"What happened, Shweta? Why are you crying?"
Her whole body was trembling. Tears streaked down her cheeks, her breathing was uneven—and yet, somehow, she was smiling. The mix of emotions on her face made no sense.
She tried to speak, but no words came out, only broken gasps.
"Hey… relax. Breathe," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Deep breath in… deep breath out."
She followed my words, choking on her sobs at first, then slowly finding a rhythm.
Inhale.
Exhale.
"That's it," I murmured, guiding her until her breaths stopped shaking. "Better?"
She nodded and wiped her face quickly, embarrassed. "Sorry… I didn't mean to react like that."
"It's fine. Now that you're calmer, tell me—what happened?"
"I got a call from the hospital," she said, voice trembling again but this time with joy. "Hira… my father… he woke up. He's finally out of the sleep."
For a second, her words confused me. "Sleep?" Then it clicked.
"Wait—what? Professor Arjun was in the Pariama stage?"
She nodded. "Yes. He's in the same ward as your parents. They called just now and said he woke up asking for me. I was so excited I didn't even see you standing here, and I just—"
She stopped mid-sentence as the realization hit her.
To prevent ourselves from falling, I had to hold her. The problem is that I am still holding her.
And we are standing far too close.
She looks up at me, startled, and whispers, "Umm… Hira… you can let go now."
"Right." I stepped back quickly, releasing her arms. "Sorry. I just didn't want you to fall and then—"
"It's okay," she said softly, tucking her hair behind her ear, cheeks glowing pink.
Before the situation could get more awkward, Dadi's voice echoed from the stairs.
"Hira! Didn't I tell you to call Shweta to the kitchen? What are you two doing here?"
I opened my mouth to explain, but Shweta rushed past me and hugged Dadi tightly.
"Shanti-dadi… my father, he woke up."
Dadi froze. "What? When? Who told you?"
"Just now. They want me to come immediately."
"Are you sure they were not trying to prank you? Many enjoy giving people false hope."
"No Dadi, it's not a prank. I saw him."
"Then what are we waiting for? I'll drive you."
"It's alright, Dadi. They're sending a vehicle for me. You don't need to trouble yourself."
"It's already nine at night. I won't feel right letting you go alone."
"You're tired, Dadi. Please rest."
Their argument was going in circles, so I stepped in.
"She's right, Dadi. You should rest. I'll go with her."
Shweta shook her head quickly. "No, no, really—you don't have to. I can go alone."
Dadi crosses her arms. "Absolutely not. Either he goes with you or I do. But you will not go alone."
RING. RING.
The doorbell cut through the tension.
"That must be them," Shweta said, her excitement coming back immediately.
We went downstairs. Dadi opened the door, revealing a woman in uniform standing there.
"Good evening, ma'am. I'm here for Miss Shweta Vyas. Is she here?"
Before Dadi could reply, "I'm Shweta," she said, stepping forward on her own.
Seeing the person she's here for. The officer showed her digital ID. "I'm Sub-Inspector Sandhya. We've been instructed to take you to SW15. Are you ready, Miss Shweta?"
"Yes," Shweta breathed, already moving toward the car.
I followed—but Sandhya stepped in my way.
"Sorry, sir. Only one family member is allowed, and Mr. Arjun specifically asked for his daughter. You can't come with us."
Dadi tried arguing, but the officer remained firm. Eventually, Dadi stopped, defeated, seeing how eager Shweta was to meet her father.
We watched her car disappear down the road.
"I'm happy for her," Dadi whispered, eyes glistening. "Truly happy."
"Yeah," I murmured. "Me too." Too confused to understand what happened here.
Seeing my expression, Dadi smiled lightly.
"Come inside," she said softly.
. . .
Dinner was quiet. For the dinner, Dadi made my favourite masala khichdi.
Trying to pretend everything was normal. She talked about the changes during the lockdown.
"…these days the government isn't as strict as before," she said. "I think things will return to normal soon."
"Did they say anything about Vicyuta Day? Any explanation at all?"
"Nothing certain," she sighed. "Some say it's the work of aliens. Some say it's God punishing us for our sins. Whatever it may be, something like this has never happened before."
"I can believe the alien part, but Gods—"
She shot me a look that could cut stone.
"What about Gods? Finish that sentence. Young man."
"Nothing," I muttered, searching for anything that could help me dodge this bullet.
Glancing at the clock, I exclaimed. "It's already eleven! You should rest now, Dadi. I will do the dishes."
Shweta had called earlier to say she'd be staying with her father, so we weren't waiting for her.
"Yes, yes… you rest too. Good night, Hira." She hugged me tightly before heading to her room.
"Good night, Dadi."
As she walked away, I noticed how her back trembled. She'd been alone in this house for months—surrounded by silence, grief, and uncertainty. I wanted to tell her something comforting, something strong.
But I found nothing.
Because deep down, I was still blaming myself for not being here when my family needed me most.
Realising that it's really getting late, I washed the dishes and went to my room.
Lying on my bed, I reflect on what happened to my family in all these months, and it didn't hurt less.
Seeing Shweta's reaction before, I was confused as to why she was reacting that way. But now I understand.
She is similar to Dadi.
Prof. Arjun is the only family she has, and knowing that he is lying in some ward, not knowing when he will wake up… must have been very difficult for her.
A.N. - Svetaya Pita Prabuddha - Shweta's father woke up.
Tell me if the pace of the story is too slow or fast. I will try to adjust it.
According to me it's little slow. pls Comment on this.