UNWANTED ROSE

Unedited:/-

Naksh had already pulled the car out. Nikhil slid in with Namisha cradled against him as if willing his own heartbeat into hers.

---

[Scene: The Car - En route to Hospital]

Nikhil's arms tightened protectively around Namisha, her soft curls brushing against his chin.

He could barely breathe.

"Why her?" his mind screamed.
"She was just smiling... She was just fine..."

Every bump on the road felt like a jolt to his soul.

"Please, Ishu... fight back..." he whispered, placing a trembling kiss on her forehead. She didn't stir.

Neel sat beside him, clenched fists, tears streaming down his face. He didn't even realize he was crying.

"Meri Bunny... meri Bunny ko kuch nahi hoga... main nahi jee paunga..." his mind repeated like a chant.

Naksh drove like a man possessed, breaking every signal, honking away anyone in his path, eyes set on the road but heart crushed under the weight of fear.

---

[Scene: Birla Mansion - Minutes After Departure]

Aditi stood frozen in place, her arms wrapped protectively around Nikky who was now sobbing loudly.

Her hands were cold.

Her eyes stuck on the spoon that had fed Namisha.

A spoon from the bowl of kheer.

The kheer made by Surekha.

She glanced sideways.

Surekha stood still, hands trembling, eyes wide, face pale. She looked... horrified. But Aditi couldn't help but notice - her horror didn't seem entirely... innocent.

Ragini, who had come down hearing the chaos, clutched the railing for support. "Kya hua mere bacho ko..." she whispered, her knees giving away as she sat on the stairs.

---

[Scene: Hospital - Emergency Room]

The emergency team rushed Namisha in, attaching oxygen masks, inserting IVs. The hallways echoed with rushed footsteps, beeping monitors, frantic murmurs.

Nikhil stood outside, his shirt stained with Namisha's tears, the scent of her shampoo still clinging to him - mocking him.

"Why wasn't I more careful? Why didn't I notice?"

Neel stood at the corner, hands on his head, cursing the universe.
"Take anything... ANYTHING... but not her. Not my Bunny..."

Naksh, ever the calm one, was pacing the corridor with clenched fists. But inside? Inside he was breaking.

This wasn't just a health scare. This was a storm that had entered their lives - sudden, terrifying, and uninvited.

---

[Flash to: Sharma Mansion - Same Time]

Ayaan, still standing by the window, the broken keychain in his hand, paused mid-thought. His heart ached - a dull throb that suddenly grew sharper.

"Namisha..." he whispered without knowing why.

Arnika looked at him. She had seen this happen before.
Whenever something happened to Namisha... Ayaan felt it.