Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha~ Short Stories Collection

5

Author's POV

Ishank sat in the driver's seat, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel, heart pounding louder than the hum of the engine. His thoughts spiraled out of control. The call from Keisha had been brief but haunting, her voice trembling before the crash. He had tried to track her location, hoping it was just a minor accident, but when her security team confirmed she had been rushed to the hospital, panic seized him.

He made a conference call with her security detail as he weaved through the heavy traffic. "How did this happen?" he asked, his voice sharper than intended. He couldn't afford to show how scared he was, but inside, his heart was gripped by fear.

"It all happened so fast, Rajkumar sa," the chief of her security team said nervously, addressing him in the royal title. "Before we could react, she was already caught in the crash. It was sudden—out of nowhere."

Ishank swallowed, his mind racing. "Is she conscious?" He dreaded the answer but needed to know.

"We're not sure, sir. The paramedics were there quickly and took her straight to the hospital."

Ishank cut the call short and pressed his foot down harder on the accelerator. The road seemed endless, every second stretching painfully. He had been a calm man most of his life, someone who could manage even the most difficult situations, but right now, with Keisha's safety on the line, that composure was nowhere to be found.

When he reached the hospital, he parked haphazardly, not caring about anything but seeing her. He rushed inside, barely registering the sterile white walls and the faint smell of antiseptic. The hospital staff directed him to the emergency room, where one of Keisha's security personnel stood waiting.

"The doctors are checking her now, Rajkumar sa," the man said, his voice thick with worry. Ishank's pulse quickened. He tried to steady his breathing, pacing back and forth.

He could feel his professional calm slipping. He was the crown prince, expected to handle everything with grace, yet at this moment, all he could think about was Keisha, her face, her voice, the way her laugh sounded like a melody that had always calmed him.

As he leaned against the cold wall of the hospital, memories from six years ago rushed through his mind—the day they were on a royal tour, newly engaged. They were visiting the farms surrounding the palace, a symbol of their connection to the people. Keisha had been dressed in a light pink traditional gown, her laughter ringing out as they walked through the fields. They had found a moment away from the guards and the formality, hiding behind a large tree that shaded them from the midday sun.

"Ishank," she had whispered, her lips brushing against his ear. She was nineteen, so full of life, and he, ten years her senior, had never felt as carefree as he did in her presence. They had kissed there, hidden from the world, a quiet moment of joy before returning to their royal duties. The way her eyes had sparkled with happiness, the softness of her lips—it was all etched into his memory as though it had just happened.

Now, standing outside the emergency room, Ishank couldn't shake the fear that those memories might be all he had left. He was angry at himself. Had his career taken too much precedence? Had he failed her by distancing himself when she needed him most?

His phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the heavy silence. He glanced at the screen. It was his mother, Aisha. He hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Ishank?" her voice was soft but filled with concern. "Where are you, beta? Is everything okay?"

"No, Maa." His voice cracked. He hated letting anyone, even his mother, hear his vulnerability, but this was different. "Keisha's been in an accident. She's in the hospital."