My Unwanted Husband

First Time Writer

Avni POV:

__________

The rhythmic hum of the engine melded

seamlessly with the gentle strains of music floating through the air, creating a soothing backdrop for my late-night drive. Each note wrapped around me like a velvety embrace, enhancing the serene atmosphere of the darkened road ahead.

As I navigated the winding pathways, thickly lined with towering pine trees, the night wrapped around me like a soft, comforting blanket, muffling the outside world's chaos. The scent of fresh pine wafted through the slightly cracked window, mingling with the faint aroma of my favorite jasmine air freshener, further deepening my sense of tranquility.

The anticipation of my getaway to Simla sent thrilling waves of excitement coursing through me, stirring up a delightful tension in my chest. I could almost picture the charming hill station: the cool mountain breeze, the quaint cafes, and those breathtaking views of rolling hills that seemed to kiss the sky.

I desperately needed this break—an escape before embarking on a brand-new chapter of my life. In just two months, I would marry Sandeep, my childhood best friend and the love I had known since we were small. We had built a world together over countless summer afternoons, laughing and dreaming. As I thought about our future, it felt surreal to leave behind my single life and step into this shared adventure.

As I maneuvered the darkened roads, my thoughts drifted to Sandeep. His ever-steady presence was like an anchor in my sometimes tumultuous life, grounding me. We had shared whispers of our deepest secrets and wildest dreams over midnight snacks and late-night walks, and the thought of facing the future without him by my side was unfathomable.

My family adored him, too, which only added to the comfort and joy I felt regarding our upcoming marriage. Sandeep was the perfect blend of humor and understanding, and the thought of making a life with him filled me with hope and excitement.

Abruptly, my phone lit up on the dashboard, cutting sharply through my reverie. I glanced at the screen, and a smile slowly spread across my face—it was him.

"You are so going to live for a hundred years!" I teased, my voice playful and bright as I answered the call, ensuring my eyes remained attentive to the winding road with its sharp curves and occasional potholes.

"Oh, really. I didn't know that," he replied, laughter dancing through his words, as warm and inviting as the cozy fire that crackled in the heart of my childhood home.

"Ji. I was just thinking about you when you called. Isn't that fate?" I said, my heart fluttering in response to the sweet coincidence, every syllable imbued with affection.

"Fate or coincidence? So what do you think, what should I say, then? He playfully retorted, his teasing tone wrapping around me like a gentle embrace on a chilly evening.

"Oh, so my love was daydreaming about me," I replied laughing, the tension and worries of the day melting away like ice in the sun, feeling lighter with every second of our conversation.

"Of course! I would say that? But really, Avni, I called to check if you’ve reached your destination yet," he said, his voice shifting slightly, a hint of concern creeping into his tone, pulling at my heartstrings.

"Why do you care? You refused to join me! Now you’re worried?" I feigned annoyance, yet the tender smile on my face betrayed my playful facade.

"Love, I know you’re angry, but understand that the work I’m doing is for us. I want to enjoy our time together without distractions. Just give me a little time," he said, sincerity pouring from every word, echoing in the depths of my heart like a cherished promise.

I sighed, allowing the weight of his reasoning to wash over me as guilt mingled with understanding. His dedication made it harder to be upset with him.

"Alright, fine! But you better finish it quickly. I won't tolerate excuses later," I said, injecting a playful edge into my tone, my mind reeling at how much I missed him even in his absence.

"Deal. Just promise me you’ll drive safely. I know I suggested getting a driver, but..." he trailed off, his concern evident and protective, wrapping around me like an invisible shield.

I could hear it, but I decided to cut the call because I knew that if I listened to his voice filled with worry just once more, I would cancel my plans and rush back home into his arms. So, I answered quickly, cutting him off, "Alright, bye! Love you, Jaan," I said, a grin spreading across my face as I hung up, my heart lightened by our exchange.

The moment I ended the call, a sudden flash of light blinded me, illuminating the dense, dark forest around me in stark contrasts of shadows and fleeting brightness.

My heart dropped into my stomach, and adrenaline surged through my veins as I instinctively pressed down harder on the accelerator, desperately swerving to avoid the impending danger lurking in my path.

