A soft beam of sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, warming my skin. My eyes fluttered open, slow and heavy, my body feeling sore and strangely weighted. I blinked a few times, trying to take in my surroundings — unfamiliar sheets, a faint musky scent, and the gentle rhythm of someone breathing beside me.
I turned my head slightly.
Vishal.
He was lying on his back, one arm resting above his head, hair tousled from sleep. The sight made my heart stutter — not from affection, but confusion. Why was I here? In this bed?
I looked down at myself. A black shirt clung to my body — oversized, likely Vishal's. The soreness between my legs suddenly made sense, and yet... my mind was blank. No flashes of the night before. No memories. Nothing.
I swallowed hard and shifted slightly, biting my lip against the ache. Before I could think more, Vishal stirred beside me, his eyes slowly opening. He looked at me, his expression unreadable.
"What... happened last night?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He stretched slightly, then looked over at me casually. "Nothing much. We just... consummated," he said simply.
My breath caught.
We what?
My heart pounded in my chest, a cold chill washing over me. This... this was something huge. Something I should remember. Something that should've meant something. But all I had was an empty space where the memory should be.
Still, I forced a nod. "Oh..."
I sat up slowly, wincing at the sharp sting that ran through my lower body. Pain. Real pain. I clutched the sheet around me and glanced away. "We should go home," I muttered, not meeting his eyes.
Vishal nodded without hesitation. He got up from the bed and started getting dressed, his movements calm, almost indifferent. I tried to stand too, gritting my teeth as I pushed past the soreness. Every step was uncomfortable, but I managed. I didn't want to show weakness—not now. I got dressed.
We left the room in silence.
Once we got home, I headed straight for the bathroom and turned on the shower. As warm water cascaded down my body, the tension slowly began to melt away. The ache eased, but the emptiness inside didn't.
I leaned my head against the cold tiles, trying to recall anything—a touch, a whisper, a kiss—but there was nothing. Just a blank space where a memory should've lived.
Still, I told myself not to overthink it.
Maybe it was better not to.
The cold air of the hospital greeted me the moment I stepped inside, brushing against my cheeks like a silent reminder — this was reality. The echo of footsteps, the distant buzz of machines, nurses calling out updates, and the sharp scent of antiseptic. All of it felt like home... or at least, safer than the thoughts clawing at the back of my mind.
I clutched the strap of my bag tightly, forcing my body to move on autopilot. My lower body still ached from last night, but I had work to do. I was Dr. Tara Kapoor sorry Dr. Tara Vishal Khanna here — not the confused woman who couldn't remember what had happened between her and her husband just hours ago.
I headed straight for the locker room and changed into my coat, tying my hair up quickly. The mirror caught my eyes—tired, distant, not the usual me. Snap out of it, I told myself.
"Oye madam!"
I turned at the voice that could pull me out of anything.
"Asha," I breathed, and a small smile finally touched my lips.
She walked in, her signature energy lighting up the dull room. Long ponytail, oversized tote bag on one arm, and her classic no-nonsense expression that always gave me comfort. She looked at me for a second — really looked — and the smile on her face faded just a little.
"Tu thik hai na?" she asked softly, stepping closer. (Are you okay?)
I hesitated.
"Tara?" she pressed, concern deepening. "Kya hua? Tera chehra bata raha hai kuch toh gadbad hai." (What happened? Your face says something's wrong.)
I let out a shaky breath and leaned against the locker. "Bas... kal raat kuch yaad nahi," I admitted. (Just... I don't remember anything from last night.)
She blinked. "Kya matlab yaad nahi? Vishal ke saath thi na?" (What do you mean you don't remember? You were with Vishal, right?)
I nodded slowly, arms crossed over my chest. "Subah uthi toh uske saath thi... aur usne kaha ki humne... consummate kiya." (When I woke up, I was with him... and he said we consummated.)
Asha's eyes widened. "What?! Tumhe kuch yaad nahi? Not even a moment?" (You don't remember anything?)
"Nothing," I whispered.
For a moment, there was silence. Asha reached out and held my hand, her grip warm and grounding.
