Grab a box of tissues, you guys might need it.

A U T H O R

When Nikshant saw Aaravi lying lifeless in the middle of the road, drenched in her own blood, it felt as though his world had come to a screeching halt.

The bustling noise of the crowd, the blaring horns of cars trying to pass, even the distant wail of an ambulance siren-it all faded into an eerie silence that wrapped itself around him like a suffocating blanket. The only thing that remained was the sight of her fragile, bloodied form sprawled on the cold asphalt.

He felt numb.

His body refused to move, frozen by the shock of seeing her in such a vulnerable state. His mind, usually sharp and calculating, was now a chaotic mess, unable to process the reality in front of him. His heart, however, didn't hesitate-it pounded wildly in his chest, each beat screaming at him to do something. Slowly, he took hesitant steps toward Aaravi's lifeless body, each step feeling heavier than the last.

His eyes moistened as the devastating scene unfolded before him, and a lump formed in his throat, threatening to choke him. The confident, composed man he had always been was now nothing but a broken shell, shattered by the possibility of losing the one person who had unknowingly become his everything.

Nikshant's gaze shifted to Yash, who was sitting on the ground, his head bowed, holding Aaravi's limp form in his arms. Silent tears streamed down Yash's face, his hands trembling as he cradled her. Yash, who had always treated Aaravi like his own sister, was consumed by guilt.

"I... I didn't see her," Yash whispered hoarsely, his voice cracking as he looked up at Nikshant. "She came out of nowhere... I... I didn't mean to-"

"Stop," Nikshant interrupted, his voice barely audible. He didn't have the strength to hear Yash's apology or his guilt. His focus was entirely on Aaravi.

Nikshant collapsed onto the road beside her, his knees hitting the rough surface, but he didn't care. His trembling hands reached out, gently taking Aaravi's head from Yash's lap and placing it on his own. He cupped her pale, bloodied face, his thumbs brushing away the smudges of dirt and blood on her cheeks.

"Ch...erry," his voice cracked as he called her, the nickname he had once used with endearment now laced with desperation.

To his shock and immense relief, Aaravi's eyes fluttered open for the briefest moment. Her eyelashes trembled, and her gaze-clouded and unfocused-found his face. A flicker of recognition crossed her face before her eyes began to close again, her strength waning.

"Cherry... open... your... eyes... just... don't... close... haan," Nikshant pleaded, his voice breaking with every word. He pressed his forehead against hers, his tears falling onto her skin. "Main kuch hone nahi dunga tumhe... bas apni aankhein band mat karna."

But her eyes remained shut.

Panic gripped him tighter as her breathing grew shallower. Nikshant tightened his hold on her, as if the strength of his embrace could somehow keep her tethered to life.

"Nikshant," Yash's voice broke through his haze, firm yet trembling. "Let's get her to the hospital. Her condition is worsening; we can't waste any time."

Nikshant didn't respond immediately, his mind caught in the vicious cycle of guilt and fear. But Yash's words finally registered, snapping him back to the urgency of the moment.

He nodded without a word and, with utmost care, scooped her lifeless body into his arms. The crowd parted to make way as he carried her toward the car, his every step filled with purpose and desperation. Aaravi's head rested against his chest, her body limp, her breaths faint but present-a small glimmer of hope he clung to.

Yash quickly opened the car door, and Nikshant slid into the backseat, still cradling Aaravi in his arms. He adjusted her position so her head rested on his lap, his fingers brushing her hair away from her face.

"Drive," Nikshant ordered, his voice steely yet quivering. Yash didn't hesitate and pressed the accelerator, the car speeding toward the nearest hospital.

The ride felt like an eternity.

Nikshant's gaze never left Aaravi's face, his mind replaying every moment he had spent with her. The first time they met, her fiery spirit, her unyielding determination, the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed-all those memories came rushing back, each one stabbing him with regret.

He had been blind, so consumed by his own insecurities and ego that he had failed to see what was right in front of him. He had pushed her away, hurt her with his words, accused her of things she hadn't done-all because he was too afraid to confront his own feelings.

But now, holding her fragile, bloodied form in his arms, the truth he had buried deep within himself came crashing down on him like a tidal wave.

