Chapter 1: Who Are You?
The sound of machines echoed in the silent hospital room.
Beep… Beep… Beep…
Each sound felt like a countdown, slowly crushing the fragile hope inside Arjun's heart.
He stood beside the bed, his fingers clenched tightly, as if letting go for even a second would make everything disappear.
Aanya lay there, motionless.
Her face looked pale under the dim white light. The same face that once glowed with life, laughter, and endless mischief… now looked lifeless.
Arjun swallowed hard.
"Doctor… she'll be fine, right?"
His voice cracked despite trying to sound strong.
The doctor, standing beside him, adjusted his glasses and looked at the report again. His silence itself was terrifying.
"Say something…" Arjun almost pleaded.
After a pause, the doctor finally spoke,
"She is out of danger. There are no serious physical injuries…"
For a brief moment, Arjun felt relief wash over him.
But it didn't last long.
"…however, she has suffered memory loss."
Everything went silent.
As if the world itself had stopped breathing.
Arjun blinked, unable to process the words.
"Memory… loss?" he repeated slowly.
The doctor nodded.
"Yes. It's called amnesia. She might not remember anything… or anyone."
Anyone.
That single word shattered him.
"Not… anyone?" Arjun whispered, his eyes slowly turning red.
"I'm sorry," the doctor said softly. "We can't say how much she remembers. It could be temporary… or permanent."
Permanent.
The word echoed in his mind like a nightmare he couldn't wake up from.
Hours passed.
The room grew quieter, but Arjun didn't move an inch.
He sat beside her, staring at her hand.
Slowly… carefully… he reached out and held it.
It was cold.
"Hey…" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"You always complained that my hands are too warm… and yours are always cold…"
A weak smile appeared on his lips.
"But today… yours are colder than ever."
No response.
Tears gathered in his eyes, but he forced them back.
"You remember, right?" he continued softly.
"You said… if I ever left you alone, you'd never forgive me…"
His grip tightened slightly.
"So don't do this, Aanya… don't leave me like this…"
Suddenly…
Her fingers moved.
Arjun froze.
For a second, he thought he imagined it.
But then—
Her hand twitched again.
"Aanya…?" his voice trembled.
He quickly stood up, his heart racing.
Her eyelids fluttered slightly.
And then…
Slowly… painfully… her eyes opened.
Confused.
Lost.
Empty.
She looked at the ceiling first, then slowly turned her head.
Her gaze wandered… until it stopped on Arjun.
Time froze.
Arjun's heartbeat grew louder with every second.
This was it.
The moment he had been waiting for.
His lips curved into a hopeful smile.
"Aanya…"
For a second… just one second…
It felt like she recognized him.
But then—
Her brows furrowed slightly.
Her eyes filled with confusion.
And she spoke.
"Who… are you?"
…
The world shattered.
Arjun's smile froze instantly.
His mind went blank.
"I…" his throat went dry.
He had imagined this moment a thousand times.
Her waking up.
Calling his name.
Smiling at him.
Maybe even scolding him for being late.
But never this.
Never her looking at him like he was a stranger.
"I'm… Arjun," he said slowly, forcing the words out.
"Just… a friend."
The lie hurt more than anything else.
Aanya stared at him for a few seconds.
Then… she smiled politely.
"Nice to meet you."
Nice to meet you.
Those four words pierced his heart.
Because the girl who once called him her world…
now didn't even know who he was.
A nurse entered the room, checking the monitor.
"Good, she's awake," she said with a smile. "Try not to stress her too much."
Arjun nodded silently.
Aanya looked around again.
"Where am I?"
"You're in a hospital," Arjun replied softly.
"Hospital… why?"
"You had an accident."
She stayed silent for a moment, trying to remember.
But nothing came.
"I don't remember anything…" she whispered, her voice shaking slightly.
"It's okay," Arjun said quickly.
"You don't have to force it."
She looked at him again.
"Arjun… right?"
He nodded.
"You seem… familiar," she said slowly.
"I don't remember you, but… I don't feel scared around you."
A small, painful smile appeared on his face.
"That's enough for me."
But just then—
The door suddenly opened.
A guy rushed inside.
"Aanya!"
His voice was filled with concern.
Aanya's eyes widened.
For a second, her expression changed completely.
"Rohan…?"
Arjun's heart skipped a beat.
She… remembered him?
Aanya's face lit up slightly.
"You came…"
Rohan quickly walked towards her, holding her hand.
"Of course I came! How are you? I was so worried!"
Arjun stood there, frozen.
Confusion.
Shock.
Pain.
Everything mixed together.
Out of everyone in the world…
She forgot him.
But remembered someone else.
Why?
Arjun slowly stepped back.
No one noticed.
Not even Aanya.
His presence… no longer mattered.
But what no one knew was—
Aanya's memories were not completely gone.
Some were hidden.
Some were broken.
And some…
Were buried so deep…
That if they ever returned—
They wouldn't just bring back love…
They would bring back a truth…
That could destroy everything.