Vansh entered the room where Raghav had been brought. The atmosphere inside was cold and silent, with only the faint beeping of machines echoing around. He saw Raghav sitting calmly, but there was a strange restlessness in his eyes. Raghav had finished his meal and was now taking his medicine. His hand trembled slightly while taking it, reflecting his fragile mental state.
Vansh walked forward with a gentle smile. As soon as Raghav saw him, his face lit up with sudden brightness. He quickly stood up and, with a childlike innocence, ran to Vansh and said—
"See! I ate my food, and I even took my medicine! Now come on, take me to my Vaidehi… quickly! I'm yearning to meet her, Rahul!"
The desperation in Raghav's voice echoed in the room. His eyes sparkled, and his whole face carried an anxious yet sweet excitement.
Vansh nodded with a soft smile and said—"Of course, let's go."
Raghav couldn't contain his happiness. For a moment, he threw his hands in the air like a little child, celebrating his joy, and then walked out of the room with Rahul.
As soon as they left, the nurses and ward boys in the room stood shocked. One nurse hurriedly asked,
"Mister Vansh… is he in his senses? How can you let Raghav meet that girl, when she's been dead for six months now!"
Another nurse replied, "You know, when they first brought Raghav to this hospital, I thought he wouldn't survive… so much blood had already been lost."
The second nurse sighed deeply, "Yes… and yet look, how stubborn he is. He still hasn't given up. Sometimes I wonder, people like him must be God's favorites. I don't know why he's being punished like this."
The first nurse leaned closer in awe—"Yes, you're right. I've heard Raghav used to be a renowned Army Officer. He protected our nation countless times… but today, because of one girl, he's in such a pitiful state!"
Even a ward boy couldn't hide his shock. He murmured softly, "I've only seen people go mad in love in movies… but today I'm witnessing it with my own eyes. Raghav doesn't just love that girl, he worships her. And this love has completely changed him."
Meanwhile, outside another ward, Raghav and Vansh stood together. Raghav's heartbeat was so rapid it seemed like his heart might burst out. His hands were shaking, and his lips trembled slightly.
As Vansh opened the door, he spoke softly—"Come… but be careful. This is going to be a very emotional moment for you."
Raghav nodded and slowly stepped inside the room. The room was dark. His eyes darted around, but nothing was visible. He softly called out Vaidehi's name—
"Vaidoo… my Vaidoo… I've come… where are you?"
The silence suddenly broke. A large screen lit up in front of him. Raghav's eyes froze on it. On the screen appeared Vaidehi, dressed in a white suit, her smile lighting up the room. Her laughter echoed all around. Raghav stared without blinking.
He stepped closer to the screen. His hands trembled. His breathing grew uneven. He whispered—
"Vaidoo… it's really you… I'm seeing you…"
On the screen, Vaidehi extended her hand, gesturing him to come closer. Raghav's heartbeat quickened even more. Stumbling, he reached the screen and stretched his hand out, as if it wasn't just a screen but Vaidehi herself standing there.
"Vaidoo… you made me suffer so much! I waited so long for you and now… you've finally come to meet me? You know, don't you… I can't live even a moment without you!"
He tried to caress Vaidehi's face through the screen, his palms pressed against it. His yearning was so intense he couldn't control himself. Raghav even kissed her face through the screen. Tears rolled down his eyes. He spoke again—
"Will you just keep smiling, or will you say something too? Tell me, why did you make me suffer this much?"
Raghav kept staring… and soon, he collapsed unconscious on the ground. At that same moment, the room's lights came on. Vansh, standing at the door, had tears in his own eyes. He looked once at the unconscious Raghav on the floor and then at the video of Vaidehi still playing on the TV screen.
Ward boys came in. Vansh instructed them to lay Raghav on the bed. He was given a sedative so he could rest for a while. After they left, Vansh sat by Raghav's side, brushed back his messy hair, wiped the tears off his cheeks, and whispered—
"Please Raghav… come out of the past. Pull yourself together. You have to forget Vaidehi and move forward. I need my old friend back!"
---
Midnight
Raghav suddenly woke up in panic. His breaths were heavy and irregular, and his eyes widened in terror. He looked around, but the dark shadows of the room only increased his fear. Groping the bed with his hands, he shouted loudly—
"Vaidehi… where… you… Vaidehi!"
His voice echoed in the room. His heart pounded faster with each second. He had dreamt… a dream where Vaidehi was falling off a cliff. The vision still floated in front of his eyes. His mind and heart both drowned in fear and pain.
He jumped off the bed and began running wildly across the room. His steps were unsteady, his feet stumbling into each other. Sweat dripped down his face with every step. Again and again, he called out Vaidehi's name—
"Vaidehi… my Vaidehi… where are you… my Vaidehi…?"
Hearing this, Vansh, who had been asleep in the same room, suddenly woke up. Concern etched deep on his face, he rushed out and saw Raghav running around like a madman.
Vansh called out gently—
"Raghav… calm down. Everything's alright. Come here, to me."
But Raghav wasn't listening. He screamed and ran about, his eyes shining with a strange mix of fear, pain, and love. When he reached the balcony, the dream of Vaidehi falling replayed in his mind.
Suddenly, Raghav leapt over the balcony.
Vansh screamed from behind—
"Raghav!"
He rushed to the balcony. Looking down, he saw Raghav lying lifeless and blood-soaked. Vansh's breath froze. His world stopped. Gathering himself, he sprinted downstairs.
---
Two hours later
The doors of the hospital's OT swung open, and the doctor stepped out. Vansh rushed forward, his hands trembling in panic.
"Doctor… what happened to Raghav? Is he alright? There's no serious danger, right?"
The doctor took a deep breath and spoke gravely—
"Mister Vansh… I'm very sorry to say this, but Raghav has slipped into a coma."
Vansh's body froze. He staggered. "What… coma?" His throat choked as he tried to speak.
The doctor nodded.
"Yes, Raghav is in a coma. His mental health was already unstable, and now, because of the severe head injury from the fall, his condition has worsened. We tried everything… but his chances of recovery are very slim. Only a miracle from God can save him."
Saying this, the doctor left. Vansh stood rooted, tears filling his eyes, his heart heavy with pain. Memories from two years ago stormed into his mind.
---
Two years earlier – Jodhpur City
In a small yet beautiful house, a girl lay on her bed. Her forehead was drenched in sweat, her brows furrowed. She was breathing heavily, murmuring in her sleep. Suddenly, she jolted awake and looked around frantically.
"The same dream again…" she whispered.
She wiped her sweat with her palms, trying to steady her breath. Slowly, she got up and went out into the courtyard. She filled a bucket with water and splashed it onto her face. Her breathing was still deep and restless.
"The same dream again… when will this nightmare leave me!" she muttered to herself. Her eyes reflected fear and uneasiness.
Just then, a woman's voice called from behind—
"Vaidehi… child! If you're up, make me a cup of tea!"
Vaidehi closed her eyes and whispered softly—
"Yes, Aunty… I'm going."
To be continued..