It wasn't hate he felt for her. It was love.

The emotions he had experienced in every shared moment with her-the anger, the jealousy, the need to protect her, the ache he felt when she wasn't around-they were all rooted in love.

He realized he loved his Cherry.

The weight of that realization was both liberating and crushing. Liberating because he finally understood the depth of his feelings for her. Crushing because he might have realized it too late.

"Cherry," he whispered again, his voice trembling. "Please... don't leave me. I can't-" His voice broke, and he swallowed hard, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I can't lose you. Not now. Not ever."

Her breathing faltered, and for a moment, Nikshant's heart stopped.

"No, no, no," he muttered, his hands gently shaking her. "Stay with me, Cherry. Stay with me. We're almost there. Just hold on a little longer."

The hospital finally came into view, and Yash screeched the car to a halt. Medical staff rushed out with a stretcher, and Nikshant carefully laid Aaravi on it, his hands lingering on hers for a moment longer before they wheeled her away.

As the emergency room doors closed behind her, Nikshant stood frozen, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Yash placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, but Nikshant shrugged it off, unable to bear any kind of solace.

He didn't deserve comfort. Not when she was fighting for her life because of him.

The hospital corridor was cloaked in a heavy silence. Nikshant was pacing back and forth, his mind spiraling into chaos as he awaited any news of Aaravi. His hands fidgeted, and his chest tightened with every passing second. The mere thought of her fighting for her life in that operating theater made his heart ache in a way he hadn't known was possible.

Just as he turned to pace again, a sudden force grabbed his collar and landed a solid punch across his face. The sharp sting brought him back to reality. Nikshant's head snapped to the side from the impact, his cheek throbbing as he stumbled slightly.

"What the-" he began, but his words died on his tongue when he saw the fiery rage in Karanveer's tear-filled eyes.

Karanveer, Aaravi's older brother, stood there gripping Nikshant's collar like a man possessed. Tears streamed down his face, but they didn't soften the fury etched into his features.

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO MY PRINCESS?" Karanveer roared, his voice echoing through the corridor, drawing the attention of a few onlookers.

Nikshant's mouth opened, but no words came out. What could he even say? That he had been cruel to Aaravi? That he had allowed his ego and insecurities to poison their relationship? That his actions had pushed her to the brink? He couldn't bring himself to meet Karanveer's gaze, knowing the truth of his accusations.

"ANSWER ME, NIKSHANT ROY KAPOOR!" Karanveer shouted again, shaking him violently. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY PRINCESS THAT SHE'S IN THAT DAMN OPERATING THEATER?"

Nikshant's jaw clenched, but he remained silent, his shame weighing him down.

"Karan Bhai, behave yourself. This is a hospital," Aarav intervened. Though his tone was calm, the tension in his voice betrayed his anger.

Karanveer released Nikshant's collar with a forceful shove, his hands trembling. He stumbled backward and slumped onto a nearby bench, his head falling into his hands. The fight left his body, replaced by overwhelming grief.

"She's my little princess," Karanveer murmured, his voice barely audible. Memories of his little sister flooded his mind-her infectious laughter, her mischievous antics, the way she would run to him for comfort. She was his world, his responsibility, and now she was lying on an operating table because of him.

"Princess, please don't do this to your brother," he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. "Please come back to me. You know I can't live without you. You can't do this to Veer Bhaiya. I love you so much. Please come back. We'll be happy again-just come back to your big brother."

Nikshant stood rooted in place, guilt clawing at him with every word Karanveer uttered. The image of Aaravi lying lifeless in the middle of the road flashed before his eyes, and the memory was enough to make his chest feel like it was caving in.

He glanced at Aarav, hoping for some semblance of understanding, but Aarav's glare was ice-cold, filled with anger and disappointment. When Aarav noticed Nikshant looking at him, he turned away, refusing to acknowledge him.

The silence stretched for what felt like an eternity until Karanveer finally spoke again. His voice was low but laced with venom.

"Nikshant," he began, his eyes meeting Nikshant's with a steely intensity, "I swear to God, if anything happens to my princess, I will ruin you. Do you understand?"

