She was the only one he could see or hear right now honestly. Not the screams of his family, not the shouting of his terrified maa, not even his own voice when he fell near her. She was the only one he saw. And the only one he cared about.

He failed to register the wound on his own chest, and fell on the ground with her, though desperately trying to keep her awake, his heart sinking as her eyes slowly fluttered close.

"Naira? Na-Naira stay awake... come one Naira, you're brave, stay awake my sherni, stay a-" He was cut off by himself, gasping for breath and questioning why the air around him was getting so thin. Though, he could care less. He, though painfully, inched closer to his barely conscious Naira and cradled her in his arms, shaking stroking her hair.

"Ka... tik..." Her eyes fell on the door and her shaky hand flew to it for a split second before falling motionless beside her.

He could make out a hazy figure standing at the doorway, but still kept half his attention on his wife. His wife who was slowly drifting into unconsciousness.

And so was he.

But he didn't care about what happened to him. He cared more about his Naira: and their unborn baby. He couldn't fail for them both, he had to stay awake! For their sake!

"Kartik!" That was his maa. Suvarna was beside him. And he knew she could help, as could everyone else.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" That was Akshara. And she was... screaming at someone. It had to be the shooter, the one to blame for this mess! "SHE'S YOUR SISTER!"

... what?

Everything slowly started to go black, the screams fading away as well.

.

.

.

"Kartik!"

Naira shot up in bed, breathing heavily and near tears. She immediately looked round herself. She was... in a hospital. She was in a white bed. She was in a hospital gown. She was... the sudden searing pain in her shoulder made her hiss in pain.

It... wo ek... sapna nahi tha...? She realized, gazing over the blood stained bandages under her gown. If it wasn't a dream... her eyes widened.

Pulling through the many wires attached to her, she tore them away and shot out of bed. Dizziness had its effects, but she knew better. She needed no on e more than her Kartik, and-

She gasped, hands flying to her stomach. W-what about our baby?! K-Kartik?! She stumbled up to the door, just as footsteps rushed over.

She ignored everyone's shouts, her footsteps leading her away from them. She wasn't fast, but she could escape. She just had to find Kartik.

She stumbled through the hallway, pushing past the nurses and doctors who blocked her way and tried to stop her. When, her foot slipped, she stumbled right into a door.

"Mrs. Naira goenka please, you're in a critical position! You must rest!" She heard the doctor argue, but when her eyes looked through the door, her heart stopped.

There, on the bed, lay Kartik. Her Kartik. In hospital clothes, covered and surrounded by machines, those majestic eyes closed and skin pale. Paler than usual. The machine next to him showed his heartbeat.

Beep... beep... beep...

Weak. it was weak. Like it would fade any second.

The footsteps stopped, and she slowly and shakily turned to her family. Again, her breath hitched. Now she didn't need a reason to be surprised, nor sad.

"... Gayu... di?"

.....

I'M BAAACK! So sorry I was absent for so long, and also sorry for this really short chapter😣😳! But from now on, i'll be uploading as per-usual (ya know, a chapter after 2-4 days later XP😋). But FINALLY everything's okay again! Our kaira rock! 😍

But alas, thank you all for your support and kindness, I love you all so much! Until later!😘❤️❤️