The first thing MK noticed when he woke up was the smell of disinfectant.The white ceiling above him was smooth, cold, and unfamiliar.
He blinked. His chest felt heavy.The steady beep… beep… beep of the heart monitor beside him reminded him where he was.
"Hospital again…"
Outside the window, the morning sun lit up the mountains. A nurse quietly slid the door open, her soft slippers making no sound on the polished floor.
"You're awake, MK," she said gently. "Your parents will be relieved."
He forced a small smile. His parents had been here every day, but he hated letting them see him like this — weak, hooked up to machines.
After a few more tests, the doctor finally gave permission for him to be discharged.MK packed his small bag slowly, his fingers brushing against the sketchbook lying on the table.He hesitated before picking it up.
The ride home was quiet.His parents tried to make small talk, but MK stared out of the car window, watching the trees pass by.
When they reached home, his older brother was waiting at the door."Welcome back, little bro," he said, ruffling MK's hair.
"Yeah…" MK muttered with a faint smile.
The house smelled of fresh tea and warm rice. For a moment, everything felt normal again.
The next morning, MK put on his school uniform.The fabric felt stiff after so many days in hospital clothes.
Sandeep was waiting for him at the school gate."You're back!" Sandeep said, grinning. "Man, you scared us. I thought you'd skip exams just to get out of math class!"
MK laughed quietly. "I wish…"
But as they walked through the corridor together, MK felt the weight in his chest again — not just the illness, but the fear of time slipping away.
This chapter sets up:
MK's fragile health condition
His relationship with family (supportive but worried)
Sandeep's cheerful presence as his closest friend
The sense that MK is trying to live normally despite knowing something is wrong