🎵 Song: O Rangrez – Instrumental Version

"Sometimes...

care isn't shown through grand gestures.

Sometimes...

it begins with a simple question—

'How is she now?'"

The final school bell rang.

Students poured out of the school gates, chatting excitedly about homework, weekend plans, and football practice.

But for Reyansh...

His mind had been in only one place all day.

The Sharma house.

On the Way Home

Kabir noticed that his brother had been unusually quiet.

He walked beside Reyansh, swinging his school bag.

"Bhai?"

"Hmm?"

"You've been thinking about Aarohi Didi all day, haven't you?"

Reyansh looked at him.

"What makes you think that?"

Kabir smiled.

"Because you weren't even arguing with me."

Reyansh let out a small laugh.

"That's your proof?"

"It's enough."

He sighed before adding softly,

"I just hope she's okay."

Kabir nodded.

"Me too."

Sharma House

Meanwhile...

Things were not as calm.

Aarohi's fever had increased since morning.

She lay under a blanket, her face noticeably pale.

Tiny beads of sweat covered her forehead.

Even opening her eyes felt exhausting.

Nandini sat beside her with a bowl of cold water.

She gently placed a wet cloth on Aarohi's forehead.

"My poor girl..."

Aarohi slowly opened her eyes.

"Maa..."

"I'm here."

"I'm sorry..."

Nandini immediately held her hand.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I spoiled everyone's day."

Nandini smiled lovingly.

"You never spoil anything."

"You just need to get better."

Anaya quietly stood near the bedroom door.

She had never liked seeing her sister sick.

Usually...

Aarohi was the one taking care of everyone.

Seeing her so weak...

Made Anaya's heart ache.

"Didi..."

Aarohi gave her a faint smile.

"I'll be okay."

Anaya nodded...

But she wasn't convinced.

Rajeev entered the room after speaking with the family doctor on the phone.

"The doctor says the fever is quite high because of exhaustion."

"He'll come in the evening if it doesn't come down."

Nandini nodded.

"We'll keep monitoring her."

Aarohi closed her eyes again.

Her head felt unbearably heavy.

Even the light from the window seemed too bright.

She quietly curled closer into the blanket.

Malhotra House

Later that evening...

Reyansh and Kabir returned home.

The moment they entered...

Meera noticed their unusually serious faces.

"What happened?"

Kabir answered first.

"Mumma..."

"Aarohi Didi still has a high fever."

Meera's smile disappeared.

"Oh dear..."

"Is she alright?"

Kabir shook his head.

"She looked really sick this morning."

Reyansh placed his school bag on the sofa.

"The fever hasn't gone down."

Meera looked worried.

"Did Anaya tell you?"

Reyansh nodded once.

Just then...

Vikram walked into the living room after finishing a work call.

"What are we discussing?"

Meera looked at him.

"Aarohi has a high fever."

Vikram's expression immediately changed.

"Rajeev's daughter?"

"Yes."

He sighed.

"Poor child."

For a few moments...

Silence filled the room.

Then Kabir spoke.

"Mumma..."

"Can we go and see her?"

Meera looked toward Vikram.

He smiled gently.

"Of course."

"They're family."

"We should check on her."

Meera nodded.

"I'll make some fresh soup first."

"And take some fruits."

Kabir immediately smiled.

"I'll help!"

Meera laughed softly.

"You'll mostly eat the fruits."

"I won't!"

Reyansh finally spoke.

"I'll carry everything."

Meera looked at her elder son.

For a brief second...

She noticed something different in his voice.

Concern.

Real concern.

She smiled to herself.

Without saying anything.

Across the Street

Inside the Sharma house...

The atmosphere was quiet.

The curtains were half closed.

The lights were dim.

Everything had become peaceful so Aarohi could rest.

Nandini checked Aarohi's temperature again.

She frowned slightly.

"It has increased..."

Rajeev looked worried.

"The doctor should come soon."

Aarohi shifted uncomfortably in her sleep.

Her breathing had become slightly heavier because of the fever.

She whispered something softly.

It was barely audible.

Nandini leaned closer.

"What did you say, beta?"

But Aarohi had already fallen back into an uneasy sleep.

Just then...

The doorbell rang.

Ding Dong.

Anaya quickly ran downstairs.

"I'll open it!"

She opened the door.

Standing outside...

Were the Malhotras.

Meera held a flask of homemade soup.

Kabir carried a fruit basket.

Vikram smiled warmly.

And beside them...

Stood Reyansh.

His usual carefree smile was missing.

Instead...

His eyes instinctively searched the house.

As if hoping to catch a glimpse of someone.

Anaya's face brightened.

"Aunty!"

Meera gently hugged her.

"How is your sister now?"

Anaya's smile faded a little.

"The fever is still very high."

Kabir immediately looked worried.

"She isn't better yet?"

Anaya shook her head.

"No..."

Reyansh quietly tightened his grip on the fruit basket.

For the first time...

Hearing those words made his chest feel strangely heavy.

He looked toward the staircase leading to Aarohi's room.

Without saying a single word.

Because somewhere upstairs...

His Ocean...

Was fighting a fever.

And for the first time...

Reyansh Malhotra realized...

There was something he hated more than losing a football match.

Seeing her unwell.

End of Chapter 35 🌊🤍