Destined To Be

Chapter 67

Ayaan's P.O.V. 

I arrived at the hospital the next morning with Ankita to be admitted as her surgery was to be performed tonight. Unfortunately, my concert was also tonight and I had to fly back to Goa to perform, despite not wanting to. I felt hatred towards myself and my concerts for the first time as it was the only thing keeping me away from this detrimental night of our lives. Ankita was admitted in the ward and held onto my hand with a pleasant smile and said, "Promise me that if I ever open my eyes again, you will be in front of me." "I promise that I will be the first person you see when you regain consciousness," I said. "Perform well, my rockstar. Make me proud," she said, kissing my hand. A tear fell down my cheek as it was making it more hard for me to leave. "I love you," I said resting my head on her shoulder, "You will be fine. You have to be fine. You can't leave me like this again. I can't live my life without you anymore, Ankita." She hugged me tightly to her as I allowed my emotions to flow. One nurse came and interrupted us saying, "Excuse me, ma'am, the doctor is ready for you." We parted and I wiped away her tears. "Go, and hurry back. I'll be waiting for you," she said. I nodded wiping my tears away. As she got up, I held back her hand, kissed her forehead and imprinted her smiling face in my heart as I looked at the nurse wheeling her away on the wheelchair. As I stepped out into the corridor, Priya came to me. "Ayaan, don't worry at all. Ankita is the best hands. She will make it," she said. I nodded. "I'm leaving now. I'll see you soon. If possible, keep me posted," I said. "Best of luck," she said. "Thank you," I said and left. I made it to the airport and reached Goa. 

The stage was ready, the dancers were ready, the musicians were ready but I wasn't. My mind was still in Manali's hospital. I called Mom to find out what was happening but she said that Ankita was still undergoing her pre-surgery tests. "Mom, take care of her please," I said. "Don't worry Ayaan. She will be completely fine," she said, "You just concentrate on your performance." "Hmm...I'll talk to you later," I said before hanging up. The concert's sponsors and producer came up to me, welcoming me. "Welcome AVM. You are just in time for the meeting," one said. "Lead the way," I said and followed them. I sat and listened to them, disinterested and kept my mind solely on Ankita. My nervousness were getting higher and higher with every passing second. Every minute less was one minute closer to her surgery and this scared me. I remembered my small chat with Dr. Jain when I asked him about the chances of survival in this case to which he said 50-50. This was not convincing enough to me to put her life in a 50-50 ratio but we have to still take the risk, be positive and pray to God. Night came and as I was getting dressed, Mom called me. "She has just entered the OT. This is it," she said. I sat down, getting weak with nervousness. "Mom, I can't do this. I can't perform like this," I said giving up. "Ayaan, listen to me. This was Ankita's wish. If not for anyone else, do it for her," she said. I closed my eyes and her face came before me. Nodding, I said, "Ok." "Love you and good luck," she said. I left my phone in the dressing room and got ready to go backstage. They attached my microphone to me and memories of Ankita doing it back in Manali came back to me. I peeped out at the audience as they screamed and shouted. "Sir, your guitar," a girl said behind me. This also forced me to remember Ankita. "Ladies and gentlemen, the person you have all been waiting for, the man of the hour, presenting to you, the one and only, my favourite, your favourite, India's favourite, AVM!" the host announced. 

I stepped onto the stage and the response was overwhelming. With everyone screaming and shouting at the top of their lungs, it made it difficult for me to hear my own voice even. I stood at the mic stand and remained silent. "Tonight, the person responsible for making me reach here is fighting for her life in a hospital. Please, I request you, send a prayer for her. I would be forever grateful to you," I said. Closing my eyes, Ankita's smiling face flashed before my eyes and the thousands of voices seemed to fade out. "This one's for you," I said. I began playing and singing as my performance started.