WICKETS AND WIDGETS

I Know Everything

In a state of shock, I dashed back into the kitchen. Kabir, who was engrossed in managing the stove, turned around to greet me with a warm smile. However, upon seeing my terrified expression, his smile swiftly faded.

"Is everything alright?" He asked tenderly, closing the distance between us.

"I-I," I stuttered, my voice barely a whisper, "A friend of mine... she's been in a car accident. She's in the hospital. I must go."

As the gravity of the situation hit him, he gently held my face in his hands. His eyes, filled with concern, met mine as he leaned in, his breath whispering against my ear, "First, let's take a moment to breathe, alright?" His words, laced with an underlying current of affection, were meant to soothe my racing heart.

I took a shaky breath, my emotions overwhelming me as I broke down in front of him. "Th-They said, she's in a coma," I managed to utter.

"It's alright, I'm here for you," he reassured me, his gaze softening as he looked at me. He paused for a moment before adding, "I'll take you to the hospital. You don't have to worry about anything."

"But what if... what if she never wakes up?" I stammered, my vision blurred by tears and my voice barely above a whisper.

Our eyes locked, mine glistening with unshed tears, as he gradually lessened the distance between us. I offered no resistance. Before I could fully comprehend the situation, I found his lips tenderly brushing against mine. A wave of haziness washed over me, erasing all traces of stress from my mind. The only thought that prevailed was the soothing warmth and the intoxicating comfort his kiss offered.

Before I could fully comprehend the sweetness of his kiss, he gently pulled away. His lips, glistening in the soft light, were mere inches from mine as he breathed, "I believe you're calmer now."

Too overwhelmed to utter a word, I simply nodded in agreement. He tenderly took my hands, leading me out of the kitchen and into the living room. "Grab your house keys and come with me. I'll take you to the hospital," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm. He then exited through the main door, presumably to ready his car.

As he left, my fingers instinctively traced the path his lips had taken just moments ago. Shaking my head to dispel the lingering thoughts, I hurriedly grabbed my house keys. With one last glance at my apartment, I stepped out, locking the door behind me.

As I emerged from my apartment, I found myself in the main alley, where a white Ford car, well-kept but clearly not new, awaited. Kabir was already seated in the driver's seat, patiently waiting for me to join him. With a sense of urgency, I climbed in, the door closing behind me with a resonant thud.

With a gentle press of the pedal, the car sprang to life, its engine purring as we left the familiar sight of my apartment behind.

"Where to?" Kabir asked, his gaze steady on the road ahead.

"Devanand Hospital," I responded, my voice barely above a whisper, the memory of the unexpected kiss still fresh in my mind.

"Don't dwell on the kiss," he advised gently, as if reading my thoughts, "It was merely to help you relax."

"No, I'm not thinking about that," I assured him softly, "I'm just worried about my friend." And it was true, Sana's wellbeing was my primary concern, even if it wasn't the only thing on my mind at that moment.

"Who is this friend, if I may ask?" Kabir inquired.

My mind screamed to reveal, 'She's the sister you haven't spoken to in over a decade,' but I held back, knowing the revelation would stir up a whirlpool of awkwardness and pain for both of us, especially him. Instead, I responded softly, "She's a colleague from work."