HYPNOSIS: A LOVE STORY?

2. SAMARTH DEATH

RAJ SANGWAL'S POV

I, stood by Samarth's bedside, watching in despair as my dear friend and boss struggled to breathe. It had been three months since Amayra's tragic car accident, and Samarth's health had taken a devastating turn.

He had lost interest in everything, refusing to eat, sleep, or even take his medication. His once-sharp mind was now clouded with grief and guilt. He blamed himself for Amayra's death, and the weight of that guilt was crushing him.

I had tried everything to persuade him to undergo treatment, but he refused. "What's the point, Raj?" he would say. "I don't want to live without Amayra. I just can't."

As his assistant and best friend, I felt helpless. I had never seen Samarth like this before. He was always the strong one, the one in control. But now, he was a shadow of his former self.

I remembered the day Amayra died, Samarth's world came crashing down. He was never the same after that. He would often say, "I should have protected her, Raj. I failed her."

I knew Samarth's decline was not just physical but also emotional. He was giving up, and I couldn't bear the thought of losing him too.

"Sam, please reconsider the operation," I begged, holding back tears. "You have to fight, for yourself, for Aaradhya's sake."

But Samarth just shook his head, his eyes sunken, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's too late, Raj. I'm ready to go."

I couldn't help but think that Samarth's obsession with Amayra was surprising, even to me, who had known him for so long. He had always been possessive and controlling, but his love for Amayra had brought out a whole new level of intensity in him.

I remembered how he would monitor her every move, question her about every conversation, and dictate every aspect of her life. He had become convinced that he was the only one who truly understood her, and that everyone else was a threat to their relationship.

But even I had underestimated the depth of his obsession. After Amayra's death, Samarth's world had come crashing down. He had lost his reason for living, his sense of purpose.

As I looked at him now, frail and weak, I realized that his obsession had consumed him completely. He had given up on life, and I feared that he would soon give up on death as well.

"It's as if he was addicted to her," I thought to myself. "And now, without her, he's lost and can't find his way back."

I sighed, feeling a mix of emotions: sadness, frustration, and helplessness. I had tried to warn Amayra about Samarth's controlling behavior, but she had always brushed it off, saying that he loved her and would never hurt her.

But now, I wondered if she had seen the depth of his obsession, if she had realized that his love was a double-edged sword, capable of both nourishing and destroying her.

I watched as Aaradhya, Samarth's fifteen-year-old daughter, sat beside him, tears streaming down her face. She had always been the apple of his eye, the one person who could bring a smile to his face.

But even she couldn't reach him now. She held his hand, begging him to reconsider the operation, to fight for his life. But Samarth just shook his head, his eyes vacant, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Aaradhya, beta, I'm tired," he said, ("child"). "I want to be with your mother. I want to rest."

Aaradhya broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. She had lost her mother just three months ago, and now she was on the verge of losing her father too.

I felt a lump in my throat as I watched the heart-wrenching scene. Samarth had always been a complex man, but I had never seen him like this. He was giving up, and I couldn't blame him.

Aaradhya looked up at me, her eyes pleading. "Raj, uncle, please do something. Please make him understand."

I shook my head, feeling helpless. "I've tried, beta. He won't listen to me. He won't listen to anyone."

Aaradhya nodded, understanding. She knew her father's stubbornness all too well. She leaned forward, hugging him tightly.

"Please, Papa," she whispered. "Don't leave me. I need you."

But Samarth just stroked her hair, his eyes closed, his voice a faint whisper. "I'm sorry, beta. I'm so sorry."
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I held Aaradhya as she sobbed uncontrollably, her body shaking with grief. Samarth had taken his last breath, leaving behind a legacy of complexity and a daughter who was now alone in the world.

As I looked at Aaradhya, I knew that I had to be strong for her. I had to be her rock, her support system. I had promised Samarth that I would take care of her, and I intended to keep that promise.

"Aaradhya, beta, I'm here for you," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "I'll always be here for you. Your father may be gone, but I'll make sure you're never alone."

Aaradhya looked up at me, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She nodded, understanding. She knew that I had always been there for her, even when her father's obsession had made things difficult.

As we sat there, holding each other, I knew that I had a long and difficult road ahead of me. I had to help Aaradhya navigate her grief, her anger, and her confusion. I had to help her find her place in the world without her parents.

But I was ready. I was ready to be her guardian, her mentor, and her friend. I was ready to help her heal and move forward.

As we sat there in silence, I knew that Samarth may be gone, but his legacy lived on through Aaradhya. And I was determined to help her make him proud.
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~to be continued