Chapter I: It's Painful
As the red dot traced his body upward, she started to tremble. She swore to not interfere in his life after his outburst because every time his face came in her view the only words rang in her ears were "You disgust me Sakshi Anand." Even though she had no bad intentions behind what she did, she still felt ashamed and hurt. Ashamed because she lied and hurt because he was too heartless to understand her. Yes, she gave up on him. She was tired, tired of smiling for him, tired of waiting for him and it was time for her to shut off her feelings. She promised all that to herself but nothing mattered when she saw that laser dot. She forgot all the promises she made to herself. The only thing that mattered to her was his safety. The only thing mattered to her at that moment was... him. Her hand flew to her mouth to muffle her cry as tears rolled down her face.
Before anything could happen or anyone could register what was happening, Sakshi skipped in front of him and right at that second a bullet pierced her back. They all froze for that one dreaded second. Aisha was the first to run towards her. Arjun was still frozen where he was. Sakshi fell forward on his shoulder. She wouldn't dare to do something like that, would she? He was still in denial. All the voices around him skipped pass him. He just stared at the figure leaning on him, breathing shallowly. His arm slowly went around her back and when he touched the thick liquid. He stared at his hand, the blood brought him out of trance.
"Sakshi." He whispered.
She slowly averted her gaze towards his face. Even slight moment felt like her bones were being crushed over and over. Her right hand slowly went up to his cheek. She touched his cheek and gave him weak smile. He was on his knees now and she was in his arms.
"You are alright." She said in cracked voice as relief washed over her face.
Arjun didn't know what the hell he was supposed to do, or what he was supposed to feel and the worst of all he didn't know what the heck he was supposed to say to her? He just stared at her weak smile and there was nothing in his eyes because he was still shell-shocked.
"I swear this time it's real because it hurts." She chuckled. "Ouch!"
She winced as her body moved slightly. She closed her eyes in pain. She heard everyone gasp and screaming at her. She smiled. In such a short time she was surrounded by people who were sincere and loved her. She couldn't ask for anything else.
"SAKSHI." She heard him growl.
She slowly opened her eyes, by each second she was losing the strength along with the blood.
"Spare me today, Don't start yelling, I am hurt." She said jokingly, but she was shocked because of what she saw.
His eyes were red and filled with... care. No, she must be seeing things, she thought. She tried to shake away the image from her mind, but it wouldn't go away because it was real.
"Arjun." She said with all the strength she had left. "Don't regret or feel guilty, Okay? I did it for myself. I did it because I wanted to. Just remember me as a happy memory. Whenever I cross your mind, please smile. It is the favor I want from you. I wanted to give up on you, but look what happened I ended up giving up on myself."
"No you are not giving up on anything." He said firmly.
*****
When the bullet hit Sakshi's back, Rathod couldn't put his mind straight. First Roshini, then Riya and now Sakshi. I won't let them win this time. He thought and ran towards Sakshi and Arjun. Sakshi had become the darling of ETF. Her light behavior and bubbly personality would dim down the intense environment. Sakshi cared for everyone. She kept track of what they ate to what time they are supposed to be home... to the point that no one was able to live without calling Sakshi's name at least ten times a day.
"She is losing too much blood." Aisha said as her hand was pressed against Sakshi's wound. "If we stay a little longer, we can lose her."
"No, we won't." Rathod said as he screamed. "I won't let it."
"Let's go." Shree said.
As if on cue, Arjun picked her up and ran towards their van. Rathod jumped in behind the wheel with Aisha in passenger seat while others went in the other van. Arjun kept on reminding Sakshi to not close her eyes.
"I can't do it anymore." She whispered and it was barely audible. "I want to sleep, it's painful."
"God damn Sakshi you can't do this to me." He held her close.
"I have to go Arjun." She replied. She gave light squeeze to his hand which she held through out this painful ride.
"If you close your eyes, I will never forgive you Sakshi Anand." He warned her and she stared at him. She was losing it, but before she could lose her senses she wanted to say it, she wanted to tell him. She was about to leave his hand but he wouldn't let it go.
"I Lov-" but before she could finish her words, her body started the process of shutting off.
"SAKSHI ANAND."
Part II - Pg 2
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