Her

I woke up slowly, my head heavy, the steady beeping of machines beside me grounding me back to consciousness. The room was still, and the faint smell of antiseptic lingered. I blinked, adjusting to the dim hospital lights, and noticed Bhaiya slumped in a chair next to my bed, asleep.

A muffled conversation drifted through the door.

"She wasn't given any food or water during her captivity, so her system's a bit weak," a voice said. "But she's responding well now."

"When can I expect she'll wake up?" a familiar voice asked-Dante's.

"Anytime soon," the doctor replied.

A few moments later, the door opened, and Dante walked in, his tired face instantly softening when he saw me awake. He crossed the room in a few long strides, his eyes scanning over me with concern.

"You okay?" he asked quietly, his voice a soothing anchor amid the haze of the last few days.

I nodded, managing a small smile. "Yeah, I'm much better."

He exhaled, tension easing from his shoulders, and we sat in silence for a moment until I decided to break it.

"So, Mr. Grump, how are you feeling?" I asked, holding my fist up as a pretend microphone. "How does it feel to be a free man?"

A faint smile tugging at his lips. "Never felt better in my life. They're finally in prison, and the children... they're safe."

"You got the kids?" I asked, feeling a spark of joy break through my exhaustion.

He nodded, taking my hands in his. "Yep. They'll get a chance at a real childhood now."

Just then, Bhaiya stirred, his eyes blinking open as he noticed us. He quickly scanned me, his expression softening with relief.

"Tara, you okay?"

I nodded, smiling at him. "Yes, yes, I'm fine."

He glanced at Dante's hand holding mine, and an unspoken understanding passed between us. Dante noticed it too and gently released my hand, stepping back.

"I'll go find the doctor and ask when you can be discharged," Bhaiya said, leaving the two of us alone.

"I'm sorry, Tara," Dante said softly, breaking the silence.

I raised an eyebrow, confused. "What? Why?"

He shifted, his gaze dropping. "Everything that happened... it's because of me."

I reached up, cupping his face, pulling him back to look at me. "Dante, it wasn't your fault. You couldn't have known I'd be kidnapped."

"But we fought, and then-"

"Shh." I pressed a finger to his lips. "It's okay. Let's not dig up what's past."

I grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Actually, if you want to apologize, you should do it for all those times you were a pain in my ass during the redesigning project."

He laughed, shaking his head. "You really are a Petardo."

He gently kissed my forehead, his lips lingering as he whispered, "Now rest, while Arjun and I handle the hospital formalities, hmm?"

I closed my eyes, his warmth lingering as I drifted off.

---

The drive back to Richmond was nothing but awkward, filled with a heavy silence that felt thicker with each passing mile. Bhaiya's gaze was fixed on the road, his jaw set, and I could tell he was holding back everything he wanted to say.

When we finally reached the house, I turned to Bhaiya as he took off his shoes by the door.

"You go to your room," he offered, his voice softer than usual. "I'll bring something to eat up to you."

I paused. "Did you... tell Ma everything?"

His face tightened as he nodded. "Yes. She's worried, Tara. She wants you to come back to Kolkata as soon as possible."

I felt a pang at the thought. "Then I'll go back next week," I murmured, turning toward my room, my steps slower than usual.

A while later, he entered my room with a tray of food, setting it down carefully on my bedside table. I looked up at him, but his gaze had an edge to it, one I hadn't seen in years.

He sat down on the chair across from my bed, exhaling deeply. "You should eat, Tara."

I reached for the tray, poking at the food more than eating it, hoping he wouldn't start a lecture. But his silence felt even heavier than words, and eventually, I broke the quiet. "Bhaiya... you're upset with Dante, aren't you?"

His jaw tightened, and he looked away before he replied. "I won't deny it. He's the reason you got dragged into all this mess, Tara. If it weren't for him-"

"If it weren't for him," I cut in gently, "I might not have been found. He risked everything to bring me back safely, Bhaiya."

He leaned forward, his expression softening slightly. "I know. I know he's done right by you, in some ways. But it's hard for me to just overlook everything because of that. When I think about what you went through, about what could've happened..."

I placed a hand on his arm. "Bhaiya, I get it. And I know it wasn't easy for you to watch this happen from the outside. But Dante... he didn't want any of this, either. He's been through so much."

Arjun's gaze softened, but the tension was still there. "I get it, Tara. I do. I don't hate him, I just... I don't know if I can trust him with you. But I'll be civil. For you. And for QuantumTech."

"Thank you," I whispered, feeling a strange sense of relief.

We sat in a calm, understanding silence for a while before he finally urged, "Now, please, eat. You need your strength, and Ma will kill me if I send you back weaker than when you left."

I smiled and took a small bite, grateful for his presence.