"Tara... tu sure hai? Kuch bhi yaad nahi aata?" she asked gently. (Tara, are you sure? You don't remember anything at all?)
"Ek bhi pal nahi. Sirf pain... aur confusion." (Not even a second. Just pain... and confusion.)
Asha's expression hardened, the way it did whenever she smelled something wrong. "Usne kuch diya toh nahi tha tujhe? Drink mein?" (Did he give you something? In your drink?)
I shook my head, even though I wasn't sure. "I don't know. Vishal ne bas bola 'nothing much, we just consummated.' Jaise ki... jaise itna normal ho." (I don't know. Vishal just said 'nothing much, we just consummated.' Like... like it was normal.)
Asha clenched her jaw. "That's not okay. Agar tu us waqt consent nahi de paayi, toh—" (If you couldn't consent at that time, then—)
"Main nahi jaanti, Asha," I interrupted, voice cracking. "Mujhe sirf... ghar jaana tha. Door jaana tha wahan se." (I don't know, Asha. I just... wanted to go home. To get away from there.)
She sighed deeply, wrapping her arms around me. "Main hoon na? Jo bhi hai, hum saath handle karenge. Tu akeli nahi hai, samjhi?" (I'm here, okay? Whatever it is, we'll handle it together. You're not alone, understood?)
I closed my eyes and hugged her tightly. For a second, I could breathe.
Then she pulled back and smirked a little, trying to lighten the mood. "Chal, rounds mein chalte hain. Aarav firse paper plane leke chilla raha hoga." (Come on, let's go on rounds. Aarav must be screaming with paper planes again.)
I laughed weakly. "Woh mujhe dekhte hi complain karega ke nurse uska plane le gayi." (He'll complain the moment he sees me that a nurse took his plane.)
We walked together down the corridor, her presence like a shield against everything I was trying not to think about. Work was waiting. And even if I didn't have all the answers yet... I wasn't alone.
Not as long as Asha was beside me.
Tara and Asha were on their rounds, checking up on patients as part of their fast task for the day. One by one, they attended to each patient, but they had to spend a little longer with one particular child—Aarav, a seven-year-old boy. He had been admitted for almost two months due to Congenital Heart Disease, and over this time, Tara and Asha had developed a sweet, tender bond with him.
"Asha di! Tara di!" Aarav exclaimed excitedly, throwing his little arms around them. Both Asha and Tara laughed, their hearts melting at his pure joy.
"Hi, brave boy! How are you doing now?" Tara asked gently, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. Aarav obediently sat on his bed, careful not to move too much as he wasn't allowed to be too active.
"I'm totally fine. What about you guys?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with innocence.
"We're fine too, Aarav. So, you've been a good boy, right?" Asha said, smiling warmly. Aarav nodded proudly.
"Haan, maine bilkul bhi shararat nahi ki. Mumma ko pucho," Aarav said. (Yes, I didn't do any mischief at all. Ask Mumma.) His mother was sitting beside him, smiling softly at her son.
"Mrs. Chauhan, Aarav is doing well now. Dr. Veer will run some tests again today and then let you know the necessary details," Tara explained carefully, noting the concern in Mrs. Chauhan's eyes.
"Thik hai beta," Mrs. Chauhan replied. (Okay, dear.)
"Toh ab hum chalte hain. Apna dhyaan rakhna, thik hai?" Asha said, gently patting Aarav's head and smoothing the blanket over him. (So now we have to go. Take care of yourself, okay?)
"Lekin itni jaldi kyun?" Aarav pouted, his puppy eyes glistening with sadness. (But why so soon?)
"Aww, baby ko bura laga," Asha murmured, her heart aching. (Aww, baby feels sad.)
"We have to go for the operation now, beta, but we'll spend more time with you soon, okay?" Tara said softly, kneeling to meet his gaze. She gave him a reassuring smile and ruffled his hair gently. Aarav nodded this time, a small but brave smile forming on his lips.
As Tara and Asha left the room, Aarav watched them go, clutching his blanket a little tighter. The air felt heavy with anticipation, yet the warmth of their presence lingered, giving him courage.
Tara and Asha then went to get ready for the operation, hearts heavy but hopeful, praying that their little brave boy would come through safely.
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