UNEXPECTED VOWS

part-73(getting proof)

The hospital corridors smelled faintly of antiseptic, sharp and sterile, the kind of smell that clung to the air and reminded everyone they were standing on the thin line between life and death.

The sharp click of Karan’s polished shoes echoed down the empty hallway as he carried Teju in his arms, her slight frame resting against his chest. Every protest she whispered only bounced off his stubborn silence.

Yuvi walked briskly ahead, her surgical kit swinging with each determined step. Behind them, Omi followed, his phone glued to his ear, voice clipped and urgent as he issued instructions to someone on the other end.

Teju shifted uncomfortably, her brows knitting together.

Teju (irritated, low): “Karan, this is ridiculous. Put me down. People are staring.”

KK (without sparing her a glance, voice hard): “Let them stare.”

Teju (frowning, insistent): “I can walk—”

KK (firm, final, leaving no space for argument): “Not happening.”

She let out a long sigh, realising it was useless to fight him. His jaw was set in that stubborn way she knew all too well — the one that meant no one in the world could change his mind.

At the OT doors, Yuvi pushed them open, the metallic hinges squeaking softly. Cool, sharp air spilled out instantly, carrying with it the faint metallic tang of disinfectant. Bright white lights flooded the space, glaring down on polished stainless steel surfaces. The steady beep of monitors filled the room with quiet urgency.

Karan bent down and lowered Teju gently onto a chair in the corner. His hands were careful, deliberate, as if she were something fragile and irreplaceable. He adjusted the pillow beneath her injured foot until it sat just right.

But the moment she was settled, her entire aura shifted. Her tone became calm, clipped, professional — the doctor in her rising above the pain.

Teju: “BP of the patient?”
Nurse: “130 over 85.”
Teju: “Is he fasting?”
Nurse: “Yes, since midnight.”
Teju: “Hemoglobin?”
Nurse: “13.2, ma’am.”

Teju gave a small nod, her mind already whirring, running through the surgical plan.

Moments later, Yuvi wheeled in the patient — a pale man, his breathing steady but his face drained of colour. He glanced at Teju, a faint nod of trust passing between doctor and patient before he was moved to the operating table.

Karan lingered just long enough to be certain Teju was okay. His eyes followed her — protective, unwilling to leave — before he finally turned and stepped out. The moment he left, the room felt emptier, as if a part of its strength had walked away with him.

---

He didn’t go far. His steps carried him straight to Teju’s cabin. The door was half-shut, the light inside dim. Omi was already there — laptop open, phone pressed to his ear, his expression tight with focus.

Karan pushed the door closed behind him. His voice, when he spoke, was cold, deliberate.
KK: “Omi… we start now. I’m done tolerating our dear Bua. This ends today.”

Omi’s mouth curved into a grim smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes.
Omi: “Bhai, I’ve already started. Look at this — documents, transactions, contacts. And there’s more coming. She’s crossed the line too many times… but hurting Bhabhi? That was her last mistake.”

Karan stepped closer, scanning the papers, photographs, and files scattered across the desk. His eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening.
KK: “Good. Keep digging. I’ll pull the CCTV footage. Once we have it, she won’t be able to deny a thing.”