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The doctor spent a few minutes and confirmed no broken or sprained anything. “You just had a bad fall, and it’s a good thing you landed on your bottom. The bruised area is still a bit tender and will be for a couple of days. Try some cold and hot packs alternatively.”
“Thank you, doctor.” She slowly rolled back and sat up, pulling her towel and the sheets to her neck. With some instructions on painkillers, the doctor also mentioned that she and a few other doctors are always stationed at the palace, making her wonder why so many doctors were employed to be on the premises.
Shortly after the doctor left, she was halfway through her plan to walk to the closet when the door opened, and she held the sheets to her chest. She saw it was Jai and smiled at him, even as she felt her heart thud. “I’m okay now,” she managed to say as he walked over to where she sat and looked down at her.
“I’m sorry I startled you.” He smiled as his palm cupped her cheek. “Can I help you with your clothes?” he asked almost tentatively.
She nodded and pointed to her closet. “I want a t-shirt and pajamas, and my underwear is in the chest to the right.” She fought back a blush at the last part of the instruction. “It’s okay if it’s just a t-shirt and pajamas… and…” He stopped walking when she started to talk and looked at her expectantly. “It’s not your fault I fell. I… was…” her voice trailed off when he scoffed.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he said before walking into her closet, making her blush again.
He was gone for a few moments before he appeared, holding her clothes in his hands. He silently placed the clothes on the bed and reached for her t-shirt and a pair of socks. The t-shirt slipped over her head without a bra, but it didn’t matter. He had chosen a dark and thick fabric, and it instantly put her at ease. He then kneeled in front of her and took his hands to her feet. She froze, and her breath trapped in her throat as he slowly slipped on the socks like he was feeling the bottom of her feet. He then reached for her pajamas, slid them up her legs halfway, and looked up at her.
“It’s best if you lay down on the bed,” his voice was soft and unsure as he stood up. She scooted back onto the mattress, and with his steady hand on her back, she leaned her head back. “Tell me if it hurts when I lift your back.” She nodded, and he gently lifted her lower back off the mattress and in a swift move, pulled her pajamas up to her waist.
His fingers grazed over her delicate skin, making her breath hiss, and he froze. “Did that hurt?” He held his position, the back of his hand grazing her delicate skin, and it was even more torturous.
“No, I’m okay. You can let go now.” She smiled as he pulled his hand out from underneath her. She was a lot more comfortable with some clothes on and was especially thrilled that he thought of bringing her some socks.
When he excused himself to take a phone call, this time a real one, she pulled out the knot in her hair and let it hang loose. She hadn’t even washed her face and wondered if she should risk walking to the bathroom to make herself look presentable.
He had seen her in her most vulnerable state, and she wanted to wipe out that image from his mind. How in the world was she supposed to be poised and composed when the mere sight of him was making her jittery?
Shortly after, she lay on her back, an ice pack right under her butt as the doctor instructed. She kept her eyes on him as he stood on the patio, taking what he had said was the last meeting of the day. She had insisted he go back to work, but he had only smiled and said, “My wife needs me here.”
And with those words, when he bent to plant a kiss on her forehead, she had to fight hard to stop her hands from grabbing him. Her eyes took in the broad shoulders that the silk shirt clung to, the tapered V of his back, and then her eyes stopped over his bottom, clad in dark jeans.
She had never admired anyone this thoroughly, and she was getting hot as wild thoughts invaded her. He had seen almost all of her that morning, but she wanted to know what it would be like to be under his perusal. The very idea caused a moan to escape her.
“God, help me,” she hissed out a prayer as she saw him open the patio doors and step into the bedroom. She noticed how busy he had been the past few weeks, and she had somewhere picked up that he was going to be out of town for a few days. “Jai, did I hear you say you were going out of town this week?” It was an important project from what she gathered, but she didn’t know what it was and never once asked.
He nodded as he placed his phone on the end table. “I was. Not going anymore.” He looked at his phone when a message popped up that made him smile. “Aish wants to visit you. Is that okay?”
“Of course, she can come. She doesn’t have to ask, especially when I barge in her studio every day.” Sanjana laughed, suddenly uplifted by the fact that Aish was visiting. “How is she dealing with the media stuff?”
He smirked. “Nothing left to deal with anymore.”
Sanjana was relieved but still concerned about the upcoming photo shoot for her new line of clothing. “What about her campaign? Will the models hold up the terms of their contract?”
He pressed his lips like it was a mess, but Sanjana knew Jai had Aish’s back—he had everyone’s. He was the make-it-happen guy. “I’ve signed up my buddy, Vira, to be her model.”
Sanjana scrunched her nose, remembering meeting him at one of the parties and was introduced as a businessman. “Is he into modeling now?”
“He is now.” Jai winked and let out a laugh.
She felt her heart rate increase rapidly, and her breaths started coming fast. She looked away, taking a moment to calm herself. She needed to train herself to be accustomed to his charm.
“Did the doctor say you need to be seen again?” he asked, interrupting her thoughts about how not to be affected by him and could only shake her head. “Good. And if anything changes, they are only a phone call away.”
She smiled weakly as she debated if she should ask about the doctors who were on the premises twenty-four hours a day. “Jai, why do we have a panel of doctors at the palace?” The fact that it was not on the map of the palace confirmed it was a recent development.
He held her gaze for a long moment as if debating with himself. “It’s for Baba, and no one other than Ma and some close staff know about it.” He paused, and his eyes were gloom-struck. “Keep this to yourself, not even Bharath or Aish know. They think he is being treated for early arthritis, but it is an early stage of a rare disease that requires a lot of care in the initial phases of treatment.”
Sanjana gasped and sat up in bed, ignoring the pain that shot through her back. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, and she threw her arms around him, letting out a sob. She was overwhelmed by the sadness she saw in his eyes. “He will be fine, Jai. Don’t worry.” She patted his back before pulling away to look at him, her eyes dewy.
He nodded. “For now, he is making good progress but keep this to yourself.”
“Yes, I promise.” Her heart swelled from him sharing such an intimate family detail with her when he didn’t need to. Not when his siblings didn’t know. “I want to help in every way possible. What can I do?”
