A U T H O R  P O V

"Children, come for breakfast. It's getting late for your classes."

Nitya's voice echoed through the small hall of the NGO.

She stood near the doorway, hands on her waist, trying to sound strict but failing completely. There was warmth in her tone rather than the authority,

"No."

The response came sharp and stubborn.

An six-year-old girl folded her arms and shook her head firmly, her chin was raised in quiet rebellion.

"Madira promised she'll come today", the kid declared , "We will eat only after she comes."

Nitya sighed and walked closer to the girl and crouched in front of her and softening her voice.

"Arvi... Madira is already on the way" she said gently.

"If she finds out you skipped food, she will feel bad. You don't want that, right?"

The words worked.

The six-year-old Arvika hesitated, glanced at the other girls, then nodded reluctantly.

One by one , they moved toward the dining area. And just then a cab stopped at the gate and Madira got down and walked in.

The gate hadn't even closed behind her, when the kids stormed out.

"Madira...!", "You came!"

They ran to her, surrounding her instantly there small arms clinging.

Madira stopped, and for as second the world slowed , then she smiled.

A real smile. Rare. Soft. Almost fragile.

"Did I ever break a promise?" she asked warmly.

The girls shook their heads eagerly.

She guided them back and made sure they finish breakfast and left for the class on time.

This NGO wasn't small.

Nearly thirty girls between four and seventeen. Another thirty women above eighteen.

All women. Survivors.

Acid attacks, assault, child trafficking, women trafficking.

Broken lives that are rebuilding.

"Madira"

She turned.

A woman mid 50's stood near the corridor, warmth filling her tired eyes. 

"Indira Amma"

She was the caretaker, and in truth she was family.

"It's been two days since you came last", Indira said softly.

Madira paused just for a second.

"There was urgent work", she replied, "I am sorry if it caused any trouble".

Indira waved it off immediately.

"Arey no, dear. This is nothing. You don't need to say sorry."

Madira nodded.

"I need to discuss something with Nitya. I will meet you later."

As Indira walked away, Nitya stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"Is it done?" she asked.

Madira nodded.

By afternoon, Nitya entered Madira's cabin with files.

Madira wasn't reading, she was just staring at nothing.

"What are you thinking about?" Nitya asked after knocking.

"Nothing" Madira replied quickly.

"Just...next week"

Nitya didn't get it .

"What's about next week?"

Madira let a deep sigh .

"Arjun and Aditi's anniversary, Aksh's birthday."

"So?...wait is her family coming" Nitya added.

Madira didn't respond.

Nitya grinned.

"Hmm..that means he is also coming"

Madira shot her a sharp look.

"That's why you are restless, huh? But you should be excited, happy and blushing right" Nitya pushed.

"Nitya", Madira warned.

"What? " Nitya laughed.

"I'm not saying anything wrong. " She added.

" Ok, I've only heard about him"

"So tell me," Nitya asked, genuinely curious now, "how does he actually look in real ?"

Madira's eyes flickered for half a second.

"Calm," she said. 

Nitya blinked, "That's it?"

Madira nodded, "Yes."

"Of course you would say that, but look I am really wondering how he looks now"  Nitya said dreamily.

"And he's coming back after so long, nearly nine years in London" Nitya went on,

She whistled softly, "Now? With all that foreign air and CEO glow? God help you."

Madira shot her a glare, "Aren't you talking too much today?"

"What?" Nitya raised her hands in surrender, "I am talking about your brother's best friend...not your crush, obviously"

"Shut up!" Madira snapped.

"Ooookay," Nitya smirked. "Then what is he to you?"

She leaned closer, lowering her voice dramatically. 

"Future husband?"

"Nitya!"

Madira stood up instantly.

"Get out," she said firmly. "And do your work."

Nitya backed away, still laughing.

"Fine, fine," she said.
"But control that anger, dear sister."

She turned at the door, grinning, "My calm, composed brother-in-law might run away if he sees this version of you."

Before Madira could respond, Nitya slipped out.

Madira remained standing. Her face was calm. Controlled.

But her thoughts weren't.

