Morning didn't feel like morning.
The sky had lightened, but nothing inside Isha had.
The hospital corridor, once filled with whispers and quiet sobs, now felt emptier… but heavier. As if the walls themselves remembered everything that had happened just a few hours ago.
Isha hadn't moved much.
She sat on the same bench outside the room, her hands resting lifelessly in her lap, her eyes staring at nothing in particular. Her tears had stopped—not because she felt better, but because she had no strength left to cry.
Karan stood a few steps away, watching her.
He had tried speaking to her.
Once.
Twice.
But she didn't respond.
So now, he just stayed.
Sometimes, presence is the only thing you can offer.
Rahul stood on the other side of the corridor, leaning against the wall. His face looked pale, his eyes distant. He hadn't said a word since the night.
Not to Isha.
Not to anyone.
But every now and then, his gaze would shift… and stop on her.
And just as quickly, he would look away.
Because he didn't know what to say.
maybe—
Because he knew nothing would be enough.
Hours passed.
Or maybe time had just slowed down.
A nurse walked up to Isha gently.
"Ma'am… you should get some rest."
No response.
"You haven't eaten anything," the nurse added softly.
Still nothing.
Karan stepped forward. "I'll take care of her," he said quietly.
The nurse nodded and walked away.
Karan sat beside Isha carefully.
"Isha…" he said, his voice calm, careful.
No reaction.
He looked at her for a moment, then spoke again.
"You don't have to say anything. Just… don't shut down like this."
Her fingers moved slightly.
That was it.
That was the only sign she was still there.
Karan exhaled slowly.
"This isn't your fault," he added.
That made her react.
Her lips parted slightly.
"But it feels like it," she whispered.
Her voice was dry, broken.
Karan frowned. "It's not."
"I should've been there," she said, her gaze still unfocused. "I should've called… I should've—"
"You couldn't have changed this," he interrupted gently.
Silence again.
But this time, it wasn't empty.
It was heavy with everything she was trying not to feel.
Across the corridor, Rahul heard every word.
His jaw tightened.
His hands clenched into fists.
Because deep down.....
He felt the same.
By afternoon, formalities had begun.
People came.
People left.
Soft voices filled the air.
Arrangements were being discussed.
Life was… moving forward.
Even when it shouldn't.
Even when it didn't feel right.
Isha stood up slowly.
Her legs felt weak, but she forced herself to stand straight.
"I want to see him… one last time," she said quietly.
Karan looked at her, then nodded.
Rahul's eyes lifted instantly.
For a moment, it felt like he wanted to say something.
But he didn't.
He just stepped aside.
Isha walked past him without looking.
Not because she didn't want to....
But because she couldn't.
Inside the room, everything looked the same.
And yet...
Nothing was.
Isha stood near the door for a few seconds before stepping in.
Slowly.
Carefully.
As if one wrong step would break something even more.
She stopped a few feet away.
Her eyes filled again, but this time, the tears didn't fall immediately.
"Hi…" she whispered softly.
Her voice trembled.
"I… I don't even know what to say."
A small, broken smile appeared on her lips.
"You always said I talk too much… and now look at me."
Her voice cracked.
"I have nothing."
Silence.
She took a step closer.
"I should've told you…" she said, her fingers tightening slightly.
"That you mattered. More than I ever admitted."
A tear slipped down.
"You were… my calm. Even when everything else was falling apart."
Her breathing became uneven again.
"I don't know how to do this without you."
Her words faded into a whisper.
"But I guess… I'll have to learn."
She closed her eyes for a moment.
Then opened them again.
"This isn't goodbye," she said softly.
"It's just… not now."
When she stepped out, Karan was waiting.
Rahul stood a little further away.
Their eyes met briefly.
This time.....
Isha didn't look away immediately.
There was pain.
There was history.
There were a thousand things unsaid.
But none of them mattered in that moment.
Because they were both standing in the same place....
Loss.....
"I want to go home," Isha said quietly.
Karan nodded. "I'll take you."
She didn't argue.
Didn't resist.
Didn't question.
For once....
She just let someone help.
As they walked out of the hospital, the sunlight felt strange.
Too normal.
Too bright.
As if the world didn't care that something had changed.
Forever.
Isha paused for a moment before stepping outside.
She looked up at the sky.
Blank.
Endless.
And whispered softly.....
"I'll be okay."
But this time.....
She didn't say it like a promise.
She said it like a question.
And somewhere between loss and silence… a new story had begun.
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