My Innocent Wife

Ratna Singh Raizada was returning from the temple in her car, humming softly to herself. The traffic light ahead turned red, and her driver slowed to a halt. She looked outside the window idly when something caught her eye — a small white bunny lying injured on the road.

Her heart skipped a beat as she noticed a speeding truck approaching dangerously close. Without a second thought, Ratna pushed open the car door and rushed forward, her maternal instinct taking over. But before she could reach the poor creature, a young woman in a pink saree darted ahead, scooping the bunny into her arms just in time.

The girl, however, lost her balance and fell to the ground, shielding the bunny protectively. Thankfully, both were safe.

“Hey Bhagwan!” Ratna gasped and hurried to her side. She helped the girl sit up, but the young woman winced, unable to put weight on her ankle.

“My dear, your leg seems twisted,” Ratna said, worry creasing her forehead. “Wait here, I’ll call the driver to bring the car.”

The girl shook her head, smiling through the pain. “Aunty, please don’t worry. I can manage.”

Ratna smiled gently. “You’re hurt, beta. You need a doctor. Come, I’m taking you to my son’s hospital.”

Reluctantly, the girl nodded. Ratna helped her into the car. As they drove, the girl gently stroked the injured bunny in her lap, her touch soft and full of care. Ratna couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

“If you don’t mind, beta, can I know your name?” Ratna asked warmly.

The girl smiled shyly. “My name is Khushi Gupta.”

“Beautiful name,” Ratna said with a fond smile. “Just like you. I’m Ratna Singh Raizada. My husband, Arvind Singh Raizada, runs the Raizada Group of Industries. We have two sons—Akash and Arnav. Akash is married to Payal, and they both dote on their little son. And Arnav—he’s a doctor, a heart specialist. Smart, calm, a little too serious for my liking,” she chuckled, “but a wonderful son. I’m still looking for the right girl for him.”

Khushi listened quietly, her lips curved in a small, polite smile.

By the time they reached the hospital, her ankle was swollen. Ratna quickly fetched a wheelchair.

“This hospital,” Ratna said proudly as she wheeled Khushi inside, “is named after me. Arnav loves me so much that he called it ‘Ratna College and Hospital.’”

They stopped outside a cabin with a neat brass nameplate that read:Dr. Arnav Singh Raizada

Ratna knocked. “Come in,” came a deep voice from inside.

She pushed open the door. Khushi couldn’t see the doctor yet, as Ratna stood in front of her.

Arnav looked up from his desk. His stern face instantly softened. “Mom? What are you doing here? Are you alright?”

Ratna smiled. “I’m fine, Arnav. But we had a little incident.” She quickly narrated everything that had happened.

Arnav frowned slightly, glancing toward the wheelchair. “Oh. Alright, I’ll check her ankle.”

As he fetched the first-aid box, Ratna turned to see a ward boy helping Khushi onto the couch. Her face fell in disappointment.

“Oh, God!” she muttered under her breath. “I like this girl already. I wanted Arnav to lift her in his arms like a hero from the movies. But this useless ward boy ruined the whole moment!”

The poor ward boy caught her glare and quickly exited the room.

Arnav sat on a stool in front of Khushi, still focused on the first-aid kit and not on the patient. “Show me your injury,” he said in his professional tone.

But Khushi gently placed the bunny in his hand. “Please… can you treat her first?”

Her soft, melodic voice made him look up instinctively — and the moment their eyes met, time seemed to stand still.

Deep brown eyes met hazel ones. Neither blinked, caught in a strange, silent connection.

Ratna, standing behind them, was practically doing a happy dance in her head. “Yes! This is what I wanted!”

The tiny bunny’s movement broke their trance. Arnav smiled faintly and nodded. “Alright. Let’s help this little one first.”

He carefully treated the bunny’s minor wound before turning back to Khushi. Their hands brushed as he cleaned the small cut on her ankle — sending an unexpected shiver down both their spines.

Once he finished, Arnav stood up. “It’s done.” He looked around, puzzled. “Mom? Where did you go?”

Ratna re-entered just then, her expression far too innocent. “Oh, I just stepped out to make a call. I told you, but maybe you were… distracted?”

Both Arnav and Khushi flushed pink.

“Alright,” Ratna clapped her hands lightly. “Let’s get going.”

Khushi tried to stand but cried out softly, “Ahh!” as pain shot through her ankle.

“Sit down, dear,” Ratna said quickly. “I’ll bring the wheelchair.”

“Wait, Mom,” Arnav intervened. “I’ll call someone.”

A moment later, he hung up, frowning.

“What happened?” Ratna asked.

“Apparently, all the wheelchairs are either in use or under repair.”

Ratna tapped her chin thoughtfully, then her face lit up. “I have an idea.”

Arnav looked suspicious. “What idea?”

“Why don’t you carry her to the car?”

“What?” both Arnav and Khushi exclaimed at once.

Ratna just grinned mischievously. “It’s practical and romantic, don’t you think?”

To be continued....