The light in the outside world was still faint, not yet prepared to announce the arrival of a new day but Naina was enveloped in the sterile brightness of white hospital lights, which did not offer any indication of the time. She looked around. There was no one in the hospital corridor. Amidst the stark white walls, she stood alone, her arms wrapped around herself as she shivered in the blast of strong air conditioning. Suddenly, the heavy doors of operation theater pushed open, and Dr Bhatnagar walked out with slow, leaden steps. 

Naina wanted to ask the question, the one that had been piercing every cell of her body, but the words were stuck somewhere inside, unable to find a way out. She stared blankly as the doctor approached her. His face devoid of any expression, he uttered the words that she had been dreading.

'I'm sorry.' 

Naina felt the ground beneath her crumble.  The words hit her like a physical blow, making her heart clench with unbearable pain. She wanted to scream, but her voice was trapped in her throat. She wanted to run, but her feet were stuck to the floor. She wanted to cry, but her eyes turned into stone. It was as if all the life had drained out of her, leaving behind only a hollow shell, empty and numb. The cold started to turn into a mist, engulfing her completely till she could see and feel nothing, except the chill around her that left her frozen.

With a loud gasp, Naina sat up, struggling to breathe. She was surrounded not by a cloudy fog but the diffused light from an overhead source of the unfamiliar room. For a moment, she was disoriented, her mind still trapped in the nightmare. Then her eyes darted around, the reality slowly coming into focus. Her heart was still pounding against her ribcage, the feeling of terror echoing in every beat. She wiped her face with a trembling hand. There was no sweat. Rather, she was ice cold. Her face, her fingers, even her arms and legs... everything was freezing. 

It was then that she realised why. She had fallen asleep in nurse's room where the air conditioning was quite strong since equipments and medicines were stored here. And she had not taken a blanket. Because the blanket, rolled like a pillow, was clutched in the crook of Sameer's arm, who lay curled up on the foot of the bed. His legs were bent against his stomach, to somehow fit his tall frame on the narrow width of the bed. Naina remembered speaking to Girish last night. Sameer had taken a seat on the bed at the opposite edge when he talked to his dad from her phone. And then, they both had just sat there, lost in their individual turmoil. She didn't know how and when she had dozed away. Sameer too must have drifted off due to the exhaustion. His blazer, waistcoat and tie were carelessly draped over one chair, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up till the elbows. 

Slowly, she got off the bed and walked out of the room. The terrifying dream was still fresh in her memory, making her step unsteady. But she had to go and check herself. 

Outside, the corridor did not feel as scary as the one in her dream. She had barely taken two steps when she saw a nurse coming out from a door at the end of the passage.

She hurried towards Naina, her eyes searching for any discomfort on the latter's face. 

'Ma'm, aapko kuch chahiye? Are you feeling okay? Koi pain ho raha hai kya?' Her questions echoed slightly in the empty passage. 

'Sister, meri mummy... woh kaisi hain? Doctor ne kya bola? Unhe hosh kab tak aayega?' Her queries rushed out in a breathless flurry, the fear of her nightmare gnawing at her. 

The nurse hesitated for a moment, then replied in a gentle voice, 'Dr Bhatnagar observation room mein hi hain. Aapki mummy ki condition better hai, lekin hosh aane mein thoda time lagega. Unka heart poori tarah se stable ho jaaye tab hi hosh mein aana unke liye achha hoga. Nahi toh accident ke baare mein soch kar unhe stress ho sakta hai.'

'Oh!' Naina nodded slowly, feeling both hope and despair at the same time, 'Toh kya hosh mein aane se unki condition bigad sakti hai?'

The nurse placed a hand on her arm, her eyes empathetic, 'Agar doctor ko lagega ki unhe rest dene ke liye sedative dena zaruri hai toh woh de denge. Aap tension mat lijiye. Is waqt aapko bhi rest karna chahiye. Aap jaanti hain na aapki haalat bhi bohot achhi nahi hai?'

'Main theek hun.' Naina insisted, forcing her voice to show the strength that she was not actually feeling in her body. 

