Chapter 40 – Healing Together
Aarav's recovery had begun, but it was a slow and delicate process. The days at the hospital dragged on like an endless stretch of time. Every day felt like a quiet battle—one that he fought in his own way, and one that Mehar fought beside him.
—
It was the third day after the accident when the doctors finally gave him permission to leave the hospital, although they insisted on several follow-up visits.
Mehar helped him get dressed, her hands gentle as she adjusted his collar and made sure he was comfortable in his clothes. The sight of him, so fragile yet so determined to get back to normal, tugged at her heartstrings. She hated seeing him like this but was grateful that he was alive.
Aarav looked at her as she finished packing his things, his expression softening. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice still hoarse from the aftermath of the accident. "For everything."
Mehar smiled, though her heart ached. "I'm just doing my job," she said softly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "Now, let's get you home."
—
Once Aarav was discharged, they made their way back to their apartment. Mehar had been preparing for this moment, but now that it had come, it felt different. Her heart raced as they walked through the front door, the familiar setting now holding a sense of both comfort and unease.
Aarav's steps were slower than usual, his body still adjusting to the trauma he had gone through. But he wasn't complaining—he never did. Mehar wanted to help him, to take the weight of the world off his shoulders, but she also knew he needed space to heal on his own terms.
When they reached the living room, Aarav sank onto the couch, letting out a tired sigh. Mehar sat beside him, her fingers brushing against his hand, as though reassuring herself that he was truly here.
"You should rest," she said quietly, her voice filled with care.
Aarav looked at her, his eyes searching hers. "I will. But not right now. I don't want to close my eyes and let the nightmare catch me again."
Mehar frowned, her heart sinking. "Aarav… what happened out there? The accident?"
He shook his head slowly, the pain of remembering clouding his thoughts. "I remember driving, but then everything went dark. I can't remember the crash, only waking up in the hospital." His voice faltered, and he glanced at her. "I never meant for you to go through this."
She squeezed his hand. "It's not your fault. Accidents happen. We're just lucky you're here."
"But still…" Aarav looked down, guilt creeping into his eyes. "I should've been more careful."
Mehar leaned in closer, her voice soft yet firm. "It's okay. You're okay. That's what matters."
—
The next few days were filled with little victories. Aarav managed to get back to his routine, albeit slower than before. He worked from home for a while, taking meetings and catching up on projects. Mehar continued to support him, but she could see that he was still carrying the weight of the accident in ways he wasn't letting on.
At night, when they lay in bed, Aarav would often stare at the ceiling, lost in his own thoughts. Mehar would watch him, her mind filled with concern.
One night, she couldn't take it any longer. She turned toward him, her voice barely a whisper in the dark.
"Aarav… what's going on in your head?"
He stiffened, but after a moment, he exhaled, as if finally letting go of the tension that had been building inside him. "I keep thinking… What if it hadn't been just an accident? What if I was meant to be hurt? What if I wasn't supposed to come back?"
"Stop," Mehar said firmly, her tone serious. "That's not true. You were meant to survive. You were meant to be here, with me."
Aarav's eyes met hers, a trace of vulnerability in them. "But I hurt you. I don't want to make you suffer like that again."
Mehar cupped his face in her hands, her heart breaking for him. "Aarav, the only thing that matters is that we're together. We'll get through this, just like we always do. You don't need to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Not alone. Not anymore."
He let out a shaky breath, pulling her into his arms. She rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, the sound of life slowly returning to him.
—
Over the following weeks, things gradually returned to a semblance of normalcy. Aarav's recovery continued, though there were days when the emotional toll of the accident took a bit more out of him than he would admit. But Mehar was always there, her steady presence a source of comfort and strength.
One evening, after a quiet dinner, Aarav turned to her with a soft smile. "I think I'm ready to take the next step," he said, his voice filled with determination.
Mehar raised an eyebrow. "Next step? What do you mean?"
Aarav reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. He opened it slowly, revealing a simple yet beautiful ring. "Mehar," he began, his voice steady, "I know we've been through a lot, but I don't want to waste any more time. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"
Her breath caught in her throat, her heart beating faster as she looked at the ring, then back at him. The moment felt surreal, like a dream that she never wanted to wake up from.
"Yes," she whispered, her eyes welling up with tears. "Yes, Aarav. A thousand times yes."
—
And so, in that quiet moment, surrounded by love and healing, Mehar and Aarav began a new chapter of their lives—a chapter where the storms of the past no longer held them back, and the promise of the future stretched out before them, bright and full of hope.