Post pasta, they decided to take a nap.
Aradhya came to her room, changed into her worn-out pajama set, flopped onto the bed, and stared at the ceiling fan spinning like her thoughts.
Then, out of impulse—and maybe a little desperation—she hit video call on the family group chat.
Her mother picked up in 2 rings.
"Aradhyaaa! Tujhe ab yaad aayi gharwalo ki ?" came from her dramatic mother, the screen shaking as she fumbled to adjust the camera.
Aradhya, voice tired but eyes soft-"Main har din yaad karti hoon, bas signal aur sanity dono saath nhi dete,".
Her dad popped into the frame. "Arey, Dr. Madam! Finally mil gaya time aapko.
"Oh please paa ," Aradhya grinned. "You guys are the VIPs in my patient list. Emotional ICU patients."
Her mother narrowed her eyes. "Tu thak gayi lagti hai. Chehra dekh. Aankhon ke neeche kitne darkcircles ho gye.Neend poori ho rahi hai na teri".
Aradhya-"Of course, I get a solid......2 hours on chairs, 45 minutes on benches, and the occasional nap against a ward wall."
"Aradhya!" her mom scolded. "Yeh koi majaak krne ki baat huyi".
"Okay okay. Gussa nhi karo mumma, ho jati h meri need poori, " Aradhya lied, crossing her fingers.
Her dad spoke softer now. "Kaise ho aap bacha.........sachi wala batana,
She hesitated for a beat. Then shrugged. "It's... hard. Some days I feel like I've got it all figured out. Then one patient crashes, or a consultant tears me apart, or I just forget to eat and suddenly I'm crying in the washroom over a broken pen."
A silence fell. Heavy, but comforting.
"Then why don't you take a break? Come home this weekend? Just for two days," her mother said. "I'll make your favourite dosa with nariyal wali chatni ."
"Yaar aese tempt mat karo. My stomach already sent me a resignation letter."
"Come na," her mother's voice softened, almost breaking. "We miss you."
She blinked fast. "I miss you too. Especially when the canteen serves watery dal and calls it dinner."
Her dad smiled gently. "We're proud of you. But you don't always have to be strong, okay? Cry if you have to. Eat junk if it helps. Just don't forget- this too will pass."
Aradhya let out a small sniffle, laughing and wiping her face with the back of her hand. "Ugh. I hate how you two always make me cry."
"Good. It means we still matter more than your stethoscope, " her mom smirked.
"Barely. That stethoscope doesn't yell at me for forgetting to call."
"Beta, ab bas. Neend le le. Or else kal phir chudail jaisi lagegi rounds mein."
Aradhya grinned. "I already do, ab toh makeup ne bhi haar maan li h".
They all laughed.
The call ended. The room felt a little warmer. A little quieter. A little more like home.
She curled up in bed, phone by her side, heart full.
Some days, all she needed was a "dosa with nariyal chatni" promise, a dramatic scolding, and a video call full of love.
10:30 PM-Self care?Barely.Skin care?Definitely.
Aradhya and Mihika were sitting on the floor in face masks that promise glow but deliver only false hope. (ye kaam toh uska ex bhi kr leta tha, mask ki kya jarurat, although uska ex bhi mask me he tha- the too good to be true mask🤭)
Aradhya adjusted her face mask- "You know, this mask is supposed to unclog my pores. Can it unclog my career path too?"
"Only if you add multani mitti to your thesis," Mihika shot back without missing a beat. She stretched out on the bed, already making herself comfortable. "And I am sleeping in your room today kyuki abhi tere room se apne room tak chal kar jaana, too much work and effort. Mujhse na hoga."
Aradhya chuckled, shaking her head- "Now we can't call Ritvik na, who would lift you in his arms like a Bollywood heroine and take you to your room."
(Ritvik- Mihika's boyfriend for the past two years).
20 Minutes later, both of them were lieing in bed, the room quiet now. Just fairy lights blinking and hearts whispering things we'd never say aloud in daylight.
"Do you think I'm enough?" Aradhya whispers.
Mihika turns to her- "More than enough. You're everything. And I love all of it—even the unhinged bits."
Aradhya doesn't reply. Just squeezes her hand. That's enough for tonight.
-End of chapter.
-what do you think about Aradhya's bond with her family . Should I add more such scenes.
-What do you think next chapter is gonna about?Any guesses.
-Are you people liking the story,if yes toh comments krdo na and if not than what is it that it's lacking or I should change in it, give suggestions.
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