Chapter - 55
I was never the one to sit and wait.
But here I am—pacing like a madman outside the ICU, checking the time every few seconds, my fists clenched, my heart pounding.
It's been over an hour.
And every passing second feels like a lifetime.
Inside that room...
My Siya is lying unconscious.
Hooked to machines.
Fighting.
And I can't do a damn thing.
The doors open.
Finally.
Dr. Mehra walks out, and I'm at his side in a second.
"Doctor... how is she? Is she okay?"
My voice didn't come out cold this time.
It was desperate.
Scared.
He nodded. "She's stable, Ranasa. But..."
He paused.
That but hit me like a bullet.
"What happened to her?" I snapped.
Dr. Mehra's expression turned serious.
"She was injected with vecuronium—a strong paralytic used during surgeries. Under supervision, it's safe. But outside a hospital? It can be deadly."
I felt my throat tighten.
"She couldn't move... or scream, right?"
"Exactly." He nodded.
"The injection paralyzed her muscles completely. But... thankfully, you brought her here in time. We've reversed the effects, and her vitals are improving."
My legs nearly gave out with relief.
But I held on.
She's safe.
For now.
"When will she wake up?" I asked, my voice softer now.
Dr. Mehra replied, "Within 8 to 12 hours, maybe sooner. But... there's something else. Something concerning."
I froze.
Another but.
This one scared me more than the last.
"What is it, Doctor?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
He took a breath.
"While checking her brain activity, we found something unusual in the hippocampus—the part responsible for memory. It's not related to today's trauma. Ranasa... someone gave her an amnesia-inducing drug. In the past."
I stared at him.
Confused. Shocked.
"Amnesia drug? What do you mean? When?"
My voice cracked.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"I can't say how long ago or how much was administered. But it's not natural memory loss. Someone deliberately tried to make her forget something."
I gritted my teeth.
My hands curled into fists.
Who would do that to her?
Why?
"Can it affect her now?" I asked.
"Yes. It's possible."
His tone turned cautious.
"Today's trauma, combined with the earlier suppression, might trigger her brain to unlock buried memories. But they could come back in fragments... or bring emotional shock. It could affect her mental health."
I took a step back.
My chest felt heavy.
She's already gone through so much... and now this?
"What do you need, Dr. Mehra?" I asked.
"More tests. MRI scans. Cognitive evaluations. If we can identify the drug or memory pattern, we might help her heal completely—not just from today, but from her past."
I didn't think twice.
"Do whatever you need. Call any doctor, bring any equipment. Cost doesn't matter. Just... make my wife fine. I'll arrange everything."
He nodded. "Yes, Ranasa."
I looked at the ICU door, my voice breaking again.
"When can I see her?"
"She's still in the ICU. Once her vitals remain stable, I can allow a short visit. Maybe after an hour. But no more than a few minutes. She needs rest."
I nodded slowly.
"I'll wait. Just... tell me the second I can see her."
As Dr. Mehra walked away, I sat down.
Ran my hand over my face.
Closed my eyes.
Aarav Singh Rathore—
The king.
The name people feared.
Right now, I felt helpless.
Powerless.
And furious.
Because the man who did this...
That bastard...
He's already in my basement.
And when Siya wakes up—
When she's okay—
I will burn his world down.
Piece by piece.
"You touched her," I whispered under my breath.
"Now beg for death... because I'll make sure it never comes."
I couldn't sit still. I couldn't breathe properly.
Every second was dragging on, as if the universe itself was conspiring to keep me from her.
Arjun came and sat next to me.
"Bhai... please. At least drink some water."
He offered me the bottle again.
I looked at him, then back at the door leading to Siya's ICU room.
"I don't want it." My voice came out hoarse.
Arjun sighed, the worry in his eyes unmistakable.
"If Bhabhi sees you like this... she won't like it. Please, bhai. For her."
I didn't respond right away. His words hit me harder than I expected. Siya...
She wouldn't like it.
