Maybe in next life

chapter 37

Ruhi

The air felt heavy the moment I stepped into college. It was my last exam, the one I had been working toward for months, but something felt... off. The usual chatter was missing. Sherlin, Mayra, Vihaan—none of them were around. I told myself they were just running late, but unease crept into my chest like a shadow.

Then my phone rang. Ishaan’s name flashed on the screen.

I picked up, and before I could ask anything, I heard his trembling voice. "Ruhi..." His words were shaky, broken. "Mihir... He’s in the hospital. He’s... seriously sick. Please come."

The world around me seemed to blur. My heartbeat thundered in my ears as my bag slipped from my shoulder. "What do you mean? What happened?" I shouted, my voice cracking.

"He’s not... He’s not okay," Ishaan managed through what sounded like a sob. "Just come, Ruhi. Please."

I didn’t think. I couldn’t. My exam, my future—none of it mattered. My legs moved before my mind could catch up, running as fast as they could toward the hospital.

The moment I reached, I froze. The air smelled of antiseptic, the halls eerily quiet. My chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath, but the sight in front of me shattered me.

Mihir.

He was lying on the hospital bed, so weak, so pale. His face had lost all its color, his breathing shallow and uneven. Vihaan was sitting by his side, his head in his hands, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Sherlin, Mayra, and Rohan stood at the corner, their faces streaked with tears. Even Ishaan, who always seemed so composed, looked like he had aged years in mere hours.

I stepped closer, my legs trembling with every step. "Mihir," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Vihaan looked up, his red, tear-filled eyes meeting mine. He shook his head as if trying to say something, but no words came out.

I moved to Mihir’s side, my heart breaking at the sight of him. His once-bright eyes were half-open, struggling to focus. His lips parted as if he wanted to speak, but no sound came.

I knelt beside him, taking his cold hand in mine. "Mihir," I said again, louder this time, my voice trembling. "What’s happening? Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you—" My voice broke, tears streaming down my face.

His lips curved into the faintest smile. Even now, in this state, he was trying to comfort me. "Rooh," he whispered, the nickname he had given me so long ago. "You’re here."

"Of course, I’m here," I cried, squeezing his hand. "Where else would I be? Mihir, you promised me. You promised you’d always be there for me. You said you wouldn’t let anyone hurt me. So why... why are you doing this?"

His fingers weakly squeezed mine back. "I tried, Ruhi," he whispered, his voice so soft I had to lean closer to hear him. "I tried so hard to stay... for you. But... I’m sorry."

"No!" I cried, shaking my head violently. "Don’t you dare say that. You don’t get to leave. You don’t get to break your promise. You said... you said we’d have forever. You can’t... you can’t leave me."

His eyes glistened with tears, and one rolled down his cheek. "I’m so... so sorry, Rooh. I wanted to stay. I wanted to... love you. Properly. To give you everything you deserve. But I’m... not strong enough."