Together Forever

Chapter 11

Anika's POV

I sat outside the operation theatre, the white walls around me closing in, filled with a silence heavy with fear and uncertainty. Everyone was there—waiting, worrying, crying. My mind was numb, unable to fully process the chaos that had unfolded just moments before. But seeing everyone so shattered made me pull myself together. Someone had to keep it together.

I made my way around, offering cups of coffee. I saw Nitya sitting on the floor, her knees pulled to her chest, her face pale and tear-streaked. My heart broke at the sight of her, her usual vibrant spirit replaced by sheer despair. Without a word, I walked over and handed her a cup of coffee, but she shook her head, her eyes distant and unfocused.

I lowered myself beside her, sitting on the cold floor. My hand found her shoulder, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. That's all I could offer right now—some form of comfort, however small. But the moment my hand touched her, she broke. Nitya leaned into me, burying her face in my shoulder as she began to sob uncontrollably. Her body trembled with every breath, and I could feel her pain as if it were my own.

"Anika... what just happened?" she cried, her voice muffled and broken. "Everything was fine. He was fine. How could this happen?"

I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close as she continued to cry, her tears soaking my shirt. I had no answers to give her. No words that could make this better. But I held her tighter, hoping the silence would speak for me.

"Shhh... just calm down, Nitya," I whispered softly, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside me. "He's strong. He'll pull through. We just have to stay strong for him, okay?"

She nodded weakly against me, her sobs slowing down but still coming in hiccuped gasps. I rocked her gently, trying to keep my own tears at bay. But deep down, I was just as terrified as she was. Uday's face, pale and covered in blood, flashed in my mind, and the weight of what had happened crashed down on me all over again.

It's all because of me.

The thought hit me like a punch to the chest, and I could feel the guilt start to claw its way through me. If he hadn't pushed me out of the way... if he hadn't tried to save me... Uday wouldn't be lying on that operating table right now, fighting for his life.

My stomach twisted painfully as I replayed the moment over and over in my head—the crash, the falling debris, Uday's arms pulling me out of harm's way. I hadn't even seen it coming, but he had. He reacted in an instant, without hesitation. And now, he was paying the price.

I swallowed hard, trying to push the guilt down, but it wouldn't leave. I gently pulled away from Nitya, brushing her hair away from her face as she continued to cry softly.

"He'll be okay, right?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes wide with fear as they searched mine for reassurance.

I wanted to tell her yes. I wanted to say it with all the certainty in the world. But I couldn't. All I could do was nod, even though my heart was screaming that I didn't know. I didn't know if he'd be okay. And the uncertainty was killing me.

I stood up, my legs shaky beneath me, and walked to the large glass window that separated us from the operation room. The flashing lights of the machines and the quiet, hurried movements of the doctors were all I could focus on. Somewhere in that room, Uday was lying unconscious. Because of me.

My breath caught in my throat as tears threatened to spill over.

i got up and saw uday's parents sitting lifelessly and masi also sitting crying.

Then pranav then came to me and said," If you want shall I drop you at your home?"

I shook my head at Pranav's offer, forcing a small, tight-lipped smile. "No, Pranav. I'll stay. Don't worry about me," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.