That I was terrified.
That every hospital corridor felt like a tunnel that led nowhere.
That every time I saw her crying quietly in the bathroom, a part of me collapsed.
But the words wouldn’t come out.
So instead I said the only thing I could.
“Lagta hai saans le pa raha hoon phir se.”
(Feels like I can breathe again.)
She smiled against my shirt, the fabric moving slightly.
“Matlab main oxygen hoon?”
(So I’m your oxygen?)
I chuckled, low and tired.
“More like the only thing keeping my heart working.”
She let out a small laugh soft, disbelieving, grateful.
Then she nuzzled closer, her fingers tracing small circles on my ribs. Every touch quieted something inside me.
For a few minutes, I forgot the world outside.
Forgot the reports.
Forgot the relatives who always whispered “good news kab?”
Forgot the money worries.
Forgot the sleepless nights.
Just her heartbeat under my hand.
Steady.
Real.
I closed my eyes and whispered into her hair, “Don’t go far again.”
She didn’t lift her head.
She didn’t answer.
She just tightened her arm around my waist.
It was more than enough.
Lavina
Morning light crept through the window, shy and pale, painting the room in soft gold.
I woke up slowly, still wrapped in warmth, still pressed against him.
He was already awake.
His hand was in mine, his thumb tracing soft circles across my palm absent-mindedly.
Like he didn’t even realize he was doing it. Like his body had found comfort before his mind did.
I watched him for a few seconds before speaking.
“Kal hospital jaana hai na?”
(We have to go to the hospital tomorrow, right?)
He nodded without looking away from our hands.
“Haan.”
Just that one word made my chest ache again
We didn’t talk about what might happen.
We didn’t dare.
We just sat there, two people pretending morning sunlight made things normal.
He brushed his fingers through my hair.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
I nodded. “Tum?”
He gave half a smile. “Trying.”
And that trying God, it meant everything.
Aarjak
The next day, the hospital was the same.
The same line snaking out of the building.
The same broken fans hanging tiredly from the ceiling.
The same people holding paper files that contained their entire hopes.
12. Something has changed
Start from the beginning
