"I did nothing wrong"
Sneezing miserably on the bed, Yash said: "Ah, my nose hurts—I can't go to college right now."
No college two days straight; marks will suffer slightly.
Yash's eyes watered as he thought: There's no one friend I've had since school.
Phone buzzing, Yash snatched it up: "Hey Mom—what's up?"
Eyes sharp on him, Mom: "Cold's bad now—hospital ASAP, sweetie."
Yash rubbed his nose with his palm. "I went there yesterday, Mom."
"What's the doc's word? Recovery time?"
"Two to three days"
Ten-minute talk wrapped; Yash hit the hay for a solid two-hour snooze.
Yash rubbed his brow, throat sour and raspy. "My head's burning out."
No food all day—I should hit the mess, but it's night already; slept way too much.
If they cared enough, they would've said something.
And now I am the one who is isolated. Twitching his head.
Sweat beading on his brow, limping Yash rasped: "Stuti?" Eyes dimming, he crumpled faint before the door.
"Please look after yourself well, love—I'm not around to do it."
Head on Stuti's lap, Yash: "How've you been these three years? Thought you died."
"Why's everything white—just us two here?"
Stuti kissed his forehead, palm on his cheek: "Hear me well—you're never alone with me."
"Forever and Ever." She cried.
"Till my last gasp, you're mine—forsaking all others." Yash said.
"It's time for me to go now"
Yash gripped her hand fiercely, staring at the whitest sky. "No, please don't go—my life will turn miserable without you."
On his knees, hands reaching skyward: "I'm begging—don't go."
She faded into the deepest white void.
"No," Yash cried out too hard, opening his eyes wide.
Breathes heavily, he—
The nightmare faded into truth: merely a dream.
Tears cascaded down Yash's face unchecked.
"Forever and ever."—
The sound remains with him for moments.
Palm against the ground for support, Yash extended his body and approached the desk.
Flicking open his phone to her image, Yash whispered: "Can't take this anymore."