AWAKE

RADHE RADHE READER'S. 

ENJOY THE CHAPTER.

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Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of the hospital room.

Abhimanyu slowly opened his eyes.

He blinked a few times before looking around. The white walls. The IV attached to his hand.

The familiar faces around him.

"Mumma..."

Meera, who hadn't slept the entire night, immediately held his hand. "You're awake, my baby."

Vikram walked to the bed and gently placed his hand on Abhimanyu's head. "How are you feeling, Champ?"

"My head is heavy..." Abhimanyu murmured. The doctor entered the room for his morning check-up.

He checked Abhimanyu's pulse, temperature and the allergy rashes. A smile appeared on his face. "Very good."

"The fever has started coming down, and the allergic reaction is under control."

Everyone finally relaxed.

"But he will remain under observation until tomorrow. If everything stays normal, he can go home." Abhimanyu sighed dramatically. "I don't like hospitals."

The doctor laughed. "Then recover quickly."

---

After the doctor left...

Rajendra lovingly kissed his grandson's forehead. "Our lion is back."

Savitri smiled with tears in her eyes. "You frightened your Dadi."

Pratap Singh Oberoi—whom Abhimanyu lovingly called  Dada Baba sa—walked closer.

He placed his wrinkled hand over Abhimanyu's tiny one. "My brave boy."

Abhimanyu smiled. "Dada Baba..."

"I'll come home tomorrow." Dada Baba nodded. "We're all waiting for you."

---

A little later...

The hospital room became lively. Aarav entered first with folded arms.

"So..."

"Because of you, nobody is laughing at home." Abhimanyu smiled weakly.

"Missed me?" Aarav smirked.

"Don't become overconfident."

"But yes..."

"The house is boring without you."

Aanya walked to the bed carrying a small box. "I made fruit pieces for you."

"You have to finish them." Abhimanyu looked at the bowl. "I don't want fruits."

Aanya raised an eyebrow. "I'm asking nicely."

"Don't make me feed you myself." Everyone laughed. Vivaan pulled a chair beside the bed. "You know what?"

"Our cricket team has officially suspended all matches."

"Our captain is in the hospital." Abhimanyu chuckled. "So nobody won without me?"

Vivaan grinned. "Exactly."

---

Anu rushed straight to the bed. "You idiot!"

"You scared all of us!" Before anyone could stop her...

She hugged Abhimanyu carefully.

Abhimanyu laughed softly.

"I'm okay now."

"You better be."

"I've been waiting to finish our match."

---

Rahul quietly entered the room behind them.

He had come with his siblings. He stood silently for a few seconds before walking towards the bed.

"Abhi..." Abhimanyu turned and smiled exactly the same way he always did.

"Rahul!"

"Come here." Rahul walked closer. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm much better now." Abhimanyu smiled. "Thanks for asking."

Rahul nodded. "That's good."

Outwardly...

He looked like a worried brother.

But inside...

His thoughts were completely different. "Everyone is smiling again..."

"Just because Abhimanyu opened his eyes." He looked around the room.

Aarav was adjusting Abhimanyu's pillow. Aanya was making sure he ate every bite. Vivaan was making him laugh. Anu refused to leave his side.

Dada Baba kept blessing him. "Why..."

"Why does everyone love only him?"

Rahul lowered his eyes, hiding the jealousy growing inside him.

---

That evening...

As always...

The daily family video call connected Delhi and Mumbai. The screen lit up.

The moment Ishika saw Abhimanyu sitting up on the hospital bed... She folded her arms.

"Maan."

Abhimanyu immediately smiled.

"Butte—"

"No."

She interrupted him. "You are not changing the topic."

"You scared everyone." Abhimanyu scratched the back of his neck.

"I didn't do it on purpose."

"Oh really?"

"So you decided to get admitted to the hospital for fun?"

Jai burst into laughter. "Ishi  has been angry since yesterday." Abhimanyu looked innocent.

"I'm sorry, Butterfly." Ishika tried to stay angry. She lasted exactly three seconds. Then her eyes became watery. "Don't do this again."

"You know how worried I was?"

Abhimanyu's smile softened.

"I'm sorry."

"I promise."

"I'll be more careful." Jai leaned into the camera. "And next time you feel sick..."

"You call us first."

"Understood?"

"Yes, Sir." Jai nodded proudly. "Good."

"Permission granted to recover."

Everyone laughed.

---

Devendra Kapoor smiled. "How's our champion?"

"Better, Dadu." Rajeshwari folded her hands in relief. "Bhagwan heard our prayers."

Suman looked at Mira. "Has he eaten?"

"Only a little."

"That's enough for today," Suman replied.

"He'll eat more tomorrow." Nandini smiled. "When he comes to Mumbai, I'll make all his favourites."

Riya excitedly showed another handmade card.

"I made this for you!"

Abhimanyu's face lit up.

"I love it, Riya."

Ishan pointed at the screen.

"The cricket bat is safe."

"No one has touched it."

Shanvi smiled.

"So recover fast."

"We're waiting."

---

On the sofa beside Ishika...

Filo lay unusually quiet.

The young black panther hadn't played since yesterday.

Her ears suddenly stood up the moment she heard Abhimanyu's voice through the phone.

She immediately lifted her head.

Her golden eyes remained fixed on the screen.

"Mrrr..."

Abhimanyu smiled brightly.

"Filo!"

The little panther stood up.

She walked right to the phone and sniffed the screen.

Then she gently touched it with her paw.

Instead of playing...

She let out a soft, worried sound.

"Mrr..."

Ishika gently stroked Filo's back.

"She hasn't been herself since yesterday."

Jai nodded.

"She keeps going to my room."

"And every time she comes back looking upset."

Rajeshwari smiled softly.

"I think she knows you're not home."

Ishika looked at Filo and then at Abhimanyu.

"Animals understand love differently."

"They may not speak..."

"But they always know when someone they love is missing."

Abhimanyu smiled warmly.

"I'll come home soon, Filo."

The little panther quietly lay down beside the phone again.

Her eyes never left Abhimanyu's face until the call ended.

---

After the call...

The room became quiet once more.

Everyone looked relieved after seeing Abhimanyu smiling again.

Only Rahul remained silent.

He had watched everything.

The way Ishika forgot her anger the moment Abhimanyu smiled.

The way Jai joked only to cheer him up.

The way both families looked at Abhimanyu with so much love.

Rahul clenched his fists behind his back.

"Even from another city..."

"They care only about him."

He forced a small smile so no one would notice.

But deep inside...

His jealousy had grown stronger than ever before.