दिल में है एक उम्मीद, पर साँसे हैं थमी सी,
आँखों में आँसू, पर हिम्मत है झुकी नहीं,
चुपके से दुआओं में तेरा नाम आता है,
मुझे बस तेरी ही पनाह का इंतज़ार रहता है।

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Avantika Pov

Just as the cupboard door began to creak open, a shout erupted from across the room.

"Boss!" one of the goons yelled, his voice tense and urgent.

In an instant, the sound of gunfire shattered the air.

Thud! Thud!

The shots echoed through the room, sharp and merciless. My pulse thundered in my ears as I held the little girl closer, feeling her small body tremble against mine.

"Run!" another goon's voice came, frantic and edged with fear. Footsteps thundered down the corridor outside as chaos unfolded, the sounds of shouting and desperate retreat filling the air.

I could feel my heart pounding, hoping this sudden burst of violence would distract them long enough for us to stay hidden.

In the suffocating silence that followed, I dared not breathe.

The seconds dragged on, feeling like hours. Each beat of my heart echoed louder in the cramped cupboard, and the air grew thinner, pressing down on me and the little girl in my arms.

One minute... then two. My chest tightened, and I realized I could barely breathe.

Steeling myself, I slowly reached for the cupboard door, my hands trembling as I eased it open, just a crack at first. The room beyond seemed empty, the silence punctuated only by distant footsteps and faint shouts.

Summoning every bit of courage left in me, I opened the door wider, holding my breath, hoping we'd find our way out of this nightmare.

With the little girl clinging tightly to me, I stepped out, scanning left and right, trying to catch any sign of movement. The hallway stretched out like an endless tunnel, eerily silent. My pulse raced as I took each careful step.

Just then, the lights went out, plunging us into darkness. I held my breath, clutching her closer, feeling her tiny fingers grasp my arm. My foot nudged something solid on the floor, and I froze, realizing with a sinking heart that it was a body.

"Mumma..." she whispered, her voice a faint, terrified whimper.

"Shh... baby," I murmured, forcing my voice steady, "hum ja rahe hain apki mumma ke paas." The words felt like a fragile promise, but I clung to them, hoping they'd be true.

Slowly, I moved forward, one step at a time, navigating the shadows, praying that the next door would lead us to safety.

As we stumbled our way through the dimly lit corridors, I felt the girl's grip on my hand tighten with each passing moment. Somehow, amidst the chaos and the dread, we found ourselves nearing the entrance. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived.

"Going somewhere, bitch?" A rough voice snarled as a hand yanked me back, my heart racing with shock.

I turned, my eyes wide with fear, only to see a shadowy figure looming behind me. The little girl looked up at me, her tear-stained face reflecting pure terror.

"Leave me," I pleaded, desperation rising in my chest.

"Oh really?" he sneered, brandishing a gun and aiming it directly at me. The cold metal glinted under the sporadic lights, and my breath caught in my throat.

"Sit down," he commanded, his tone brokering no argument.

I could barely see his face, but the menace in his voice was unmistakable. I hesitated, weighing my options. If it were just me, I would've fought back, but with this innocent life in my hands, I couldn't risk it.

With a heavy heart, I sank to the floor, the weight of my decision settling over me like a shroud. I needed to stay alive, to protect her, no matter the cost.

Avyansh ji. A lone tear escaped my eyes, tracing a path down my cheek.

"Leave the kid on the floor. Right now!" he shouted, his voice harsh and unyielding.

The little girl clung to me, hugging me tightly, her small body trembling with fear. I could feel her heart racing against my side, mirroring my own panic. I knew I had to act fast.

Taking a deep breath, I pretended to comply, lowering myself to the floor. But as I sank down, I quickly shifted my weight and kicked the man hard on his leg. He stumbled, caught off guard, and I seized the opportunity to bolt for the door.

But just as I made my move, my eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar figure near the glass window-Avyansh. Relief surged through me, but it was cut short by a sharp pain in my side.

The gunshot echoed through the chaos, louder than anything I had ever heard. I felt a jolt of pain pierce through my stomach, warm blood soaking my shirt. My instinct was to shield the little girl behind me, pushing her down as I fell to the ground.

