CHAPTER 29
MISHTI'S POV
All I could hear was the ringing noise resonating in my ears. All I could see was black surrounding me everywhere. I couldn't move an inch. It felt as if I was bound together by ropes. Every cell of my body felt like it was burning and I wanted to get out of this phase soon.
Was I dying?
Maybe, I don't know.
Oh, so is this how it feels to die?
Again, I don't know. But it probably is.
And then along with the ringing noise, I heard murmurs.
"Mishtipie, please get up. Please. I-I just want to see you smile again Mishti, please. Please.", his voice broke towards the end and I knew who it is.
I wanted to wake up and tell him that I was okay, but I couldn't. Since I probably was dying.
And then it hit me- I can't die. I can't die without telling how much I love Abir. I can't die without watching my brother and Kuhu lead a happy life. I can't die without thanking my parents and hugging them one last time for everything.
And so, I fought.
I struggled against the invisible ropes that tied my hands together. It took so much effort to move my fingers but somehow, I couldn't move my left hand. It felt very heavy and tight. Giving up, I tried my best to open my eyes. I fought against the darkness to enter into the world of light. As the ringing noise slowly faded into nothingness, I struggled to open my eyes and when I finally opened them very slightly, I hissed loudly at the sudden invasion of bright light into my eyes. I immediately closed them back as a reflex, but at the same time, I felt weight lifting off my left hand.
I heard the scraping of a chair and a couple of rushed footsteps before warm hands caressed my cheek affectionately, "Mishtipie, are you- are you awake? Can you listen to me?"
This time, I opened my eyes for a few longer seconds, before closing them back. It was difficult for my eyes to get accustomed to the brightness. Meanwhile, I felt Abir caressing my face, all the while muttering sweet nothings to me.
The third time, I used all my will power to keep them open and tried focusing on things. The first thing I saw, was the white-coloured ceiling. And then he came into focus.
He looked terrible.
His eyes were red with dark circles underneath them. Streaks of blood, sweat and dirt covered his face and arms, while his shirt was almost completely red. Through his tear-stained face, I could see relief washing through his features.
I tried to lift my hand and just touch his face, but a sharp pain coursed through my veins, making me hiss and groan in pain.
"M-Mishti, what happened? Is it hurting? Wait, let me help you get up.", with that, he supported me to sit up and rest on the bed.
I took a deep breath and looked around. I was surrounded by clean white walls, with the smell of chemicals hitting me softly. Several machines were monitoring me and there were several trays of sharp instruments kept. There is an IV drip connected to my left arm and I can feel the oxygen mask that I am wearing irritate me.
"Ab-Abbi- ", I tried to speak, but could only manage to croak out his name.
"Tell me Mishti, what do you want? Wa-water? Or-or should I ask for food? Wait. I-I think I should call the doctors." With that, he left the room in a hurry.
I sighed deeply. He seemed super alarmed and scared with me, as if walking around egg shells. I wanted to hug him and tell him that I was okay, but I wasn't able to.
Within seconds of him leaving, Kunal and Kuhu barged in. Kunal became a sobbing mess once he saw me. He ran and hugged my tightly and sobbed on my shoulders, "Please Mishtu, don't scare us like that again. Ever. Pl-please."
Once his hold on me loosened, I motioned towards my oxygen mask, which he immediately removed.
"T-teddy, I-I'm fine.", I croaked out and ended up having a coughing fit. Kuhu rushed to me with a bottle of water and fed me. After a few gulps, my throat felt better.
The doctor came in and checked my vitals and advised bed rest for the next 2 days, after which I would get discharged.
After some time, I noticed Abir looking at me from outside the door.
Why is he standing outside?
Huh. Buddhu Rajvansh.
I nodded at him, motioning him to come inside. He contemplated for a few seconds, looked here and there, and then opened the door and came inside, but he stood right there, as if he was my ward's watchman.
I scrunched my face in confusion.
What has gotten into him?
Kunal must have felt something weird too, because he spoke first, "Abir, why are you standing outside? Come in and sit na?"
He seemed very disturbed and traumatized, but he looked straight into my eye, "No. I'll be right here."
Kunal shook his head, "No. Or, you do one thing. Go home and take a bath once again and come back. We'll be right here."
He again shook his head. "No", he stated simply.
Kunal frowned as well, but Kuhu seemed to have a knowing expression on her face.
She spoke softly, "Abir, come out with me. Let's talk. Just two minutes."
Yet again, he shook his head while just looking at me. "No. I'm not coming."
Kuhu walked towards him and asked him if he trusted her, to which he stood as blank as a statue. Then, she pulled him out and walked away with him.
His behaviour seemed very weird and Kunal seemed to be wondering about that too. He sighed, "Don't worry about him, Mishtu. He's a bit too scared, that's all. He'll be fine."
And with that, for the next half an hour, he tried to cheer me up by telling me weird stories.
Later, Kuhu and Abir walked back in, but this time Abir never met my eyes.
Kuhu and Kunal decided to go and get some food and come back, while Abir sat here with me.
When they left, we were surrounded by silence. He just sat there, fidgeting his fingers, and his eyes focused on my hands, legs, everywhere else, but my eyes.
Deciding to break the ice, "Abbi, what happened?"
"N-nothing"
"Abir, I think you have forgotten the promise that we won't lie to each other. Tell me.", I spoke softly, since even though my throat felt better, there was still something constricting my voice.
"N-nothing serious Mishti. You n-need to take rest."
I sighed. This guy is stupid.
After pondering for a few seconds, I realized what was happening.
"Abbi, you know that this didn't happen because of you."
I was met by silence, confirming my thoughts.
"Whatever happened, was because of me. I was irresponsible and I ran across the road without second thought. Why are you blaming yourself?"
He fidgeted even more hurriedly, "You won't understand."
"Then make me."
He took deep breaths and ran his hand through his hair, before burying his face in his hands. He tapped his feet urgently, his breaths getting quicker by the second.
Was he- was he getting a panic attack?
He held the sofa very tightly and took deep breaths, confirming my thoughts.
"Abbi, look at me eyes. Right now.", I spoke sternly, with as much as power I could muster.
Slowly lifting his head, he looked into my eyes, while still trying to catch his breath.
"Tell me any 5 things that you see in front of you. Focus."
He looked at me, "You...", he looked down a bit, "the bed...", and then he closed his eyes and shook his head, "I-I cant."
He looked so much in pain, that it hurt me.
"No Abir, concentrate. Bring your focus to your surroundings. Just 3 more."
He then turned around, "the- the IV...", he closed his eyes, "the ma-mask..", his breathing seemed to have calmed down a bit, "ceiling."
"Okay, any 5 colours you see?"
"Bl-black... Bl-blue... White", by now, he seemed to have gotten into control, "R-red and brown."
I waited for a few seconds and watched him. He took deep breaths, closed his eyes and he had his breathing under control.
"Better?", I asked softly.
He nodded and stayed silent.
I decided not to bring that topic now, considering his reaction to it. I will have to tread through this carefully. But what I didn't expect was him to whisper those next few words.
"Everything is because I am a bad omen."
***
Hey guys! This is Chapter 29!
Everything will be better soon <3
Hope you guys liked it!
Thank you!