The morning sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over the room where Antaraa lay. The gentle rays touched her fevered face, but the comfort they should have brought was overshadowed by the shadows of her past. As she lay there, restless and weakened, her mind wandered back to the harrowing memories of that fateful day.

Antaraa's eyes fluttered open, and she looked around with a dazed expression. The room was quiet, save for the occasional chirp of birds from outside. Akshara sat nearby, her face a portrait of sleepless devotion as she tended to her sister.

Suddenly, Antaraa's eyes grew wide with terror. Her body tensed, and she began to murmur frantically, her voice trembling with fear. “No, baba saa, no… Please, stop!”

Akshara’s heart raced at the sound of her sister’s distressed cries. She rushed to Antaraa’s side, gently shaking her. “Antaraa, wake up! It’s just a dream. You’re safe here with me.”

But Antaraa’s fear seemed all too real. Her eyes, still closed, were filled with a haunted look. She gasped and cried out again, “I saw it all… baba saa… blood everywhere…”

As her distress grew, so did the strain on her weakened body. Her breathing became rapid, and her face contorted in pain. Without warning, Antaraa’s body went limp, and she fainted, her head rolling to one side.

Panic gripped Akshara as she gently but urgently checked her sister’s pulse. It was faint but steady. She called out for the palace healers, her voice carrying a note of desperation. “Help! Someone, please! Antaraa has fainted!”

Within moments, the room was filled with the hurried steps of the palace healers. They moved with practiced efficiency, assessing Antaraa’s condition and preparing treatments. One healer placed a fresh, cool compress on Antaraa’s forehead while another checked her vitals.

Akshara stood back, her hands trembling as she watched the scene unfold. The pain of seeing her sister in such a state was almost unbearable. She clutched a small locket around her neck, a token from her parents, and whispered a silent prayer.

After a tense few minutes, one of the healers, a kind-faced woman named Mira, approached Akshara. “She has been overwhelmed by her memories. The stress and fever likely caused her to faint. We need to help her calm down and focus on her recovery. It’s crucial that she gets some rest and peace.”

Akshara nodded, tears welling in her eyes. “Thank you. I’ll do whatever it takes. Please, make sure she’s comfortable.”

Mira nodded reassuringly. “We’ll do everything we can. It’s important that she feels safe and supported during this time.”

As the healers continued their work, Akshara gently stroked Antaraa’s hand, her voice soft and soothing. “Antaraa, it’s going to be alright. I’m here with you, and we’ll get through this together. Your memories are a part of you, but they don’t have to control you. We’ll find a way to heal.”

Hours passed, and the room grew quiet once more. Antaraa lay still, her breathing gradually becoming more even. Akshara remained by her side, her eyes red from exhaustion and worry. The peaceful light of the afternoon sun now illuminated the room, offering a glimmer of hope.

As the day wore on, Antaraa’s fever showed signs of receding, and her breathing became steadier. Akshara felt a small measure of relief, knowing that her sister’s body was beginning to respond to the treatment.

In the quiet moments that followed, Akshara sat alone by Antaraa’s bed, her thoughts a mixture of hope and sorrow. She knew that their journey was far from over, but she was determined to stand by her sister’s side through every challenge. The bond they shared was a source of strength, and it would guide them through the darkest of times.

As night fell, the palace was enveloped in a soft, peaceful quiet. The stars twinkled outside, a silent witness to their trials. Akshara continued to watch over Antaraa, her heart full of hope that the coming days would bring healing and solace, allowing them both to find a measure of peace amidst the shadows of their past.