Chapter 5: Neon Nights and Old Wounds

Priya Reddy’s voice dripped with charm as she leaned closer to Robin Seth, her simple white top and jeans somehow making her look like she’d stepped out of a Tollywood poster—effortless, stunning, and just a bit too perfect for the rain-soaked Apollo Hospital parking lot.

Aisha’s eyes blazed, catching the way Priya’s arm brushed Robin’s. “Priya Reddy, let go of Robin!” she snapped, her voice slicing through Hyderabad’s monsoon hum.

Priya smirked, tossing her hair like a heroine in a masala flick. “Why, Aisha di? Jealous already?”

Aisha bit her lip, glaring at Robin. “Can’t you see Priya’s playing you? She’s not into you—she’s just trying to get under my skin! Are you that blind?”

Robin’s face stayed cool as a Charminar breeze, his smartwatch softly buzzing with Sarita’s vitals from his AI-driven Ayurvedic app. “So what?” he said, his tone so dry it could’ve dehumidified the monsoon.

Aisha’s fists clenched. “Robin, even if we’re divorcing, you don’t have to stoop this low! You weren’t always this… pathetic!”

“Oi, Aisha di, that’s a bit much, nakko!” Priya shot back, her smile sharp enough to cut kebabs. “How’s Robin fallen by chilling with me? And…” She leaned in, each word dripping with mock sincerity, “I’m dead serious about Robin. Not everything’s about you, di. Get over yourself.”

“You—” Aisha’s voice caught, a storm of hurt and fury brewing in her chest.

“I’m going to see Ma!” she declared, striding toward the hospital’s glass doors, the neon Apollo sign glowing through the rain.

Robin stepped in her path, his gaze colder than a Banjara Hills AC on full blast. “Aisha, if you cared about Ma, you wouldn’t have dragged your precious First Love to her Birthday and demanded a divorce.”

“Robin! It wasn’t like that!” Aisha’s voice cracked. “I didn’t mean to hurt her!”

“Intentional or not, you did. Leave. You’re not part of this family anymore.” His words landed like a knife strike—precise, lethal.

Aisha’s face twisted, her breath hitching. Robin, once her gentle protector, now spoke like she was a stranger. “You know how much I care about Ma! You’re doing this to hurt me, aren’t you? Even if we’re done, Ma’s still Tara’s Dadi. I have every right to see her!”

Robin’s eyes narrowed, his voice low and final. “Aisha, don’t you get it? You’re not welcome here. Get out.”

Get out? Aisha’s body trembled, the word echoing like a thunderclap. The Robin who’d once carried her through Hussain Sagar’s chaos was gone. She felt like she was staring across the Musi River at a man from another world.

“Robin, you’re shameless!” Vikram Malhotra jumped in, puffing up like a Tollywood villain. “How could Aisha fall for a lowlife like you? If I’d come back sooner, I’d never let you treat her like this!” He stayed a safe distance, though—Robin’s old underworld beatdown still haunted him.

“Let’s go, Aisha!” Vikram urged, itching to get her to a hotel and seal his plans. Her fussing over Sarita—and now this drama with Priya—was ruining his vibe.

He reached for Aisha’s waist, but she sidestepped, her reflex sharper than a Hyderabadi traffic dodge. Vikram’s hand hung in the air, his face burning. Since landing in Hyderabad, he’d tried for any touch—a hand, a hug—but Aisha kept him at arm’s length. It was infuriating.

Aisha ignored Vikram’s sulk, her eyes locked on Robin. “I didn’t expect you to be this petty. I’m disappointed, Robin. I’ll visit Ma when you’re not around.”

“Hold up, Aisha di,” Priya cut in, winking at Vikram just to mess with him. “Don’t come tomorrow—you might stress Aunty out again. It’s your big First Love reunion day, no? Don’t neglect him.” Her voice turned silky. “Aunty’s in good hands with me. And since you’re all about clean breaks, let’s keep it that way, yeah? Suits your CEO swagger.”

Aisha glared, speechless, her nails digging into her palms.

“Let’s go,” she muttered to Vikram, turning on her heel. He nodded, shooting Priya a flirty wink, half-convinced her jabs at Aisha were a sign she fancied him. Campus heartthrob vibes, still got it, he thought, already plotting to snag Aisha’s empire and charm Priya next.

Aisha paused, spinning back. “Robin, nine o’clock tomorrow, marriage registry. Don’t be late.”

“I’ll be there,” Robin replied, his voice flat as a frozen lake.

“Don’t pull some excuse about forgetting documents!” Aisha snapped, clinging to her defiance.