I know. She never likes seeing me like this—vulnerable, weak.
Before I could say anything else, a nurse walked up to us.
"Ranasa, you can meet Ranisa now. But only for five minutes. Please wear the disposable gown first."
I nodded silently.
She handed me the gown and cap, then left.
I went to the changing area, quickly put it on, and walked into the room.
And then...
My heart stopped.
There she was.
My Siya.
Lying unconscious on that hospital bed.
Pale. Still.
Machines around her. A needle in her hand. Tubes at her nose.
I walked to her slowly, like my legs had forgotten how to move.
Sat beside her.
And the moment I touched her hand—
I broke.
Tears slipped from my eyes.
I held her hand tighter.
"I'm sorry, Siya..."
My voice was shaking.
"I promised to protect you... and I failed."
I brushed her hair gently, my fingers trembling.
"I should've been there sooner... hell, I shouldn't have left you alone in the first place. This is all my fault, Jaan."
My head dropped closer to her hand.
I kissed her fingers.
"If I had stayed... maybe none of this would've happened. I'm sorry, Siya. Please forgive your Avi..."
I looked at her face.
She didn't move.
"I can't see you like this. Please wake up, Jaan... just once... look at me. Scold me. Say anything. But open your eyes."
My chest felt like it was being crushed.
I wiped my tears quickly—
I didn't want her to see me broken, even like this.
Just then, the nurse came back in.
"Ranasa, your five minutes are over. Ranisa needs rest."
I nodded silently.
Looked at Siya one last time.
Bent forward and softly kissed her forehead.
"I'll be right outside, Jaan. Wake up soon... please."
And I left the room.
Outside, my whole family was waiting.
Maa, Chachi, Dadi Maa, Papa, and even Chachu.
All standing, waiting, worried.
"Aarav beta, how is Siya?" Maa asked with tears in her eyes.
"What happened? Who did this?" Dadi's voice shook.
"Is she going to be okay?" Chachi's hands were joined in prayer.
I held up a hand.
"She's stable. But unconscious. Doctor said she'll wake up in a few hours."
Their faces softened a bit, but I could still see the pain in their eyes.
I looked at all of them and spoke firmly.
"Someone tried to harm her. Injected her with a paralytic. I reached in time... or it could've been worse."
Their faces turned pale.
"But she's safe now. That's what matters."
"Aarav... we want to see her, please..." Maa said gently.
I shook my head.
"No one can meet her right now. She needs complete rest."
My voice was calm but final.
"Please go home. I'll stay here. Arjun will update you if anything changes."
"But beta—"
I cut in. "No arguments. Not now. I don't want noise around her. And I... I need to be alone."
They understood.
Slowly, they nodded.
I looked at Arjun.
"Go with them. I'll call you when she wakes up."
He hesitated but then agreed. "Call me the second there's news, bhai."
I gave a silent nod.
They left, one by one.
And I sat back in the chair outside Siya's room...
Waiting.
Watching.
And whispering to myself over and over—
"Just wake up, Siya... please."
It's been more than six hours.
Still no sign.
Still no movement.
She's out of the ICU now, lying on a normal hospital bed... but nothing feels normal.
I'm sitting right next to her.
Holding her hand like it's the only thing keeping me from falling apart.
The beeping of the machines is the only sound in the room,
and even that feels louder than the silence between us.
Her face looks calm... too calm.
But her eyes are closed, and that's what's killing me slowly.
I leaned closer, brushing my fingers softly against her hand.
"Jaan... please, open your eyes."
My voice cracked.
"See, your Avi is right here."
I kissed the back of her hand gently.
"Scold me, baby... punish me if you want. Slap me, yell at me—just don't stay like this."
I looked at her, waiting for the slightest reaction.
But she didn't move. Not even her fingers.
I blinked away the tears forming again.
"I have so much to say to you. So much to tell you, Siya.
How much I love you... how much I crave your voice. Your smile.
The way you look at me like I'm your whole world..."
My voice dropped to a whisper.
