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Shashi's POV:
We forget our own pain and heal others’ wounds. That’s what we doctors do. It doesn’t matter what mental state we’re in—our purpose is to serve the patients. We hold only one pride: our white coat and the initial in our name.
“Dr. Oberoi.”
Dr. Kushagra’s voice called me back to reality. I quickly followed him as we hurried toward the emergency ward.
It was a case that left me shaken. A young girl—barely 18 or 20—had attempted suicide after failing her exams. Fortunately, her parents found her in time, and she was saved.
What pierced me wasn’t her act, but what her parents said after:
"It doesn’t matter what your results say. We’ve seen your effort, and we are proud of you."
A tear escaped my eye. I wiped it quickly.
"She’s lucky..." I whispered to myself, chuckling bitterly.
"Jo kabhi mehsoos nahi kiya, use miss kya karna."
("I never felt it, so why should I miss it?")
The rest of my day passed in a haze of fatigue and silence. I even forgot to eat.
“Oye dedh foot!”
I instantly recognized that voice. Only one idiot calls me that. I turned to see him walking toward me, a grin on his face.
“Subah se sada hua muh lekar ghoom rahi hai.”
("You’ve been sulking since morning.")
He smacked the back of my head playfully and threw an arm around my shoulder.
“Zindagi bahut choti hai, aur yeh tu hi kehti hai na? Life is too short to argue—just say 'Bhaad mein jaao!'”
("Life is short, and you're the one who says it! Just say 'Go to hell!'")
I nodded like a child and managed a smile.
“Thank you, Mr. Idiot.”
He bowed dramatically. “My pleasure.”
As I left the hospital, his words echoed in my head. You can't cry, Shashi. We don’t cry for sadness. That’s the rule.
Lost in my thoughts, I stopped by the mall. I didn’t want clothes—I wanted something cute for myself. I bought a soft pink watch and some quirky hair clips.
While driving back, my stomach growled. Oh right, I hadn’t eaten. I’ll just have dinner at home.
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Author's POV:
As Shashi reached the Rajput Mansion, she noticed something odd. The living room was empty—a rare sight during evenings, especially without Aparna or Aarav around.
Shrugging it off, she headed upstairs. Their bedroom was also empty.
After a quick shower, she changed into her most comfortable clothes, applied moisturizer and lip balm, grabbed her novel and specs, and walked to the kitchen.
She decided to make instant noodles from the Japanese pack Laksha had sent. As she plugged in her earphones and put water to boil—
The lights went out.
She turned on her phone’s flashlight, tore the noodle packet, and began humming as she cooked.
🩶
Kal inhen galiyon mein, in masali kaliyon mein
To ye dhooma thi
Jo rooh pyaasi hai, jismein udaasi hai
Vo hai gumti...
Muskaane jhoothi hain
Pehchaanein jhoothi hain
Rangin hai chaayi
Phir bhi hai tanhaayi…
🩶
Just as she began making cold coffee—
“SURPRIIIISE!!!”
Shashi flinched, her phone nearly slipping from her hand. The lights flicked on.
Her entire family stood before her—everyone in matching night suits, including the staff behind them. It felt like a planned dress code.
She stood frozen, one hand clutching her chain’s trishul.
“It’s not my birthday,” she whispered, utterly confused.
“Rajput men don’t need an occasion to surprise their women,” Aakash said, kneeling down with a white rose in hand.
She smiled and took the rose, motioning him to stand up since they weren’t alone.
“Cupcake!”
Aarav’s voice chirped as he walked toward her, holding a yellow rose in his tiny hand.
She knelt before him and pulled him into a tight hug, overwhelmed by the moment. No one had ever made her feel this special.
Aarav, nestled in her arms, looked up and said,
“I’m giving you a nickname. You’re my Cupcake now. And I want to be your best friend. Will you be my best friend?”
She nodded through teary eyes, and his grin widened. She kissed his cheek, and he kissed her back.
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Dear Readers,
How was the chapter?
• Did you like Aarav’s bond with his Cupcake?
• Do you think Shashi is finally opening her heart to the Rajput family?
In a world where so many crave belonging…
Yes, this is fiction—
but the warmth? That’s real.
See you in the next chapter
🤍🩶🖤
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