The Healer’s Rule

Chapter 3

For a few seconds, silence hung between them.

Anaya stood firm, refusing to look away from the man in front of her.

So this was Raghav.

The healer everyone in the village spoke about with respect… and fear.

Up close, he looked even more intimidating. His tall frame cast a long shadow in the fading evening light. His dark eyes studied her as if he could read every thought she had.

Raghav finally spoke.

“You should leave.”

The words were calm but firm.

Anaya frowned.

“I didn’t come all this way just to leave.”

Raghav’s gaze shifted briefly toward the car where her grandfather lay resting in the back seat.

“Your grandfather should be taken to a hospital,” he said.

“We already tried that,” Anaya replied sharply. “Every hospital in the city.”

Raghav said nothing.

Anaya stepped closer.

“If you really are a healer, then prove it.”

The guards exchanged uncomfortable glances.

No one in the village spoke to Raghav like that.

But Anaya didn’t care about their reactions.

All she cared about was her grandfather.

Raghav folded his arms.

“I have one rule,” he said quietly.

“I don’t treat women.”

“I already told you,” Anaya said impatiently, “my grandfather is the patient.”

“That doesn’t change anything.”

Anaya blinked.

“What?”

Raghav’s voice remained steady.

“If the request comes from a woman, I refuse.”

Anaya stared at him in disbelief.

“That’s ridiculous.”

“It’s my rule.”

Anger slowly rose in her chest.

“So you’re willing to let someone die because of your ego?”

The guards stiffened again.

Raghav’s expression hardened.

“You don’t understand this village,” he said coldly.

“Then explain it to me,” Anaya challenged.

But before Raghav could reply, a sudden commotion broke out near the village square.

“Make way! Move aside!”

Several villagers hurried toward them.

A young man supported an older farmer who looked pale and weak.

“Raghav!” one of them called. “Please help him!”

The farmer collapsed onto a nearby bench, clutching his stomach in pain.

Raghav immediately stepped forward.

His calm, controlled movements surprised Anaya.

A moment ago he seemed cold and stubborn. Now he looked completely focused.

He took the farmer’s wrist and gently placed two fingers on the man’s pulse.

Anaya watched carefully.

Raghav closed his eyes.

For a few seconds, everything around them became quiet.

The villagers waited anxiously.

Then Raghav opened his eyes again.

“He ate spoiled grain this morning,” Raghav said calmly.

The farmer’s son looked shocked.

“How did you—”

“Mixed with unclean water,” Raghav continued. “That caused the pain.”

The farmer nodded weakly.

“Yes… the well water tasted strange today.”

Raghav turned toward one of the villagers.

“Bring ginger root and warm water.”

Within minutes, someone rushed back with the herbs.

Raghav quickly prepared the mixture and handed it to the farmer.

“Drink.”

The farmer obeyed.

Slowly, the pain in his face began to fade.

A wave of relief spread through the gathered villagers.

“Thank you, Vaidya ji.”

“You saved him again.”

Anaya stood frozen.

She had studied medicine for years.

But diagnosing something like that in seconds… without tests… without equipment…

It seemed impossible.

Raghav wiped his hands calmly.

When he turned back toward her, his expression returned to its earlier coldness.

“You’ve seen what I can do.”

“Yes,” Anaya admitted.

“Good.”

Raghav pointed toward the road leading out of the village.

“Now leave.”

Anaya felt frustration explode inside her.

“You just proved you can help people!”

“And I just told you my rule.”

Her voice rose slightly.

“Your rule is cruel!”

Before Raghav could respond, a deep authoritative voice suddenly echoed from behind them.

“That’s enough.”

Everyone turned instantly.

A tall elderly man stood near the gate of the large house.

His white kurta moved slightly in the evening breeze, and his sharp eyes observed the entire scene.

The villagers immediately lowered their heads in respect.

“Sarpanch ji.”

The man’s gaze slowly moved toward Anaya.

“So you are the city girl creating trouble in my village.”

Anaya straightened.

“And you must be the famous Sarpanch.”

The man stepped forward calmly.

His presence carried a quiet but undeniable authority.

“I am Devendra Singh,” he said.

“Raghav’s father.”

A strange tension filled the air.

Devendra looked at her carefully.

“Why have you come here?”

“To save my grandfather.”

Devendra’s eyes briefly shifted toward the car.

Then he looked back at her.

“You should listen to my son,” he said firmly.

“This village follows certain rules.”

Anaya crossed her arms.

“And what if those rules are wrong?”

The villagers gasped softly.

No outsider had ever spoken to the Sarpanch like that.

Devendra studied her face for a long moment.

Then something unexpected happened.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“Interesting,” he murmured.

Then he turned toward Raghav.

“Bring the old man inside.”

Raghav frowned slightly.

“Father—”

“That was not a request.”

The Sarpanch’s voice carried quiet authority.

Raghav hesitated.

Then he looked at Anaya again.

For the first time, there was a trace of something new in his eyes.

Not anger.

Not coldness.

Something closer to challenge.

Without another word, he walked toward the car.

And Anaya suddenly realized something.

Her fight with the healer had only just begun.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***