The car felt unsteady beneath me, the tires skidding against the uneven road as I fought for control, panic roaring in my ears. Before I comprehended the situation fully, I lost control of the vehicle, and chaos engulfed me.

Then, everything went dark.

                                         ....

Abhimanyu's POV :

____________________

"What the hell? Who's blind enough to miss a whole car on the road?" I cursed under my breath, slamming the brakes of my rugged Thar.

The sudden stop jolted through my body, a wave of panic and frustration crashing over me as I processed what I had just witnessed.

Glancing in my rearview mirror, I spotted the flash of headlights disappearing into the dark embrace of the trees.

My heart clenched at the sight of a car veering dangerously off course.

I rushed out of the vehicle, adrenaline surging through my system as I sprinted toward the scene, dread clawing at my insides with each step.

"Shit!" I cursed, my voice echoing in the stillness of the night.

A cold sweat coated my brow as I approached the vehicle, which had come to rest grotesquely against a sturdy tree, its front end crumpled and smoking gently.

The sound of the horn blared frantically in the quiet night, a haunting reminder of the chaos that had just unfolded—an unsettling symphony of panic.

I yanked open the driver's door, my breath hitching painfully in my throat.

Inside, I saw a woman, her face pressed against the steering wheel, her body eerily still.

"Oi!!!" I shouted, urgency lacing my voice.

"Woman! Can you hear me?" I called out, my voice raw with a mix of anger and fear, desperation gnawing at my insides like a hungry beast. My heart thundered in my chest, each beat a painful reminder of how quickly everything had spiraled out of control.

My shaking hands hovered over her, trembling with the weight of the situation, searching for any sign of life, any flicker of movement that would reassure me that she wasn’t gone. But there was nothing. Her body lay limp beneath me, cold and unresponsive, her face pale in the dim light of the night.

"Nothing."

"Fuck!" I cursed under my breath, my heart racing, the blood pounding in my ears. The reality of it all crashed down on me with the force of a freight train. I could feel the panic crawling up my throat, threatening to choke me.

"You have to wake up, woman!" My voice cracked, desperate and thick with disbelief. "I am not interested in going to jail right now." My words were bitter, tainted with fear because the worst had already begun to sink in. If she didn’t wake up, if she wasn’t okay... everything would fall apart.

The breeze rustled the leaves above us, a soft whisper in the otherwise oppressive silence. Everything around me felt still, frozen in time, as I knelt beside her, cradling her face in my trembling hands. The coldness of her skin seeped into my palms, a stark contrast to the warmth I had always known her to possess. I could feel the slight rise and fall of her chest under my hands, but it was far too slow, far too faint.

The night itself seemed to grow heavier, the silence becoming suffocating. The only sound that broke through was the frantic thud of my heart echoing in my ears, a constant reminder that time was slipping away, and I was powerless to stop it.

"You can’t die on me!" I hissed, my voice trembling with panic, thick with a desperation that clawed at my throat. "If you die, then I will get in trouble." The words tasted bitter, unnatural. But it was the truth. If she didn’t wake up, if she didn’t pull through, my life, as I knew it, would be over. And that thought... that terrified me more than anything else.

Cradling her lifeless body in my arms, I could feel the warmth slipping away, leaving behind a chilling emptiness. I refused to accept it. My brain screamed at me to do something—anything—but I felt paralyzed, my thoughts moving in a haze.

"Shit, what can I do now?" I cursed aloud, my voice thick with a mix of anger and fear. There was no time to waste, and yet, every second felt like an eternity.

Gripping her tightly, I hoisted her into my arms, the weight of her body too much to bear, but I couldn’t stop.

Not now. Not when I had no other choice. I stumbled forward, every step heavier than the last as if the ground itself was trying to pull me back into the abyss.

I reached my Thar, my hands slick with sweat as I fumbled to open the door, the metallic sound of the handle clicking in the night air. My heart was in my throat as I gently placed her into the passenger seat, my hands trembling so violently that I could hardly fasten the seatbelt.

