Author

"Devi, the doctor is here," Adwait informs Devisha, who nods her head and gets up from the bed.

The doctor checks on Sakshi.

"Ms. Verma, you should take care. Your body is too weak. Too much stress is not good for your health; you need rest," the doctor informs Sakshi, and then turns his head toward Adwait.

"Does she have any medical history? Because it seems that she is currently taking some medicines," he asks.

"Uhm, Doctor, actually, she was in a coma for 5 years and regained consciousness yesterday. Maybe it's because of too much emotional stress that she fainted," Adwait informs the doctor.

"Ms. Verma, you need to be very careful. You might have gained consciousness, but still, your body needs rest. Taking too much emotional baggage just after waking up might affect your mental health a lot and even cause physical problems. So, please take care, and make sure she doesn't get any stress for a few days. Her health is the most important thing right now. She is fragile. Give her a good and loving environment," the doctor finishes and leaves.

---

Devisha

What? Sakshi was in a coma for 5 years? And how does Adwait know that? What is happening? I don't understand anything right now.

"Adwait, I need to talk to you," I say. Adwait nods his head and leaves the room. I turn toward Sakshi, ready to scold her for not telling me about this, but before I can say anything, she starts blabbering.

"Devi, listen, I'll tell you everything, but right now, go talk to Adwait. It's because of him that I didn't tell you anything."

Now, if I don't stop her, she'll continue blabbering until tomorrow.

"Shh, calm down, calm down. I'll talk to you later. First, get well, take your medicine on time. I'll be back soon," I say and turn to leave when I hear her saying, "Kash main kabhi theek na hoon, warna yeh tadka kah jayegi mujhe." (I wish I was never better, or else this monster will eat  me.)

I smile hearing this and make my way out.

I just want my answers now from Adwait. How long will my questions go unanswered by him? It's getting irritating. For God's sake, he better answer me today, or we are over.

When I reach the terrace, I see Adwait sitting there, waiting for me.

"Adwait, you better answer everything I ask you today, or we are over permanently, and I mean it," I warn him.

"Okay, but please promise me you won't leave me after knowing the truth," Adwait says.

"Adwait, you have to answer me today, without any conditions. Just answer me everything right now," I reply.

I hear him take a deep sigh.

"Devisha, everything that has happened to Vansh and Sakshi is because of me. I am the reason why Sakshi was in a coma all these years. This is the reason why Vansh hates me so much. I did it all. I ruined their lives. It was my fault—completely my fault. I know I can't justify what I did, that's why I won't give you reasons for the things I did. I just want you to forgive me and accept me, please. I would die without you," Adwait finishes.

I am too stunned. How can he even ask for forgiveness when he ruined my brother's life, my best friend's life? How can I forgive him after all this? I know it will hurt me a lot to leave him. I love him so fucking much, but I can't stay with him after what he has done to my brother. I can't just forget it all and live with him like it never happened. I have seen my brother getting nightmares almost every night. I witnessed it all with my own eyes. I saw my brother dying every single day, wondering what the reason was.

But now, after knowing the reason, it's hurting too much to bear. It's just too much.

I shake my head vigorously, trying to stop myself from crying, but these damn tears... they won't listen to me, will they? I run away from there.

I hear him calling me, but I can't talk to him. I just can't.

It's over. Everything is over. It feels like a dream I never wanted to wake up from, but now, the reality is hitting too hard.

When I was about to enter one of the guest rooms, a grip on my wrist stops me in my tracks. It's Adwait. I can identify his touch.

"Chhodo mera haath!" (Let go of my hand!) I shout, trying to get out of his grasp, but he holds my hand tightly enough that I can't pull away.

"Chodne ke liye nahi pakda hai. Tum mujhse bhaag nahi sakti." (I'm not holding your hand to let you go. You can't run from me.) he says, his eyes looking into mine, but I can't read his emotions.

"Adwait, tumhe chodna hoga. Main nahi reh sakti tumhare saath. Tumne mere bhai ki zindagi barbaad kar di hai. Tumhe kaise lagta hai ki main sach jaan ne ke baad bhi tumhare saath rahungi?" (Adwait, you have to let me go. I can't stay with you. You ruined my brother's life. How do you think that after knowing the truth, I can still be with you?) I shout, my voice filled with frustration.

"Devisha, main tumhare bina mar jaunga." (Devisha, I will die without you.) he says desperately.

"Or main tumhare saath mar jaungi." (And I will die with you.) I say, and as soon as the words leave my mouth, his grip on my hand loosens.

"So is it over?" he asks.

"Yes, Adwait, it is over. We are over. From now onwards, I don't know you, and you don't know me. We were meant to end," I say, the words feeling bitter on my tongue.

"Devisha, can I kiss you one last time and store this moment forever? Please, it's the last thing I'm asking. Please, will you?" He cups my cheeks in his hands and asks. I don't know why, but I nod my head.

Without a second thought, his lips land on mine. He pins my hands above my head and kisses me as if he could stop time right here. I too wish that could happen, but it won't. I kiss him back, savoring every bit of it. Our lips move together, his one hand on my waist, pulling me closer, if that was even possible. When I can't take it anymore, I pat his shoulder, and he breaks apart. Without glancing at him, I enter the room and shut the door.

As soon as I close the door, I fall to my knees. I hug myself and cry my heart out. I can hear him crying too from the other side of the gate.

I don't know when I fell asleep while crying like this.

---

Author

The next day, Devisha wakes up feeling a mild headache. She notices her surroundings; she was lying on the floor, curled up. Her appearance is messy, and she's feeling like crying again, but she doesn't. She can't be weak. Vansh is still in a coma. She needs him to get better, and she even needs Sakshi to recover properly. She has too many goals to achieve, and she can't sit here and cry. She has to start her own fashion firm. She has been thinking about it for a while. She is even ready with the designs and the business plan. She just needs some money to start her firm now.

She gets up, takes a shower, trying to mask a smile on her face, and makes her way out. When she opens the door, she finds a chit over there.

"I am sorry for all the pain I caused you. I will never show you my face again. And thank you for giving me such memorable moments for a lifetime. Remember, I am always there for you if you need anything. I am just a call away. I love you now and will love you till my last breath. This heart of mine beats for you.

Bye-bye, love."

---

Reading this, Devisha's eyes well up with tears once again, but she controls herself, taking deep breaths. She has to be strong. She can do it.

She then enters her room and keeps the chit with all the love letters Adwait has ever given her till date.

Devisha then hears the sound of the shower coming from the bathroom, indicating that Sakshi is bathing. Deciding she needs to talk to her bestie because they haven't met in so many years, she sits on the bed and asks a servant to bring chips, white sauce pasta, and cold drinks so that they can have their gossip session.

Soon, Sakshi comes out of the bathroom and looks at Devisha with a smile.

"Aise kyu baithi hai? Kuch baat karni hai kya?" (Why are you sitting like this? Do you need to talk about something?) Sakshi asks.

"Ha, toh! Kitna time ho gaya hume baat kiye?  of course, karni hai baat!" (Yes! It's been so long since we talked. Yes, of course, we need to talk!) Devisha replies enthusiastically.

Just then, a maid comes with all the snacks, and seeing which, Sakshi's face lights up.

"Wow, exactly like before," Sakshi exclaims.

"Yes, exactly like before," Devisha says, a sad smile on her lips.

They both spend the evening talking to each other a lot, revisiting their school times, bitching and joking about classmates and teachers.