"No!" I gasped, my vision blurring as the world around me faded. I could hear the chaos intensify-the pounding of footsteps, the shouts of the officers, the deafening gunfire.

More officers burst into the room, firing their weapons at the goon who had shot me. The air was thick with smoke and the acrid smell of gunpowder, but my focus was on one thing: the little girl. I could see her trembling, staring wide-eyed at the violence unfolding around us.

"Avantika!!" I heard Avyansh's voice cut through the noise, frantic and desperate as he ran toward me.

Faint noises surrounded me, swirling in and out of focus. "Avantika." Someone tapped my cheek gently, but I could barely register it.

"Avy-". I whispered, my voice barely audible, as if the energy was draining from my body. I wanted to reach for him, to tell him I was okay, but my limbs felt heavy.

"Jaan, please open your eyes," he pleaded, his voice thick with emotion.

I struggled to keep my eyes open, fighting against the darkness that threatened to envelop me. I wanted to see him, to reassure him that I was still here. But my eyelids felt like lead, and with each blink, it became harder to resist the pull of unconsciousness.

I could feel the warmth of blood seeping through my fingers as I pressed my hand to my wound, a futile attempt to stop the bleeding. "I... I'm sorry," I murmured, my voice a whisper as I felt the life slippingaway.

"No, don't you dare apologize!" Avyansh's voice trembled with urgency. "You're going to be okay, Jaan. Just hold on. Help is here!"

But the reality was sinking in, and I could sense the panic in his voice. I could see his face, etched with worry and desperation, but my vision was fading fast.

The world blurred into shadows, and I felt
myself being pulled away from him, my consciousness flickering like a dying candle. I breathed, the last bit of strength leaving my body.

As the darkness began to close in, I thought of the little girl beside me, of Avyansh's warm embrace, of the life we could have had together. And just before everything faded to black, I clung to that hope, praying he would be there when I opened my eyes again.

Avyansh Pov

My shirt hung heavy and red, the dark stains a grim reminder of the chaos and violence that had unfolded just hours ago.

The sterile smell of the hospital mixed with the faint scent of antiseptic, a stark contrast to the memories that replayed in my mind.

I glanced to my side, where my sister lay on a hospital bed, her head bandaged, resting but still vulnerable. The marks of the slap she had received were stark against her pale skin, a cruel testament to the horrors we had faced.

My mother lay unconscious in another room, her body still and frail, lost to the world as the weight of everything took its toll on her. ChotePapa, and Mummy sat beside me, their faces etched with worry and exhaustion.

My father was with Maa, whispering to her as if willing her to wake up, to fight back against the darkness that threatened to swallow her.

Not a single tear escaped my eyes, but my heart felt like it was bleeding. I had failed to protect the ones I loved the most, and the guilt wrapped around me like a suffocating shroud.

After a moment of lost thoughts, I made my way toward the ICU room where my wife was fighting for her life. I stood outside the glass doors, watching the medical staff move swiftly inside, their expressions serious, their movements precise.

My heart raced, each second stretching painfully as I waited for news.

"How did it happen?" Shashwat's voice broke through my thoughts. I turned to look at him, my eyes burning with unspent tears, red and swollen from sleepless nights and relentless worry.

His clothes were still crisp, fresh from his business trip, a stark reminder of the world outside this hospital-a world I felt utterly disconnected from.

My hands were still stained with her dried blood, a haunting reminder of my inability to protect her when it mattered most. How could I have let this happen? The questions swirled in my mind like a storm, each one more painful than the last.

"Uncle, Aunty, go home. We will take care of it," Shashwat said, his tone a mix of authority and concern as he motioned for the few helpers he had brought with him to assist my family.

They were weary, their faces drawn with worry, but their presence brought a small measure of comfort amidst the chaos.

Shashwat stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder, trying to offer solace. "We're all here for her. You need to be strong. She'll need you when she wakes up."

But how could I be strong when I felt so broken? How could I reassure anyone when my heart felt so heavy with despair?

