It was so devastating; I had thought that we still had days. I hadn't even said goodbye to her despite having gotten a chance. The hospital was a rush of a nightmare. My sadness wasn't just for Anastazia and Hamlyn, the other car which had crashed was Octavian's. All of them were in critical condition, there was a rush of distraught families and Madeline was on the verge of hysteresis. After Zia had left, Hamlyn had followed her and moments after Octavian had come to the reality after overcoming the confusion filled inside his mind. I had said, "All of what she said is true." And with a look of horror on his face, he had rushed after them both. Misunderstandings, half-finished sentences, complicated feelings, baffling choices and tangling of hearts was a messedup combination. All of this was a disaster and we were left dealing with consequences, losing someone, everyone, I do not know. As much as I was devastated, Madeline needed me. Octavian was in a deep coma on the brink of severe brain damage. Anastazia was a victim of suffocation and needed replacement urgently and Hamlyn was in a deep coma. We came there each day hoping for at least a little improvement. We spoke to them in vain hoping that they heard us. I had been in the hospital too many times now and I do not know how long I could stand it. It was a gloomy place where each day my hopes were crushed bit by bit. Our happy lives had taken an upside down turn since that fateful day. And just maybe, I never had felt so closer to and strongly about Madeline. We both were suffering and it had brought us closer. Instead of running away in rough times, we had seen the scars, the screaming, the ugly bitter sides and fell in love deeper and that is when I realized that we'll be forever. She was the one for me, it was too early but deep inside I'd always known it. And we'll always remember Anastazia, Octavian and Hamlyn in our hearts. They had been an integral part of our lives. Our happiness had come at a cost of the lives of our friends. There was no improvement whatsoever even after a week. I had come here today for the last time. I had vowed to say goodbye today and never set a foot in here until there was an improvement. Since, Madeline and me were caught up in the past. The days were blurred and every free moment was spent here and I did not want to sabotage us for something that could never happen. So, as we went to Anastazia, Madeline said, "Bye Anastazia. Izzy gave me the letters yesterday. Oh my god, I love you till and you were the best soul sister that I could ask for. Thank you for being a part of my life. I'm keeping Hamlyn's and Octavian's letters beside their bedsides." I said, "I'll miss you Zia. You were my favorite cousin and best confidant. I'll remember you each day and also all the others." And I kissed her on the forehead and we left the hospital after saying goodbyes to Octavian and Hamlyn. Madeline kept the letters close in reach of them. We hadn't read them, it obviously had something which belonged to them purely and solely. We left with a last glance where our worst moments had passed, but we had emerged stronger or so we liked to think. People gave us pitiful glances as we passed and every doorway seemed empty without their presence. Julia came over to me, her eyes were red and puffy. She took Madeline's hands in hers and her voice cracking, she said, "How is Octavian? Please tell me. I was a bitch to all of you as I thought he could never be mine. But please tell me, how is he. I can barely imagine what you both are going through." She was a pitiful sight. Love was a savage beast, tearing your heart making us all monsters searching for solace. Madeline said, "I won't lie to you, Julia. He isn't any better. And I hate to tell you this, we all know how much you loved him.", and she went over and hugged her. Julia said, "Thank you for the truth.", and left. Some things were just too raw and her eyes had a sadness of ocean too raw to behold. Suddenly, my phone rang and the next thing that I heard was something that shook me to my core. Taking Madeline's hand, I rushed towards the hospital. Madeline gave me a puzzled look but hurried along with me. I rushed to the doctor. It was Mrs. Rosenbloom. She was in tears and said, "Anastazia." We started crying unashamedly, my whole world had started to break apart. The room felt out of focus and the floor was slipping beneath my feet. Madeline actually fainted in my arms. And Mrs. Rosenbloom continued, "She stirred today. She'll be fine. The tears are of relief and joy, but she needs replacement as soon as possible. The damage might be too much." I nodded grateful that Zia was alive, but the but bothered me. Madeline woke up after sometime and we told her gently and then turning towards her mother, she said, "Mom, can we meet her." The doctor nodded and said, "You may but take care, she's still fragile and heavily medicated. Take care not to mention Hamlyn or Octavian. Especially Octavian, she knows nothing about him and too much guilt can worsen her condition." So, we went inside. And I said, "Hey Cuz! How are you?" Such a cynical question. She said, "Apart from being devastated, I'm totally fine. Hamlyn, my heart bleeds still thinking about him." Then nodding towards Madeline, she said, "Your mother told me, about him. His condition is worsening day by day and it was my fault. I want to see him." There was an ocean of grief in her blue eyes. Madeline said, "Shhhh, don't speak like that, honey. Your love is pure and he'll come back to you I assure you." We spent a lot of time catching up but didn't broach the topic of Octavian. She needed time to heal. Maybe one day, she'll know that it was him in the other car. But for now, omission was the only option. We left soon after.
