𝐔𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐈 𝐦𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮

•Chapter Twenty-Eight

Author

The rhythmic beeping of the monitor was the only sound in the sterile white room.

IV tubes ran down her arms. Oxygen hissed softly through the mask covering her pale face. Beneath the hospital blankets, Dhivti looked impossibly fragile- like the shadow of the woman Jahaan had known.

Jahaan sat at her bedside, he reached for her hand- holding it so carefully as if he might hurt her.

He laced his fingers through her hand. He held it like it was the only thread anchoring him to sanity.

He stared at her unmoving form.His clothes were still damp from the rescue. He hadn't changed. He hadn't eaten. He hadn't even blinked much.

Aarav had gone to finish up the formalities of the hospital.

"Come back to me, Dhivti," he whispers softly.

"I want to tease my Dhivti and see those beautiful eyes glaring at me. I want my Dhivti to come back home with me. I cannot go without you, Dhivi, because my home is you. Wherever you are. I am tired baby, I want to go home, please. Come back to your Jahaan," he speaks to her, still waiting for her to regain her conciousness.

He rests his head next to hers, next to the pillow while still holding her hand.

Dhivti

The first thing I felt was weight.

Not physical, but something heavy pressing down my chest.

And then- warmth.

A hand. Familiar. Calloused fingers gently cradling mine.

My eyelids fluttered, a silver of light forcing it's way in. My head throbbed, throat burned like I had swallowed fire.

I tried to move slightly when I sensed someone next to me, jolting.

"Dhivti?" a manly voice called out.

Jahaan.

It is Jahaan.

All that happened hits me like a truck.

Akash Gupta. Chhaya aunty. Kidnapping. The torture. Iron chains. The water. Drowning.

I wake up with a gasp and two hands immediately cup my face.

"I am here- you are safe. Look at me."

Jahaan.

My eyes settle on him.

Leaning over, eyes bloodshot, face weary, holding me like it was the only thing keeping him alive.

A nurse comes in, running as if called in an emergency. Jahaan might have called.

She checks on me and tells us that I am fine but need rest. She removes my oxygen mask.

I turn towards Jahaan to find his eyes already on me.

"Ch-Chhaya aunty? Maa-" I whisper, weakly.

"Safe. At home," he cuts me off knowing what I wanted to ask. I nod.

He leans over me and I look at him.