The hospital room was quiet except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor. The rhythmic sound, once terrifying, had become a source of comfort. Proof that she was still here.
Kruti lay in bed, asleep, her chest rising and falling steadily. I sat beside her, watching. My fingers absentmindedly traced circles on the back of her hand, needing the reassurance of her warmth.
It had been five days since the accident.
Five days of hell.
She had been in pain, weak, barely able to move. And I had been there for all of it. Every agonizing moment. Every wince. Every exhausted sigh.
I never left her side.
Not when she struggled to stay awake, nor when she whispered complaints about the bland hospital food. Not even when she got frustrated with her injuries and tried to move, only to have me scold her like a strict professor.
She hated it.
"You're acting like an overprotective husband," she had grumbled yesterday, frowning as I adjusted her pillows for the third time.
I had scoffed. "And you're acting like an ungrateful wife."
She smiled. I smiled.
And for the first time in weeks, I felt at peace.
But tonight... Tonight was different.
The exhaustion I had been holding at bay finally caught up with me. As I watched her sleep, the weight of everything crashed over me.
She could have died.
If we hadn't gotten help in time. If she had lost a little more blood. Ifâ
A choked breath escaped me.
I didn't even realize I was crying until a warm tear rolled down my cheek, landing on her hand.
I quickly wiped it away, but more followed. My chest tightened, and before I could stop myself, I buried my face in my hands.
It was too much.
The relief. The fear. The guilt.
I had almost lost her.
"Fuck... why are you like this, dev? What is wrong with you?" I muttered, biting on my fist to stop myself from crying.
"You always thought you'd never love her but... but... look at you nowâ sitting beside her, scared to leave her alone."
And for the first time since the accident, I let myself break.
Silent sobs wracked my body. My shoulders trembled as I gasped for breath, my hands gripping my face like it would somehow hold me together.
I didn't hear the soft rustling.
Didn't notice the change in breathing.
Didn't realize she was awakeâ until I felt warm arms wrap around me.
I stilled.
Her small hands slid across my back, pulling me into an embrace. I barely had time to react before she buried my face in her chest like I was some fragile child.
A surprised, choked sound escaped me, but I didn't pull away.
I couldn't.
Her fingers ran through my hair, slow and soothing. She laughed softly, a tired, affectionate sound.
"Dev," she whispered, her voice weak but teasing. "Are you actually crying?"
I tensed, my body stiff against hers. "No," I said quickly, but my voice cracked, ruining the lie.
She chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Liar."
I scowled against her hospital gown, refusing to lift my head. "Shut up."
She hugged me tighter, her warmth sinking into me. "I won't tell anyone if that helps."
I scoffed. "You'll bring it up every chance you get."
"Of course."
Despite everything, a small smile tugged at my lips.
Her hands didn't stop moving, tracing gentle circles on my back. It was soothing, comfortingâlike a mother comforting her child.
Which was humiliating.
But for some reason... I didn't mind.
Not with her.
I let out a shaky breath, finally lifting my head. My eyes met hers, and my heart clenched.
She was tired, her face paler than usual, but she was smiling.
Alive.
Here.
I swallowed hard, my fingers curling into her blanket. "You scared the hell out of me."
Her smile softened. "I know."
I exhaled sharply. "Don't ever do that again."
She smirked. "Do what? Almost die?"
I glared at her. "Yes, that."
She laughedâactually laughedâbefore squeezing my shoulders. "I'll try my best, Professor. But... that isn't something I can control."
I rolled my eyes but didn't let go of her hand.
She studied my face for a long moment, then sighed dramatically. "Who knew my grumpy professor could cry?"
I groaned, leaning back in my chair. "Forget what you saw."
She grinned. "Impossible."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I should have let you sleep."
"But then I wouldn't have witnessed your adorable breakdown."
I glared at her again. "You're insufferable."
"And you're soft."
I scoffed. "I take back every nice thing I said."
She snorted, shaking her head. "Liar."
I sighed, my thumb absently brushing over her knuckles. The teasing, the bickeringâit was so normal. So her.
And for the first time since the accident, I felt like I could breathe.
We sat in silence for a moment before she spoke again.
"You're not going to leave, are you?"
I stilled.
She was joking, her voice light, but there was a small hint of something elseâsomething hesitant.
My grip on her hand tightened. "No."
Her eyes searched mine. "Not even for a bit?"
I shook my head. "Not even for a second."
She exhaled softly, her lips curving. "Good."
I didn't say anything. I just stayed.
Because for the first time... I wasn't afraid to.