The nurse gave her an imploring look, 'Ma'm, aap jaanti hain aapko blood donate nahi karna chahiye tha. Lekin us waqt aapki mummy ki condition critical thi aur hamare paas jaldi blood arrange karne ka dusra option nahi tha isliye sister ne aapko yeh risk lene diya. Agar iss wajah se aapki tabiyat kharab hui aur yeh baat Dr Bhatnagar tak gayi toh...' Her voice lowered to a whisper, '... she can lose her job. Please understand.'

Naina's eyes widened as the complexity of the situation dawned on her. She turned apologetic instantly, 'I'm so sorry sister. Mujhe... mujhe nahi pata tha itna kuch ho sakta hai. Main rest kar leti hun. Aur please, aap un sister ko meri taraf se thank you bol dena.'

Back in the room, Naina hesitated for a moment, glancing at the narrow space on the bed. Sameer was still sprawled awkwardly, his body contorted to fit within the limited space. She carefully slipped into the vacant half, making sure to keep sufficient distance between them. She could have taken the chair, or paced around to ease the tension, but the memory of the nurse's concern forced her to go easy on herself. Now that she knew the nurse had taken such a risk, she did not want to be a source of trouble for her. 

Sameer woke up with a sharp pain shooting through his leg, all the way up to his waist. He winced as he shifted slightly, trying to ease the cramp that had set in from his awkward sleeping position. Beyond the window, he could see the darkness fading into dull grey of morning. The sun was not out yet, hence the room felt darker than outside. 

He rubbed his leg, trying to massage the pain away, while his eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings. Blinking away the grogginess, he noticed Naina, curled up on the edge of the bed, her face tense even in sleep. The sight of her brought back the memory of her talk with Natasha and it momentarily made him forget the discomfort in his leg. Was she really this attached to Ambika that she would consider something as drastic as ending her own life if anything happened to her? Could such profound bond possibly develop in such a short time? He had felt her concern for his mother on many occasions, but this was beyond his imagination. More than concern, it was an attachment so intense that it bordered on something he couldn't quite define. Naina's fears, her restlessness, her constant worry... it was more like a deep rooted angst. Her anxiety hinted at some internal struggle, that was consuming her for a long time, and had surfaced in the face of this crisis. 

Even now, her face was marred in a silent desperation. Her features were drawn tight, her brows furrowed in intense concentration. It was like she wasn't asleep, but deep in meditation, fervently praying for Ambika's recovery. 

Sameer sat up slowly, his eyes moist with the pain that he felt for both women in his life, 'Main bhi chahta hun ki mummy jald se jald theek ho jaayein. lekin main yeh bhi chahta hun Naina, ki tumhe kabhi kuch na ho. Na main mummy ko aisi haalat mein dekh sakta hun na tumhe. Dubara kabhi aisa mat kehna ki tum apni jaan de dogi... kyonki tum meri jaan ho. Mujhe pata hi nahi chala kab tum mere jeene ki wajah ban gayi. Jab apne future ke liye tumhare saath contract kiya tha tab is dil ko kahan pata tha ki yeh contract business ke future ke liye nahi balki mere unn saare sapnon ka jawaab ban jayega jo main saalon se dekh raha tha. Maanta hun apne dil ko janne mein mujhe waqt laga par jabse ahsaas hua hai tabse apni zindagi tumhare bina soch bhi nahi sakta.'

Sameer silently got up and went to the washroom. When he stepped out, Naina was awake.

She threw him a curious gaze, 'Abhi uthe ho?'

He nodded, then asked gently, 'Tum theek ho na? Abhi weakness feel ho rahi hai? Kuch chahiye? Chai lekar aaun?'

'Nahi.' Naina quickly stood up, 'I'm good.'

Not just her voice, but she herself trembled as she felt the cold hit her again. The slight tremor did not go unnoticed from Sameer. There were goosebumps visible on her arms.

He glanced around, till his eyes fell on his blazer. Hesitantly, he offered, 'Agar tumhe thand lag rahi hai toh...' he flicked a thumb towards the chair, 'Mera blazer le sakti ho.'

She ignored his suggestion, walking towards the door, 'Humein doctor se baat karni chahiye. Dr Bhatnagar observation room mein honge.' Then suddenly the recollection hit her... of what the nurse had mentioned about her condition. 

