The fluorescent lights of the mall flickered above us as Kruti darted from one store to another, her hands clutching bags filled with things I didn't even know we needed. I leaned against a pillar, pinching the bridge of my nose as another wave of headache washed over me.
"Dev, look at this dress! Isn't it gorgeous?" she chirped, holding up a bright yellow outfit that could probably blind me if I stared too long.
"It's fine," I muttered, my tone flat.
She frowned, lowering the dress. "You didn't even look at it properly!"
"I don't need to," I said, waving her off. "Just buy whatever you want and let's go."
Her brows furrowed, but she shrugged it off, clearly used to my moodiness by now. But the truth was, the pounding headache in my skull made it hard to focus on anything, let alone her constant chatter.
"Dev, look at this one," she said, holding up yet another pair of earrings for my opinion.
I groaned internally, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Kruti, how many do you need? You've already picked four."
She pouted, her big eyes staring at me as though I'd crushed her dreams. "But this one's different! It's got tiny stars on itâdon't you think it's cute?"
"It's just jewelry," I muttered, rubbing my temple.
Her smile faltered slightly, but she quickly masked it. "You're no fun, Dev."
By the time we reached the food court, my patience was hanging by a thread. She stood in line for ice cream, glancing back at me with that infectious smile of hers.
"Do you want chocolate or vanilla?" she called out.
"I don't care," I replied, leaning my head against the backrest of the chair.
When she returned, handing me a cup of vanilla, I sighed. "You know I prefer chocolate."
"Then why didn't you just say so?" she asked, her voice laced with exasperation.
"Because you don't listen, Kruti," I snapped, the frustration boiling over. "You never listen, and it's useless trying to explain anything to you."
The words were out before I could stop them, and the hurt on her face was immediate.
Her smile faltered, and she blinked a few times before quickly looking away. "Oh," she said softly, taking a step back. "Okay, then."
"Krutiâ" I began, but she turned on her heel and walked away before I could finish.
The rest of the drive home was silent. She sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. I glanced at her a few times, the guilt gnawing at me, but I didn't know how to break the silence.
The tension in the car was suffocating. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, wishing I could go back and undo the entire day.
I sighed, gripping the steering wheel tighter as the rain started to pour. The roads were slick, and visibility was poor, but I forced myself to focus, even as the tension in the car grew unbearable.
And then it happened.
A truck swerved into our lane, its headlights blinding me for a split second. I jerked the wheel, trying to avoid it, but the car skidded on the wet road.
"Dev!" Kruti screamed, and then everything went black.
When I opened my eyes, pain shot through my body. The car was a mangled mess, the windshield shattered, and blood trickled down my temple.
But none of that mattered.
"Kruti?" I croaked, panic flooding my veins as I turned to her. She was slumped in her seat, her face pale and bloodied.
"Kruti!" I shouted, fumbling to unbuckle my seatbelt. My hands were trembling, and every movement sent waves of pain through me, but I didn't care.
With desperation clawing at me, I reached for the door again, trying to force it open. It wouldn't budge. My hands shook, but I wouldn't stop. Kruti needed me. I couldn't lose her. Not like this. Not when I had just started realizing how much I actually needed her.
With every ounce of strength, I climbed over the center console and into the passenger seat. The car groaned under the pressure, but I didn't care. I had to get to her.
"Kruti," I whispered, my voice trembling, as I tried to rouse her. "Please... wake up. Don't you dare do this to me."
She didn't respond. The blood on her face was more than I could handle
I reached for her, gently shaking her shoulder. "Hey, hey, wake up. Come on, open your eyes."
She let out a faint groan, her eyelids fluttering open. "Dev..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived. She was fading fast, and the realization hit me like a punch to the gut.
My heart pounded as I unbuckled her seatbelt and carefully lifted her into my arms. She was so light, too light, and the sight of her blood-streaked face made my chest ache.
"Stay with me, Kruti," I murmured, stepping out into the rain.
She let out a weak laugh, her head resting against my shoulder. "I'm... I'm fine, Dev," she said, her words slurred.
"Stop talking," I said, my voice breaking.
Every step was agony. My legs felt like they were on fire, and my vision blurred from the pain, but I refused to stop.
"You're stubborn, you know that?" she muttered, her fingers weakly clutching my shirt.
"You're one to talk," I replied, my voice thick with emotion.
Her eyes fluttered shut, and my heart skipped a beat. "Stop scaring me," I whispered, shaking her gently. "Kruti, stay awake. Look at me."
"I'm tired," she whispered.
"I know you are. Just a... few more minutes." I breathe.
"I thought you hated me."
I could feel a lump in my throat, "N-no... don't say that."
"I don't care," I said, my voice firm. "You don't get to give up on me. Not now."
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "You're such a grump," she murmured.
"And you're a pain," I shot back, my jaw clenched.
"I want biryani," she said.
I managed a soft smile, "w-we can have as much b-biryani you want. Just... stay with me."
The hospital was still far, but I kept walking, the rain soaking through my clothes. My arms ached from holding her, but I didn't dare let go.
But the moment she wrapped her arms around my neck, I could feel the hope creeping in.
"You know," she said after a long pause, her voice barely above a whisper, "you're not as mean as you pretend to be."
"Don't start," I said, my throat tightening.
She let out a soft laugh, her head lolling against my shoulder. "I mean it," she said. "You're... you're kind of sweet. Like... Gulab jamun,"
I let out a soft, weak laugh, "You're an idiot sometimes."
"Your idiot."
"I know, silly."
It scared me when she suddenly went silent. Too silent.
"Kruti," I said warningly, but she didn't respond.
"Kruti?" I repeated, panic rising in my chest.
Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was shallow.
"No, no, no," I muttered, quickening my pace. "You don't get to leave me. Not like this."
"I'm tired..." she whispered.
"You need to stay awake."
"I can't do this... I'm tired of... everything..."
"You need to stay awake, damn it." I whispered, trying to steady my voice and trying not to cry.
"Why won't you let me sleep?"
"Because you're always too stubborn and... and... you need to listen to me for... once." I stammered.
I always thought that I'm better off with myself alone. But after seeing this, someone I was trying to not care for when I already had fallen for herâ I was too scared to leave them.