodded, “ yes, and her friend too.” I added.

Saad nodded, despite being shocked and left.

I leaned back in my chair and picked up the report I had been reading earlier. I tried to focus on the patient’s medical history, but my mind wouldn’t let me.

“Don’t let me see your face tomorrow. Or I’ll quit”

Her voice resonated in my ears and I kept the file on the desk and closed my eyes.

Why?

Why, Ava?

I know I have hurted you.

I know i Hurted the woman I loved.

But why say something so harsh?

I know I made a mistake.

A mistake for which, iam regretting till today.

I know I deserve your hatred, anger and all sorts of punishment that exist in the world but not seeing you…..

Why does that feel like the worst punishment of all?

But, I am not going to give up.

Not on you.

Not on us.

Not this time.

I will fight — for you, for us.

You said not to show my face to you again, right?

But darling, I will make sure that the first person you see tomorrow is me.

AUTHOR

Avantika along with Hayat walked out of the SR hospital. Their steps were quick, almost restless—like they were trying to outrun something.

The moment they crossed the gates, Avantika came to a sudden halt.

Her breath hitched. Her eyes scanned the space in front of her as confusion clouded her face.

Why?

Why are they here?

Why now… after all these years?

The questions spun in her mind like a maze with no end.

Like a puzzle she had given up trying to solve… but one that refused to let her go.

No answers.

Just the same old ache—rising again.

She unknowingly fisted her hand — the hand that was still holding Hayat —lost in thoughts and emotions.

Hayat didn’t say anything. She quietly let Avantika hold her hand, even though she noticed the change in her expression and body language.

The way her forehead creased with lines, the way her eyebrows twitch and the way she bit her lips — she noticed it all.

But she didn't say anything.

Suddenly, Avantika’s grip tightened, making Hayat flinch in pain.

The small sound brought Avantika out of her daze. She quickly looked at Hayat, who was staring at their joined hands in discomfort. Avantika’s eyes followed hers—and widened slightly when she saw how tightly she was holding on.

She immediately let go.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry, Hayat,” she said in a panicked voice, her eyes fixed on Hayat’s reddened hand.

“ It's okay.” Hayat said quickly, when she saw the panicked expression of her.

“ but…..Are you sure? It must have Hurted lot!” She said again, her voice filled with concern.

Hayat gave her a reassuring nod.

“ I'm really okay.”

Avantika nodded, not convinced.

They both walked to the parking lot where Hayat's car was parked.

The ride back home was quiet. They didn't say anything nor Hayat asked why she acted that way back in the cabin. They just sat there, lost in their own thoughts.

The car came to a halt at Avantika’s Building.

“ bye, Hayat. See you tomorrow.” Avantika said and came out of the car and closed the car door and walked away without waiting for her reply.

Hayat waited in the car, watching Avantika walk toward the building.

She didn’t drive away immediately.

Only after Avantika entered the lift and the doors closed, Hayat started the engine and drove off.

*

Hayat walked inside the mansion, her quiet steps echoing in the quiet mansion. All the workers stopped whatever they were doing and bowed to her. Hayat replied with an usual nod and climbed the stairs.

As she reached the first floor, her eyes fell on her parents room and she signed, seeing the closed door.

Hayat's parents were renewed lawyers in the country. They specialize in Finance & criminal departments.

They were always busy. Hardly ever home.

And as their only child, their constant absence made her feel even more alone.

Shaking her head, Hayat walked into her room and closed the door. She walked to her desk and Opened a cupboard and pulled out her journal.

She walked back to her bed and made herself comfortable on it and then she opened her journal and picked up the pen from the side table and started writing.

“She is lost again. Lost in her own world & thoughts.

The thoughts that only hurt her more.

Today, she met them again, the people that hurted her. Though she never told me anything about her past. Yet her eyes were enough to convey everything to me.

She looked hurt, broke yet hid it under the mask of indifferent and ‘ i don't care face’.

Avantika.

Hope one day, i would gain your trust just enough so that you could open up to me and lessen your burden on your heart.”

She finished writing and gently closed the journal.

Those were the words she could never say out loud.

Words she kept safely hidden in the pages of her journal.

Hayat leaned back against the headboard and looked at the ceiling.

Her heart felt heavy, not just for herself, but for Avantika too.

She didn’t know what had happened in Avantika’s past,

but she could see the pain in her eyes,

the kind of pain that doesn’t go away easily.

“I wish I could help her,” Hayat whispered to herself.

“I wish she

’d let me in.”

The room was quiet, except for the soft ticking of the clock.

And in that silence, Hayat made a promise to herself.

No matter how long it takes…

I’ll be there for her.

Even if she keeps pushing me away.