Her steps halted. Reluctantly, she turned, fixing her gaze in the direction of the chair. She had been cold all night. Usually she did not feel the need for extra layers in the airconditioned interiors but perhaps her body did not have enough strength presently to keep her warm. The thought of another fainting spell made her hesitant to ignore the chill. 

'If you don't mind...' She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

When Sameer had offered, he had no hope of her accepting it, yet he could not resist asking. Now, as her words registered, he was momentarily bewildered, but recovered quickly. He picked up the blazer and handed it to her. He could not help the feeling of contentment as Naina carefully draped it around her shoulders... if not him at least his blazer could provide her some comfort. The garment was too big for her, almost engulfing her small frame in its folds. But it did provide the essential warmth. 

Before Naina could adjust it properly, the phone in its pocket started to ring. 

'Oh!' Sameer mumbled in realisation, 'Mera phone...'

Without a word, Naina pulled it out of the pocket and held it out for him. In the process, her eyes fell on the id of the caller. 

Dr Bhatnagar. 

Her face went white as Sameer quickly grabbed the phone and placed it against his ear, his voice turning desperate, 'Yes doctor?'

Naina was unable to read his face. The fearful frenzy made her forget everything else and she stepped ahead, to stand close to Sameer, straining to hear what the doctor had to say. 

But the call ended before she could catch anything.

'Kya kaha?' Was all she could manage to ask, her voice distraught, yet hopeful.

Sameer had the same hope reflecting in his eyes as he replied, 'Doctor ne apne room mein bulaya hai. He said... jaldi nahi hai, aaram se aana.'

They both stared at each other in silence, not able to comprehend the meaning of the doctor's statement. It could mean anything... but they wanted to cling to the optimism behind his choice of words. 

'Let's go.' Sameer grabbed Naina's hand without hesitation and quickly marched out of the room. 

Dr Bhatnagar looked up in surprise when Sameer gently knocked at the open door panel.

'Arey? Abhi abhi toh maine call kiya tha.' He exclaimed, then his eyes took in their appearance, and it struck him that they were in same clothes as yesterday. 

His eyes softened as he understood their anxious state, 'Don't worry. Ambika ji ab pehle se kaafi behtar hain. Do teen din unhe hospital mein rehna padega. Lekin woh sirf precaution ke liye. Unke sar ki chot ko heal hone mein time lagega isliye aap logon ko unka khyal rakhna hai. Regular dressing ke liye laana hoga. Par uss chot ke alava ab koi problem nahi hai.'

Naina let out a long, shaky breath.  Her trembling fingers that had been clutching the lapels of blazer in a deathly grip relaxed slightly. It was like the dark, foreboding clouds had parted to give way to a ray of sunshine. Sameer felt the tight knot of anxiety in his chest slowly ease up. The weight pressing on his heart turned to relief. The overwhelming fear that had consumed both of them was replaced by a soothing sense of calm.

Just as the doctor delivered the much awaited good news, sound of hurried footsteps made them look behind. Girish was almost running towards them, followed closely by dadaji.

'Sameer.' He gave a fearful look to his son when Sameer swiftly got up to face him, then his eyes darted to the man in scrubs, 'Doctor, kaisi hai Ambika? Sab theek hai na? Aap log aise kyon...'

Before his mind churned any harrowing thoughts, the doctor interjected, 'She's out of danger now.' A warm smile spread on his tired face, 'Ab darne ki koi baat nahi hai. Bas unhe poora rest dena zaruri hai.'

Girish squeezed his eyes shut, letting out a long exhale, 'Oh thank you doctor.' His voice quivered, 'Agar Ambika ko kuch ho jaata toh main khud ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paata. Uski aisi haalat mein mujhe uske paas hona chahiye tha aur main...'

He could not say more as his voice choked. Sameer wrapped his arms around him in a comforting manner, 'Papa, aap kaam ke liye gaye they. Main bhi toh office mein tha. Par Naina unke saath thi isliye mummy  ab safe hain.'

Dadaji placed a gentle hand on Naina's head, his fingers trembling slightly as they rested on her. His usually composed face showed signs of the distress of last few hours. His eyes, that always twinkled with the shine of wisdom were glistening with moisture. The corners of his mouth lifted into a warm, heartfelt smile of relief, but he could not say anything, overwhelmed by the turn of events. 

