The hospital room was bathed in soft, sterile light, the scent of disinfectant lingering in the air. Ava lay motionless in the bed, her pale skin contrasting with the crisp white sheets.

Jarek sat beside her while Vidharth stood at the nearby sofa, his arms crossed, eyes scanning the room.

Through the window, the city skyline glimmered, a stark contrast to the quiet intensity within.

The nurse's station outside hummed with muted activity – soft whispers, rustling papers, and the occasional beep of equipment.

Inside, the silence was oppressive, punctuated only by Ava's shallow breaths.

Suddenly, Ava's eyelids fluttered open, her gaze searching the room.

"Ava!" Jarek whispered, his voice trembling.

Vidharth stepped forward, hope etched on his face. "Ava, thank God you're awake!"

"What are you guys doing here!" Shubhra exclaimed, wincing as she tried to sit up.

"Stay there!" Vidharth snapped, concern etching his features.

"What happened? Why am I here?" Shubhra questioned, confusion clouding her eyes.

"Did you suffer memory loss? Do you remember him?" Jarek asked, pointing at Vidharth. His eyes widened in horror.

Vidharth grasped Shubhra's shoulder, shaking her gently. "Did you forget me? And Adwait? Your wedding...?"

Shubhra's face contorted in pain. "Could you guys shut up! My head feels like it's about to burst! And no, I haven't forgotten anyone!" she shouted.

Vidharth immediately withdrew his hands, regret etched on his face. "Sorry, I didn't realize..."

"It's okay," Shubhra reassured, offering a gentle smile.

Just then, the hospital room door swung open, and Ishwari and Ridhika entered.

"Ava, beta, how are you?" Ishwari asked, rushing to her bedside.

"I'm fine, Maa," Shubhra replied, maintaining a polite smile.

Ridhika's eyes narrowed. "How did this happen?"

Vidharth intervened, summarizing the events. "She was being chased by an unknown person, but we intervened before they could catch her." He told them the same story that they had already decided.

Ridhika shook her head. "I was wondering what new twist life had in store for this wedding, but now I can rest assured that's it."
The group shared a relieved chuckle, easing the tension.

Ishwari's brow furrowed with concern. "I know I'm being inconsiderate, but how are your wounds? Are they too deep? Will you be able to perform the rituals?"

Shubhra reassured her with a smile. "I'm perfectly alright for the wedding, Maa. Don't worry."

Ridhika intervened, her voice practical. "We should confirm with the doctors."

Others nodded in agreement.

"Vidharth, Jarek, could you please speak with the doctors and update us?" Ridhika suggested.

Vidharth nodded. "Of course, Chachi. We'll find out."

Just then, Sophia burst into the room, her Italian-infused voice startling everyone.
"Che diavolo è successo qui, Ava?"

(What the hell happened here, Ava?)

Ava shrugged, her shoulders barely rising.

Sophia sighed and sat beside her, concern mingling with exasperation. "Oggi stavamo per iniziare i rituali del tuo matrimonio e ora guardati," she scolded. "Seduto in ospedale, riesci a stare lontano dai guai solo per una volta?" (Today we were going to start your wedding rituals, and now look at you. Sitting in the hospital, can you stay away from trouble just for once?)

The room fell silent, all eyes on Sophia's stern expression.

Ridhika and Ishwari exchanged confused glances, unsure what Sophia meant, but Ava's distracted gaze told them she was being scolded.

Ava pressed her lips inward.

Ridhika intervened, pity softening her voice. "I think we should leave and let her rest."

"Yeah, sure!" Ishwari agreed, as Jarek accompanied them out of the room.

Vidharth settled at the foot of the bed, a sly grin spreading across his face. "That scolding was much needed."

Shubhra playfully mocked, "You're probably thrilled to see me getting scolded, right?"

Vidharth teased, pointing at her. "As reckless as you are, you deserve it."

Shubhra dismissively waved her hand. "Whatever."

"But did you understand what Sophia said?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Vidharth shrugged nonchalantly. "Yes, I know Italian."

Shubhra's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"

Vidharth nodded, a hint of a smile. "Yes."

"Awesome," Shubhra chirped, delighted.

Vidharth's gaze lingered on her, captivated by her radiant smile.

Shubhra noticed his trance-like state and questioned, "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing much," Vidharth said, gazing out the window. The sun had risen only a quarter, casting a warm orange glow that slowly faded.

"Can I ask you a question?" He turned back to Shubhra, his eyes seeking permission.

She nodded, curiosity etched on her face.

"How did your parents die?" Vidharth asked gently.

Shubhra stiffened, caught off guard. The question was unexpected, piercing a sensitive wound.

"I was just curious," Vidharth explained, noticing her unease. "I've never heard anything about your parents."

Shubhra sighed, folding her knees and wrapping her arms around them.

"I don't know," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "No matter how hard I try, I just can't remember. Not even their faces, just blurry images."

"And your brother?" Vidharth asked, his eyes locked onto hers with an unreadable emotion.

Shubhra shook her head. "I don't know... I don't remember him either."

"I had already made some wild assumptions, and..." Her voice trailed off.

Vidharth's eyes encouraged her to continue. "And?"

Shubhra's shoulders sagged. "Forget it. I don't know anything. No matter how hard I try, my brain can't remember anything else but foggy dreams."

Vidharth sighed, his expression a mix of empathy and concern.

The silence between them grew, heavy with unspoken questions.

Shubhra's gaze drifted away, lost in the haze of her forgotten past.

"Why are you asking this out of the blue?" Shubhra's gaze pinned Vidharth, searching for answers.

Vidharth's eyes locked onto hers, but his mind wandered elsewhere, consumed by turmoil.

Shubhra sensed his unease and probed gently, "You can tell me if you want to say something. I'll keep it a secret forever."

Her words snapped Vidharth back to the present, and he chuckled.

"I don't think I said something funny," Shubhra muttered, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"No, I just remembered something," Vidharth replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

"What is it?" Shubhra questions him, her eyes wide with curiosity, as if he had revealed a shocking secret.

"You once said the same thing to me before, but didn't keep it," Vidharth spoke, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Shubhra's expression turned puzzled. She paused, racking her brain for any memory that could connect to Vidharth's words, but her mind remained blank.

"What are you talking about?" Her confusion deepened, her eyes distant, lost in thought.

Vidharth's voice softened. "You wouldn't remember."

Shubhra's gaze snapped back to him, seeking answers.

"That's about the part you don't remember," Vidharth clarified. "We were in the same school... when your father was alive."

Author's scribbling point

What change this is gonna bring?
What do you think about this?