Chapter 172
The morning after their dinner, Jahnavi texted Nitish to let him know she would be leaving for her hometown. Nitish, eager to spend more time with her, offered to drive her to the airport. On a whim, he decided to take her on his bike, a change from the usual car rides. Jahnavi hesitated at first, considering the risk, but since it was early morning and the roads would be less crowded, she agreed.
Together, they set off on the bike, the cool morning air brushing against them. Nitish wanted to make this ride special, so he took a slight detour to his favorite chai stall. It was a small, unassuming place, but the chai was the best he'd ever tasted.
As they sipped their chai, Nitish noticed a little girl playing nearby with her balloon. She reminded him so much of his daughter from his previous life that it stirred a deep emotion within him. He was lost in this bittersweet memory when suddenly, a gust of wind snatched the balloon from the little girl's hand.
The balloon flew across the road, and without thinking, the girl ran after it, straight onto the busy highway. Jahnavi, seeing the imminent danger, dashed across the road to save her. Nitish, realizing the peril they were both in, ran after them with all his might.
In a heart-stopping moment, he pushed both Jahnavi and the girl to safety, just as a truck and two cars whizzed past. Jahnavi, shaken, quickly checked on the little girl, ensuring she was unharmed. Then, her eyes trailed back to the road and widened in horror. There was a trail of blood leading to where Nitish lay.
Rushing to Nitish, Jahnavi found him struggling to stay conscious, blood oozing from his injuries. His arm was clearly dislocated, and he was in immense pain. In a weak voice, Nitish asked Jahnavi if the girl was okay. Upon hearing that she was safe, he gently patted Jahnavi's head, relieved.
With a faint smile, Nitish looked at Jahnavi and said, "I promised myself yesterday that I wouldn't make you cry, but it seems I broke that promise. Sorry for making you cry." And with those words, he lost consciousness.
Jahnavi, in shock, called for help. People from the chai stall and passersby rushed to assist, and someone called an ambulance. As they waited for the ambulance, Jahnavi held Nitish's hand, tears streaming down her face, praying for his safety.
The incident was a jarring contrast to the peaceful morning they had started with. It was a reminder of how quickly life could change, how fragile and unpredictable it could be. Jahnavi felt a mix of fear, gratitude, and deep concern for Nitish, who had risked his life to save a child.
As the ambulance arrived and the paramedics attended to Nitish, Jahnavi stayed close, ensuring he was taken care of. The little girl, still in shock, clung to her side. Jahnavi comforted her, all the while keeping a vigilant eye on Nitish.
The ride to the hospital was tense, with Jahnavi holding Nitish's hand, whispering words of encouragement. She knew that after this, things would never be the same again. Nitish had shown a selflessness and bravery that went beyond anything she had known.
In the hospital, as doctors rushed to attend to Nitish, Jahnavi waited outside, her mind replaying the events of the morning. She realized how deeply she cared for Nitish, how his presence had become an integral part of her life. The thought of losing him was unbearable.
That day, Jahnavi stayed by Nitish's side, waiting for him to regain consciousness, to hear his voice, to see his smile. The incident had brought them even closer, binding their lives together in an unexpected and profound way. As she sat there, waiting, Jahnavi knew that no matter what the future held, her life was now inextricably linked with Nitish's.