Pulling away from Sameer, Girish turned to Naina. He gently touched the bandage on her forehead, then asked in a voice heavy with emotion, 'Tum kaisi ho beta? Tumhe bhi toh chot aayi hai. Lekin apna dard bhulakar tum kal se...'

'Papa.' Before he could speak further, Naina went into his arms, leaning on his chest as the tears that had gathered in her eyes trickled down her cheeks.

'Thank you beta.' Girish held her close, gently patting her back, 'Tumne Ambika ki jaan bachakar mujhe bhi ek nayi zindagi di hai. Tumhara yeh ahsaan raha mujhpar. Iske badle tum jo mangogi woh tumhe dunga. Kuch bhi, kabhi bhi.'

Shortly, Anaya reached the hospital too. She was equally relieved to know about the improvement in her mom's state. The quietude of hospital, that felt like an oppressive reminder of fragility of life till yesterday, transformed to a trustworthy sanctuary for all of them this morning. Everyone's face, though marred by the shadows of tiredness, gleamed with a new zeal. 

Later during the day, once Ambika was shifted to a room, the family was permitted to see her, though she had not gained consciousness yet. She lay on the bed, her head covered with thick layers of bandage, tubes attached to her nose and arm that connected with machines placed behind her bed. The steady beeps were an indication of the normalcy they all were waiting for. Doctor had said she could wake up anytime during the day but he had assured them that her state of repose was in fact better for her at the moment. 

'Papa, aap aur dadaji ghar jaakar fresh hokar aa jao. Naina bhi aapke saath chali jayegi. Tab tak main aur Anu yahan hain.' Sameer suggested after they had been in the room for nearly half an hour. 

Dadaji's refusal was quick, 'Nahi Sameer, jab tak Ambika ko apni aankhon se hanste muskurate nahi dekh leta tab tak main nahi jaunga.'

The nurse, who was replacing the IV being administered to Ambika looked at all of them, 'Dekhiye, abhi inhe hosh nahi aaya hai isliye sabka yahan rehna inke liye stressful ho sakta hai. Patient jab iss state mein hota hai toh aksar apne aas paas ki awaaz sun sakta hai aur  harkatein mehsus kar sakta hai. Ma'm ke liye achha hoga agar unke room mein koi awaaz na ho. Aap please unhe rest karne denge toh unhe help hi karenge.'

After a little persuasion, Girish and dadaji agreed to go home to freshen up. But Naina did not. She said she would wait outside the room, and not cause any disturbance but would not leave the hospital. Yet again, Sameer felt an underlying nervousness in her stance, even though Ambika was declared out of danger. Finally, he decided to go with his father and dadaji, leaving Anaya and Naina with Ambika. 

'Bhabhi,' Anaya uttered in a soft voice as the two girls sat outside Ambika's room, 'Aapki mummy ko kya hua tha?'

The question made Naina turn sharply to look at Anaya, but the younger girl had her gaze fixed on the closed door of the room. Naina's heart melted at her plight. It was evident that Anaya was still in a state of shock from what had happened. 

She took Anaya's hand within her palms, smiling gently, 'Anu, mummy jaldi hi bilkul theek ho jayengi. Tum ghabrao mat.'

Anaya turned to look at her, 'Mujhe kal raat ko hi mummy ke accident ka pata chala, aur aaj subah doctor ne keh diya ki woh do teen din mein ghar jaa sakti hain. Lekin iss ek raat mein mujhe aisa laga ki main bilkul akeli ho gayi bhabhi. Ek ajeeb sa darr baith gaya mann mein. Mummy ko kho dene ka khyal bhi itna painful tha.' She gazed at Naina's face for a while before speaking again, 'Aap sachmuch bohot strong ho.'

Naina hugged her as Anaya burst into tears, which were a release of her pent up fears and anxiety. She could not tell her that being strong was not a choice, but a necessity for her... a survival mechanism that life had forced her to adopt. It wasn't being brave for the sake of appearances, it was about enduring the pain and pushing through uncertainty because there was no other way forward.

About half an hour later, the nurse hurried out and informed them that Ambika was showing signs of waking up. Naina and Anaya rushed in. 

