LOST

43. SAPNA

~ Sapna ~

The honesty dripping from Aadi's voice, the affection glowing in his eyes, and the contagious smile dancing on his lips made a million butterflies incessantly flap their wings, unrolling the fluttering sensation through my body. Joyous and devious warmth spread and my own smile widened.

I doubled over and sat right opposite to him, our knees touched. He outstretched his free hand and snaked it around my waist, resting it and rubbing the small of by back.

"Aadi, I –"

Vibration in my back pocket. I sighed and Aadi fished the phone out for me. I mouthed an apology to him as he handed me the device, and he just winked.

"Where are you?" It was Ma, she sounded panicked.

"At the beach, with Aadi." I shrugged. "What's wrong?"

"Sapna, you.. I .. we.." Ma never faltered with words, and now she seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown.

"Ma? Are you okay? Talk to me," my throat went dry. I got on my feet and took a few steps back.

"You.. you should.. you should c..come here as fast a..as you can.." she stuttered.

"Come where?" I almost yelled, a little too alarmed myself.

"The.. the h..ho..hospital."

"What? Why? Are you okay? Ma, tell me everything is fine. Please. Tell me everything is fine, please. Please," I begged.

She disconnected the call.

I fell on my knees, groaned. Sharp feeling of worry, pain and fear weighed me down. I clutched my hair, and let out one low scream.

A strong pair of arms. I looked at Aadi's perplexed face.

Almost instantly, I stood up and took a sprint towards the steps that led to where his bike was parked.

"Take me to the hospital. Now!" I called over my back.

"Will you tell me what's wrong?" With his concern, Aadi was beside me in seconds.

"I don't know."

Within five minutes, we were there, faced by a group of natives. Rishi, Dheeraj Uncle, Bhumi Aunty and Raveena stood at the hospital gates. Their faces were drenched in trouble and I grew worried with every step I took in their direction. Raveena came forward and took both my hands in hers. "Sapna, it's going to be alright. You just have to be strong, okay?" Those words were enough for the uneasiness and dread to make its way back to my heart.

"Chachu, what's wrong?" Aadi approached Dheeraj Uncle.

"Second floor. Room 205." Was all he said, while Rishi clapped Aadi's back with a grim façade, and Bhumi Aunty, on the verge of tears, caressed his forearm.

I swallowed hard, and willed myself to enter the building with Aadi on my heels. In the corridor, Daddy's wretched figure leaned against the wall, his hand resting on Ma's shoulder, who sat on the empty bench with her face buried in both her hands. My heart sank. I couldn't breathe.

I didn't want to walk towards them. I didn't want to know what was wrong or who was hurt. I wanted to turn around and head back to the beach. I wanted to return to the moment Aadi and I was sharing. I wanted to answer his question.

Aadi, however, chose to act differently. He overtook me, and in two long strides, he stood in front of the door of room 205, peeking through the round glass. I studied him, trying to figure something out, but before his face could give away any emotion, he turned the knob and bolted inside the room.