Rehnuma

22. Anti Heroes in Love

Lakshay offers me some food, for the hundredth time and I refuse him just as before. "You have to eat something Veera. You are pregnant, think of your child." I do think of it, and I think they think of me too. My hunger dissipated the second I saw Vivaan's eyes close.

How do you eat? How do care about food or anything when your heart is being ripped out of your chest? The fall of footsteps against the tile makes me turn. My brother comes running from a whole different city after just one call. He sees me, crying in my bloodstained night dress, sitting on a hospital chair and his eyes soften.

I melt into him when he wraps his arms around me. "He will be okay Veera. It's Vivaan. He is the strongest man I know." He is the strongest man I know as well. And so I hope to God he wakes up or else I will drag his ass back from hell and make him live beside me.

He pulls away from the hug and pulls his phone out. "This is for you." I take the phone from him and press it to my ear.

"Veera? I am so sorry I couldn't come, Shivansh is here and now Shaira as well. But I am right there with you." Oh, Amaira.

"How are you so fucking strong Amaira? How are you still okay? I have gone crazy already and it's just been a few hours." She sighs and I can just imagine her tears.

"It's hope Veera. It's trust. I believe in the love Shivansh and I shared and I know he will wake up soon. And I have to live for my daughter. She deserves a mother who is there for her. Don't ignore your pain Veera, but know that you will be fine. Vivaan will be fine. Take care of yourself. It's not just you, it's your child too. I know you haven't eaten in a while, Lakshay told me on the call, so get up and eat. You might not be hungry but still eat. If not for yourself then for your child. You won't lose Vivaan but he would be very upset if he heard that you starved his wife and child. So get up, and eat. Everything will be fine."

Delusion is not the word here. Nor is false sense of security. It's a positive mindset, it's hope. "Thank you Amaira. I love you."

A watery chuckle greets me before her croaked voice comes through. "I love you too Veera. I am always there with you."

My life isn't that awful. I got a best friend in both my sister in law and brother in law. Lakshay sits beside me with a smile and offers me a sandwich. "It's from the hospital canteen so it's not very good. But it's food. I'll ask someone from home to bring a tiffin. Dad is in the doctor's cabin, I'll go see what's happening." I nod and take the sandwich.

My first bite and I wanna spit it out. "Who puts this much mayo in a sandwich?" My brother smiles beside me. "Leave it. I'll get you some Maggi. I know you'll prefer it." Obviously I'll prefer it. It's Maggi! He takes the sandwich from me and leaves while eating it.

I stare at the closed door of the operation room. The doctor said the knife dug deep. It definitely punctured his lung and probably reached his heart too. What a wretched man my husband is. I never thought I would cry for that hellion but here we are.