"I came to you, jaan... but you're not talking to me. You're not even waking up."
I rested my forehead against her hand, closing my eyes for a moment, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Just then, the door creaked open.
I looked up.
Maa stepped in quietly.
She walked to me and sat down beside me.
She placed a hand on my shoulder gently.
"How is she now, beta?"
I shook my head slightly. "Same, Maa. No improvement."
My voice was low, tired.
She looked at me with concern.
"Aarav, come have some food. You haven't eaten since morning."
"I don't need anything, Maa."
I didn't even look at the food tray she had brought.
She sighed and cupped my cheek.
"Aarav... if you fall sick, then who will take care of Siya?
You have to stay strong—for her. You are her strength now."
I couldn't hold it anymore.
I leaned forward and hugged her tightly, just like I used to as a child when something hurt too much.
My voice trembled against her shoulder.
"I can't see her like this, Maa.
..
For hours I've been telling her to wake up.
I've begged her. But she's not listening.
"
I pulled back and looked into Maa's eyes with desperation.
"You tell her, Maa. Maybe she'll listen to you.
I'll do whatever she wants. Just tell her to wake up. Please."
She cupped my face and wiped my tears.
"She will wake up, beta. We just need to wait a little longer. Have faith."
I shook my head slightly, the guilt eating me alive.
"No Maa... all this... it's because of me.
I left her here. I should've been more careful. I should've protected her.
I failed her."
"No, Aarav."
She said firmly.
"Nothing is your fault. Don't blame yourself. If Siya wakes up and sees you broken like this, she'll be hurt even more.
She needs you—the strong Aarav. The one who doesn't bend for anyone, not even the world."
I stayed silent, clenching my jaw.
Maa opened the food tray and took a bite in her hand.
"Now eat. For Siya."
I didn't want to. But for once, I obeyed.
I took the bite from her hand, then the next.
She gently stroked my hair like she used to when I was little.
"Everything will be fine, beta. She'll be back to us. Soon."
After a while, she stood up.
"At home, Meera and Maa are doing Mata ka jagrata for Siya's well-being. We're praying for her together."
She kissed my forehead.
"Take care of yourself... and her. I'll come in the morning."
And with that, Maa left the room.
Now, once again, it's just me and her.
I held her hand tighter.
"Please, Siya... come back to me. Your Avi is waiting."
Why does my head feel so heavy...?
I tried opening my eyes, but they just wouldn't move.
Everything around me felt blurry... like I was stuck in some deep, dark place.
What happened to me...?
Why can't I wake up properly?
I tried again... this time, I felt my eyelids slowly lifting.
A soft light touched my eyes. I blinked a few times.
Then I noticed... someone was holding my hand.
Warm... gentle... tight, like they were scared to let go.
Where... where am I?
My eyes scanned the room slowly.
Machines... wires... a hospital bed... a monitor beeping softly.
A hospital?
I turned my head a little and looked at the person holding my hand.
He was sitting beside me... but his head was down. Sleeping.
I couldn't see his face clearly.
Who...?
I tried moving my fingers slowly, wanting to free my hand.
But the moment I moved, he woke up.
And when he looked at me... I froze.
His eyes widened, and the biggest smile spread across his face.
Like... like he had been waiting forever for this moment.
"Jaan... you woke up. Finally..."
His voice was full of emotion.
Before I could say anything, he leaned in and kissed my forehead.
Soft... careful... as if I would break.
"Thank you, my angel... thank you for waking up."
I blinked at him, confused, still trying to understand what's going on.
He looked at me with so much love in his eyes that I almost forgot to breathe for a second.
He cupped my face gently.
"Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor? Wait, yes—I'll go call him right now."
He stood up quickly.
But I grabbed his wrist gently, stopping him.
"H...how... how did I come here?"
My voice was low, barely above a whisper.
His smile faded a little.
His eyes softened... and something flickered in them—pain? Guilt?
He opened his mouth to answer me—
And then... the door creaked open.