The soft hum of the hospital's daily activities provided a calming backdrop as Mishti rested in her bed. The room was filled with a gentle sense of hope and relief, but there was still an underlying current of concern. Mishti had just woken up, and the doctor needed to perform a thorough check-up to ensure her condition was stable.

The doctor entered the room, carrying a clipboard and wearing a reassuring smile. "Good afternoon, Mishti. How are you feeling now?"

Mishti gave a small, tired smile. "A bit better, I think," she replied, her voice still faint but steadier than before.

"That's good to hear," the doctor said, nodding. "I need to check your vitals and see how you're healing. This might be a little uncomfortable, but I promise to be as gentle as possible."

Abir stood nearby, his eyes never leaving Mishti. He felt protective, his every instinct focused on ensuring her comfort and safety.

The doctor started with her arms and torso, gently pressing and examining any signs of distress. Mishti winced a few times but managed to hold her composure. When the doctor moved to her legs, Mishti's body tensed, and she hissed in pain.

"Mishti, does your leg hurt?" the doctor asked, his tone was professional but concerned.

Mishti nodded, biting her lip to keep from crying out. "Yes, it hurts a lot."

Abir's protective instincts flared. "Doctor, please be careful," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of anxiety and frustration. "She's been through enough. Just take it slow, alright?"

The doctor paused, glancing up at Abir with a sharp, professional gaze. "I understand your concern, Mr. Rajvansh," he said, his tone measured. "But I need to assess her injuries properly. I'll do my best to minimize her discomfort."

Abir's jaw tightened, but he nodded, knowing the doctor was just doing his job. "Fine, but please, be gentle."

The doctor resumed his examination, this time with even more care. Mishti winced again but tried to relax, focusing on Abir's reassuring presence. "It's okay," she murmured, glancing at Abir. "He's just doing his job."

Abir softened, his eyes filled with admiration for her bravery. "I know, I just... I hate seeing you in pain."

The doctor finished the examination and straightened up, making notes on his clipboard. "There are some signs of strain, but nothing too alarming. We'll need to monitor it closely, but for now, rest is the best medicine."

Mishti nodded, relief washing over her face. "Thank you, doctor."

"You're welcome. If you experience any more severe pain, let us know immediately," the doctor said, turning to leave.

As the doctor exited the room, Abir moved closer to Mishti, taking her hand in his. "You're so strong, you know that?"

Mishti smiled weakly. "I don't feel very strong right now."

Abir squeezed her hand gently. "You are. And you don't have to do this alone. We're all here for you."

Mishti's eyes softened, and she squeezed his hand back. "I know. Thank you, Abir."

He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Always."

The moment was tender and filled with unspoken promises. Despite the pain and uncertainty, there was a sense of unity and love that made everything seem just a bit more bearable. The road to recovery was long, but with Abir by her side, Mishti knew she could face anything.

One Week Later-

It had been a week since Mishti had been admitted to the hospital. The room was brighter now, filled with flowers and cards from friends and family wishing her a speedy recovery. Mishti's health had steadily improved, though her right leg and right hand were still in casts. The atmosphere had shifted from one of worry to one of hopeful anticipation.

Abir sat by Mishti's bed, holding her good hand in his, his thumb gently stroking her palm. Mishti looked at him with a soft smile, her eyes filled with gratitude and affection. The bond between them had only grown stronger through the ordeal.

"How are you feeling today?" Abir asked, his voice tender.

"Better," Mishti replied, her smile widening. " All Thanks to you."

Abir leaned in closer, his eyes locking with hers. "I'm just glad you're getting better. I missed seeing that smile."

Mishti's heart fluttered. "I've missed you too, Abir. You being here means everything to me."

Abir's gaze softened as he moved a strand of hair away from her face. "I love you, Mishti," he whispered, his voice full of emotion.

"I love you too," Mishti replied, her voice barely a whisper.

Their faces drew closer, the world outside the room fading away. Abir cupped her face gently, his lips brushing against hers in a tender kiss. Mishti closed her eyes, losing herself in the warmth and love of the moment.

The kiss deepened, their emotions pouring out in the intimate connection. It was a moment of pure love and healing, a promise of better days ahead.

Just then, the door swung open, and their friends burst into the room, their laughter filling the space.

"Whoa! Sorry to interrupt!" Ishaan exclaimed, a wide grin on his face.

