Shadows & Sunshine

Ch : 2

The car screeched to a halt in front of the hospital, tires skidding on the asphalt. Ram jumped out, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and determination. Without wasting a second, he swung open the back door and carefully lifted Priya into his arms, her body still limp and unresponsive.

Pushing through the entrance, he rushed into the emergency room, his voice a frantic plea for help. "Please, someone help! She needs help!" His shout echoed through the sterile, fluorescent-lit corridor, drawing the immediate attention of the medical staff.

A nurse quickly approached, her expression shifting from professional detachment to urgency as she took in the sight of Priya. "What happened?" she asked, already signaling for a stretcher.

"She was in the water, she passed out," Ram explained breathlessly, his arms trembling from the weight of carrying her and the adrenaline coursing through his veins.

"This way," the nurse directed, guiding him to an open examination room where a team of doctors and nurses awaited. They quickly transferred Priya onto the stretcher, the medical team springing into action with practiced precision.

"Get her vitals," one doctor commanded, as another began to administer oxygen. The room buzzed with controlled chaos, the rhythmic beeping of monitors providing a stark contrast to the quiet desperation that had filled the night.

Ram stood back, his hands clenched into fists at his sides, helplessness washing over him. He watched as the doctors worked, their movements a blur of efficiency and expertise. He silently willed Priya to wake up, to show any sign that she was coming back to the world.

After what felt like an eternity, one of the doctors turned to Ram, his expression serious but reassuring. "She's stable," he said. "We're monitoring her closely, but it looks like she'll be okay. She just needs rest and time to recover."

Relief flooded through Ram, his knees nearly buckling under the weight of it. He nodded, his voice choked with gratitude. "Thank you," he managed to say, his eyes never leaving Priya's pale face.

The doctor placed a hand on his shoulder, a gesture of comfort. "You did the right thing bringing her here. She's lucky you were there."

Time seemed to crawl in the sterile silence of the hospital room. Ram sat by Priya's bedside, his eyes fixed on her pale face, willing her to wake up. The steady beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound, a comforting rhythm that reassured him she was still with him.

After what felt like an eternity, Priya stirred. Her eyelids fluttered, and with a soft groan, she slowly opened her eyes. At first, her gaze was unfocused, her mind struggling to catch up with reality. She blinked a few times, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of the hospital room. The harsh fluorescent lights, the antiseptic smell, the stark white walls—it all felt alien.

"Hey, are you fine?" Ram's voice was gentle, filled with concern. He leaned forward, his face etched with worry.

Priya turned her head slowly to look at him, confusion clouding her eyes. "Who are you? And where am I now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ram offered a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. " I found you at the beach. You were walking into the water... were you trying to commit suicide?"

The word "suicide" hung in the air like a heavy shroud. Priya's eyes widened in shock, and she instinctively grabbed her head, trying to make sense of his words. "Suicide?" she repeated, her voice trembling. The memories of the evening came flooding back in fragments—the bar, the overwhelming sorrow, the icy embrace of the sea. She felt a sharp pang in her chest, a mixture of disbelief and distress. "What are you talking about?"