For Me Love Is Confusing

chapter eleven.Desperate Measures

" A Race Against Time - Love, Desperation, and the Fight for a Future".

Ishan's eyes fluttered open, the stark white of the hospital ceiling coming into focus. The rhythmic beeping of the machines around him seemed a cruel counterpoint to the urgency pounding in his chest. Disoriented and weak, he remembered the accident, but one thought overshadowed everything else: Mili.

Struggling against the pain, he forced himself to sit up. A nurse rushed to his side, trying to push him back down. "You need to rest, Mr. Malhotra. You've been in a coma for days."

"No," Ishan rasped, shaking his head. "I need my phone. Now."

Reluctantly, the nurse handed him his phone from the bedside table. With trembling fingers, Ishan dialed his assistant's number. "Mr. Malhotra, you're awake!" came the relieved voice on the other end.

"There's no time," Ishan interrupted, his voice strained with urgency." Where is my girl. I need you to find out where she is and why. Start immediately."

Hours passed in agonizing slowness. Each second felt like an eternity as Ishan lay there, his mind racing with fear and desperation. The thought of Mili being forced into something against her will drove him nearly mad.

Finally, his phone rang. "Sir, I've found out. Mili's parents have taken her back home, and there's a secret marriage planned for tomorrow."

Ishan's heart stopped. "Tomorrow?What?" he echoed, disbelief turning into a surge of panic. He couldn't let this happen. Ignoring the pain, he ripped out the IV and swung his legs over the side of the bed. "Get the car ready," he ordered, already moving despite the nurse's frantic protests.

Stumbling out of the hospital, he called his driver. "Meet me at the hospital entrance, immediately," he instructed, his voice brooking no argument. When the driver arrived, Ishan practically threw himself into the back seat. "Drive to Mili's hometown sanchai. Fast."

The car sped through the city, the lights blurring into streaks as they raced against time. Ishan's mind was a storm of anxiety. Each second that passed was a second closer to losing Mili forever. The very thought was unbearable.

When they finally arrived at Mili's house, Ishan didn't wait for the car to stop before leaping out. He sprinted to the front door, the sounds of preparation inside spurring him on. He pounded on the door, each knock a desperate plea. "Mili!" "milliiii"!!!

There was no answer. Desperate, he circled the house and found a window slightly ajar. Ignoring the pain, he climbed through, landing unsteadily inside. Navigating the familiar hallways.

As Ishan quietly entered Mili's room, he saw her in her pree wedding outfit. His heart raced, but he couldn't look away from her. Mili's parents didn't know he was there. He walked closer, his steps soft on the floor. Ishan gently touched her hand, feeling nervous and protective.

"Mili!" he called out, his voice breaking with emotion. She turned to him, her eyes wide with surprise and confusion.

"Ishan?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Ishan crossed the room to her, taking her hands in his. "Mili, you don't have to do this. You don't have to marry someone you don't love. Please, come with me."

Ishan's desperation gave him strength. "I won't let you ruin her life," he said fiercely, his eyes never leaving Mili's.

Mili looked between Ishan and her parents photo in her room, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. "But..."

"No buts," Ishan said, his voice softening. "Trust me, Mili. Trust us. We can figure this out together."

Tears welled up in Mili's eyes as she clung to Ishan. "Ishan, I..."