As soon as he entered he rushed towards the Doctor: Doctor, please Bondita ko dekhiye naa!

The doctor nodded briskly, his expression serious. Oh God, bahut jada chot aayi hai...
He quickly turned to the nurse.
Nurse, take her to the operation theatre... Mr. Sethi, aap reception counter par form fill kar dijiye."

Anirudh felt a surge of urgency, his heart racing as he sprinted towards the counter. Each step felt heavy, the weight of fear and despair pressing down on him like a suffocating blanket. He could almost hear Bondita's laughter in his mind, a stark contrast to the panic surrounding him.

Receptionist: Sir, aapka aur patient ka relation kya hai?

Anirudh paused for a brief moment, struggling to articulate the gravity of the situation through his tears.
I’m her fiancé.
The words left his lips like a vow, grounding him amidst the chaos, but also amplifying the fear that gripped his heart.

Receptionist: Ok sir, you can go now.

With a quick nod, Anirudh dashed back to the waiting area, where Ansh sat hunched over, his face buried in his hands, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Seeing Ansh’s despair mirrored his own pain. Anirudh’s heart twisted as he approached, knowing that his younger brother was as terrified as he was.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed in his pocket, cutting through the tension. It was Aarav.

Aarav: Hello Anirudh, tu kahan hai?

Anirudh’s voice trembled as he responded, A... Aarav, woh bo... Bondita ka accident... jis bus ka accident... h... hua tha, usme Bondita bh... bhi thi.
The words were almost too painful to say, each syllable tearing at his heart.

Aarav’s voice turned grave, shock palpable even through the phone.
What?

Anirudh could hear the disbelief in Aarav’s tone, mirroring the turmoil churning inside him. Haan, Aarav. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha, woh bohot dard mein hai...
His throat tightened, the reality of Bondita’s condition crashing down like a wave.

Aarav, ever the pillar of strength, responded with determination. Anirudh, main turant aa raha hoon. Tu bas thoda himmat rakh!

Anirudh wiped away a tear, desperately trying to pull himself together, but the fear of losing Bondita was suffocating. Aarav, please jaldi aa… mujhe teri zarurat hai. His voice broke at the end, and he felt a rush of helplessness.

Mehak: Kya hua, Aarav?

Aarav looked pale, his hands trembling slightly as he clutched his phone tightly. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. Anirudh, tu hospital ka naam bata, hum aate hain,
he said, his voice barely above a whisper, laced with urgency and fear.

Anirudh responded quickly, his voice rushed as he relayed the hospital's name before abruptly disconnecting the call.

Aarav turned to the group, his heart racing. Jis bus ka accident hua hai, usme Bondita bhi thi,
he announced, the weight of his words crashing over everyone like a tidal wave. Silence enveloped the room as shock and dread filled their hearts.

After what felt like an eternity, they arrived at the hospital, the sterile scent of antiseptics and the frantic hustle of medical staff immediately overwhelming them. Anirudh rushed forward, pulling Aarav into a tight embrace. Aarav, Bondita…
he choked on his words, the fear palpable in his grip.

Aarav held him close, a flicker of determination sparking within him. Kuch nahi hoga, woh theek ho jayegi,
he reassured, but even he felt the cold fingers of anxiety creeping into his chest.

Rudra turned to Ansh, who stood nearby, his face ashen. Ansh, don’t worry. Everything will be fine,
he said, trying to inject hope into the despair surrounding them. Ansh nodded, but his eyes betrayed the turmoil within; they glistened with unshed tears, reflecting his inner turmoil.

Binoy, noticing Ansh’s distress, stepped forward, concern etched on his face. Par Ansh, tum bhi toh ussi bus mein the? he questioned, his voice gentle yet firm, wanting to pull the truth from the shadows.

Ansh took a shaky breath, the memory flooding back, bringing with it the weight of guilt. Haan, mai bhi wahin tha, he admitted, his voice cracking. Ek jagah par bus ruki, Didi ko pyaas lagi thi, toh mai paani lene utar gaya.

His eyes grew distant, filled with anguish as he recounted the moment.

Main paani le kar aa hi raha tha, tabhi kisi truck ne bus ko dhaka diya, aur bus palat kar trench ke beech fas gayi.
The tears he had been holding back spilled over, cascading down his cheeks as he recalled the horror of that moment. He collapsed into a sob, feeling the weight of helplessness bear down on him, the memories haunting him like shadows.

Mehak: Ansh, sab thik ho jayega, bharosa rakho.

The atmosphere hung heavy with tension, each second stretching painfully as they waited. After some time, the doctor emerged, his expression grave.

Anirudh rushed towards him, his heart pounding in his chest. Doctor, kya hua? Kaisi hai woh?
His voice trembled with a mixture of hope and fear.

Doctor: Abhi kuch kaha nahi jaa sakta, he replied, his tone serious, as he avoided eye contact.

Anirudh felt his heart drop. What? Kya hua? Please, theek se bataiye naa, he pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice.

Doctor: Unki halat bahot critical hai. Kaafi blood loss hua hai, jiske wajah se agle 24 hours bahut crucial hain. Agar woh in 24 hours ke andar hosh mein nahi aayi, toh woh coma mein jaa sakti hain ya phir woh…she can die, he stated, his words cutting through the air like a knife.

The chilling finality of the doctor’s words left everyone in stunned silence. Shockwaves coursed through the group, each of them grappling with the weight of what had just been said.

