Echoes of the Field: Love's Bittersweet Symphony

The Falling of Swara Makhija

Life is meant to be a purpose, as searching for it or living for it

"Quickly, turn her around! We might have to hit her belly!" cried the nurse as she rushed out of the ambulance. Aayan's face went pale with fear, his heart gripped by the gravity of the situation.

"No!!!" he shouted, his voice raw with panic. The nurse glanced at him, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation.

"What?" she snapped, her voice edged with urgency.

"You can't do it," Aayan stammered, his fear making his words tremble.

"What are you saying, boy?" she demanded, her anger rising.

Aayan's eyes darted to Swara, who looked just as shocked as he was. Gathering his courage, he met the nurse's gaze and said, "She's pregnant, three months along."

Gasps echoed through the hall as everyone's jaws dropped in surprise. Swara's eyes widened in shock. The nurse's demeanor shifted instantly from anger to focus.

"Okay, everyone move back!" she commanded, "I have to perform the Heimlich maneuver."

Positioning herself behind Kavya, the nurse wrapped her arms around Kavya's chest, just beneath her ribs. She found the right spot and began performing quick, firm compressions. Kavya's eyes filled with pain, unable to cry out but suffering.

After a tense moment, Kavya's body convulsed, and she began to cough, expelling the blockage. Relief swept through the crowd as she gasped for breath. The nurse continued the abdominal thrusts until Kavya finally stopped choking, her breaths coming in ragged but steady.

The ordeal settled, and Kavya's breathing returned to normal. Aayan dropped to his knees beside her, his hands trembling as he checked her over. "Biscuit?" he asked in a numb, shaky voice. Kavya didn't respond; instead, she collapsed unconscious against his shoulder.

The crowd watched in stunned silence, the tension palpable as the moment's weight sank in. Aayan held Kavya close, his mind reeling with the events unfolding.

"Take her to the ambulance," ordered the nurse. She turned to Aayan, who was watching Kavya being loaded onto the stretcher. "Are you her guardian?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"We need to do further treatments and tests," she said, handing him a form. It felt like a nightmare as he watched the ambulance drive away, feeling utterly helpless and overwhelmed with guilt.

"Are you okay?" Swara gently placed her hand over his. He nodded without meeting her eyes and headed towards the main door to leave.

"Wait, Aayan," she called after him, "Let me come, please," she implored, her eyes filled with concern. He ignored her and walked out into the heavy rain, feeling everything slipping out of his control.

The empty road stretched before him as he walked aimlessly, memories of Kavya flooding his mind. He recalled her worries about the pregnancy and how he hadn't taken them seriously. The guilt consumed him.

A car horn beeped beside him, and Swara stepped out with an umbrella. "Look, Aayan," she began, her voice steady but filled with emotion, "It's not the time to dwell on the past. She is my friend too." Her eyes, tearful, met his. "When she held my hand, I realized how much she needs me."

"Please," she asked again, raising her brows. Aayan took a deep breath and nodded. She placed her hand in his and led him to the car. He held back his tears, trying to maintain his composure throughout the ride, though it grew increasingly difficult.

They arrived at the hospital just as the ambulance pulled in. Aayan hurried out and rushed inside, with Swara and Shivansh following closely, carrying essentials. "Excuse me, sir, please fill out this form before we proceed with any treatments," said a nurse.

Irritation flared in his eyes, but he complied. The faculty examined Kavya for a couple of hours while Swara stayed by Aayan's side, offering water and food at regular intervals. "It's not your fault," she said softly, placing her hand over his.

"How?" he replied, his voice strained with frustration. "I was the one who left her in this condition. I was irresponsible. None of this would have happened if I hadn't let her go to the party." His words were filled with hopelessness.

Swara remained silent, listening to his every word, providing the comfort of her presence.

"Who is the father?" the doctor asked as he emerged from the ward. Aayan shook his head. "They have separated."

"Who are you then?" the doctor questioned.

Aayan took a moment before replying, "I'm her friend, her guardian right now." His voice was steady, but the weight of responsibility and guilt bore heavily on him.

"Okay, listen. Your friend had minor internal bleeding during her choking episode. Thankfully, the fetus wasn't affected," the doctor explained. Hope surged inside Aayan as he glanced at Kavya through the see-through mirror.

"But keep in mind, things could get wrong if it happens again," the doctor warned. "Thank you, sir," Aayan said, nodding. "Can we meet her?" Swara asked.

"She's conscious now," the doctor replied, tapping Aayan's shoulder reassuringly before leaving. Both Aayan and Swara entered the room, and seeing Kavya lying with IV drips broke Aayan's heart. His childhood partner had just faced a terrifying ordeal. Swara nodded at Aayan, urging him to approach Kavya.

"Biscuit," he said softly, holding her hand. Kavya opened her eyes dimly, a weak smile spreading across her face. "Hey, stupid," she murmured. Aayan nodded with a smile, his eyes reflecting his relief.

"He's brave," Swara said, looking at Aayan and addressing Kavya.

"Oh, well he is," Kavya agreed, her voice faint. "Is everything okay?" she asked, gently placing her hand over her belly.

Aayan's mind swirled with conflicting thoughts of yes, no, right, and wrong. "Yes, everything is fine," Swara reassured, gently stroking Kavya's head.

Kavya looked at Aayan with surprise. "I know it. Everyone does," she said, embarrassed by the situation. "Oh well," Kavya rolled her eyes, "Boys can't keep up with things, Swara," she joked.

"Well, he saved you too," Swara added. "He told the nurse about this, and then she brought you here." Kavya's gently cupped Aayan's cheek. "Not that stupid," she said with a loving smile.

All three laughed, the tension easing slightly. But then, Swara winced, feeling a sharp pain in her belly. She sat down on the sofa, trying to mask her discomfort.

"What happened, Su... Swara?" Aayan asked, fumbling with his words.

"Nothing much, just some ache," she said, trying to dismiss it. Kavya looked at Aayan with concern. "Take care, Su," she said. Swara chuckled weakly, and Aayan tried to deny his worry.

Suddenly, Swara collapsed to her knees, her face contorted in pain. Blood trickled from her nose, a horrifying sight that sent a wave of panic through the room. Aayan rushed for her while Kavya, despite her weakness, tried desperately to rouse Swara.

The scene was one of sheer horror as if a dark force had shifted its focus onto Swara. The room, once filled with cautious relief, now echoed with cries and a sense of impending tragedy. The atmosphere was suffocated with dread as Aayan saw her in the shaking herself his heart pounded with fear. Seeing Swara in such a dire state, the horrors of the heart became all too real, and the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on everyone present.