ruthless to knees

hospital

The Hospital

Adi's POV

I planned on driving myself, but my driver was faster and insisted that I would need him, so without a second thought, I placed her on my black leather seat and dragged my hands away from her and quickly returned from the other door right next to her. It took an eternity to reach the hospital. Her sharara sparkled under the streetlights as we sped away and once the signal was red, which made me curse uncontrollably, I saw her eyebrows twitch like she could hear me and the words suddenly froze in my mouth, denying coming out because they might harm her even more. I prayed, Oh God! Did I pray? Since when ? But before I could think any further, the hospital came into view. As soon as I picked up her lifeless body, it sent a shiver down my spine, that same earthy smell coming from her and when she instinctively put her hands on my chest, I saw intricate designs of henna tattooed on her hands, giving her that beautiful smell.

The doctors rushed her inside as soon as I reached the emergency department while I paced outside the ward, my split lip bleeding, knuckles trembling with restraint. And soon enough, the family followed, the worried father, the arrogant mother-in-law and the judging sister-in-law, who completely changed her tone once she noticed that I was standing but the oh so worthy groom was nowhere to be found.

Hours passed, like years, until, finally, the doctor came out. “She’s stable. Mild concussion, stitches on her arm. She needs rest.”

When she opened her eyes later in the night, the crowd had disbursed, leaving only me and her father, who had already thanked me a million times and suggested I leave but was already tired from all the commotion throughout the day and dozed on the uncomfortable chair in the room while I had counted the floor tiles a hundredth time. Under the hospital lights, the first thing she saw was her father sitting at her side, so she smiled that weak smile just as she dragged her hand from the bed to touch his head and I stood there in silence at a distance watching her, explaining to myself the reason for staying and why was I still here? I can't explain when I could be in those dozen similar meetings where I am much needed right now instead of simply waiting for someone to open her eyes and look at me.

Suddenly, her eyes landed on me and her hand froze midair.

She looked at me and then her eyes got bigger and bigger just like before.It was amusing to see her eyes again. Was I waiting for this? For her to see me? Wait am I breathing?

Oh! Yes I am.

My bruised jaw shadowed, gaze unflinching.

“You…” her voice cracked. “Why are you here?” worried.

“Because I had to be,” I muttered simply.

“You ruined everything,” she whispered, tears welling. “My engagement… my family’s honor…”

My jaw tightened. I wasn't expecting this, maybe a thank you but this “You almost died, and you’re worried about that?” my voice became louder uncontrollably, to which her father squirmed, waking up.

Her lips trembled. “It matters. To them. To my father.” And I couldn't take it any longer, but her father intervened and requested me to leave because I was tired, and now the situation was under control.