Suhani's raspy whisper carried an undertone of disbelief as she stumbled her way into the suite, leaning on the nurse for assistance. "You're still here?"

Ranveer had just returned to the suite with a mug of double shot espresso when Suhani's sudden words caught him off guard. He nearly spilled the hot drink on himself in surprise. "I thought you had left," she continued.

The man jumped in surprise, quickly setting his ceramic mug down on the nearby table. He wiped his hands on his trousers and straightened them as he stood up from the chair.

The shadows beneath her eyes had grown into dark chasms, deepening and darkening in the absence of the concealers that painted the facade of normalcy. Against her pallid complexion, the stark contrast made her look like a walking corpse.

With every forced smile wiped from her lips, Suhani Malhotra resembled nothing more than an exhausted soldier, drained of all energy and fighting on only by sheer willpower that was dwindling.

As she stood there, her shoulders slumped and her eyes heavy with fatigue, he couldn't help but feel guilty. For years, she had been the one taking care of everyone else, never showing a sign of weakness or asking for help.

Of course, everyone around her benefited from her self-reliance and capability to show up regardless of her situation. As human as it was to be selfish, no one had pointed out her exhaustion in a subconscious attempt to safeguard their convenience.

But now, her usual strength was wavering and it was clear that she needed someone to take care of her for once. He could see the exhaustion in every movement, and the disbelief in her voice as she finally admitted that she needed help. Even if it were in the unconscious delight that seeped through her voice at the realization that he had not left her alone.

"Well, no," he said, shaking his head. "I went to the office. There was a meeting I couldn't miss."

With the nurse's assistance, she eased onto the bed while Ranveer stood at the foot, adjusting the incline. "You don't have to stay. I'm sure you have other important things to attend to," she said with a hint of resignation in her voice.

Although his focus was on finding the correct button to raise the bed's angle, he couldn't help stealing glances at her as he did so. It was clear that she had accepted her situation and his absence with a sense of defeat.

The nurse gave a warm smile, "If you need any of us, Ms. Malhotra, just press the button." Suhani offered a weak smile and nodded in response, "Thank you so much, sister." Ranveer acknowledged the nurse's exit with a brief nod.

He walked towards the edge of the bed and pulled the chair closer. "If you'd like me to go because you don't want me here, not out of some misplaced sense of guilt, I will leave immediately."

Her eyes twinkled and the corners of her lips twitched with amusement. The answer was clear, but he still had to ask. "Do you want me to go?"

"Healing is a long and arduous journey, but it can be done - with help. You don't have to do this alone."

The nurse's words echoed through her mind, a constant reminder that she didn't have to suffer in silence. The weight of the burden she carried felt unbearable, but the thought of asking for help was even more daunting. She never wanted to face this alone, yet she didn't know if anyone would truly understand or be willing to lend a hand.

But as she looked into Ranveer's earnest eyes, something shifted within her. The walls she had built to protect herself began to crumble, and the vulnerability that lay beneath surfaced. There was a genuine concern in his voice, a rawness that she hadn't noticed before.

"No," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't want you to go."

A flicker of relief danced across his face before he took a seat beside her. The silence enveloped them, broken only by the gentle hum of medical equipment in the background. Suhani could sense the unspoken words swirling between them, a shared understanding of the battles they had fought individually and the solace they could find in each other's presence.

Ranveer reached for her hand, almost as an impulse, but he stopped himself in time. "I know you've always been the one taking care of others," he began softly. "But you don't have to carry it all on your own. We're in this together, Suhani. I want to be here for you, to support you through this difficult time. You've always been so strong for everyone else, it's about time someone returned the favor."

Tears welled up in Suhani's eyes as his words washed over her. It was a relief to hear that she didn't have to face her battles alone, that there was someone who truly understood and cared. She had spent so long putting on a brave face, pretending that everything was okay, but now the facade was crumbling, revealing the vulnerable woman beneath.

"I don't know if I can do this," she admitted, her voice trembling with vulnerability. "I'm scared."

Ranveer offered her a small smile filled with warmth and reassurance. "It's okay to be scared, Suhani. Healing takes time, and it won't be easy. But I promise you, I'll be right here. You're not alone in this. We'll face it together, one step at a time." His words were a balm to her soul, soothing the fears and doubts that had plagued her for so long.

Suhani slipped her hand into his hand, feeling relieved rather than terrified as she had expected. The weight of her burdens felt lighter with Ranveer by her side, a partner in her journey towards healing. As she looked into his eyes, she saw a reflection of unwavering support and unwritten promises.

In that moment, Suhani knew that she didn't have to bear the weight of the world on her shoulders anymore. She had found someone who understood the depths of her pain and was willing to walk alongside her in the darkness.

As they sat there in silence, holding onto each other's hands, Suhani felt a glimmer of something she hadn't experienced in a long time: hope. It was a fragile ember within her, but one that had the potential to ignite into a roaring fire of renewed strength and resilience. With Ranveer's unwavering support, she could face the battles ahead and emerge stronger than ever before.