x.

" I love you, Krishnangi. Please don't leave me like this. " 

Her eyelids fluttered open. The sudden invasion of light, made her wince and close her eyes again. A pain, gradually making it's way.

" Ah " another try and this time, she succeeded, though her vision blurred, " Ru-Ruhaan "

She could hear sounds, coming from distant somewhere. She looked around her, a familiar face saying something to her. More figures, clad in white, entered the room.

But why is she not able to hear anything? She felt slight constriction in her chest, before everything blacked out. Once again.

•

She felt a slight caress on her cheeks, " Feeling better? " she hummed savoring the touch. 

Opening her eyes slightly, she took all of him sitting beside her; tired and messy, but handsome. She sighed and tried to sit up, " You need something? "

" Drink water. " Ruhaan fetched her a glass of water and helped her with it. Keeping the glass aside, he adjusted the pillow behind her and took her tiny hands in his big ones.

" Rastogi? " she initiated.

" He'd been handed over to the police. Dad said he'll personally look over it. So, no more of this illegal business. " Ruhaan had a strain in his voice.

" Thank god, it's over now. I was so scared, when he asked you to- "

" That's why you performed that stunt? Itni bahaduri dikhane ki kya jarurat thi? " Krishnangi gaped at him.

(What was the need to show such bravery?)

He was so sweet a few moments ago!

" I was trying to save you. " she reasoned.

" And in order, get yourself killed. " their tones rising with each passing second.

" So, what do you think I should've done? Just stand there and watch? No, I couldn't do that. I couldn't let you harm yourself, because of that man's twisted desires. "

" I was not really going to cut my wrist, stupid girl! Use your brain cells sometimes. Pata hain, jyada nahin hain tumhare paas. Par jitne hain, uske toh dhang se use kar leti. " he jerked her hands and stood up.

(I know you don't have much. But whatever you have, at least use it wisely)

Raking his hands through his hair, he paced the room, " You didn't even realise, how serious that was. You weren't getting any bravery award for whatever you did."

A nurse hurriedly came inside, " This is a hospital and we expect you to maintain the decorum. There are other patients too. " but she was ignored.

" Why are you being so hyper? "

" I saw my life shattering in front of me, do you even understand that? You could've died. I could've lost you. I didn't have any fucking courage left, after Vihaan's accident. Andar hi andar marr jata main. " he shouted. The nurse tried to stop him, but cowered back in fear, seeing him this angry.

(I would've died within myself)

" Why? " Krishnangi whispered asked.

" Because, I've fallen in love with you. Was it that hard to understand? " he noticed her expressions, " Now, you may ask me, when did this happened? Honestly, I didn't know. But it just happened and I didn't regret an ounce. "

Krishnangi felt a volcano erupting on her insides, gathering her wits, she spilled out bitterly, " How dare you Ruhaan? How dare you, to confess your love- oh sorry infatuation to me, after what happened 3 years ago? How dare you to even think, I'll forgive you and that girl, for planning out a rap- " she held back her tears, " -pyaar toh dur ki baat hain, maafi ke bhi haqdar nahin ho tum. That night may hold no matter to you. But for me, that was an unforgettable incident. Each second, each touch, each filthy word, was etched into my mind and I can't seem to forget all that. I can't seem to forget, how you crushed my feelings, my apology and asked your man to take revenge on me. Just cause your dad slapped you? That also, due to your own bloody acts. Then why is it me, who was held responsible, Ruhaan? " she cried violently.

(Love is out of the question, you're not even worthy of forgiveness)

" Please. Leave. I need some space to calm myself down. " the nurse pushed her down on the bed and injected her something.

" She's showing PTSD symptoms, sir. I request you to move out of the room, for the betterment of the patient. "

Ruhaan went out dejectedly and met Vihaan outside, sitting on a chair, " What are you doing here? You should be in your room, taking rest. "

" Maut ko chukar wapis aaya hu Ruhaan bhai. And you didn't even come to see me. That's so wrong. I'm do deeply hurt. " his tone mischievous.

