Chapter 2. No!

Shimma’s POV

“You’re right, sweetheart. He had found out his new heart was failing, but after a few weeks, the doctor assured him that everything was okay—he was meant to be okay,” my mom said, her voice trembling as she struggled so hard to hold back her emotions.

“Dad, please don’t worry; everything will be fine,” I said, moving closer to him and wrapping my arms around him tightly.

“I love you so much, Dad,” I whispered, pressing my cheek against his frail shoulder.

“I love you so much, Shimma… So, so much,” he whispered back, the warmth of his words bringing both comfort and a deeper ache to my heart.

As I held him, the beeping of machines filled the silence, a cruel reminder of life's fragility. This moment—this vulnerability—made me realize how much I had taken for granted.