Page 16 of Shattered

“That’s my baby,” she says, her voice brimming with love, then turns to Reyansh. “Are you coming home with us?”

Finally, I force myself to look in his direction and see a small smile on his face as he looks at his mom.

“I am, Mom,” he says to her, then looks down at me. “I’ll come and visit you tomorrow.”

I nod,a lump forming in my throat as I watch them leave.

“You need to talk to Sunita Aunty; she’s bombarding my phone with calls and messages,” Akash’s voicebreaks the silence, drawing my attentionas he settles into the chair beside me.

“You told her about the accident?” I ask, groaning.

“Of course, I did. You know I couldn’t keep this from her—she would have been furious if I did.Besides, since you got hurt on my watch, I am already in for a lecture from her. You should consider yourself lucky I managed to keep her from coming to the hospital.”

I take a moment, closing my eyes for a few seconds before speaking. “I think you should call the doctor and get my discharge papers ready. Knowing Aunty, she must be worried sick about me.”

“I’ll go get the doctor,” he says, rising to his feet before stepping out of the room.

Once alone in the room, I reflect on how, despite losing my parents, I’ve been incredibly blessed to be surrounded by suchwonderful people who care for me. This kind of luck is rare, and I will never take it for granted. I’ve often heard that when God takes one thing away, he gives something else in return. I feel deeply grateful for the love and support I have found, even after losing my parents. I just hope that I never lose any of them because if I do, this time, I won’t be able to pull myself together. I will be completely shattered.

???

I feel a gentle hand stroke my hair, and my eyes slowly flutter open. Sunita Aunty is sitting on the edge of the bed with a worried expression. Last night, when Akashbroughtme home from the hospital, he spent a few minutes apologising to her for not taking better care of me. Auntyquicklyassured him that it wasn’t his fault. Once he left, she never left my side, fussing over me with endless care. I kept telling her I was fine, but she just wouldn’t listen.

“Good morning, dear.Is your head still hurting?” she asks with a concerned look in her eyes.

“The pain medicine is helping. It’s much better today,” I reply, offering her a reassuring smile as I sit up with my back against the headboard.

“That’s good to hear,” she says with a warm smile. “I’ve made your favourite poha for breakfast. Let me get it for you. You also need to take your morning dose of medicine,” she reminds me.

“Aunty, could you please get the breakfast in a bit? I’d like to shower first,” Irequest. I haven’t had a chance to freshen up since I got back from the hospital, and I am really craving a good shower.

Aunty frowns, “Did the doctor give you permission for that? You still have the bandage on your head.”

“He did, as long as I don’t wet my hair and the bandage,” I reassure her.

“Do you need any help?” she asks, her tone reflecting her disbelief that I can manage on my own. Sometimes, her worry drives me crazy, but I know it comes from a place of love and concern.

“Aunty, I’ve got it, I promise. I’ll give you a shout if I need help,” I say gently, understanding her concern but also wanting to reassure her that I can manage.

“You do that if you need any help,” she says with a nod, standing up from the bed and turning to leave.

Once she leaves, I make my way to the bathroom and carefully shower withoutgetting my bandage wet. After I am done, I put on my track pants and a loose t-shirt. Stepping out of the room, I find Aunty sitting on the bed with my breakfast plate on her lap. With a smile, I walk up to her and settle down beside her. I reach out to take the plate, but she shakes her head.

“I am going to feed you,” she says.

“I have to admit, I am really enjoying this special treatment and pampering. The perks of being sick,” Ichuckle, and we both laugh as she begins feeding me while engaging in small talk.

I finish the last bite of my breakfast and take my painmedication.Just then, the doorbell rings.

“I’ll go get it. It must be Akash; he said he would drop by in the morning,” she grins as she walks out of the room.

A few minutes later, Akash appears in the doorway, holding a bouquet of pink roses in his hands.

“How’s my princess doing today?” he asks with a concerned smile,walking over to the bed and setting the bouquet on the side table before taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

“Feeling much better,” I reply with a smile, glancing over his shoulder at the flowers. “I see you’ve got me flowers. Someone’s going all soft on me.”

“Well, the flowers are from Amaya. She wanted to come and see you,but she had to leave for a last-minute work trip to Singapore.”

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