"Just hold on," I whispered, my voice barely audible, the words slipping from my mouth like a prayer. I slid into the driver’s seat, my fingers numb as I gripped the wheel.

The engine roared to life beneath me, vibrating through my body, but it barely registered in my mind. I slammed my foot down on the accelerator, the tires screeching as I sped into the night, racing against time itself.

"Just, don't die on me," I murmured, my voice thick with pleading, my breath ragged as the world outside blurred into a dizzying streak of lights and shadows.

Each turn, each jolt of the vehicle, felt like it was pulling me further into a nightmare. But there was no choice. There was no option but to drive faster and harder, hoping against hope that I could get her to the hospital in time.

The sound of screeching tires filled the air as I slammed on the brakes outside the hospital, the car coming to a jarring halt. I didn't wait. I couldn’t.

I leaped out of the car, my feet barely touching the ground before I was at her side again, lifting her limp body into my arms once more. The world around me blurred in chaos, the sterile white walls of the hospital gleaming too brightly in the dark. My pulse was in my ears, my hands shaking as I rushed through the entrance.

"Doctor!! Doctor!!!" My voice rang through the sterile hallways, desperation flooding every syllable. I was frantic, my mind clouded with the panic that gripped me. I couldn't lose her—not now.

A nurse rushed towards me, her face pale, her eyes wide with concern. She took one look at me, at her in my arms, and the panic in her eyes only fueled my fury.

"What happened to her?" she asked, her voice trembling with the hint of fear.

"Nothing!" I snapped, the sarcasm lacing my words sharp and biting. "She's just sleeping."

"What?" Her eyes widened, confusion flickering across her features. She didn’t understand. She couldn’t.

"What? What! Can't you see, she is dying here!" I shouted, my voice rising in frustration, the pressure of the moment shattering my composure. "She's a patient, and you're still asking! What happened to her?"

The nurse flinched at my outburst.

"I'm sorry, sir—"

"But if this is an accident case, you have to call the police first. We can't admit her," she said, trying to remain calm, her voice distant and procedural.

"What is wrong with you people?" My voice cracked, barely able to contain the fury that was boiling over. "Someone is dying here, and you're worried about procedures and the police? Admit her now, or if she dies because of this nonsense, what then?"

"Sir, I understand your frustration," she said, her voice steady, though I could see the hint of fear in her eyes. "But this is hospital policy. Please, try to understand—"

"Damn it! I've got mere minutes!" My voice wavered, my anger threatening to drown me. I glanced down at her—at the woman, her skin turning colder by the second, and my stomach twisted in horror.

"What do I do now?" I was barely able to breathe, the panic nearly suffocating me.

"Si—"

"Look here, Miss," I interrupted, my voice cold, my eyes burning with fury as I glared at her, the intensity of my gaze making her flinch. "If my wife dies because of your damn policies, I will shut this hospital down. Do you understand?"

The nurse froze, her eyes widening in shock.

"She's your wife?" she asked her voice barely a whisper, disbelief flashing across her face.

"Yes!" I snapped, the word tearing from my throat like an animal’s roar. "Now, for the love of everything, get her inside!"

"Sir, please lay her down here," the nurse said, pointing to a nearby stretcher, her voice quieter now, more respectful.

With trembling hands, I laid her down gently, cradling her head carefully, as if the slightest touch could break her. I could feel my world teetering on the edge, the weight of everything pressing in on me.

"Alright, we will do everything we can to save your wife," the nurse assured me, her voice softer now, her earlier panic replaced with a more practiced calm.

"In the meantime, please fill out this form."

I didn’t hear the rest of her words, my mind too consumed by the sight of her lying on the stretcher, her life slipping away with every second.

The words on the form blurred before my eyes as I fought to steady my shaking hands. Each box I filled out felt like an eternity, a cruel reminder that time was not on our side. The nurses rushed off, and I glanced back at her, my chest tight, my heart pounding in my ears.

"Just hold on, just, don't die on me, Woman," I whispered, my voice breaking as I leaned over her, my heart pleading with her in silence.

"Because if you die, then I am finished."

Thanks for Reading 😄