Tangled Hearts

Chapter 13 - The Fall

“Rhea!” Sonia’s scream echoed through the wide marble-floored living room as she watched Rhea tumble down the grand staircase. Her heart froze in her chest. Without another thought, she ran toward her.

From upstairs, Maya, Raj, and Aryan rushed out of their rooms the moment they heard Sonia’s terrified voice.

By the time Sonia reached the bottom of the staircase, Rhea was lying still, unconscious, her soft curls spilling across the polished white floor. Sonia dropped to her knees, pulling Rhea’s head into her lap, her trembling hands gently patting her cheeks.

“Rhea, sweetheart, wake up… please, open your eyes!” Sonia’s voice cracked as tears welled in her eyes.

Aryan’s heart stopped when he saw her. He did not even think — he leapt down the last few steps two at a time. “What happened to her?!” he demanded, kneeling beside them, panic flickering in his usually composed expression.

“She fell down the stairs,” Sonia said breathlessly, still tapping Rhea’s cheeks.

“Aryan, take her to her room. I will call the doctor!” Raj’s commanding voice broke through the chaos as he quickly pulled out his phone.

Without hesitation, Aryan scooped Rhea into his arms. Her head fell softly against his chest, her skin pale and cold. Fear tightened his chest as he carried her upstairs. Sonia and Maya followed close behind, whispering prayers.

---

Minutes later, the doctor examined Rhea as the family waited anxiously. Sonia sat beside Rhea’s bed, clutching her hand, her eyes glistening. Maya stood near the window, silently praying, her fingers moving over her prayer beads. Raj paced across the room, tension evident in his furrowed brows.

Aryan stood near the bedpost, silent, his gaze fixed on Rhea’s still face. He tried to keep his emotions in check, but inside, his heart felt like it was being crushed under a thousand thoughts — fear, guilt, helplessness.

After what felt like hours, the doctor finally turned toward them with a reassuring smile.

“Nothing serious,” he said gently. “She is perfectly fine. Looks like she has not eaten all day, and the shock from the fall caused her to faint. A few hours of rest and she will be completely alright.”

A collective sigh of relief filled the room.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Raj said, his shoulders finally relaxing. “We will take good care of her.”

The doctor nodded and left. Still, no one wanted to leave Rhea’s side. They all stayed there, waiting for her to wake up.

---

A few minutes later, Rhea stirred. Her eyelashes fluttered open, and she blinked against the soft golden light filtering through her bedroom curtains. As her vision cleared, she saw Sonia, Raj, and Maya watching her with concern.

“What… happened?” she asked weakly, trying to sit up.

“Thank God, you are alright,” Sonia said, her voice thick with emotion as she caressed Rhea’s hair. “You scared us half to death.”

“What did I do?” Rhea asked innocently, confusion clouding her expression.

Aryan, who had been silent until then, finally spoke — his tone edged with sarcasm but his eyes betraying relief. “You just performed a stunt show on the stairs.”

“Aryan!” Sonia scolded sharply.

“Mom, stop taking her side all the time,” Aryan shot back, frustration bubbling over. “It is because of your constant pampering that she is so careless!”

Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the room.

Rhea frowned slightly, watching him leave, hurt flashing across her face. She did not understand why he always got so angry so easily.

“Rhea,” Raj said seriously, “you need to take better care of yourself. Eat on time. If something happens to you, how will I ever answer your dad?”

“I’m sorry, dad,” she whispered, guilt washing over her.

Raj sighed and placed a comforting hand on her head. “Just rest for now.”

“You have not eaten since morning,” Sonia added gently. “You must be starving. I will bring you something.” She got up and went to the kitchen, leaving Maya and Raj to step out quietly as well, giving Rhea some space.

Rhea closed her eyes, but Aryan’s angry words kept echoing in her mind. I was not feeling well, and he still shouted at me… she thought, pouting slightly, feeling a pang of sadness.

---

A few hours later…

Aryan returned home after driving aimlessly around Los Angeles for hours. The evening sky outside was tinted orange and pink, the city lights slowly coming alive. His mind, though, was still tangled in worry. He had left home in frustration — but the truth was, he could not bear to see Rhea unconscious like that.

When he walked back into the living room, he saw Sonia sitting on the couch with Rhea beside her, a faint smile returning to her face. Relief washed over him. She looked better — color had returned to her cheeks, and she was talking softly to her mother.

“Where have you been all this while?” Sonia asked, glancing up.

“Just out with some friends,” Aryan replied casually, though his gaze kept drifting toward Rhea.

“I will serve dinner in a minute,” Sonia said, slicing apples for Rhea.

“It’s okay, Mom. I already ate,” Aryan replied.

Rhea’s eyes caught the small ice cream bag in his hand. “You bought ice cream!” she exclaimed, her face lighting up.

“Not for you,” Aryan replied flatly, though the corner of his lips twitched ever so slightly.

Rhea pouted, leaning back against the couch. “I’m still recovering. You are supposed to take care of me.”

“But you do not look like someone who’s unwell anymore,” he said teasingly.

“Mom…” Rhea turned to Sonia with a dramatic pout.

Sonia hid a smile, glancing at Aryan and then at the bag in his hand. “Aryan,” she said knowingly, “you have never liked chocolate ice cream. You must have bought it for Rhea, right?”

Aryan froze for a second, caught off guard by her sharp intuition.

“Oh! Then it is for me,” Rhea said, beaming as she grabbed the bag and opened it gleefully.

“Mom, are you sure I’m actually your son?” Aryan asked, half-joking, half-serious.

Sonia laughed. “Why would you say that?”

“Because you always take her side,” he said, crossing his arms with mock indignation.

“Don’t be jealous,” Sonia chuckled. “When the time comes, I will take your side too.”

“I don’t think that time will ever come,” Aryan muttered, shaking his head as he stood up.

“Aryan, at least have some fruit,” Sonia called after him.

“Feed it to your little princess,” he replied dryly as he walked upstairs.

Sonia sighed. “This guy…” she murmured, shaking her head.

“He is just being dramatic,” Rhea said playfully between spoonfuls of ice cream.

Sonia chuckled. “I really don’t know what the two of you will do when you end up married someday.”

Rhea froze, mid-bite, her eyes wide and cheeks instantly flushing.

“W-what did you say?” she stammered.

“Nothing,” Sonia said innocently. “Just a thought.”

“M-Mom, I’m going to bed. Good night!” Rhea blurted, jumping up and rushing toward her room, her heart racing.

Sonia watched her go, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “I just hope you two realize what you mean to each other,” she whispered softly, sending a silent prayer into the quiet night.