The room was aglow in bright white lights, similar to every other area in the hospital. For Ambika, this refulgence was harsh. Her eyelids fluttered, struggling against the brightness. Slowly, she opened her eyes, only to wince and shut them again as the sharp light pierced her. 

'Mummy!' Anaya's voice reached her ears, gentle and filled with apprehension.

Ambika gradually braced herself and opened her eyes, to find the concerned face of her daughter looming over her. 

She managed a weak smile, 'Anu. Mera bachha.'

'Mummy.' Anaya leaned and pressed her cheek to her mother's lightly, awashed with delight, 'I missed you so much.'

'Oho, ek din ke liye Mumbai gayi usmein itna miss kar liya ki rone lagi.' Ambika chuckled, trying to lift her arm to put around her daughter but the movement shot a jolt of pain through her. 

Wincing slightly, she looked around, slowly coming to the realisation of her surroundings. And then, as if a curtain lifted, her memory cleared up. The scene of roof collapse emerged in front of her eyes. 

'Naina?' Ambika's eyes filled with concern, 'Naina kahan hai? Usey kuch hua toh nahi? Woh theek hai na?'

'Mummy.' Naina's voice made her look to the other side of the bed. 

'Nainaa.' Ambika uttered in horror, gaping at the bandage on her forehead, 'Tumhe chot lagi hai? Beta, doctor ko dikha do abhi. Anu, Dr Bhatnagar ko bol bhabhi ko check karein. Sister ko bula, dekh zara bhabhi ko kitna bada bandage laga hai.'

'Please mummy, aap shaant ho jaiye.' Naina perched on the edge of the bed, holding Ambika's free hand, 'Choti si chot hai. Do chaar din mein theek ho jayegi. Zyada toh aapko lagi hai. Woh bhi meri wajah se. I'm so sorry mummy.'

'Shukr hai.' Ambika was relieved to hear that Naina's injury wasn't severe, 'Aur haan, tumhari wajah se kuch nahi hua.' She then glanced back at the nurse, 'Sister, mujhe kitni chot aayi hai? Kab tak rehna padega yahan?'

'Mummy relax.' Anaya replied before the nurse could say anything, 'Jab tak doctor bolenge tab tak aap chup chaap yahan rehne wale ho. Get it? Aur doctor koi Anu nahi hain ki aap unhe aankhen dikha kar dara dogi. You'll leave only when you have completely recovered.'

Ambika rolled her eyes, 'Chup kar tu. Main khud baat kar lungi doctor se. Pata hai Naina, mujhe zara sa zukaam bhi hota hai toh yeh ladki meri maa ban jaati hai.'

It was then that Ambika noticed Naina's appearance, and her eyes narrowed, 'Tumne Sameer ka coat pehna hua hai? Aur yeh kapde... yeh toh wahi hain. Naina, tum kabse yahan ho?'

'Kal dopahar se.' Anaya answered on Naina's behalf, 'Jabse aapko yahan laaye they. Bhabhi ne saaf keh diya ki woh aapse baat kiye bina ghar nahi jaane wali.'

'Aur agar mujhe chaar din hosh nahi aata toh?' Ambika asked with mock annoyance.

'Please aisa mat kahiye mummy.' Naina felt a tightening in her throat even at the thought, 'Aapko kuch nahi hona chahiye.' 

Sensing her discomfort, Ambika smiled softly, 'Mujhe itni aasani se kuch nahi hoga beta. Don't worry. Main lagti nahi hun par andar se bohot tough hun. Tabhi toh inn dono badmaash bachhon ko jhel paayi.'

'Offo mummy.' Anaya drawled, 'Aapki sui ghoom firkar hum pe hi aa jaati hai. Aapko idea bhi nahi hai ki aap kitne lucky ho jo hum dono itne seedhe shareef bachhe hain.'

'Bohot seedhe ho, bilkul jalebi ki tarah.' Ambika teased her, making even the nurse laugh at their banter. 

Suddenly, all the gloom and tension flew out of the window. Naina felt they were at home, with Ambika and Anaya playfully chiding each other, as if nothing had happened. The fear within her slowly melted, to give way to a contentment that not just calmed her mind but her heart too. 

Next update on Thursday