Whispers of Destiny: Unveiling Hearts ✅

|| 37. A Race Against Time ||

Akshara lay on the street, blood seeping onto the pavement. Abhimanyu, Abhir, and Arshia stood frozen at the door, shock written on their faces. Arshia's panicked voice pierced through the silence.

"Akshara!" she screamed, rushing toward her. Abhimanyu followed, his heart racing as he knelt beside her, gently cradling her head in his lap.

"Akshu, nothing will happen to you. Please, keep your eyes open. I won't let anything happen to you," Abhimanyu's voice cracked, tears spilling down his cheeks as he held her close.

From behind, Abhir watched, his small voice trembling, "Mumma... please wake up, Mumma, please."

Arshia, holding back her own fear, checked Akshara's pulse, her expression grim. She looked at Abhimanyu urgently, "Abhimanyu, we don't have much time. We need to get her to the hospital now."

Akshara, barely conscious, reached a weak hand toward Abhimanyu, her eyes full of pain and an unspoken goodbye.

"Abhi..." she whispered, her voice faltering, "If anything happens to me, will you... will you take care of Abhir?"

Abhimanyu's heart clenched. "What are you saying, Akshu? Nothing will happen to you. You'll be fine," he replied, his voice desperate, his hands trembling as he held her.

But Akshara continued, her voice faint and shaky, "If... if something happens... promise me you'll move on... marry again for Abhir's sake..."

"Akshu, please stop! Don't say things like that!" he pleaded, shaking his head, refusing to believe what she was implying.

Akshara turned her gaze to Abhir, her eyes filling with tears. "Abhir, don't trouble your papa too much, okay? Be good..." Her voice trailed off, and her eyes closed as she lost consciousness.

"Akshu!" Abhimanyu cried out, clutching her tighter, his tears falling onto her face as he whispered, "Please, Akshu, open your eyes... please come back."

By now, Kairav, Krish, Vansh, Lavanya, Samaira, Manish, Suhasini, and Surekha had all rushed outside, horrified by the sight before them. Akshara lay motionless, blood staining her clothes, as they all stared, too shocked to speak.

Kairav was the first to break from the trance, rushing to her side, his hands trembling as he whispered, "Akshara... nothing will happen to you. You'll be fine. You have to be..." His voice broke, his worry evident in every word.

Krish and Vansh quickly snapped into action, running to bring the car around. Abhimanyu lifted Akshara gently, cradling her close, and carried her to the car, placing her carefully on the back seat. Abhimanyu and Abhir climbed in beside her, Abhimanyu's eyes never leaving her face, his own fear overwhelming him. Krish took the driver's seat, and Arshia sat beside him, worry etched on her face.

In the second car, Swarna, Manish, Suhasini, Vansh, and Samaira piled in, while Lavanya, Keesha, and Kairav took the third vehicle. Suhasini, unable to hold back her sorrow, began sobbing, "What's happening to our child on such an auspicious day? Why, God, why would you do this to her? If it has to be someone, take me instead. Please, not our Akshara."

Manish and Swarna tried to console her, holding her hands and whispering words of reassurance, though their own hearts were gripped with fear.

Back in the first car, Abhimanyu watched helplessly as Akshara's pulse weakened. Panic filled his eyes as he shook her gently, his tears falling on her face. "Akshu, please... please stay with me. Don't leave us. Open your eyes... just stay with me."

Beside him, Abhir was crying softly, his small hands reaching for his mother as he pleaded, "Mumma, please wake up. I promise I'll be good, Mumma... I'll listen to everything you say. Just... don't go away." His innocent voice broke Abhimanyu's heart even further, and he wiped Abhir's tears, though his own continued to fall freely.