Snippets

Snippet 3: Angst/Feels

Character specific. 

She runs into the room after Pari, both of them wondering what all the yelling is about. Her brain can barely process the scene in front of her because it makes no sense. 

Adi is trying to pull Sid off of Varun who, for some bizarre reason, is doing nothing to defend himself. It is only after he sees her that he makes an attempt to help Adi in his efforts, weakly pushing at the man who is raining punches down on him. That's when she realises his lack of defence is caused by his multiple injuries and the weight of Sid - who is half kneeling, half sitting on him to keep him down, crushing his chest. 

'Stop!' she screams, brain having started to work again. 'Stop it!' she repeats, rushing forward to help Adi. 

'Alu, no.' Varun gasps out, not wanting her anywhere near the flying fists. She ignores him, pulling as Sid's arm. It makes no difference; the man shakes her off easily. 

'Stop it! You'll kill him!' she yells, pushing at him with a surprising amount of force, enough that - with the help of Adi pulling him back - he falls off of Varun. Not sparing a glance for her - soon to be ex - boyfriend, Alia rushes to Varun, panic filling her as she sees the blood and hears his shallow breaths. 'Call an ambulance.' she calls over her shoulder, not paying attention long enough to see if anyone heard her, turning back to Varun who's eyes are flickering shut. 'Oh no you don't. Stay with me Dhawan.' she mutters.

With a strenuous amount of effort, he opens his eyes, locking onto hers. 'I'm tired Bhatt. Let me sleep.' he mumbles, trying so hard to keep her in focus, keep himself grounded. 

'Sleep when you're dead. You gotta stay awake for me.'

'Can't. My eyes don't wanna stay open.' he argues, words slurring together. Despite her tension, she lets out a watery chuckle, getting a small smile from him in response. 

'Any opportunity to argue, right Dhawan?' 

'Of course. How could I pass up on the chance to prove you wrong?' 

'You can argue with me all you want but please don't prove me wrong. Not this time.' she pleads, tears falling, sliding off her face and splashing onto his. 

'Alu, I-i'm sorry Alu, bu-but I can't.' His eyes are closing as he speaks. She shakes him and he gasps as pain courses through his body.

'Don't even think about it. You're going to be fine.' He doesn't have the strength or energy to breathe properly, let alone argue with her so he just nods, glad that it makes her tears slow down a little even though neither of them are as sure of her words as she is pretending to be. 

They are alone in the room; Adi had dragged Sid away and Pari had gone to wait outside for the ambulance. There is silence surrounding them, punctuated only by his ragged breaths and her sniffles. 

As time wears on, his breaths becomes shallower; she tries to pretend she doesn't notice but her heart is beating faster and faster as his breathing becomes more irregular.

He feels light-headed, knows he's about to pass out, maybe never to wake again, and he doesn't want that to happen without telling her. 'Alia.' he breathes

'Don't talk. Save your energy.' 

'Alu, I need t-to te-tell you some-thing.' every syllable hurts and she can see that. 

'Whatever it is, tell me after.'

'Mi-might not be an af-ter.' he murmurs. 

'Yes there will. The ambulance is on it's way. You're going to be okay.' she assures him. 

'Alia, please.' she lets out a sob she'd been trying so hard to hold back and nods. 

'Y-you pr-probably al-rea-dy kn-ow but I ne-ed you to he-hear it fr-om me at lea-st once. I l-love you.'

'You chose a really shit time to say it.' she scolds. He's spent all his energy but manages a ghost of a smile, just for her. 'I love you too.' she tells him, crying harder as his eyes close with her words. As his breathing begins to even out, she hears sirens and then the doors of the room are thrown open and the paramedics push her out of the way, fitting him with an oxygen mask and getting him onto a stretcher. 

Pari is there, hugging her and holding her up as he's carried away. 

A paramedic remains behind briefly to ask if they're family and, when they reply in the negative, to ask if he has any family in the area. Alia shakes her head but tells him that Varun's  brother is already on his way, flying out to join them on their trip and will be there by that evening. The paramedic gives them the name of the hospital and tells him to send his brother there as soon as possible. 

With that, they are gone, the sound of the sirens fading into the distance. 'He'll be okay.' Pari assures. Alia can't answer, can't even manage a nod. Just cries.