She hated herself for wondering. For imagining a face she hadn't seen in years. There was no space for love in her life. No space for anyone.

Except Akhira.

Her life was already broken into pieces, she reminded herself.

And she was not someone who could offer a whole future to anyone .. least of all him.

She closed the file slowly.

Some doors, once opened, could never be shut again.

And Madira had locked hers long ago.

Varma Mansion - Evening

The TV was playing softly in the background, some random channel running while everyone sat in the hall after a long day.

Then Achyuth Varma's phone vibrated.

He took the phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. Whatever he read there made his jaw tighten slightly. The casual look on his face faded   into something sharper.

Without saying a word, he leaned forward and took the remote from the table.

"No! Pedananna nenu adi choosthunnanu" Aadya complained instantly.

(Elder uncle /Bade papa I am watching that)

But Achyuth didn't reply.

He changed the channel. A news channel appeared on the screen. The anchor's serious voice filled the room.

"Two men were found dead at the Visakhapatnam coastal area late last night..."

Everyone slowly turned their attention to the TV.

"...The deceased have been identified as Usaf Khan and Ziyan Khalid. Both were prime suspects in the Delhi bomb blast that occurred two weeks ago..."

The hall went quiet.

Images flashed on the screen  blurred, disturbing, enough to make anyone uncomfortable.

"...According to officials, the murders are believed to have taken place elsewhere. The bodies were later dumped at the coastal area. Some crucial information related to the blast has also been recovered..."

Shock spread across the room like a cold wave.

Avantika was the first to speak, her voice low.

"They deserved it," she said. "So many innocent people died because of them."

Aruna nodded slowly. "Whoever did this... may they live a long life."

Achyuth  watched the screen silently, his face unreadable. He picked up his phone again, typed a short message, and sent it.

Good job.

He locked the phone and placed it back on the table.

Somewhere inside the hospital,

Agastya sat inside a cabin, elbows resting on his thighs, eyes fixed on nothing in particular. The wall clock ticked loudly, like it was the only thing alive in the room.

The door opened.

A woman walked in, still dressed in her operation suit. Her hair was neatly tied back, a few strands escaping near her temples. There was tiredness on her face  the kind that came only after standing under bright lights for hours.

She stopped when she saw him.

"Oh," she said, surprised. "You're already here."

Agastya looked up and gave a small nod. "Been a while."

She smiled lightly and closed the door behind her. "You should've told me. I would've finished faster."

He shrugged. "You always say that."

She laughed softly, walking towards the table. "And you never believe me."

She pulled off her gloves first, then slowly removed her mask, dropping both into the bin. Taking a deep breath, she sat down opposite him, stretching her neck slightly.

"Coffee?" she asked.

"No", he refused.

A knock interrupted them.

"Come in," the doctor said.

A nurse entered and handed over a file. "Rukmini Ma'am, the latest reports."

"Thank you."

The nurse left. The doctor , Rukmini opened the file, flipping through the pages slowly.

After a moment, she stood. "Come let's go."

Agastya rose immediately.

They walked side by side through the corridor. 

"How long are you planning to sit in hospitals like this?" she asked lightly as they walked.

He gave a faint smile. "As long as I have to."

They turned a corner.

The ICU doors stood ahead, glass panels glowing under white lights. She stopped, swiped her card, and pushed the door open.

The beeping sound of machines filled the space. Agastya's steps slowed the moment he saw the bed.

On the bed lay the woman. Tubes, wires, machines breathing for her. Something in his chest tightened. His jaw clenched slightly, but he said nothing. 

Rukmini watched him carefully before speaking.

"No change," she said. "Coma status is the same. Her body is responding... but her mind isn't."

Agastya's eyes stayed on the woman. "She was always strong," he said quietly.

Rukmini nodded. "Yes. And stubborn too."

Then she added gently, "If she wakes up... a lot of answers will come with her."

Agastya's jaw tightened slightly.

He finally turned his gaze away  not towards the doctor, but somewhere distant.

"Some truths," he said slowly, "are not meant to come early."

His voice lowered.

"And some lives...are already carrying too much to survive another."

_________________

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