Not Important Enough
578 Words
Chapter 5 — Not Important Enough
It started with something small.
Something ordinary.
Something that shouldn’t have mattered.
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Aarohi Sharma was sick.
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At first, it was just a faint headache.
A little dizziness.
Nothing serious.
Nothing worth mentioning.
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So she ignored it.
Because she didn’t want to make a scene.
Because she didn’t want to be a burden.
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But by evening—
It got worse.
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Her body felt unusually heavy, as if every movement required more effort than it should.
Her vision blurred at the edges, the world around her slightly unsteady.
Even standing felt difficult.
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Aarohi placed a hand against the wall, steadying herself as she slowly made her way toward the living room.
Each step uncertain.
Careful.
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Maybe…
Maybe she should tell him.
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Armaan Malhotra was there.
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Sitting on the couch, going through a stack of files, completely absorbed in his work.
Calm.
Focused.
Unbothered.
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Like always.
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Aarohi stood there for a moment, watching him in silence.
Hesitating.
Thinking.
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He’s your husband.
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The thought came quietly.
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You can ask him for help.
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“…Can you take me to the hospital?”
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Her voice came out softer than she intended.
Almost fragile.
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Armaan didn’t respond.
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Didn’t look up.
Didn’t acknowledge her presence.
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Aarohi swallowed, taking a small step forward.
“I’m not feeling well…”
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Still nothing.
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For a brief moment, she wondered if he had even heard her.
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“…Please.”
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That made him pause.
Just slightly.
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But when he finally spoke—
It wasn’t what she expected.
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“Call the driver.”
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That was it.
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Aarohi stood there, staring at him.
Waiting.
Hoping—
He would say something else.
Anything.
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Are you okay?
What happened?
Sit down.
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But nothing came.
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“I…” she hesitated. “I don’t think I can go alone.”
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This time—
He looked up.
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Finally.
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But there was no concern in his eyes.
No worry.
No care.
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Only impatience.
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“I have work.”
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Three words.
Simple.
Clear.
Final.
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Her fingers tightened slightly at her sides.
“…It will only take a little time.”
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She hated how her voice sounded.
Weak.
Unsteady.
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Like she was begging.
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Armaan’s expression hardened.
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“Don’t make this more complicated than it needs to be.”
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Something inside her fell quiet.
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“I’m not asking for much,” Aarohi said softly.
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“You’re asking for my time.”
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Silence.
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And just like that—
She understood.
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She wasn’t important enough for his time.
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“…I see.”
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Aarohi nodded slowly, even though her head felt heavy, her balance unsteady.
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“I’ll call the driver.”
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She turned away before he could see her face.
Before he could see what was left of her breaking.
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Step by step, she walked back toward her room.
Each step heavier than the last.
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She didn’t call the driver.
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She simply sat down on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor.
Too tired to move.
Too tired to think.
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Maybe it wasn’t the fever.
Maybe it wasn’t the dizziness.
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Maybe it was just—
Everything.
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And for the first time—
Aarohi didn’t feel like asking for help anymore.
- Writer