All I could do was stand there, waiting, hoping, and praying that she would pull through, that she would come back to me.

The reality of the situation crashed over me like a tidal wave, and I knew I had to be there for her, for all of them.

As I stared at the closed door of the ICU, I could only cling to the hope that my wife was still fighting, that she would emerge from this darkness, and that we could heal together. But deep down, I feared what would happen if she didn't.

It was past 2 AM, and the emergency operation was still ongoing, stretching into an agonizing silence that seemed to stretch time itself.

Each tick of the clock was a reminder of the dread that had settled in my chest, heavy and suffocating. Shashwat sat beside me, his presence a small comfort in the chaos that surrounded us.

An hour ago, I had suggested they leave the hospital and assign a few doctors and nurses to help at home. Dev, who had staunchly refused to leave my side, was sent home forcefully by the staff, his face a mask of worry that mirrored my own.

The red light above the ICU door flickered and then turned off. My heart plummeted as the door swung open, revealing the team of doctors and nurses. They looked worn but composed, each face a reflection of the weight of the moment.

I stood up, my legs trembling slightly as I took a step forward, my heart pounding in my ears. "Doctor!" I called out, urgency lacing my voice as I ran toward him.

The doctor's expression was grave as he approached. "I'm sorry," he began, his voice steady but heavy with the weight of his words. "We did everything we could, but..."

My breath hitched in my throat. The room felt like it was closing in on me, the walls bending under the pressure of my despair.

"But what?" I demanded, my voice barely above a whisper, fearing the answer

(Maine socha cliffhanger yaha rakh du..phir mujhe lga ki aap log mera jaan kha jaoge update ke liye isliye nhi rkha😏)

He paused, and in that moment, time froze. "Your wife... she sustained severe injuries. We managed to stabilize her, but..."

His gaze dropped, and I could see the compassion mixed with pity in his eyes. "She's in critical condition. I recommend you prepare for the worst."

The world around me spun, and I felt as if the ground had been ripped from beneath my feet. "No, no, no..." I shook my head in disbelief, panic rising in my chest. "She can't... she can't leave us. She has to fight!"

Shashwat stepped closer, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. "We have to stay strong for her," he said quietly, but I could hear the tremor in his voice too.

"But how can I?" I felt the tears brimming in my eyes, threatening to spill over. "How can I stay strong when everything feels like it's falling apart? She's my everything!"

The doctor took a step back, allowing me a moment to process the devastating news. "I know this is hard. I truly do. But she's still with us. We'll do everything we can to keep her alive. You need to be here for her, and she needs your strength now more than ever."

As his words sank in, the reality of the situation washed over me like a tidal wave. My heart ached for the woman .I loved? for the life we had built together, and for the uncertain future that lay ahead. I couldn't lose her. I wouldn't allow it.

"I need to see her," I insisted, my voice firm despite the fear clawing at my insides. "Please, I need to be by her side."

"Sir, you can't meet her," the doctor said firmly, his eyes meeting mine with a professional coldness that only fueled the anger burning inside me.

My fists clenched. "Why the hell can't I meet my own wife?" I snapped, grabbing him by the collar. The control I had barely held onto shattered under the weight of those words, the idea of being kept from Avantika when she needed me most.

"Avy!" Shashwat's voice cut through my rage as he gripped my shoulder, trying to pull me back. "Calm down. Let them do their job."

I jerked back, looking from Shashwat to the doctor, feeling my pulse race in anger and desperation. But then a female doctor stepped in, her glare sharp enough to silence me.

"Sir, you need to understand something," she said, her voice low but unwavering. "There are signs of self-harm... scars. And we've found older bruising on her body, signs of beatings."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "Beatings?!" I choked out, my eyes widening. My mind reeled, racing over every interaction, every moment, trying to understand.

"It was old," the doctor confirmed, not looking at me. "The scars weren't from the recent attack. But she's been through a lot."

Old? So this wasn't from today, not from the goons. The thought crashed over me like an avalanche. All this time, Avantika had been silently carrying these invisible wounds, this pain, and I hadn't seen it.