“Exactly, Robin! No cheap tricks to delay this divorce!” Vikram echoed, puffing up again.

“Relax, I’m good,” Robin said, his calm laced with a smirk that screamed watch your back.

Aisha met his gaze, seeing only ice. Sighing, she left with Vikram, muttering to herself, “I’m not wrong. I won’t regret this.”

Inside Apollo Hospital’s VIP ward, Dr. Rao, a top cardiologist, finished examining Sarita. “Mr. Seth, Ms. Reddy, Sarita ji’s stable. Her heart can’t handle emotional shocks, so keep things calm. I’ve prescribed meds—she’ll be fine with rest.”

“Thanks, Dr. Rao. I owe you one,” Priya said with a grin, her charm clearly pulling strings.

“Ms. Reddy, you’re too kind. You’ve always had my back—anytime you need me, I’m here,” Dr. Rao replied, glancing at Robin with curiosity. Who was this guy, getting Priya to flex her network for a VIP ward and top-tier equipment? Not just anyone could pull that off in Hyderabad.

Minutes later, a woman strutted in, dripping in gold jewelry, her designer saree shimmering like a Tollywood set. Meera Seth, Robin’s older sister, barked, “Robin, what kind of son are you? Letting Ma end up in a hospital? You know her heart’s weak!”

Meera had married into a wealthy Secunderabad family years ago, cutting ties with Robin except for occasional festival texts to Sarita. Her presence screamed obligation, not affection.

Robin frowned, his app still tracking Sarita’s steady pulse. He’d briefly considered asking Meera to help with Ma, but her attitude killed that idea. “She’s stable, Meera. Discharge in a few days with rest.”

“Good,” Meera said, eyeing Sarita’s sleeping form. Hesitating, she added, “Heard you’re divorcing Aisha?”

“Yeah.”

“Told you, Robin. A marriage where the woman’s the boss never lasts. You were so stubborn about Aisha, and now look—broke and dumped! That Fernandes lot? Not one decent soul!” Meera sighed, adjusting her gold bangles. “What’s your plan? Don’t ask me for money, okay? I can’t care for Ma either—rich-family drama’s no joke. Once I’m settled, maybe I’ll toss you a bone.”

Robin shrugged, unfazed. His bond with Meera was a tangled mess, not worth untangling now.

“I’ll figure it out. I’m fighting for Tara’s custody,” he said.

Meera’s brows shot up. “Tara? Let her stay with Aisha! Aisha’s not great to you, but she’s fine with Tara. Don’t drag your kid into your mess—she’d be set as a rich kid. With you? She’ll end up in some Old City brawl!”

“How can you say that?” Priya snapped, her eyes flashing.

Meera sized Priya up, clearly impressed but skeptical. “Robin, already got a new girlfriend before the ink’s dry? Classic Seth move! Ma’s fine, so I’m out. Good luck!” She unhooked her gold necklace and earrings, shoving them into Robin’s hands. “This is all I can spare. Can’t take Ma—my in-laws would throw a fit. Oh, and don’t call too often. They don’t like it.” Pouting, Meera sashayed out.

Robin stared at the jewelry, sighing. Family, huh?

Night cloaked Hyderabad, the monsoon now a drizzle. “Robin, home or a drink at Neon Nights?” Priya asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Bar,” Robin said, needing to shake off the day’s weight.

“Sweet!” Priya grinned, her Porsche purring as they zoomed to Gachibowli’s Neon Nights, a pulsing hotspot where DJ beats mixed with biryani after-party vibes.

They stepped out, the neon signs casting a glow on Priya’s simple yet stunning look. But as they approached the entrance, Robin froze. Aisha and Vikram were there, leaning against a bar counter under Tollywood posters.

“No way!” Vikram’s face darkened, his plan to get Aisha tipsy and hotel-bound now crumbling. He’d spent ages convincing her for drinks, only for Robin—his personal plague—and Priya to show up.

Compared to Priya’s easy closeness with Robin, Vikram’s every move toward Aisha was rebuffed. She’d dodge his touches like a pro, keeping him at a frustrating distance. He fumed, vowing to make her pay later.

“Aisha di, what a coincidence!” Priya called, looping her arm through Robin’s with a cheeky grin.

“Robin, are you following me?” Aisha snapped, her eyes narrowing.

“Misunderstanding,” Robin said, his smirk pure Hyderabadi sass. “World doesn’t revolve around you.”

“No excuses! You and Priya are putting on this act to mess with me! It’s childish, Robin. When will you grow up?”

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