The hospital lights were too bright.
Too cold.
Too silent.
Anaya stood outside the emergency room.
Her hands shaking.
Her eyes swollen from crying.
The red light above the door was still on.
"He'll be fine…"
"He has to be fine…"
But her heart…
Wasn't listening.
Every second felt like forever.
Memories kept flashing—
His voice.
His smile.
His touch.
"You're my life…"
"Don't say things like that…" she whispered, breaking down again.
Kabir Malhotra…
The man everyone feared…
Was fighting for his life inside.
And she…
Could do nothing.
Hours passed.
Finally—
The door opened.
The doctor stepped out.
Anaya rushed forward immediately.
"How is he?!" her voice trembled.
The doctor looked serious.
"The bullet was close to his heart…"
Her breath stopped.
"But we managed to remove it."
Hope.
"But…" the doctor continued,
"He's still unconscious."
Her heart dropped again.
"We don't know when he'll wake up."
Silence.
Anaya felt like the world stopped.
"…Can I see him?" she whispered.
The doctor nodded.
Inside the room—
Kabir lay on the bed.
Still.
Silent.
Machines beeping slowly.
Bandages around his chest.
Anaya's steps became weak.
This…
Wasn't the Kabir she knew.
The strong…
Unbreakable man…
Looked so fragile.
Tears fell instantly.
She walked closer.
Sat beside him.
Her trembling hand slowly held his.
Cold.
"Kabir…" she whispered.
No response.
Her lips trembled.
"You said… you won't leave me…"
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"So get up…"
Her voice broke completely.
"Please…"
She leaned closer.
Resting her forehead near his hand.
"I didn't even say it properly…" she cried.
Silence.
"I love you…" she whispered.
The words finally escaped.
Pure.
Broken.
Real.
"I love you so much…" she continued.
"I was scared… I was confused…"
"But now I know…"
Her grip tightened.
"I can't live without you…"
Tears kept falling endlessly.
"Fight for me…"
"Just once more…"
The room stayed silent.
But then—
A small movement.
Her breath stopped.
Kabir's fingers…
Moved slightly.
Anaya froze.
"Kabir…?"
His eyes slowly opened.
Weak.
Blurred.
But the first thing he saw—
Was her.
"Anaya…" he whispered faintly.
She broke into tears instantly.
"You idiot!" she cried, holding his hand tighter.
Kabir smiled weakly.
"You're crying…"
"Of course I am!" she said.
"You scared me…"
Kabir looked at her.
His eyes soft.
"You said… you love me…" he whispered.
Anaya froze.
Her cheeks turned red.
Tears still falling.
"I did…" she said softly.
Kabir's weak hand moved.
He touched her cheek gently.
"Say it again…"
Anaya smiled through her tears.
"I love you, Kabir…"
His eyes closed for a moment.
Peaceful.
"I love you too…" he whispered.
And in that moment—
Nothing else mattered.
Not pain.
Not past.
Not darkness.
Only love.
Only them.
❤️