Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Longest Night
The hospital waiting room had become their second home.
White walls. Fluorescent lights. The constant beep of machines somewhere in the distance.
Jay sat in a plastic chair, Keifer beside her, his hand wrapped around hers. She hadn't slept. Neither had he.
Akshi was curled in Chethan's lap, eyes red and empty. She'd stopped crying hours ago. Now she just stared.
Mithun hadn't left Shreya's side since they let him in. Not for food. Not for water. Not for anything.
The rest of the family had gathered.
Percy and Honey sat in the corner, Percy uncharacteristically silent. Honey held his hand.
Aries and Ella stood near the window, speaking in hushed tones.
C.N. and Rakii sat side by side, C.N.'s notebook untouched for the first time in years.
Felix and Bridget held each other, tears silent.
David and Freya, David's arm around Freya, both pale.
Mica and Calix, Mica not bouncing, just leaning.
Yuri had his camera down. For once, he wasn't filming.
Keiran was at home with Keigan, Rex and Ganesha on guard duty. He was too young for this.
---
The doctor came out at 6 AM.
They all stood.
Mithun appeared behind her, face destroyed.
The doctor's eyes were kind. Tired. Sad.
"Her condition is critical. The cancer has spread more than we thought. We're doing everything we can, but—"
"But what?" Mithun's voice was raw.
"She's not responding to treatment. I'm sorry."
---
The words hung in the air.
Akshi screamed.
Not words. Just sound. Pure grief.
Chethan held her as she crumpled.
Jay's legs gave out. Keifer caught her.
Mithun didn't move. Didn't speak. Just stared.
Percy cried. Honey held him.
Aries pulled Ella close.
C.N. put his notebook down for the first time ever.
Rakii lowered her camera.
Felix buried his face in Bridget's shoulder.
David and Freya held each other.
Mica sobbed into Calix's chest.
Yuri just stood there. Camera forgotten.
---
"How long?" Mithun's voice was barely a whisper.
The doctor hesitated. "Days. Maybe less."
Mithun nodded slowly.
Then he turned.
Walked back into her room.
Closed the door.
---
They waited.
All of them.
No one left.
No one spoke.
What was there to say?
---
Inside the room, Mithun sat beside her.
Took her hand.
She was awake. Barely.
"Hey," she whispered.
"Hey."
"I heard."
"I know."
"Not long."
"Don't say that."
"It's true."
He squeezed her hand. "Then we make every second count."
She smiled. Weak. But real.
"I love you."
"I love you too. More than everything."
"Even when I pushed you away?"
"Especially then."
---
Outside, Jay finally broke.
She'd been strong for so long.
Held the secret. Held the grief. Held everyone together.
But now—
She sobbed into Keifer's chest.
He held her. Rocked her. Let her fall apart.
"I can't lose her," she gasped. "She's my sister. My sister."
"I know."
"I can't."
"I know."
---
The day passed.
No one ate. No one slept.
They just waited.
Together.
---
Visiting hours meant nothing.
The nurses let them go in, one by one.
Akshi first.
She held Shreya's hand. Cried. Laughed. Remembered.
"You're my best friend," Akshi whispered. "My sister. My everything."
Shreya smiled. "You're my chaos."
"Your chaos."
"Always."
---
Chethan next.
He didn't know what to say.
So he just sat with her.
Held her other hand.
Let her know he was there.
---
Jay last.
The sisters.
Jay sat beside her. Took her hand.
"I'm sorry I told."
"Don't be. He needed to know."
"I broke my promise."
"You did what was right."
They were quiet for a moment.
Then Shreya spoke. "Take care of them. When I'm gone."
"Shreya—"
"Promise me. Akshi. Chethan. Mithun. All of them."
"You'll be here to take care of them yourself."
"Jay."
Jay cried.
"Promise me."
"I promise."
---
That night, they all stayed.
Chairs pulled together. Hands held. Grief shared.
Mithun never left her side.
The machines beeped.
The hours passed.
And they waited.
Together.
---
End of Chapter Ninety-Nine