Love Unexpected

CHAPTER 12

**AUTHOR'S POV**

“Stop it!” Siya’s voice cracked as she screamed, her words trembling as tears streamed down her cheeks, falling faster and faster with each passing moment. Her brothers, along with Anya and Ishika, turned towards her, their expressions filled with concern and worry.

The pressure was too much—the guilt, the shame, everything was overwhelming. *I should have died instead of facing all this. Why did he save me? I don’t deserve to live.*

*I’m the reason for all of this… I shou
ld have died…* she thought, her mind spiraling as she staggered out of the living room. Her vision blurred with tears as she reached the staircase, each step heavier than the last. She clutched her chest as a sudden, sharp pain shot through her—a pain so intense that it robbed her of breath. Her legs gave way, and she tumbled down the stairs, her body limp as she hit the floor with a sickening thud.

*It hurts… everything hurts. Even breathing hurts,* she thought, the world spinning around her as she lay still. Blood pooled around her head, darkening her hair and staining the floor.

Kartik, hearing the loud crash, rushed out of the living room, closely followed by the others. His heart stopped when he saw Siya lying motionless at the bottom of the stairs, her body eerily still, blood seeping into the floor. “Piu!” Kartik and Ashwin shouted in unison, their voices laced with panic as they sprinted towards her.

Siddharth and the other family members emerged from their rooms, hurrying down the stairs to see what had happened. Sudha, upon seeing Siya’s lifeless body surrounded by blood, collapsed onto one of the steps, her face pale and eyes wide with horror. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. “Kya ho raha hai meri bachi ke saath?” she murmured, her voice trembling with sorrow.

Raman, refusing to waste another moment, grabbed Sudha’s arm. “Why are you sitting here? Let’s take her to the hospital!” His voice shook with panic, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn’t bear to entertain. *Please, bache, don’t leave us. You’re my only daughter, my sunshine. Please… stay with us.*

“Kartik, take her to the car!” Raman commanded, struggling to keep his voice steady as Kartik lifted Siya into his arms and rushed towards the door.

Ashwin stood frozen, unable to process the horror unfolding before him. His mind was stuck on repeat, the image of Siya lying on the floor, lifeless, haunting him.

“Ashwin! Snap out of it!” Kartik’s shout broke through the fog in his mind. “Dev, get the car!” Kartik commanded as he carried Siya out of the house, his heart pounding in his chest.

Kalindi hurried over, instructing Anya and Ishika to stay with Sudha as she followed the others outside. Raman, Rishi, and Siddharth were already heading to the hospital.

“Stand up, Mumma. Let’s go to your room. You need to rest. Siya will be alright; you need to take care of yourself.” Anya’s voice was gentle, but her own panic was evident.

Sudha leaned into Anya, her tears soaking Anya’s blouse. “Why is all this happening to my daughter?” she whispered, her voice choked with grief.

“Don’t worry, Mumma. Siya needs you to be strong. We’ll go to the hospital to see her soon, but you need to rest first,” Anya said, guiding Sudha to her room.

Once she settled Sudha, Anya returned downstairs, finding Ashwin still sitting on the last step, staring blankly ahead. Ishika sat beside him, offering a glass of water. “Ashwin, drink this. You need to stay strong for Siya. How will you handle everyone else if you can’t handle yourself?” she said, gently patting his back.