(I've escaped death and come back)

Burdened with more guilt, he hugged his little brother, " I'm sorry bachha. The circumstances made me- but, I'm so happy that you've came out of your coma. Now everything will be all right. " and helped him to his room.

Once inside, " Are you sure, everything will be all right? " Vihaan questioned settling on the bed, " Maybe, you don't know bhai, but Krishnangi had once harboured feelings for you. "

That made the elder brother froze, " She loved me- "

" I won't say love, that's a very big word, maybe attraction. But yes, there was something. You were the college crush afterall. Any normal freshie girl would fall for your charms. You remember, when you and your friends were bullying her? She'd tried to stop you, but you just didn't even give a fuck. Then, she complained the management and dad got to know about it, and the rest is history. Do you remember that? "

Ruhaan nodded, " Ofcourse, I'd hated chicken-eyes for that. "

" Till then, she didn't hated you bhai. When dad slapped you, she felt equally bad. Krishnangi had told me once, she had just wanted to teach you a lesson, not to humiliate you in front of everyone. That this is not her way. She even wanted to apologise. But then, that night happened. Since then, she'd started to hate even the mention of your name." Vihaan completed with a sigh.

" But, I was not involved in all that. It was Nia. Why is she hating me for something, about which I myself didn't know at that time? I was not behind all this. " Ruhaan pressed his forehead.

" I know you can't ever do such things. I know because, I'm your brother. Par Krishnangi aapki behen thodi hain! Tell her the truth, yourself. "

(But Krishnangi isn't your sister)

" Will she even trust me? "

" You've to take the risk in love. " Vihaan winked.

" How did you know, that I love her? " Ruhaan laughed.

" The world would have known by now, by the way you're shouting out your love confession, earlier in her room. "

•

A knock pulled her out of her thoughts, seconds later Ruhaan walked in, " I've informed your parents. They'll be coming here by the evening. " she looked at him blankly, " I also want- I am sorry for whatever happened to you that night. And it's okay, if you don't believe me if I say, I was not behind all that. That's why, I've brought evidences too. Look. " he showed her the CCTV footage, where he and Nia were fighting.

And finally, Nia confessed her crime, " I hope, now you believe me. " 

She exhaled tiredly and utterly deranged, " I am so done with my life. "

Ruhaan held her hands in his, this time, promising to hold it all his lifetime, " No you shouldn't. There's still a lot to do. Just give me a chance to make things right. To erase all the bad memories and create new ones. To make you fall for me, again. " she looked at him, eyes half filled with fear and half with hope.

" Just one chance. I'm ready to change for you, for the good of us. You'll not be given any opportunity to complain or regret. Please one chance, just once. " he pleaded like a small child.

A small smile uplifted the corner of her lips, " But, what if I couldn't forget about the past? What if, I can't love you back? "

" Phir tumhare hisse ka pyaar bhi main hi karr lunga. Now please say yes. "

(Then, I'll do the share of your love too)

She was hesitant at first, but then a nod and she was engulfed in a gentle hug, " Thank you so much chicken-eyes. I'll do my best to work this out between us. " butterflies erupted in her stomach, at his tone of determination and affection.

" And thanks again. " he kissed her hands.

" Why? "

" For being alive. " 

" Then thanks to you too. "

" What for? " Ruhaan questioned.

" For saving my life. "

He smiled and whispered, " Apni jaan ki jaan jaate huye kaise dekh sakta tha? I'd to do something na. " 

(How could I bear to watch the life of my beloved slip away?)

She chuckled and stared at him with mixed emotions, " Ruhaan? "

" Haanji "

(Yes)

" I will be waiting to fall in love with you. " he grinned and pecked her lips.

He joined their foreheads, closing his eyes in contentment, " You didn't have to wait for long love. It's my promise. Until then, my love will be enough for both of us. "