" In dono ne hospital room ko honeymoon room bna Dena hai I'm telling you " Tara said while dramatically laughing

Abhimaan chuckled, leaning against the doorframe. "Looks like someone's feeling a lot better."

Mishti and Abir quickly pulled apart, both blushing furiously.

Mishti's face was a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "You guys have the worst timing," she said, trying to sound annoyed but failing to hide her smile.

Naira, who had been standing behind Ishaan, peeked in with a teasing smile. "Aww, look at you two. So cute!"

Kartik, joining the group, laughed. "It feels gross seeing you too eating each other . Like come on you're my sister "

Abir rubbed the back of his neck, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, a little privacy would be nice," he said, though his grin betrayed him.

Mishti giggled, the tension of the moment melting away. "Thanks for the flowers, everyone. They really brighten up the room."

Abhimaan walked over and gave Mishti a gentle hug. "Anything for you . How are you feeling?"

"Getting there," Mishti replied, her smile returning. "Slowly but surely."

Ishaan clapped Abir on the back. "You know, Abir, you're setting the bar pretty high for boyfriend goals."

Abir laughed, holding Mishti's hand tighter. "Just doing my best."

Naira nudged Kartik. "I think we could learn a thing or two from them."

Kartik grinned. "Noted."

The room filled with light-hearted banter and laughter, the friends' presence adding to the warmth and hope. As they continued to tease and chat, Mishti and Abir exchanged a loving glance, grateful for the support of their friends and the love they had found in each other.

Soon everyone went to their places after spending time with her .

The door to Mishti's hospital room opened slowly, and her parents, Karan and Meera, walked in, their expressions a mix of concern and hope. They had been informed of her progress and were relieved to hear she was doing better physically. However, the emotional wounds were evident in the way Mishti had interacted with them since her hospitalization.

Mishti lay on the bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. Her right leg and right hand were still in casts, a stark reminder of the ordeal she had endured. She heard the door open but didn't turn her head. Instead, she continued to stare upwards, lost in her thoughts.

"Mishti, sweetheart, how are you feeling today?" her mother, Meera, asked gently, stepping closer to the bed.

Mishti's response was curt and dry. "Fine."

Her father, Karan, moved to the other side of the bed, trying to catch her eye. "We were so worried about you. We're glad you're getting better."

"Yeah," Mishti replied, her tone flat and devoid of emotion.

The tension in the room was palpable. Karan and Meera exchanged glances, their concern deepening. They could see that Mishti was physically present but emotionally distant. It broke their hearts, knowing that their past neglect and indifference had created a chasm between them.

Meera sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching out to touch Mishti's arm, but Mishti subtly moved her arm away, making it clear she didn't want to be touched. Meera's hand hovered for a moment before she pulled it back, her eyes welling up with tears.

Karan sighed and moved to the small couch in the room, sinking into the cushions. Meera joined him, both of them watching their daughter with a mix of regret and sorrow. They had been absent when she needed them the most, and now, even as they tried to be there for her, the damage was evident.

Mishti continued to stare at the ceiling, her mind a whirl of emotions. Anger, hurt, and a deep sense of betrayal coursed through her. She wanted to scream, to ask why they had never shown her the love and care she had so desperately needed. But she remained silent, her eyes moving to her mother for a brief second before shifting back to the ceiling.

For that one second, a flicker of emotion passed between them-an unspoken question, a silent plea. Meera felt it, her heart aching with guilt. She knew they had failed Mishti in ways that words couldn't mend.

Mishti's heart was heavy with the weight of her past. The memories of feeling unwanted and unloved by her parents were etched deeply into her soul. Their presence now, though well-meaning, felt like an intrusion. She didn't know how to bridge the gap that had widened over the years.

The silence in the room grew heavier, each tick of the clock amplifying the distance between them. Mishti's chest tightened with a mix of sadness and frustration. She wanted to tell them how much they had hurt her, how their neglect had left her feeling isolated and unworthy of love. But the words stuck in her throat, replaced by the hollow ache of long-buried pain.

Her parents sat quietly, the realization of their failures settling in. They knew they couldn't change the past, but they hoped, somehow, to mend the fractured relationship with their daughter.

As Mishti continued to stare at the ceiling, a tear rolled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, unwilling to show any more vulnerability. She was strong, she reminded herself. She had survived, and she would continue to do so, with or without their support.

