Page 15 of Shattered

My eyes flutter open, and a dull ache pulses through my head. Glancing around, I realise I am in a hospital room, and there’s a thin tube connected to my hand. I take a deep breath as memories of the woman I saved flood my mind just before everything went dark. Despite the pain I am experiencing, there’s a sense of peace knowing I was able to help someone who reminded me of my mom. Closing my eyes briefly, I think to myself that by saving her, I’ve also managed to confront some of my own inner struggles and demonsthat have haunted me since losing my parents.

The sound of the door opening startles me, and my eyes snap open.Turning my head, I see Akash entering the room, followed closely by Reyansh. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him. Ignoring my foolish heart, I stare at them, noticing their slightly dishevelledappearance.My attention is immediately drawn to Reyansh’s tattered shirt, and my stomach churns at the sight of bloodstains on his once-white shirt. A flurry of questions swarm my mind:Is that my blood?Did he bring me here?What is he doing here?

“Hey, princess, you’re awake,” Akash says softly as he approaches my bed.

“How are you feeling?” Reyansh stands next to him, his eyes filled with concern as he looks at me.

I force a smile, doing my best to conceal how much his presence is impacting me. “My head hurts a little,” I admit.

“The doctors said you’ll experience pain for a few days due to the bad fall you had. They have prescribed painkillers to help,” Reyaansh says with a pained expression. I nod slightly, but his next words catch me off guard. “Thank you,” he adds, his expression softening.

I blink, feeling puzzled as to why he is thanking me. “Thank you?” I ask.

“That was my mom you saved. I don’t know if I can ever thank you enough for it,” heexplains, placing his hand gently on top of mine andgiving it a squeeze.

Oh, that was his mom. Now I understand why he’s here. He must have felt obligated to bring me to the hospital because I saved his mom. Silly me, thinking he’s here for me.

“You don’t have to thank me,” I reply with a smile. “I am just glad I could help.”

A small smile tugs at his lips, “I still owe you.”

I shake my head, flinching slightly at the pain, but I continue to speak anyway. “No, you don’t owe me anything. I simply did what anyone would have done in my place.” He opens his mouth to argue,but I cut him off. “I think you should go home. I have Akash here with me.”

“I’m not leaving until you’re discharged,” he states firmly, giving me a determined look that shows he won’t budge on this decision.

“Please, you… you need to go and change,” I stammer, nodding towards his bloodstained shirt. “It’s making me feel uncomfortable,” I whisper, feeling a wave of unease. Ever since my parents’ accident, seeing blood triggers a deep-seateddiscomfort in my stomach, bringing back memories of seeing their bodies and clothes covered in blood.

“Reyansh, why don’t you head home while I stay with Kavya and complete the formalities? I’ll give you a call once we’re home,” Akash suggests, sensing my anguish.

Reyansh lets go of my hand and looks down at hisbloodstainedshirt, then shifts his gaze back to me with a sympathetic expression.A moment of silence hangs between us before he finally speaks. “I hate to leave you, but if it’s okay with you, can I go home, change, and come back?”

“You don’t have to,” I insist. “Akash will make sure I get home safely.”

Just then, there’s a knock at the door, andI see Reyansh’s mom enter the room, followed by a man who bears a striking resemblance to Reyansh, likely his dad.

“How are you feeling?” Reyansh’s mom asks as they come closer and stand on the other side of the bed.

“I am feeling better,” I reply, glancing between the two of them.

“Thank you for saving my wife,” Reyansh’s dad says, his voice filled with gratitude.

Before I can respond, Reyansh’s mom leans down and kisses my forehead.

“I am sure you have wonderful parents, and they’re lucky to have you. But from now on, consider us as your second family. You’re like our daughter,” she says softly as she leans back to look at me. My throat tightens, and aflood of emotions I can’t even name rises up, blurring my vision with tears. I can sense Reyansh’s gaze on me, but I can’t bring myself to look in his direction. My emotions have me completely engulfed.

“Tha… thank you,” I manage to murmur. I keep to myself how much those words mean to me, and choose not to share the fact that my parents are no longer with me. The kindness andlove shining in their eyes is too much for me to handle; I just can’t bring myself to accept their sympathy right now.

“You don’t have to thank us,” Reyansh’s mom says warmly. “You’re a true blessing from God, who saved me just in time. It’s all thanks to you that I am standing here without a scratch,” she adds, her eyes softening. “But it also pains me to see you lying in a hospital bed because of me.”

“Aunty, it’sjust a minor injury. I’ll be fine soon, I promise. Please don’t feel guilty about it,” I whisper, my voice choked with emotion.

“My dear, even the smallest injuries pain a mother’s heart. I’ll pray and do everything to make sure you heal quickly.” Tears well up in her eyes as she replies, and I feel my own tears slipping down my cheeks.

Reyansh’s dad smiles warmly as he places his hands on his wife’s shoulders. “Sweetheart, I think we should let her rest,” he suggests gently. Reyansh’s mom nods in agreement and thenturnsback to me.

“We’ll leave now, but I’ll send you breakfast tomorrow. Make sure you eat it all,”she says lovingly.

I give her a teary smile. “I will.”

---