The room still had the burden of Arjun's words. Rajesh and Sunita sat quietly, weighed down by the revelation that had just opened their world. The photo of Aditi's accident was on the table. Its presence was comforting and unbearable.
Then came the sound.
Footsteps creaked faintly down the floorboards above. Slow, irregular, as if hesitant. The whole room held its breath. Rajesh's breathing caught. Sunita placed her hands together, and Arjun's gaze flew up to the ceiling. For an instant, hope flickered in their chests was Aarav coming downstairs at last?
But the door swung open, and it wasn't Aarav.
It was Ananya.
She came down quietly, her face white but her eyes gentle with resolve. She had returned upstairs before, sitting with her brother in silence, but Aarav hadn't allowed her words to breach his wall of sorrow. Now, she came down, her face telling them all that nothing was different.
"He's not saying much," Annu whispered, her voice shaking. "I tried. but he just sits gazing out the window. He won't even look at me."
Sunita's face contorted. "My poor boy," she whispered, twisting her fingers into her dupatta.
Rajesh jumped up, prepared to dash upstairs, but Arjun moved forward quickly. His voice was steady but firm.
"Uncle. Aunty. please. Not now."
Rajesh spun around. "And how long do we linger back. Arjun? Do you not watch him drown in front of us? He is my son!"
Arjun kept his eyes locked. "I know. And that's why we must allow him to breathe. If you go ahead now. if you push him, he'll close his doors tighter. Trust me, Uncle. let me attempt once more."
Sunita brushed away her tears and nodded weakly, her faith in Arjun. Rajesh stood weighing his fists at his sides.
Arjun took a deep breath and went upstairs. His steps were slow, measured, as if each one bore responsibility.
Aarav's room was half-dark, curtains closed against the world. He sat at the edge of his bed, hunched over. staring blankly at the wall. His face was white, his lips dry.
His eyes were sunken from nights without sleep. The photo frame lay beside him, the only thing he still held on to.
Arjun closed the door softly behind himself. He didn't say anything for a moment. He just sat beside Aarav, holding the silence between them.
At last, he whispered, "Aarav. you've punished yourself enough."
No response. Aarav's grip on the photo frame tightened.
Arjun's voice sounded heavier, more charged with emotion. "Do you think she'd want this? Do you think Aditi would want to see you like this—breaking, shattering, becoming nothing but pain? If she can see you she feels guilty for you."
At the mention of her name. Aarav winced. His chest rose abruptly, his breath shaking. But he still didn't glance at Arjun.
"You can't keep the truth from you. Aarav." Arjun pushed softly. "Yes, she's gone. And yes, it hurts more than anything else in the world. But hiding in this room won't bring her back. It'll only kill you. And if you let that happen, then her love. her sacrifice. all of it will be for nothing. And you would cast doubt on your love."
For the first time in days. Aarav's lips parted. His voice was broken, raw, like glass on stone.
"Why her. Arjun? Why not me?"
The question struck Arjun's soul. His eyes blistered, but he kept himself strong. He put a firm hand on Aarav's shoulder.
"Because perhaps life still has something in store for you to do. Aarav. Perhaps Aditi gave her love to you so that you would live for both of you. Not to entangle yourself with her memory. You should live for her. Just think that her body is buried, not her soul. You told me Aarav that your love is connected to the soul. Think that her soul is still with you."
Aarav's eyes welled up, finally meeting his best friend's eye. For a moment, walls cracked-the pain seeping out, the loss evident.
"Come down." Arjun urged gently. "Just for a bit. Take some fresh air. Look at your parents. They're dying Watching you like this. Don't do this to them too. You should remember that they are your parents. Don't lose another love yar ."
Aarav fought back, shaking his head at first, but Arjun's insistence, his quiet strength. eroded the silence. At last. Aarav slowly got up, his legs trembling from days of remaining cooped up.
Side by side, they descended the stairs.
Rajesh and Sunita gazed up simultaneously. Seeing Aarav finally emerge from the shadows once more, tears filled their eyes. Sunita clasped her hands over her mouth, overcome with relief. Rajesh's tough exterior softened for a brief second, replaced by something warmer-hope.
Aarav bowed his head. His voice cracked as he spoke. "I'm sorry. for worrying you all."
Sunita ran to him, holding him close, her tears falling on his shoulder. "Don't ever say sorry to me, beta. Just don't disappear from me again."
Rajesh put a firm hand on his son's back. His tone was stern, but his eyes shone. "Aarav, pain will challenge you, but you cannot give in to it. Life doesn't end here. You will emerge from this, and we'll be there with you every step."
For the first time in weeks. Aarav nodded weakly. His voice was feeble but genuine. ''I'll try. Papa. I don't know how. but I'll try."
Rajesh's hold on his shoulder tightened, as if binding a vow. "That's all I ask. Just try."
The family sat together that evening, a tenuous but undeniable change had permeated the air. For the first time. Aarav had not been kept in the dark. For the first time, he had stepped forward-little, shaking, but forward.
And even though the shadow of Aditi's absence haunted like a specter in every space, there was something new-something delicate but real too.
To be continued....