Karan and Meera remained seated, the weight of their mistakes hanging heavily in the air. They were determined to be there for Mishti now, even if they had to earn her trust and forgiveness slowly, one step at a time.

The silence in the room was suffocating, filled with unspoken words and heavy emotions. Mishti's eyes were still fixed on the ceiling, her thoughts swirling with memories of neglect and loneliness. Her parents, Karan and Meera, sat on the small couch, their expressions a mix of regret and sorrow.

After a few moments, Mishti couldn't hold back her frustration any longer. She turned her head slightly to look at her parents, her voice cold and detached.
"Why are you here?"

Karan and Meera exchanged a quick, nervous glance. Karan took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "We're here because you're our daughter, Mishti. We care about you."

Mishti's eyes narrowed as she looked directly at her father, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Your daughter? Now you remember I'm your daughter?"

Meera's eyes filled with tears, and she reached out towards Mishti. "Mishti, we know we haven't been there for you the way we should have. We regret it every day."

Mishti shook her head, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Regret it? Do you have any idea how it felt growing up, knowing you blamed me for something I had no control over? Knowing that you wished I wasn't the one who survived?"

Karan's face crumpled with guilt, and he looked down at his hands. "We were wrong, Mishti. We were grieving, and we let that grief blind us to the fact that we still had a beautiful, amazing daughter who needed us."

Mishti's voice shook with anger and pain. "You let me feel like I was nothing. You ignored me, neglected me, and now you expect me to just accept your apology and move on?"

Meera sobbed softly, her heart breaking at the sight of her daughter's pain. "We don't expect it to be easy, Mishti. But we're here now, and we want to make it right. We want to be there for you, if you'll let us."

Mishti turned her gaze back to the ceiling, her mind racing. Part of her wanted to scream at them, to push them away like they had done to her for so many years. But another part, a small and fragile part, longed for the love and acceptance she had always craved from her parents.

Mishti, wiped away her tears with shaky hands. The emotional confrontation with her parents had left her feeling raw and exposed. The door to her room creaked open again, and Abir stepped inside, having returned from changing his clothes. He immediately noticed the tension in the room and the distressed look on Mishti's face.

Abir's eyes hardened as he took in the scene. He quickly crossed the room to stand beside Mishti, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What's going on here?" he asked, his voice tense with concern.

Karan and Meera looked up at Abir, guilt etched into their expressions. Meera spoke first, her voice shaky. "We were just talking to Mishti, trying to apologize for everything."

Abir's gaze narrowed. "I understand that you want to make things right, but Mishti doesn't need any more stress right now. She's been through enough already."

Karan sighed, frustration and regret evident on his face. "We just want to be here for her, to show her that we've changed."

Abir shook his head, his tone firm but measured. "It's not that simple. You can't just walk in here and expect everything to be okay. Mishti needs time to heal, both physically and emotionally. Pushing her right now will only make things worse."

Meera's eyes filled with tears once more. "We don't want to push her. We just want to support her."

Abir softened slightly but remained resolute. "Then give her space. Let her come to terms with everything at her own pace. Be here for her, but don't overwhelm her with your guilt. She needs time to process what happened."

Mishti, who had been listening quietly, finally found her voice, though it was still shaky. "Abir's right. I need time. I appreciate that you're here, but I need to do this at my own pace."

Abir squeezed her shoulder reassuringly, his eyes filled with love and support. "And we'll be here for you, Mishti. No matter what."

Karan and Meera exchanged a look, silently agreeing to respect Mishti's wishes. "We understand," Karan said softly. "We'll be here, but we'll give you the space you need."

Mishti nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. It wasn't a complete resolution, but it was a step in the right direction. With Abir by her side, she felt a bit stronger, ready to face the difficult journey ahead.

Abir looked at Karan and Meera, his expression softening. "I know you care about Mishti, but right now, the best way to show that is by giving her the time and space she needs. Let her heal at her own pace."

Karan and Meera nodded in understanding. "We just don't want to lose her again," Karan said quietly.

Mishti took a deep breath, her tears beginning to subside.
Abir looked at them and then at mishti whispering " you won't " .

___________________________________
Quiet a boring chapter !!! I guess '

Any scene you guys want me to include . These days I'm not able to think about anything properly !!!

Nevermind, let me know how was the chapter .

Thank you for reading 🤍
Author T