"By the way… after all this drama, we still don’t know each other’s names!"

  Aniket said with a dramatic eye-roll, as if he'd just dropped a truth bomb. ??

  Rudra laughed, extending his hand."True that! I’m Rudra… Rudra Malhotra. Director of this hospital!"

  Just as Aniket reached to shake hands, he froze mid-air at the word ‘Director’, and quickly pulled his hand back.

  "Wait what?! Director?! You don’t even look old enough! Are you sure this isn't a school project?!"

  Rudra chuckled. "I swear, I’m not that old! I’m just 29! After my dad passed away suddenly, they made me director. So yeah, I really am the boss here… and still single, thank you very much!"

  Aniket leaned back dramatically, like he was soaking in juicy gossip. "Ohhh… so, found someone special yet? Or are you still wandering around like a bachelor in a Netflix rom-com?"

  Rudra raised an eyebrow and said, "Until now, you was just dodging the disease called love, and now you want to know my love story?"

  Aniket, acting like a nosy little kid, pouted. "I just blurt out nonsense, okay! But come on… your face is glowing like someone’s got a crush!"

  Rudra started walking away, grinning. "Let’s first figure out peace for your lover friend, and then we’ll sip chai and I’ll tell you my entire tragic rom-com!"

  Aniket followed behind, waving a finger. "Deal!! But this is now a promise, okay?! And by the way, I’m Aniket!"

  Rudra laughed like an old friend. "Yes yes! Consider it a gentleman’s promise, Mr. Aniket!"

  Like long-lost bros reunited by fate, Rudra and Aniket walked downstairs together, chatting as if they’d been friends forever. They entered Saaniya’s room… only to find it completely empty.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  They looked at each other, both saying at once, "So... our first mission starts here!"

  They split up and began searching for her across the hospital. But even after a long hunt, no luck.

  Eventually, they ended up back outside Saaniya’s cabin.

  Aniket’s phone rang.

  Looking at the screen, he said to Rudra, "Great! Now our beloved boss, is calling!"

  He picked up the call."Hello, Aniket… come back. You don’t need to bring Saaniya anymore."

  Aniket froze.

  "What?! What do you mean I don’t need to?! What happened now?!"

  "I can’t explain over the phone. Just come to my place. I’ll tell you everything," Aditya replied and… hung up before Aniket could utter a word.

  Aniket looked at his phone, fuming.

  "That jerk… that idiot… that donkey! I’m like his full-time unpaid servant!"

  Rudra placed a hand on his shoulder.

  "What happened, man?"

  And like a true drama king, Aniket threw himself on Rudra’s shoulder, fake-sobbing. "No one cares about me! I tried so hard to find Saaniya for his love life’s peace… and now he says, ‘don’t bring her.’ I mean… WHAT IS MY PURPOSE?!"

  Just then, a voice from behind said,

  "Who doesn’t need to be brought, Aniket?"

  Both Rudra and Aniket turned slowly… and yup, he was still clinging to Rudra like a toddler.

  Saaniya stood there, arms crossed, eyebrow raised.

  "And… why are you hugging the hospital director like that? Not that it’s unusual for you. But Mr. Malhotra, since when did you start offering free disasters as emotional support?"

  Rudra and Aniket quickly shoved each other away like guilty kids caught stealing cookies.

  Rudra walked toward Saaniya. "Hey—hey—whatever you're thinking, it’s not like that!"

  Saaniya smirked and tilted her head. "I wasn’t thinking anything… but now that you’ve said that, maybe I should start?"

  Rudra tried to explain, but Aniket turned away with folded arms. "Oh please! Think whatever you want. Who cares?!"

  Rudra whispered, "Bro, calm down. Don’t destroy my reputation. I’m still the Director here, remember?"

  Aniket, looking all innocent, replied, "Yeah, so what?! Why are you scared of a normal doctor?! Stand tall! Stop buttering up to her like a lost puppy!"

  Before Rudra could say anything, Saaniya jumped in, "Because unlike you, he has manners. And a little something called dignity! You? You’re out here hugging strangers like they’re long-lost teddy bears. Anyway… why did you even come?"

  Aniket huffed, "Why do you care?! I’m a problem, right? So stop talking to me!"

  Saaniya gave a sarcastic smile. "I would stay away from you. But somehow, the disaster always finds me! This isn’t some park you’re randomly strolling into! What are you here for? Got your bandage changed?"

  Aniket turned to leave. "I don’t want anything done."

  Saaniya caught his hand and dragged him toward her cabin. "Keep your ego to yourself! You’re getting that bandage changed, whether you like it or not!"

  Rudra stood behind them, smiling.

  But deep inside…

  Something in him cracked quietly.

  Without saying a word, he walked away.

  Meanwhile on the other side, Aditya is still tense.

  He brings his car out from the parking area and pulls it near the hotel gate, then rushes inside to get Anamika and Ruhi.

  But the moment he steps inside, Aditya is shocked by what he sees.

  What exactly did Aditya witness?!

  And the bigger question —

  Why did he suddenly cancel the plan of bringing Saaniya?

  And another…

  What hurt Rudra so much, and will Aniket ever truly understand Saaniya?