But it’s too late.
He has already pulled the trigger before falling, and it hits Shivani. My breath hitches, and I run towards her.
Shivani crumples to the floor, blood spreading across her stomach.
“Shivani!” I scream, running to her. Everything else fades away—the gunfire, the shouting, the chaos. Nothing matters except her. I fall to my knees, cradling her. Her eyes flutter open, pain twisting her beautiful face as she shakily grips my shirt in her grip.
“Rudra…” she whispers, her voice so faint I can barely hear her.
“Stay with me, Shivani,” I beg, pressing my hand to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding as she hisses in pain. “You’re going to be okay. Just hold on.”
“You’re my favorite person,” she whispers with a tiny smile.
Tears sting my eyes as I tighten my hold on her hand. “And you’re mine, baby.” I kiss her forehead.
“Be happy for me, okay?” She coughs and has blood on her lips.
No. No, this can’t be happening. “I can’t be happy without you,” I whisper, my voice breaking as my grip only tightens on her.
“Find someone beautiful. Have lots of kids,” she wheezes.
I shake my head, heartbroken. “I’m not having kids with anyone else,” I choke out. “Nothing’s going to happen to you.”
She’s slipping. I feel it in my bones. “I thought of a name… if it’s a girl… name her Rudrani. Rudraksh and Shivani,” she whispers.
Tears blind me. “Baby, no… Please…” She closes her eyes, and life escapes me.
No, no, no, no. No!
“No! Don’t close your eyes!” I yell. My hands are trembling as I see blood everywhere. Panic grips and I shake her, trying to wake her up. “Stay with me. Please, baby, don’t do this.”
For the first time in years, I let myself love someone fully—and now she’s slipping through my fingers. “Help! Someone get a medic!” I scream, my voice raw. “Hang on, Shivani. Please, hang on.” I rock her gently, my tears falling onto her face. “I won’t let you go,” I whisper, as the chaos around us fades into a distant blur. I just want her back. Alive. And if something happens to her, I might destroy this world.
55
RUDRAKSH
Cold air surrounds me as I sit in this cold hospital room, the antiseptic smell thick in the air.
Shivani is still unconscious on the bed, a bandage covering her stomach where the bullet wound is healing, machines hooked to her on both sides. I hate seeing her like this. The doctors said the surgery went well—they successfully removed the bullet—but now it’s a waiting game. If she doesn’t wake up within the next thirty-six hours, they can’t promise anything.
It’s already been twenty-four.
I feel numb, like I’m stuck in some sort of waking nightmare. She hasn’t even stirred. Not even once. The only movement is her breathing, and that—just that—is the only thing keeping me calm, but for how long, I don't know.
Everyone is outside in the lobby, anxiously waiting, but I can’t bring myself to leave her side. Maa and Aarav are the most affected. I never realized how close they’d gotten to her, but I can’t even blame them. Shivani is... she’s just very lovable.
I continue to hold her hand, my thumb tracing soothing patterns over her soft skin. It feels cold. Too cold. The guilt is toomuch to bear, like a heavy weight pressing into my chest, making it hard to breathe.
“I failed you,” I murmur, my voice thick with regret. “I promised to keep you safe, and I failed.” My gaze drifts over her face, memorizing every inch. She looks peaceful, too peaceful, like she’s sleeping in the middle of a war zone.
“You always said I deserve better,” I whisper, my voice cracking. “But sweetheart, you’re the one who deserves better. Someone who will actually protect you. Someone who won’t let the world touch you. Someone... not like me.” I take a shaky breath, staring at her still face. “I never thought I’d ever be able to love someone,” I continue, my eyes stinging. “But I do. I love you so much. I can’t live without you. I can’t imagine a life without you.”
Tears stream down my cheeks—hot, aching tears. I feel like someone is tearing me apart from the inside. “You changed my life, darling,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “You made me feel things I never thought I was capable of. You gave me love I never believed I deserved.” I caress her cheek gently, my touch feather-light, as if too much pressure might break her. “You’re the love that came without warning." I kiss her knuckles. "You had my heart before I could say no, baby.”
A low breath escapes me. “Please come back to me,” I plead. “Please don’t leave me alone. I don’t know how to live without you.” If I have to beg, I will. To anyone who is willing to listen. Pride means nothing right now.
“When we got married, I thought it would be a loveless marriage. I didn’t trust you. I didn’t even give you a fair chance,” I sniffle. “But you proved me wrong every single time. You... won me over.” I let out a broken laugh, wiping my eyes. “You’rebeautiful—inside and out. Even the devil would fall in love with you. And I’m still just a human.”