Nikshant swallowed hard, his throat dry as Karanveer continued.

"I can't even stand the thought of a single scratch on her, and because of you, she's in there fighting for her life. How dare you claim to care for her when all you've done is hurt her?"

Before Nikshant could respond, another voice cut through the tension.

"This isn't Nikshant's fault," Yash said quietly, stepping forward. His head was bowed, his voice heavy with guilt. "Aaravi ran into my car. I didn't see her. It's my fault she's here."

Karanveer's head snapped toward Yash, his expression darkening. "Do you think my sister would run out alone in the middle of the night for no reason? You're wrong. I know my princess. She's not impulsive. If she was in that state, it's because of one person-and that's Nikshant!"

Yash looked down, guilt consuming him as he failed to counter Karanveer's claim.

Nikshant felt as if the weight of Karanveer's words had crushed what little was left of his heart. The guilt and regret that had been simmering inside him now boiled over, leaving him feeling hollow and broken.

He wanted to defend himself, to explain that he hadn't meant for any of this to happen, but the truth was undeniable. He had hurt Aaravi, pushed her to her limits, and now she was paying the price for his mistakes.

The silence that followed was deafening, each of them lost in their own turmoil.

Karanveer's voice broke through the quiet once more, softer this time but no less heartbreaking.

"She's my baby sister," he said, his voice trembling. "And if she doesn't make it... I'll never forgive you, Nikshant. Never."

Nikshant clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he tried to hold back the tears threatening to fall. The weight of Karanveer's words settled on his shoulders, crushing him further into despair.

Suddenly, the door to the operating theater creaked open, and a doctor in scrubs stepped out, his expression unreadable.

All four of them rushed toward him, their hearts pounding wildly.

"Doctor, how's my princess?" Karanveer asked, his voice trembling with desperation.

"Doctor, how's my wife?" Nikshant's voice cracked as he spoke, fear laced in every word.

"Doctor, how's my bhabhi?" Aarav and Yash asked in unison, their faces pale with worry.

The doctor sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping under the weight of their collective hope. "We can't say anything right now," he said, his voice calm yet somber. "The patient isn't responding. Just pray for her. That's all we can do at this moment. Excuse me."

Without waiting for a response, the doctor turned and walked away, leaving them rooted in place, their world collapsing around them.

Karanveer staggered backward, his legs giving out as he struggled to breathe. Aarav moved quickly, catching Karanveer and guiding him to a nearby bench.

"My princess isn't responding," Karanveer choked out, his voice filled with anguish. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he clutched Aarav's arm for support. "How could she do this to me? Didn't she think about her Veer Bhaiya? What will I do if something happens to her? I won't survive without her."

Aarav, struggling to contain his own emotions, wrapped his arms around Karanveer in a tight hug. His lips quivered as he whispered, "She's strong, Karan bhai. She'll pull through. She has to."

But even as he spoke, Aarav's tears betrayed the fear he couldn't voice aloud.

Yash, who had been standing silently, finally stepped toward Nikshant. The usually composed Nikshant stood frozen, his eyes blank, his breathing shallow. When Yash placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, the dam of emotions Nikshant had been holding back broke.

He turned to Yash and buried his face in his shoulder, his body shaking with sobs. "It's my fault, Yash," Nikshant cried, his voice muffled. "I hurt her so much. I pushed her away, accused her, broke her spirit... and now she's fighting for her life because of me."

Yash hesitated for a moment before patting Nikshant's back. "We all made mistakes, Nikshant," he said softly. "But now isn't the time for guilt. She needs our prayers, not our regrets."

Nikshant pulled back slightly, his tear-streaked face a picture of devastation. "What if our prayers aren't enough?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Yash didn't have an answer. Instead, he looked away, his jaw clenching as he fought back his own tears.

On the bench, Karanveer continued to weep, his hands clutching his head. Memories of Aaravi as a child played in his mind-her mischievous grin, her bubbly laughter, the way she would call him "Veer Bhaiya" with so much love. How could life be so cruel? How could his little princess, his ray of sunshine, be lying unresponsive behind those cold doors?

"She promised me," Karanveer muttered, his voice cracking. "She promised she'd never leave me. How could she break that promise? How?"

