chapter 49

The hospital corridors were quiet at 4 a.m.—the kind of silence that felt too still, too heavy, like the world itself was holding its breath. Neevan stood by the window in the dimly lit waiting room, the glow of vending machine lights flickering behind him. Outside, the sky was a bruised purple, not quite night, not yet dawn.Resa sat in one of the plastic chairs, arms wrapped tightly around herself. Her hair was pulled back hastily, and her eyes—usually clear and sharp—looked tired, like she hadn’t slept in days. Maybe she hadn’t. Neither had he.“I shouldn’t have called you,” Neevan said, not looking at her.“But you did.” Her voice was calm, quiet, like she didn’t want to wake the sleeping guilt between them. “And I came. So say what you need to say.”He turned slowly, his face hollow in the artificial light. “It’s been almost three hours or so, I don't know how long, and it feels like eternity. She hasn’t moved. Hasn’t spoken. She is almost lying on the hospital bed like a vegetable. I hope she is okay or even if not okay she perishes soon, so that i can spend my whole time with you, baby. But it’s just machines and silence. I am bored here.”Resa stared at the floor. “then why are you even waiting there, you can come now too.. You know right you have called me back , since an hour ago? And I have been waiting wastefully since then. ” She argued angrily. “No babe, please don't be upset, you know right, things aren't right with Venessa in my life. I only have you to support me. ” he admitted. “I don’t regret having you, and I always kept trying to be the man she married, but I don’t even recognize myself anymore. You—us—it happened when I was already breaking inside. You gave me something to hold on to.” Neevan smirked, his good tone on the call didn't match his expressions. She looked up, her eyes glassy, with a little tear drop in it. “So now what you want me to do? Wait? Wait till tomorrow? A day after ? A month? Or 100 years? ” Neevan exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I wanted to see you. I wanted to remember what it felt like to be more than just the man sitting beside a hospital bed, praying for a miracle to kill his wife.”“That’s what I wish for, I wish for you, every minute, but your wife is a thorn between us two.” Resa whispered, her voice barely holding together. “I know,” he said, stepping closer. “But every time I look at her, I remember the life we want, the promises we made.” he smirked again, imagining the riches he will receive after marrying Resa. Resa stood slowly, her voice quiet but firm. “You want me Neev, so you make the decision right. ” He looked down, ashamed. “I wish I could do right but, I am wrong and a cold blooded murderer. ” Neevan smirked again. She shook her head. “You can’t.”The hallway clock ticked loudly in the silence between them. Somewhere in the distance, a monitor beeped steadily, as if reminding them both that Venessa was still there—waiting in the dark.Resa stepped back, the decision already in her eyes. “May be soon, you will know what and how to do. ”Neevan just sat there, caught between two lives, watching the night slowly surrender to morning.