The night outside was a quiet lie. The world felt still, peaceful, and completely unaware of the wreckage left behind on the highway.
No one at the Roy mansion knew yet that Monty had almost died.
Inside the hospital, Romy sat alone on a hard bench in the corridor. His elbows rested on his knees, his fingers tangled in his hair.
He had cried himself raw, eyes red, breathing uneven. Every so often, a shudder would rack his chest as another sob broke free.
Monty...
He pressed the heels of his palms to his eyes, seeing nothing but memories:
Monty laughing in the shower.
Monty whispering his name.
Monty kissing him like there was no one else in the world.
Romy let out a strangled sound that was half a sob, half a broken laugh.
"You idiot..." he whispered.
"Why did you go without me? Why didn't you wait?"
He scrubbed his tears away roughly, but they kept falling.
He spoke to no one—just the walls, the night, his own breaking heart.
"We're married, Monty. Do you hear me? I don't care what the world says. I married you, not your sister. I don't want her. I want you. Only you. I can't live without you."
He broke down completely, covering his face, rocking a little as the grief ripped through him.
"Please, Monty… please… wake up. Don't leave me. Don't do this to me."
The Doctor Comes
He didn't even hear the doctor approaching.
"Mr. Roy?"
Romy startled, looking up with red-rimmed eyes.
The doctor's expression was serious but gentler now.
"He's stable," the doctor said quietly. "He's going to make it. He's just unconscious. All we can do now is wait for him to wake up."
For a moment Romy just stared.
Then his lips trembled.
He wiped his face again, sniffing hard.
"Really?" he croaked.
The doctor nodded.
"He's been through hell. But he's strong. I'll come get you when you can see him. For now… get some rest. Try to breathe."
Romy nodded numbly.
But rest was impossible.
Later that night, he was finally allowed into Monty's room.
The fluorescent light was too bright, reflecting harshly off white walls. The beeping of monitors was too loud in the silence.
Monty lay there, bandaged and still, his skin pale as marble.
IV lines snaked from his arms. His chest rose and fell in slow, labored breaths.
Romy stepped closer, his shoes scuffing the floor.
He swallowed hard, seeing the bruises, the stitched cut at Monty's hairline, the tubes and machines keeping him alive.
He pulled up a chair shakily, sat down, and reached out.
Very gently, he rested his fingers against Monty's bandaged hand.
The tears started again.
He leaned forward until his forehead touched their joined hands.
"Wake up," he whispered.
"Please. I need you."
His voice broke.
"I love you so much it's killing me. You hear me? It's killing me. You can't leave. You're my wife. My real wife. Not Preety. You. Only you. I can't do this without you. Please, Monty... please don't go..."
His breathing hitched.
He didn't even realize when he fell asleep there, crying quietly into Monty's hand.
Dawn
The first light of dawn crept through the blinds in slanted stripes.
Romy stirred, his neck stiff. He blinked, disoriented—until he remembered.
He sat up fast.
Monty was watching him.
Those dark eyes were open, bleary but aware.
Monty didn't speak at first. His cracked lips trembled with effort.
Romy felt the sob claw up again.
"Monty…" he whispered.
His tears came pouring down.
Monty blinked slowly, his eyes glistening too.
"Don't…" Monty rasped.
Romy choked on a laugh through his tears.
"Don't what? Don't cry? Too late, idiot."
Monty's mouth curved weakly.
He raised a trembling finger and beckoned.
"Come here."
Romy immediately leaned close.
Monty's voice was rough, barely there.
"Closer…"
Romy moved even closer, so that his ear was right by Monty's lips.
Monty's cracked, dry lips pressed the faintest kiss to Romy's cheek.
Romy let out a wet, shaky laugh.
"You bastard…"
Monty's voice was almost inaudible.
"Don't… cry. Please."
Romy wiped his face with the back of his sleeve.
"You scared me so bad," he whispered hoarsely. "You fucking wrecked me, Monty. I thought you were gone. My whole world went black."
He carefully cupped Monty's face, avoiding the bruises.
"You don't get to leave me. Ever. You hear me? I'm your husband. I love you so much it hurts."
Monty blinked slowly, tears gathering in his own eyes.
"Love you… too…" he managed.
Romy leaned in and kissed him—very gently, mindful of the bandages.
Their lips trembled together.
Interrupted by a Call
But then Romy's phone buzzed.
He sighed, pulling back reluctantly.
He looked at the screen.
Prem Choudhary.
Monty's eyes widened.
Romy glanced at him.
"What do I tell him?"
Monty shook his head minutely, wincing in pain.
"No… don't tell… please…"
Romy's brow furrowed.
"They'll want to know. They'll worry."
Monty's voice was strained.
"They'll… all come… make drama. Be sad. Take me… away from you."
His fingers weakly grasped Romy's wrist.
"I want… time with… you…"
Romy's heart twisted.
He pressed Monty's hand to his lips.
"Okay. Okay. Whatever you want."
He answered the phone, clearing his throat.
"Hello, Uncle!"
Prem's voice boomed.
"son-in-law! Did you meet Monty? Why hasn't he answered? Are you both in Kolkata now?"
Romy met Monty's pleading eyes.
He forced himself to smile.
"Yes, Uncle! We reached last night. Sorry for the mess—Monty's just been busy coordinating things. His phone died."
Prem sounded relieved.
"Good. I knew I could trust you both. Work well together. Let Monty know I'll call later."
"Of course," Romy said, voice steady.
When he hung up, he tossed the phone aside.
He looked at Monty seriously.
"You didn't want them to know?"
Monty's breathing was ragged, but his eyes were determined.
"They'd all… be here. Cry. Worry. Blame you. Take me away… back home."
He swallowed painfully.
"Didn't want… to leave you."
Romy Breaks
Romy's face crumpled.
He leaned over and buried his face against Monty's chest, as gently as he could.
His shoulders shook.
Monty's bandaged arm lifted slowly, painfully, to rest over Romy's back.
"Shh…" Monty whispered.
Romy's muffled voice cracked.
"You idiot. stupid, wonderful idiot."
He lifted his head, eyes shining with tears but also with fierce love.
He pressed a soft kiss to Monty's forehead.
"My wife is the smartest, bravest person I know."
Monty gave a small, pained smile.
"Wife?" he croaked.
Romy's lips trembled into a smile.
"Yeah. My wife. Always."
He brushed Monty's cheek with the backs of his fingers.
"I'm sorry I hurt you just now. Does it still hurt?"
Monty nodded minutely.
Romy winced.
"Sorry, sorry. I'll be careful. I'll always be careful with you."
Monty closed his eyes, sighing.
"Stay?"
Romy didn't even hesitate.
He kicked off his shoes, climbed carefully onto the hospital bed, maneuvering himself so Monty could rest his head on his shoulder without touching his wounds.
He wrapped an arm around him, gently, like cradling something sacred.
Monty's breathing slowed, calmer now.
Romy pressed his lips to Monty's hair.
"Not going anywhere."
He closed his eyes, their heartbeats finally settling into one slow, steady rhythm in the cold, antiseptic room.
Outside, the sun finally rose, casting its light through the hospital window on two people who refused to let go.