WAJHA TUM HO

17. || Phantom Of My Heart ||

Ananya was paralyzed with shock at the sight of him; her mind went blank, incapable of processing the reality before her. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed, her body limp and lifeless.

Dev's reflexes kicked in, and he caught her just in time, cradling her protectively in his arms. He immediately noticed her hands and neck were unnaturally cold. Gently, he placed her on the nearby couch, his heart pounding with worry. He touched her forehead and found it cold and clammy, her extremities like ice.

"Ananya... Ananya, woke up," he pleaded, his voice quivering with desperation as he gently patted her cheek. "Please, wake up."

There was no response. Ananya's eyes remained closed, her breathing shallow and irregular. Her heart had weakened from the sudden shock, struggling to pump blood efficiently, prioritizing her vital organs.

Dev's heart raced as a panic set in. He shook her lightly, hoping for any sign of consciousness. "Ananya, please! Open your eyes!" he begged, his voice cracking.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, he quickly checked her pulse. It was faint, barely detectable. "I need to get her to the hospital," he muttered to himself, urgency propelling him into action. He scooped her up, carefully holding her close, and rushed to his car. His hands trembled as he fumbled with the keys, finally managing to start the engine. He sped towards the hospital, his thoughts a chaotic swirl of fear and determination.

Upon arrival, Dev burst through the hospital doors with Ananya unconscious in his arms. "Help! I need help!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the sterile corridors. A ward boy rushed over with a stretcher, his face mirroring the urgency in Dev's voice.

Gently, they laid Ananya on the stretcher. Dev's eyes darted around frantically as he searched for a doctor. Spotting one, he sprinted over, his voice trembling with fear. "Doctor, please, you have to help her. She suddenly lost consciousness, and her body is ice cold. Please, tell me what's wrong with her!"

The doctor nodded solemnly, understanding the urgency. "We'll take care of her. Please wait here," he instructed, guiding the stretcher down the hall.

Dev watched helplessly as they wheeled Ananya away, his heart pounding with anxiety. He paced the waiting area, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Minutes felt like hours as he waited for news.

Finally, the doctor emerged, his expression serious. Dev rushed forward, his heart in his throat. "Doctor, how is she? Is she going to be okay?"

The doctor sighed, his gaze steady. "Her blood pressure spiked dramatically, and her pulse rate dropped dangerously low. It appears she experienced a severe shock, triggering a critical response in her body. We're doing everything we can to stabilize her."

Tears welled up in Dev's eyes as he struggled to comprehend the doctor's words. "Will she make it? Can you save her?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"We're doing our best. She needs immediate life support to stabilize her condition," the doctor explained, his tone earnest and compassionate.

"Please, do whatever it takes. Save her," Dev implored, his voice breaking with emotion.

The medical team moved swiftly, transferring Ananya to the intensive care unit. She was hooked up to a network of life-saving machines, each beep and hum a testament to the battle for her life. Dev stood outside the ICU, his gaze fixed on the door, his heart heavy with worry.

Inside, Ananya's breathing was labored, her life hanging by a thread. Dev felt powerless, his chest tightening with each passing moment. Hours seemed to drag on endlessly as he stood vigil outside the ICU, his mind replaying every precious memory with her.