Bade Sapne

Shanti

Shubman's POV

The quiet hum of machines filled the room as the soft hospital lights fell over Vira's bed. I sat by her side, not moving much, just listening to the subtle rhythm of her breathing, reminding myself that she was here, safe, even if battered and bruised.

Hours drifted by. It was mostly silence between us—she wasn't saying much, and neither was I. But even in the quiet, the air was thick with all that remained unsaid. Occasionally, she'd drift in and out of sleep, her hand twitching slightly as though she were reaching for something in her dreams. I stayed still, holding on gently, letting her know I wasn't going anywhere.

It was nearing noon when she finally stirred, her eyes opening slowly. For a second, her gaze was distant, lost, but then they landed on me, and she blinked, surprised but maybe a little comforted too.

Her eyes darted between me and the window, once... twice... three times...

"Ouch!" I yelped. "What was that for?"

I rubbed my arm where she'd pinched me, her eyes narrowed and unbelieving. 

"Just had to check if you were real."

I smirked. "Why? Do you dream about me?" 

Her previously curious expression snapped to a scowl, her lips pursed. Gosh, if looks could kill...

I quickly realised that such a comment was probably unwelcome, since it was one of the primary reasons she was in this room in the first place, and I quickly wiped the smirk off my face, clearing my throat. And then... awkward silence. 

Until she spoke up. Her eyes shifted to mine, and I tried my best to maintain it, but the intensity of her slightly judgemental gaze forced me to tear my eyes away, and focus on a pigeon outside the window. She could sense the discomfort. I turned back to her. 

"How long have you been here?" she murmured, her voice hoarse.

I shrugged, glancing away to hide the exhaustion in my own eyes. "Not too long." I paused, then corrected myself, realising that I'd forgotten to put up my nonchalant, mysterious barriers, "Long enough."

A faint smile crossed her face, and she turned her head to look out the window. Sunlight streamed through, casting a warm glow over her pale features, bathing her beautiful brown eyes in the essence of nature. Her eyes are so beautiful... like pools of honey, dripping with warmth and welcome. "You didn't have to stay, Shubman," she whispered.

"I know," I replied softly, my voice catching in my throat. "But I wanted to."

---

Vira's POV

There was something in his presence that felt different today. Like he wasn't just here because he felt guilty, but because he... wanted to be. Maybe even needed to be. And while I knew I should keep my guard up, it was hard to ignore the warmth his presence brought.

It seemed to me that his conscience was bringing out the gentle, kinder version of him... the one I'd first met. The way he failed to maintain the eye contact between us... it was almost as if he felt guilty for what had happened, as if he wanted to make it up to me. His eyes settled on mine, and I rested a hand on my stomach, feeling tempted to fall asleep so that he wouldn't be able to see my eyes. Petty, huh? Wonder what he's thinking...

For a while, we talked in bits and pieces, sharing small, gentle things. Nothing about the mob, the press, or even our past. Instead, it was about everyday things—the disgusting soft food the nurses kept bringing, how I missed strong coffee, the way the city looked through the hospital window.

At one point, Shubman leaned forward, reaching to adjust my blanket, which had crept up past my ankles and was now unleashing the full power of the AC onto my feet. "I remember you complaining about hospital beds being too stiff once," he murmured, his tone almost teasing.

"Guess I spoke it into existence," I joked back, though I couldn't quite meet his eyes. He gave me a weak smile, evidently pitying my situation. Great. That's the last thing I need. Pity. And that too, from the man who'd been the root cause of this situation. There was a familiarity here, and with it, the warmth of someone who remembered even the smallest details. But it felt fragile, like something we had to protect from shattering.

---

Shubman's POV

As the day stretched on, I noticed her watching me, really watching me, almost like she was searching for something. Her expression softened occasionally, like she was opening up just a little, letting me see past the walls she'd put up.

"Shubman," she said after a long silence, "why are you... here?"

I looked down, fidgeting with the edge of her blanket, uncomfortable with the question. I looked at her, and an apologetic look had come over her face, almost as if she wanted to take back what she had just said. But she deserved to know. 

"Because I can't undo what I did. But maybe I can be here for what's next." It was all I could manage without stumbling over my words, without letting my voice break.

Vira's gaze lingered, and though she didn't respond directly, her hand shifted just slightly closer to mine on the bed. It was a tiny, almost imperceptible movement, but I could feel it—this hint that maybe she was willing to let me in, at least for today.

---

Author's POV

The continuous faint beeping of hospital machines and sunlight filtering through the windows set the scene for a new shuruat. A new beginning, for two individuals who'd been torn apart by the harsh fingers of misunderstanding. All was silent between them, but unspoken apologies and forgiveness were exchanged, and the interactions between the two became softer... gentler.  

Hours passed, and the quiet between them grew comfortable, each stolen glance, each small smile enough to remind them of the friendship they'd once had—and what might still remain. And as the evening shadows deepened outside, they both knew this day had done something neither of them could fully put into words.

And so, the sharp thorns of hatred began to bloom into something more beautiful... the rose.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N:

The rose of LOVE, guyssss 

I'VE PLANTED THE SEEDS FOR THEIR FUTURE AAHAHAHHAH

Anyways, SOMEONE get me a man like Shubman PLEASE. Also Captain Gill is smashing it this IPL, eh? GT currently at the top of the table... wah re wah Shub. Shoulda lost to RCB tho, coz RCB 🔛🔝

MOVING ON SWIFTLY. Multi-POV chapter today... how'd you find the format? How are you finding the story overall? Also, mind you, this is one of my favourite chapters in the book so far, and hopefully, it's one of yours too... 

Also, I KNOW this is super late, but hey- YOURE GETTING THE CHAPTERS OK?

anywaysss, hope you enjoyed this!

Don't forget to vote and comment your thoughts on this chapter so far.

Stay tuned ;)