The doctor and nurse instinctively stepped aside as the man entered —tall, broad-shouldered, and probably in his early thirties. His face was handsome in a way that didn’t feel real like one of those actors in an expensive perfume ad. But his expression? That was very real.

Worried. Relieved. A little broken. A little hopeful. A storm of emotions crashing behind dark, tired eyes. But today, his face was a mix of tangled emotions: worry, relief, joy… and something deeper. Something that made it feel like this moment mattered more than anyone else in the room understood.

The doctor nodded at him, polite but firm.

“Mr. Viraf, Mrs. Vanika is awake. But please… give me some space so I can continue my examination.”

Vanika blinked, dazed, confused, and a little alarmed.

Mrs. Vanika?

Mr. Viraf? Vanika blinked at the scene unfolding in front of her.

She looked between them, her heart picking up pace as her gaze locked on the man who had just entered. There was something in his eyes when he looked at her — something protective, almost sacred. Like she was something precious. Something his.

Her head was aching, her limbs still heavy, but her brain was running wild. Who is this man? Why is he here? And why does he look like he just found something he thought he'd lost forever?

Her wide eyes followed him as he stepped closer to her bed.

His gaze roamed from her toes to her face, checking every inch like he couldn’t believe she was really there. His voice broke slightly when he finally spoke.

Her wide eyes followed him as he stepped closer to her bed.

His gaze roamed from her toes to her face, checking every inch like he couldn’t believe she was really there. His voice broke slightly when he finally spoke.

“Mom… how are you feeling?”

Vanika froze.

Her heart skipped a beat — and not the romantic kind.

“Kya bola tumne?!” she burst out, eyes snapping wide open.

Up until that second, she had been too overwhelmed to process anything. But now, all her focus was on one horrifying word: Mom.

He called me… mom? She looked around like cameras would pop out any second and someone would yell prank show.