Dawning

Chapter 6

Hardy got up early in the morning and set out, when he reached Jassi's house, a neighbour told him the owners had just gone to the hospital, the lady was severely injured due to an "accident". That had him worried even more. He thanked the neighbours and headed towards the hospital.

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The receptionist informed Hardy that Jassi was being treated in the ER. Hardy was already seeing red, he did not pay attention to the receptionist telling him that he can't go in. He rushed into the room regardless, his eyes searching for Jassi frantically. He finally found her on a bed in the corner. She looked smaller than she was. Her left arm was bandaged, a very prominent purple bruise was visible on her right cheek.

Jassi looked up when she felt someone standing next to her bed. She found Hardy's soulful eyes staring back at her. He was the last person he had expected to see here. After her husband dumped her at the hospital, she didn't think anyone would be coming any time soon. She noticed Hardy's hair was unkempt and he had a 5 O'clock shadow gracing his chin.

"Can you walk?" That's the first thing Hardy asked her.

"Huh?" Jassi was confused by this inquiry.

"You are obviously not fine. And I see your "husband" isn't here, so clearly he must have left you here all alone. Which is good, because I would've killed him right now. I came searching for you to see if you had changed your mind about going back. And I think you are going back home with me now Jassi. So, Can you walk?"

Hardy let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as he looked at her waiting for an answer.

Jassi looked down again.

"No I'm not."

Hardy could'nt believe this woman. She was hurt, she was in a fraudulent and abusive relationship and yet she didn't want to leave.

"Are you out of your mind?"

His voice raised a pitch and he immediately regretted it when he saw her flinch. He pinched the bridge of his nose, calming himself down.

"Jassi, listen. I don't know what is making you stay here. I hope it's not your parents. The ones who got you married to this monster and left you to fend for yourself in a foreign country. But I sure as hell know that you don't deserve to live like this." Listening to him brought another wave of fresh tears to her eyes.

"Jas-" just as he was sitting on her bed and trying to convince her, the receptionist from earlier, flanked by two hospital security guards came into the room.

"That's the man!"

She pointed at Hardy. Both the guards held Hardy by the arms and dragged him out.

"Jassi! Listen don't do this please!"

Hardy screamed as he was being dragged out.

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Once they were at the entrance, the guards unceremoniously pushed Hardy onto the road. Dejected, and with his head down Hardy began walking. He was crossing the road when he heard heavy footsteps behind him, followed by a female voice shouting his name,

"HARDY!"

He turned around quickly. It was Jassi, she'd run after him, her face tear struck, hair in disarray. Hardy smiled hopefully, his own eyes teary.

Jassi was standing at the top of the stairs, her chest heaving with heavy breaths. She called his name again and he started to walk towards her. Jassi's dupatta was flying behind her as she ran down the stairs and into Hardy's arms in the middle of the road. Hardy hugged her back, his chin resting on her head as she buried her face in his shirt and cried.

"How am I going to leave Hardy? I don't have any documents, I don't have my passport."

Jassi finally spoke up once her sobs were under control. They were still standing in the middle of the road, in each other's arms. The moment Hardy realised it, he let go of her, but didn't push her away.

"I''ll think of something. But let's get out of here first." He held her right hand, and walked the other way.