Ruhana is elated that she has bagged the deal. It’s her leadership skills that have helped them claim the deal. It’s almost lunchtime when the meeting ends, so Ruhana moves into the cafeteria to get some coffee. She also meets her colleague and friend, Anushka, who’s her secret bearer in the office. They chit-chat casually until Ruhana’s phone rings. She picks up the call and is surprised to learn that the call is from Ishika’s college. She gets fearful when Ishika’s class teacher asks her to come to the college soon. She assures the lady and disconnects the call. She comes out of her trance when Anushka pats her shoulder and calls her name.

“Ruu, what happened? Why are you so lost?”

“It was Ishika’s teacher. I dunno what happened. Vo subah tak toh thik thi, usey kuch….” Ruhana is fearful, shaking and stuttering while speaking.

“Ruhana, everything will be fine. Don’t stress out. Ishika is brave; she will handle it. Tum shaant ho jaao.” Anushka tries to comfort her.

“She should be fine, Anush! Usko kuch hua na toh main bardasht nahi kar paungi.” Ruhana responds, her breath heavy.

Anushka gets some water for Ruhana and helps her calm down. She even offers to accompany her, but Ruhana denies it. She knows she can’t fall weak. She has to stay strong and calm for her baby sister; after all, she’s her only family.

She reaches the college in no time, praying to the gods to keep her sister fine. However, she hopes that Ishika hasn’t harmed anyone in the college. She can bear anything, but not the wrongdoings of her sister. She meets the teacher, who looks concerned and smiles at her.

"What happened, ma'am? Did Ishika do anything wrong? Or did she say anything that she should not?" Ruhana is deeply concerned about her sister.

“Relax, Ruhana! Ishika is well-mannered. She hasn’t done anything wrong. But if she wasn't well, you shouldn't have sent her to the college.” The teacher explains.

"But ma'am, Ishika was fine in the morning. She was telling me about some assignments that were given. What happened to her?" she asks softly.

"She's in the restroom. Come with me." The teacher says, and Ruhana follows her.

Ruhana is worried about her sister, contemplating her thoughts. For now, she just wants to see her sister and make sure that she’s fine. They enter the restroom, which is quite big. The college authorities have taken care of the students’ health, and they are providing the best facilities to the students. As they enter, Ruhana finds Ishika sleeping on one of the single beds placed in the restroom.

The teacher then informs her that Ishika complained of a headache today. Ruhana realizes that it might be the case, as even the slightest noises affect her, resulting in headaches for her sister.

“Possible, I heard Ishika complaining about headaches. Since dance practice for the annual festival has started, Ishika and her friend Taara were in the auditorium for two hours, after which she started complaining of headaches, and she also fainted.” The teacher explains.

“Yeah, it happens with her. But thanks for letting me know. Can I take her home?” Ruhana asks.

“Yes, sure. Please take care of her. Consult a doctor too.” The teacher advises.

Meanwhile, Ishika gains consciousness and holds her head; she’s still feeling the pain in her head, it seems. As she opens her eyes, she finds Ruhana in front of her eyes. She’s unaware of whatever happened after she fainted. She tries to sit up, and Ruhana helps her do the same. She then notices that she’s in the restroom and is surrounded by the teacher and her sister; there’s Taara as well.

"Di, you here? Is everything okay?" she asks concernedly.

“Yes, but you’re not okay, Ishu.”

"Yes. What did you do? See, you troubled your teachers." Ruhana says.

"It's alright, Ishika. But I think you should take a rest. It's Friday tomorrow; you can take a day off and rest well. We'll meet on Monday." she says caringly.

Ruhana is touched. The school and the teachers are so supportive. The principal also comes there and asks the peon to bring Ishika's bag from her class, and she grants her leave. They drive back home.

The ride home is silent. Ruhana informs Anushka that Ishika is fine and that they’re heading home. She has sent a mail to their boss, and everything should be smooth, she hopes. As they reach home, Ruhana asks Ishika to change and rest. The girl agrees and moves into her room to freshen up. Meanwhile, Ruhana quickly prepares some cheese sandwiches for her sister. She’s brewing her coffee when she feels goosebumps in her body as she remembers the call from Ishika’s college. She is unable to explain the feelings that bubbled up in her chest. She trails into the past.

*Flashback Begins*

The sisters had just lost their parents. Ruhana has been looking for some options to sell their bungalow in Jodhpur and move to Mumbai to start a new life. That day, Ruhana went to the market to purchase some groceries and some important items of daily use. She wanted to bring Ishika along with her, but Ruhana asked her to stay home and rest. She didn’t want to stress her.

Finishing the shopping when she returns home, she doesn’t find Ishika in the house. She walks into the kitchen and experiences a bad smell. She finds Ishika lying unconscious on the kitchen floor, while the place is messy. Ruhana is utterly shocked; she lifts her in her arms and makes her lie on the bed. She sprinkles some water on her face, and Ishika gains consciousness. She sits up fearfully and notices her sister’s firm glare at herself.

“Tu kya kar rahi thi kitchen mein? How did you faint?”

“Di, wo….main na maggie banane ki koshish kar rahi thi, lekin sab jal gaya aur mujhe chot bhi lag gai.” She shows the scar on her thumb and wrist.

“Ishu, I told you not to enter the kitchen, but you don’t listen to me. Chal, ab dressing karti hun.” She says this and picks up the first aid box.

She begins to dress her wound when Ishika notices the tears in her eyes. She glances at her.

“Di, kyun ro rahi ho? I am fine. Main bas aapki madad karna chahti thi. I am sorry.” Ishika apologizes.

“Tujhe apna dhyan rakhna chahiye tha. Main aake khana banati na. Tujhe kuch ho jaata toh main kya karungi?” Ruhana says.

“Sorry, Di. Aage se aisa nahi hoga. I promise." Ishika makes a promise, and Ruhana pulls her into a hug.

*Flashback Ends*

Ruhana comes out of her trance when Ishika hugs her. Ruhana jerks her, pretending to be angry with her.

“Didu, I am sorry. And I am fine.” She comforts her sister.

“I can see; tu kitna thik hain, Ishu. Tujhe dhyan rakhna chahiye tha na. Jab tujhe pata hain ki loud music se tujhe problem hain toh phir tu kyun gayi wahan uss auditorium mein? Aur itni derr tak kyun rahi?” Ruhana questions.

“Di, mujhe kya pata tha ki aisa ho jayega? Abhi, I am fine. Aapke saamne hoon na, main dhyan rakhungi.” Ishika says.

“Ishu, tu meri jaan hain. Tujhe kuch ho gaya toh mera kya hoga, main khud nahi jaanti. Isliye please aisa kuch mat kar jisse hum dono ko takleef ho. Tu samajh rahi hain na?” Ruhana cups her face and kisses her head.

Ishika nods; she knows her sister loves her a lot and can’t bear any scars on her body. So she quietly takes her medicine and lies on the bed, keeping her head in Ruhana’s lap.

“Di, I am sorry. Please aap upset mat ho. Aage se main apna dhyan rakhungi.”

"Di, when you're near, I feel happy. I don't know what happened to me today. But I was feeling lonely." Ishika says, leaving Ruhana thoughtful.

"I'm with you. We've lost a part of ourselves, Ishu, but we'll be together always," she says while kissing her head.

Ishika smiles and falls asleep, getting a warm touch from her sister, while Ruhana trails down memory lane, where they lose a part of themselves.

To Be Continued.