Unconditional Love

98. In the Wake of Memory

Virat stirred slowly, his eyelids fluttering open as a sterile white ceiling came into view.

The sharp smell of antiseptic, the beeping of monitors, the quiet hum of machines— it all came crashing in at once.

His heart thudded erratically in his chest.

The white walls.

The silence.

The lingering memory of whiskey and pain.

He didn't know where he was—but it felt too familiar.

Then it hit him.

The date.

His breathing quickened. His eyes darted around the room, panic settling in deep and fast.

"Aman?" he whispered first, then louder—"Aman?!"

His chest heaved.

"Where is he? No—no, something happened, something happened, again—" His voice trembled, words breaking apart as his mind spiraled back to the worst day of his life.

Rohit, who had been dozing in the chair beside him, jolted upright at the sound.

Rahul bhai was at the window, and he turned immediately at the panic lacing Virat's voice.

"Bacha—hey, hey—it's okay—" Rahul bhai rushed to his side as Rohit gripped Virat's hand gently.

"Virat, breathe—look at me—it's okay," Rohit said, voice shaking but steady, trying to ground him.

But Virat was gone—trapped in the echo of the past.

His breath hitched, shallow and fast. "Please tell me he's okay—please, don't lie—don't take him away from me again—I—"

The room's tension thickened.

A nurse had already called the doctor, and within moments, he arrived, assessed the situation quickly, and injected a mild sedative.

"Please... Aman's okay, right? Please tell me he's okay," Virat murmured again, weaker now, eyes brimming with fear and pleading as his body slowly relaxed under the effect of the medication.

Rohit's throat tightened as he cupped Virat's cheek, whispering, "He's safe, Vi. Aman's safe. You're safe. We're all here."

Virat's lashes fluttered, and then he slipped back into unconsciousness—this time, more peaceful.

Rahul bhai closed his eyes, taking a steadying breath, while Rohit sat back in his chair, still holding Virat's hand.

Whatever it took—they would help him through this.

Rahul bhai placed a hand on Rohit's shoulder, his expression firm yet gentle. "Rohit... I think we should call Aman and Jassi."

Rohit looked up, concern shadowing his tired eyes.

Rahul continued, "The way Virat reacted... it wasn't just the trauma of today. It was Aman's accident flashing before him. The hospital, the timing—it triggered everything. If he wakes up again and sees Aman in front of him, safe and whole... it might help ground him."

Rohit swallowed hard and nodded, still holding Virat's hand gently in his lap. "Yeah... yeah, you're right. He needs to see Aman."

Rahul bhai stepped out quietly and dialed Jassi's number.

It rang a few times before a groggy voice answered, "Hello... bhai?"

Rahul kept his tone calm, not wanting to alarm him. "Jassi... just get to the hospital with Aman. I'll explain everything when you get here, okay?"