Anirudh shouted, his voice raw with anguish, Aisa nahi ho sakta, doctor! Aap aisa kaise keh sakte hain?
The panic in his eyes was mirrored by the others, fear wrapping around them like a suffocating shroud.

Doctor: Dekhiye, Mr. Sethi, chillane se kuch nahi hoga,
he replied firmly, trying to maintain his professionalism amidst the emotional chaos.

Aarav stepped closer, placing a steadying hand on Anirudh’s shoulder, grounding him. Ani, calm down,
he said softly, but the weight of their reality pressed heavily on them all.

Anirudh took a shaky breath, his voice now laced with a desperate hope. Doctor, please, kya mai Bondita se mil sakta hun?
The words hung in the air, a fragile thread of hope amidst the despair.

Ansh stepped forward, his own fear etched on his face. Mujhe bhi milna hai,
he echoed, his voice trembling. He glanced at Anirudh, their shared pain binding them together in this moment of uncertainty.

Doctor: Ji, aap log mil sakte hain, par ek baar mein sirf ek hi insaan mil sakta hai.

The tension in the air was palpable as Ansh nodded, stepping forward first. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. When he entered the room, he was met with a sight that made his heart sink—Bondita lay on the bed, connected to a web of wires and machines, her stillness an unsettling contrast to the frantic beeping of the monitors.

After a moment, Anirudh followed, his heart racing as he approached her bedside. The sight of her fragile form struck him like a physical blow, pain ripping through him. He felt a suffocating ache in his chest, as if each breath was a reminder of the life she fought to hold onto.

Anirudh sat beside her, gently taking her hand in his. He held it delicately, as if afraid to break the fragile connection they shared. Tears streamed down his cheeks, unbidden, as he whispered, I’m sorry, Bondita. Saari galti meri hai. Kash main tumhe rok leta.

He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, a gesture filled with both love and sorrow. He caressed her cheek, his fingers brushing against her skin, desperately wishing for her warmth to return. Please, Bondita, hosh mein aao. Please, main tumhare bina nahi reh sakta. Tum aise mujhe chhod ke nahi ja sakti,
he pleaded, his voice trembling with emotion.

The silence in the room was deafening, filled only by the rhythmic sounds of the machines around her. Anirudh’s voice broke as he shouted, Please, aankhen kholo! I LOVE YOU, BONDITA! I love you so much, please open your eyes!

Suddenly, in a moment that felt suspended in time, her eyelids fluttered. Slowly, she opened her eyes, a flicker of recognition shining through the haze of unconsciousness.

Bondita slowly opened her eyes, the light filtering through the hospital room illuminating her features.

Anirudh: Bondita! Bondita! Doctor! He called out, a mix of disbelief and joy flooding his voice.

The doctor entered swiftly, his expression professional yet attentive. What happened, Mr. Sethi? he asked, quickly assessing the situation.

Anirudh beamed, the relief washing over him like a warm tide. Bondita ko hosh aa gaya, doctor!
His heart swelled with hope, the fear of the past hours beginning to fade.

The doctor approached Bondita, his demeanor shifting to one of calm assurance. Mr. Sethi, aap bahar jaaiye,
he instructed, motioning for Anirudh to step outside.

Reluctantly, Anirudh stepped out, anxiety still tugging at his heart, but the glimmer of hope spurred him on. After some time, the doctor emerged, a slight smile breaking through his serious facade.

Doctor: Ab woh khatre se bahar hain. Aap sab unse mil sakte hain. His words hung in the air like a lifeline, igniting a wave of relief among the group.

Everyone hurried inside, their hearts racing with anticipation. Ansh was the first to reach her side, wrapping his arms around Bondita tightly. Didi, aap thik ho na? he asked, his voice choked with emotion.

Bondita smiled faintly, the warmth of her family surrounding her. Haan re, ham acche hain, she reassured him, her eyes shining with gratitude.

As she looked around the room, her heart swelled at the sight of her loved ones—Jhanvi, Mehak, Samaira, Simran, and Pinky—all gathered around her, their faces etched with relief and love.

Mehak took a deep breath, a tear escaping her eye. Pata hai, ham sab kitna dar gaye the, she said, her voice a mix of joy and lingering fear.

One by one, they embraced Bondita, their arms wrapping around her in a protective cocoon. The warmth of their love enveloped her, reminding her of the strength they all shared.

Anirudh stood a little farther away, watching the scene unfold with a smile that couldn’t contain his relief. Bondita caught his eye and smiled back, her heart racing as she felt the unspoken bond between them—a promise of support, love, and resilience.

Aarav and Rudra bent down and embraced Bondita with a gentleness that reflected their immense relief. The weight of fear they had carried for hours lifted in that moment.

Aarav, his voice softer now: Mujhe lagta hai, humein Anirudh ko bhi milne dena chahiye.

Binoy, still shaken but composed, placed a hand on Aarav’s shoulder. Haan, chalo sab. Anirudh ko uske saath thoda waqt bitane do.
The emotion in his voice made it clear how deeply this moment had affected them all.

With quiet nods, the group gradually exited the room, their lingering glances speaking volumes of their love for Bondita. The room fell silent, save for the soft hum of the machines that still monitored her recovery.

This is for today's chapter!
I can't wait to hear your thoughts-what do you think will happen next?

Thank you for your patience and support. Your guesses and comments always inspire me!