Amara's POV:
The exams are done, and again the sessions. It is still a little cold outside, and I didn't get any text from Vihaan. "That's strange," I murmured, looking at my phone's screen.
"Good morning," I messaged.
The lecture was quite good, but I still couldn't focus because he never does this. Neither did he message me nor read it yet. I will call him after the lecture. I was thinking just then, I got a message from Eric.
"Come to Petrova Hospitals," and for some reason, I don't want to think further because the thought is horrible that I don't want to face the reality.
I ran out of the lecture hall, ignoring everyone's stares, and got the taxi, but every second felt like eternity. When I finally reached there, my knees weakened, but I kept walking just to see him in this vulnerable state.
He was lying with one hand plastered and a bandage on his forehead. This is the last thing I want to see.
"What did you?" I started, but couldn't finish because of tears and suffocation.
"You promised you won't put yourself in danger for that, then why, Vihaan?" and I started crying.
"Why? You never listen to me." I said, and this time my strength strained all.
"I am sorry, I was so close, so I thought of giving it a chance," he said with a guilty face.
"So close to what? I already told you it was past, and you are my present, and risking you for it would be the last thing I want. Can't you think of me once? What would I do if something happened to you?" I said it was almost incomprehensible because of the mixing of crying and a trembled voice.
Vihaan's eyes softened, and he reached out with his uninjured hand, hesitating before gently brushing my hair from my tear-streaked face. "Ama… I didn't mean to scare you like this. I just… I thought I could handle it, and I didn't want to stop. I wanted to find them… I thought I could finish it quickly."
I shook my head, trembling, my voice cracking. "But at what cost, Vihaan? At what cost? You don't realize… I can't lose you. Not now, not ever. You're my everything, and you… You just risked yourself for… for the things that already happened."
He flinched slightly. "I know. I was wrong. I wasn't thinking straight. I let my obsession… my determination cloud everything else. Especially you. I'm so sorry, Ama."
I leaned closer, almost collapsing onto the bed, gripping his plastered hand with both of mine. "Sorry isn't enough this time, Vihaan. I need you to understand—what you did… it could have… it could have taken you away from me!"
"I do understand," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "And I swear, I'll never let you worry like this again. No more reckless moves. I promise, Ama. From now on… from now on, nothing matters more than us."
I let out a shuddering breath, my tears still flowing, but my body slowly relaxing against him. "You better mean that," I murmured, cupping his cheeks.
"I do," he said softly, tilting his head down to meet my gaze. "And… I don't just mean it. I'll prove it. I need you safe, always. And if I ever slip… I want you to stop me. Keep me in check, Ama."
I felt a mixture of relief and lingering fear. "I will… I promise," I whispered back, my hands tightening around his. "Just… don't ever scare me like this again."
He smiled faintly, the guilt in his eyes softening into something warmer. "Never again. And… maybe, you can let me make it up to you a little?"
I blinked at him, wary but intrigued. "Make it up? How?"
He signaled towards his bandaged forehead."It's hurting a little bit. Maybe you can do something?" he said, making puppy eyes.
I kissed his forehead as gently as I could, minding his injury.
"One here, it would be more effective," he said while putting his finger on his lips.
"Have you gone insane due to this head injury?" I said
I tilted my head, pressing a gentle kiss against his lips this time, careful not to hurt the bandages. "Maybe… but don't let it happen again, or the magic won't work next time."
He pulled me into a soft embrace, resting his head near mine. "I'll behave… mostly. But I can't promise I won't look for chances to make you kiss me again."
I sighed, half exasperated, half amused. "You're impossible," I repeated, smiling despite my lingering fear.
"But you love me this way, don't you?" he whispered, just for me, and for a moment, the fear and worry melted into quiet warmth between us, leaving only the steady rhythm of our hearts.
I stayed by his side, carefully adjusting the pillows behind him, making sure he was comfortable. Every little movement reminded me of how fragile he could be, and yet… how stubbornly he always pushed himself.
"You really need to stop trying to solve the world's problems by yourself," I said, brushing a loose strand of hair from his forehead.
He smirked faintly, though a hint of pain crossed his face. "And miss seeing you fuss over me like this? Never."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't stop the small smile tugging at my lips. "You really got insane."
"Insane enough to keep you with me," he whispered, echoing his favorite line, just enough to make me blush.
For a few moments, we simply sat there, the hospital room quiet except for the soft beeping of monitors. I wanted to linger in the calm, but I knew he wouldn't leave things at rest for long.
"Vihaan…" I started, hesitant. "Are you… still going to chase that lead?"
His gaze softened, but there was a flicker of determination that made my stomach tighten. "I have to. I'm close, Ama. I can feel it. But… not like this. Not alone. I promise, I'll be careful. And I'll tell you everything next time."
I studied his bandaged hand, then his forehead, realizing that even his determination could be dangerous if unchecked. I squeezed his hand gently. "Just… promise me one thing. If it ever gets even a bit dangerous, you stop. For me."
He nodded slowly. "I promise. But you have to stay by my side. Keep me in check. Don't let me drift too far into this obsession."
I leaned closer, pressing my lips gently against his bandaged forehead again. "Deal. But only if you let me scold you properly later."
He chuckled softly, the sound warm and reassuring. "Deal. And maybe… I'll let you kiss me for forgiveness too."
I laughed softly, the tension in my chest easing a little. Even in the hospital, even with danger lurking, there was that quiet intimacy between us—the unspoken trust and care that made every heartbeat count.
And I knew… whatever happened, I wouldn't let him face it alone.
Over the next few days, the hospital room became our little sanctuary. I stayed by Vihaan's side, fussing over him, making sure he took his medications, and teasing him whenever he tried to move faster than he should.
"You know, you don't have to act like a child just because you want kisses," I said fixing his blanket. He is more than a kid, every time, his medicine tasted bad he wanted a kiss. His wound started to pain; he wanted a kiss. I scolded him he wanted a kiss.
"Then make a routine of giving me kisses as much as I want," he said.
"Just be thankful that you are adorable and still recovering, or else," I said, sitting beside him.
"You can say it's the best time till now, I am resting in my own ways, Ama," he said while leaning back.
"Ouch, A kiss needed, Ama," he said while pointing at his hand.
I chuckled, letting out a sigh, and kissed his hand.
"You are ridiculous," I said, trying to be serious, but a small smile tugged at my lips.
"It's too late to realise, you already are my girl," he said, keeping his eyes closed.
I rolled my eyes, but leaned closer, resting my head briefly against his shoulder. "Yeah… I do. But don't think this means I'll let you get away with all your antics."
He smirked, sighing contentedly. "Deal. But until I'm fully healed… you're stuck with me—and my ridiculous ways."
I chuckled again, brushing a stray hair from his forehead. "Fine… but only because I can't resist taking care of you."
For a moment, the hospital room was filled with soft laughter, quiet teasing, and the warmth of being together—the perfect little bubble of calm before the storm of everything else that waited outside.
And as he rested, eyes closed with a satisfied smile, I couldn't help but think… maybe, just for now, this was exactly where we both needed to be.