Aarav tightened his grip on Karanveer, murmuring words of comfort even as his own tears streamed down his face.

Across the corridor, Nikshant stood with his back against the wall, sliding down to the floor. He buried his face in his hands, his mind replaying every moment he had spent with Aaravi-the good, the bad, and the ones filled with bitter words he now regretted.

He remembered her laugh, the way her eyes lit up when she was happy, the soft way she used to call him "Nikshant ji." He thought of the hurt in her eyes every time he lashed out, every time he let his insecurities overshadow the love.

"I love you, Cherry," Nikshant whispered into the void, his voice trembling. "I was too proud to admit it, too blind to see it... but I love you. And if you come back to me, I swear I'll make it right. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Just... just come back."

The weight of his guilt and the fear of losing her crushed him, and for the first time in years, Nikshant felt truly helpless.

Karanveer's sobs echoed in the corridor, mingling with the soft murmurs of Aarav and Yash as they tried to console him. The air was thick with despair, each of them drowning in their own thoughts, their own regrets.

Hours seemed to pass in silence, the tension in the corridor suffocating. Every time a nurse or doctor walked by, all four of them would hold their breath, hoping for news, only to be met with disappointment.

Nikshant remained seated on the floor, his hands clasped together as he whispered prayers under his breath. He had never been a particularly religious man, but in that moment, he found himself pleading with every deity he could think of.

"Please," he whispered. "Please don't take her away from me. I can't lose her. Not like this."

Each tick of the clock echoed like thunder in the silence, amplifying the tension in the air. Nikshant sat hunched on the floor, his hands clasped tightly in prayer.

"Please," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "Please let her be okay. Don't punish her for my mistakes. I'll do anything, just let her live."

Karanveer paced back and forth, his hands trembling as he silently mouthed prayers for his princess. Aarav sat beside Yash, his face buried in his hands, the stress and helplessness evident in his slumped posture.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the light outside the operating theater flickered off. The sound of the door creaking open made all four men leap to their feet, their hearts pounding in unison.

A team of doctors emerged, their faces lined with exhaustion but devoid of panic. One of them, an older man with a calm demeanor, stepped forward.

Karanveer was the first to speak, his voice trembling. "Doctor, how's my princess now?"

The doctor adjusted his glasses and sighed. "The surgery was successful," he began, and for a fleeting moment, hope lit up their faces. But his next words dimmed that light. "However, if the patient doesn't open her eyes within 24 hours, there's a high chance she might slip into a coma. Right now, all we can do is pray that she regains consciousness soon."

The words hit them like a thunderbolt. Karanveer clutched his chest as if trying to contain the storm brewing within him. "Can I meet her?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

The doctor nodded. "You can see her after we shift her to the ICU, but only one at a time. She's stable but very weak. Please try not to disturb her rest."

With that, the doctor walked away, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and heavy hearts.

Both Karanveer and Nikshant sank to the floor, their legs unable to support the weight of their emotions. Karanveer covered his face with his hands, his silent cries a reflection of his unbearable pain.

Nikshant stared blankly at the ground, his mind racing with fear and guilt. The thought of losing Aaravi consumed him, each moment amplifying his regret. His hands trembled as he whispered, "Just... please... open your eyes... for me... for your brother... for everyone. Don't leave us, Cherry."

Aarav placed a hand on Karanveer's shoulder, trying to offer some comfort. "Karan bhai, bhabhi is a fighter. She'll come back to us. We just have to believe that."

Karanveer didn't respond, his tears flowing freely as he thought about his little sister, the one person he had sworn to protect at all costs.

After an agonizing wait, Aaravi was finally shifted to the ICU. Her fragile form lay on the hospital bed, surrounded by monitors that beeped softly, their rhythm a cruel reminder of her delicate state.

Nikshant's legs moved on their own, carrying him toward the ICU door. But just as he was about to step inside, Karanveer and Aarav stood in his way.

"I don't want any harm near my sister," Karanveer said, his voice cold and resolute. His eyes burned with anger and pain as he stared down Nikshant. "I don't trust you to keep her safe."

Nikshant flinched at the harshness of Karanveer's words, but he didn't