The next morning,
Sarika wakes up and finds herself alone in bed. Panicking, she quickly looks at the clock, which shows it is almost eight. Seeing this, she immediately gets up, muttering to herself, "Oh no, I'm so late! Maa ji will scold me a lot today, and no one's breakfast is ready. The tiffin must not be packed either. I should quickly take a bath and prepare everyone's breakfast first, then do the puja."
Saying this, she ties her hair into a bun while walking toward the cupboard. She takes out her clothes and is just about to go to the washroom when someone suddenly grabs her hand from behind. Sarika turns around, about to say something, but seeing Adrijay standing in front of her, she lowers her gaze in silence.
Adrijay gently takes her to the bed and makes her sit down before saying, "You're still not well, so you should rest. And listen, there's no need to worry about breakfast and the tiffin. I already made sandwiches; everyone has eaten. As for the tiffin, Dev and I will manage something at the office, and for Adhik, I've packed sandwiches and some fruits. So now, you can rest without any worries. Also, don't stress about lunch—I've told Maa, she will take care of it."
Hearing his words, Sarika looks at him in surprise and asks, "You made breakfast?"
Seeing her expressions, Adrijay smiles slightly but keeps his face serious as he replies, "What do you mean? Can't I cook?"
Sarika hurriedly says, "No, no... I just asked like that. Sorry!" Lowering her gaze again, she avoids looking at him. Seeing this, Adrijay doesn't feel good. He wants Sarika to talk to him openly, but she always stays silent. He sighs deeply and then says, "Okay, it's time for me to leave for the office. I've already kept your breakfast in the kitchen. When you feel like eating, ask Vishakha to heat it up. And yes, after breakfast, take the tablets kept on the table. On my way back, I'll bring some juice for you because the doctor said you've become very weak, and drinking juice will help."
Saying this, he walks toward the dressing table and fixes his hair.
Meanwhile, Sarika, still sitting on the bed, lifts her gaze slightly to steal a glance at him. Even though Adrijay never showed any feelings for her, she had accepted him as her husband with all her heart. She didn't know when she had fallen in love with him—perhaps when she first saw him emotional, holding little Adhik in his arms, or maybe when they came close for the first time, a moment that had happened with her consent. Sarika didn't know exactly when love took root in her heart, but she knew one thing—she would never receive love from Adrijay in return. That's why she had buried her emotions deep within herself.
But today, seeing Adrijay take care of her for the first time, those buried emotions started to rise again. It felt as if their relationship could improve, and maybe, just maybe, one day, Adrijay might love her too. Thinking this, a gentle, hopeful smile appears on her lips.
As Sarika is lost in her thoughts, still smiling, Adrijay turns around, picks up his bag, and says, "Alright, I'm leaving now. Make sure you eat breakfast and take your medicine on time. I'll call you to check. And don't even think about lying to me, because your little spy, Tanu, will tell me everything. Bye!"
Saying this, he picks up his phone and bag and leaves.
Watching him leave, Sarika folds her hands in prayer, beaming with happiness. She cheerfully says, "Thank you! Thank you so much, God! You finally heard me. He is taking steps toward me, he is starting to care for me! Thank you so much, God! Please stay with me like this so that one day, I can win his heart and make him mine."
Smiling joyfully, she then picks up her clothes and heads to the washroom.
A while later, Sarika comes out of the washroom after bathing when suddenly, little Tanishq comes running into the room. Seeing her standing there, he quickly rushes to her, grabs her hand, and makes her sit on the bed. Scolding her, he says, "What were you doing, Mumma?! You know you're not well, so why were you standing? Now you will not get up. You will rest on the bed. Papa told me to take care of you, so I'm saying—you will not stand up anymore! Now, stay here and rest. I will bring your breakfast."
Sarika stops him and says, "But dear, how will you bring it? Come, I'll go with you… please?"
She makes an innocent face, looking at Tanishq, who, after thinking for a moment, says, "Okay, but you have to hold my hand so that if you feel weak, I can support you!"
Hearing his words, Sarika smiles warmly, nods, kisses his forehead, and holds his hand as they leave the room together.
Downstairs in the hall, Yamini Ji is sitting and chopping vegetables. The moment she sees Sarika, she sarcastically says in an annoyed tone, "Oh, so Her Highness has finally woken up! Tell me, what would you like to eat? We are all your servants, after all. Just give your orders, and we'll bring whatever you want."
Hearing her words, Sarika lowers her head in silence. But before she can say anything, Tanishq speaks up, "Yes, Dadi! You should go and bring Mumma's breakfast because she is feeling weak and can't walk all the way there. And I'm just a little kid, so I won't be able to do it either. So, please, you go and bring it for her!"
Listening to him, Yamini Ji gets up angrily and snaps, "You're just a little kid, yet you talk so much! Your mother must have taught you all this nonsense. Do I look like a servant to your mother, that I should bring breakfast for her? And anyway, she is alive, not dead, that she can't even get her own food!"
Hearing her words, tears well up in Sarika's eyes. But before she can say anything, Tanishq steps forward in anger, stands in front of Yamini Ji, and firmly says, "You said it today, Dadi, but if you ever say such things about my mumma again, I will tell Papa everything!"
Saying this, he grabs Sarika's hand and takes her to the kitchen.
Watching them leave, Yamini Ji grits her teeth in anger and mutters, "This boy is getting out of hand. And it's all because of that woman. I won't let this slide! If I don't make her life a living hell, then my name isn't Yamini Chaudhary!"
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Sorry for the short update. But I am really busy with my studies, still trying to give updates on time.