"Please..." I managed, my voice breaking. "Just one minute. Let me see her."

The doctors exchanged a few looks, each of them knowing the gravity of my request. Finally, they nodded. "Five minutes," one of them said. "Only five, sir."

They led me to a small changing room, instructing me to put on the sterile gown, mask, and gloves. I fumbled with the outfit, feeling the adrenaline morph into raw fear and guilt. My hands shook as I pulled the gown over my shoulders, a feeling of helplessness drowning me.

When they finally let me in, the sight before me froze me in my tracks.

Avantika lay there, fragile and still, surrounded by wires and machines. Her forehead was bandaged, and her face bore faint bruises, remnants of today's horror.

But beneath those fresh wounds, I noticed faint scars, pale reminders of a pain long endured and hidden from the world.

I reached out, my fingers trembling, but I stopped just inches from her face, afraid to touch her, afraid she'd break under my hand.

Her usually lively eyes were closed, and dark circles stood stark against her pale skin, whispering the story of sleepless nights and battles fought alone.

Her hands lay limp beside her, covered in scrapes and cuts. I swallowed hard, the bitter taste of regret filling my mouth.

How could I not see it? The strength in her silence, the weight she carried. She had faced all this pain... alone.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, voice barely audible as my eyes blurred with tears. I bit down, trying to hold them back, but they fell freely. All I could feel was a profound sense of failure. My wife was here, broken and vulnerable, and I had failed her.

I took a shaky breath, my heart breaking as I looked at her, bandaged and bruised, fighting her battles while I remained oblivious.

How had I not been there for her? She needed me, and I wasn't there. And now, seeing her like this, all I wanted was to shoulder her pain, take away her scars, be the strength she never had.

"Avantika," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "I'm here. I promise, I'll protect you... I'll make it right."

But even as I said it, the words felt hollow, as though I had failed her too deeply for any promise to matter now.

I held her hand gently, letting my silent tears fall onto our entwined fingers, vowing that from this moment, I would never let her suffer alone again.

All I could do was hold on to her, hoping she could feel my presence, my heart aching in a way that felt almost unbearable. In that moment, it was just us - and the silent promise that I would do everything in my power to give her the love and protection she so deeply deserved.

The silence shattered suddenly, the beeping of the monitor accelerating, a rapid, frantic sound filling the room.

I watched, horrified, as Avantika's breaths grew shallow and desperate, her chest rising and falling too fast.

"Doctor!" I shouted, my voice thick with panic. "Somebody help!"

Within moments, doctors and nurses rushed in, quickly positioning themselves around her bed. I felt a firm hand on my shoulder, trying to pull me back.

A nurse's voice, tense but professional, cut through the chaos. "Sir, you need to leave."

"No-no, I can't... Please, I need to be here for her." My voice cracked, my desperation raw as I resisted.

"Jaan... please." I looked at Avantika, her face pale, her body seeming so fragile amidst all the machines, and the reality of how close I was to losing her tore through me.

But the nurse's grip didn't loosen. She looked at me with sympathetic eyes, but her tone was resolute. "Sir, please. We need space to work."

I backed up slowly, my gaze fixed on her, unable to turn away even as I crossed the threshold. I heard the doctors' hurried voices calling out medical terms I couldn't understand, each one laced with urgency.

"Prepare the oxygen!" one of them said sharply, while another instructed a nurse to adjust the IV line.

I stood just beyond the doorway, helpless, gripping the doorframe so tightly my knuckles turned white.

From where I stood, I saw a doctor lower a mask over her face, trying to stabilize her breathing. I wanted to run back in, to hold her hand and reassure her, to tell her I was there, that she didn't have to be afraid.

But I was powerless, watching the person I loved most slip through my fingers, feeling utterly useless.

A muffled shout from one of the nurses made my heart plummet. "Her pulse is dropping again. Quick-administer 2 mg!"

My vision blurred with tears as I forced myself to remain silent, knowing my desperation couldn't help her now.

I could only wait, watching from the sidelines as the doctors did all they could to bring her back.

Time felt suspended as I stood outside that room, my whole world hinging on each passing second.

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