Layers of Us

Chapter 60

Ram stepped outside the hospital and slumped onto the nearby bench, his body trembling as the weight of his emotions overtook him. He looked up at the sky, the moonlight illuminating his tear-streaked face.

Tears streamed down uncontrollably as he whispered, "Why, God? Why?" His voice broke with anguish. "I loved her with every piece of my soul, and now... now you've taken her away in a way that’s worse than death. She’s here, but she’s not with me. She doesn’t remember me, my love, our moments, our fights... nothing."

Burying his face in his hands, he cried bitterly, his shoulders shaking. His mind played a cruel montage of their moments together — her laughter, her shy smile, the warmth of her hugs, the way she fit so perfectly in his arms. He remembered her boldness, her stubbornness, and the way her eyes sparkled when they fought playfully. Each memory cut deeper than the last as he sat there, silently breaking.

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Meanwhile, inside Tripura's ward room, Vikram stepped in, carefully closing the door behind him. His expression was a mix of frustration and sadness.

Tripura, sitting on the bed, immediately looked up and asked with concern, "How is he, Vikram? Is he okay?"

Vikram’s jaw clenched as he replied, his voice low but sharp, "No, bhabhi, he’s not okay. How can you even think he would be? The woman he loves with all his heart doesn’t remember him anymore. Do you even realize what that’s doing to him?"

Tripura sighed deeply, her gaze dropping to the bedsheet. "I knew this would be hard, Vikram. But this was how it was supposed to end. You knew that from the beginning."

Her calmness pushed Vikram over the edge. He snapped, "Yes, bhabhi, I knew! But knowing doesn’t mean accepting. And I never thought you’d actually go through with it! I thought... I thought you’d fall in love with Ram so deeply that you’d change your mind." His voice cracked, and a tear slipped from his eye. "But no, you’ve fallen in love with him and still went ahead with this. Why? Why would you do this to him? To yourself?"

Tripura looked at him, her eyes betraying the pain she was trying so hard to hide. Her voice was soft but firm. "Because even though I love him, Vikram, there can never be an 'us.' Not now, not ever." Her words carried the weight of finality.

Vikram shook his head in disbelief, tears brimming in his eyes. "Bhabhi, this isn’t love. Love doesn’t destroy like this. It heals. It brings people together. And yet, you’ve chosen to push him away, knowing how much he loves you."

Tripura looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "It’s for his good, Vikram. He doesn’t need me. He needs himself. And if he’s going to find himself, this... this was necessary."

Her words were cold, but her trembling hands gave away the turmoil raging within her. Composing herself, she turned back to Vikram. "You have your tasks. Focus on them instead of standing here and questioning me."

Vikram stared at her for a moment, his heart breaking for both her and Ram. He sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "You’re wrong, bhabhi. He doesn’t need just himself. He needs you. And whether you accept it or not, you need him too."

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Without waiting for her reply, Vikram turned to leave the room when a sudden knock at the door startled them both.

Tripura looked at Vikram, her face filled with horror, her heart pounding against her ribcage. Vikram raised an eyebrow and cautiously stepped toward the door, giving her a reassuring glance.