This chapter contains a lot of emotional explanation. I hope I can explain and you guys enjoy it.

Do let me know if you liked it or if you find any flow.

Happy Reading... ✨️

The day passed...

It was dinner time...

No one was in the mood for eating. They lost their appetite.

For Kids, they just sat with them for dinner.

Ruhi? She was still sleeping due to the effect of the drug.

After dinner...

Ankita, Nayan and Ajit left for their homes.

Others retired to their rooms.

---

In the middle of the night.

Kids were sleeping peacefully.

Elders were in their rooms, shifting positions, thinking deeply.

With Ruhi?

She slowly opened her eyes.

Her head feels heavy. Her throat feels dry.

Pulling herself up. She sat on the bed with the support.

Her hands shivering...

She took the glass of water from the nightstand. Taking it, near her lips. She took a small sip.

Her throat burned as she swallowed.

Suddenly, she wasn't in her room anymore.

Cold water closed over her head.

Her lungs burned.

She could hear the splash.

Feel the panic.

She feels herself sinking.

Ruhi's breathing became uneven.

Her fingers tightened around the glass.

Due to throat burning, a chill ran down her spine.

Memories of the incident played in her mind.

A flash.

Dark water.

Burning lungs.

The desperate struggle to reach the surface.

Her heart is beating fast.

The glass trembled in her hand and fell.

The glass shutter on the floor, broke into pieces.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly.

She tried to take a deep breath but couldn't.

It felt as if water was still trapped in her lungs.

The lake was miles away.

Yet Ruhi could still feel herself drowning.

Within some seconds, Vidyut and Saurav rushed inside the room, panicking. Anirudh entered following them.

Vidyut: Rooh.

He was about to take a step towards her but Saurav pulled him back.

Saurav: Glass is shattered around. Be careful.

Vidyut nodded, noticing the glass pieces.

He carefully walked towards Ruhi.

He took her trembling figure in his embrace, trying to soothe her.

Vidyut reached her and immediately cupped her face.

Vidyut (trying in a calm voice): Rooh... look at me.

Anirudh and Saurav quickly clean the floor.

Till then, Vidyut was handling Ruhi. She was in his embrace and sobbing silently.

Ruhi buried her face in Vidyut's chest.

For everyone else, the nightmare had ended hours ago.

For her, it had just begun.

Saurav and Anirudh came towards them.

Mihika and Harsha came there too.

Saurav: What happened?

Harsha observed Ruhi's actions. She knew Ruhi was having trauma.

She gestures to Anirudh.

Anirudh understanding Harsha's gesture, walked towards Ruhi.

He was rubbing her back.

Anirudh (mumbling softly): Dada is here, Rooh.

Vidyut (caressing Ruhi's hair): Look at her, Rooh. Look at me.

He slowly pulled her away to see her struggling for breath.

Vidyut's thumb wiped away her tears.

His own eyes had turned red.

The sight of her gasping for breath was enough to drag him back to the worst hours of his life.

Harsha stepped forward.

Harsha (holding Ruhi's hand): Ruhi, focus on my words. Listen here, Ruhi.

She paused, letting her words settle in Ruhi's brain.

Harsha: You are safe. Your family is around. You are home.

A sob escaped from Ruhi's lips.

Harsha: Follow me Ruhi, inhale...

Harsha took a breath, asking Ruhi to follow her.

Ruhi heard her words, but her brain was focused on something else to act on Harsha's words.

Harsha is a child psychologist. She knew how to handle these situations calmly.

Harsha (exhale): Exhale...

Ruhi's fingers moved a little, indicating she was listening yet she was lost in thoughts, her breaths uneven, her body trembling, her heartbeat high.

Harsha: Khush ne aaj kya kiya pata hai? (You know, what Khush did today?)

She tried to distract her.

Harsha: Krizzy se Katti karke aaya hai. Itna gusse me bata raha tha.
(He is angry with Krizzy. When he was telling me, he seemed angry)

Khush's angry yet cute face came into her eyes.

A deep shaky exhale, indicates Ruhi is coming out of her thoughts.

Anirudh, Saurav and Vidyut stood silently.

Harsha: He was angry because she doesn't like Chocolate Oreo and it's his favourite.

A soft laugh escaped her lips even as tears rolled down her cheeks.

She looked around, to see that she was in a room now. Lake isn't near her.

She blinked, trying to check the reality as more tears rolled down her cheeks

Harsha: Ruhi, inhale on the count of 4 and exhale on the count of 6.

Ruhi nodded.

Harsha (inhaling): 1 2 3 4... 1 2 3 4 5 6...

Her inhale seemed uneven and her exhale shaky but she tried.

They continued for a few more times, meanwhile, Anirudh, Saurav and Vidyut mumbling soothing words, grounding her.

Once, Ruhi calmed. Harsha pulled her in for a hug.

Ruhi (crying and hiccuping): Pani... pani me mujhe... mujhe chest... chest and throat... me... me... pain hua...

Harsha: Now, you are safe. You're okay...

Ruhi nodded, exhaling. Harsha wiped her face with the end of her dupatta.

Mihika (patting her head): Meri bachi ne shaam se kuch nahi khaya na... Bukh lagi hai?
(My baby hasn't eaten anything since evening. Are you hungry?)

Ruhi nodded a little.

Saurav immediately walked out to bring something for Ruhi.

Brothers stood beside Ruhi but they understood that at this moment, she needed Harsha and Mihika's presence and support.

Adrita was with twins. Not that she didn't want to come but kids are a priority as well.

Saurav came back with sandwiches and Ruhi's favourite mango.

Harsha and Mihika sat with Ruhi feeding and sharing random incidents of kids to distract her.

Harsha continued talking about Khush's antics while Mihika added her own complaints about him.

Despite herself, Ruhi let out a weak laugh through her tears

She completed her meal.

Anirudh (stepping forward): Rooh...

Ruhi turned to look at him. She saw a glass of water in his hand. She immediately shook her head as tears brimmed in her eyes.

Anirudh (softly): Just a little.

Ruhi again looked at the water and immediately tensed.

Anirudh (murmuring): Just one spoon.

She saw in his eyes, the familiar patience and softness.

Saurav: If you don't feel comfortable, just spit it out.

She saw Saurav, her safe home.

She hesitated before nodding.

Anirudh filled a spoon and brought it towards her.

Ruhi swallowed.

Then another spoon.

And another.

Her throat still burned, but the panic didn't return.

Harsha continued describing Khush's dramatic fight with Krizzy, refusing to let Ruhi's thoughts drift back towards the lake.

She completed half a glass and asked him to stop.

Anirudh immediately stopped, not forcing her.

She tried and drank half a glass. This was enough for the family to find peace.

Harsha: Come, let's get fresh and sleep.

Ruhi nodded, and Harsha went with Ruhi for support.

She knew, Ruhi was scared of water.

After getting fresh.

They came out. Harsha made her lie on the bed.

Vidyut: I will stay with Rooh. You all go and rest.

Ruhi held Saurav's fingers, asking him to stay.

Saurav (smirking): Vidyut, you leave. See, I am her favourite brother. She wants me to stay.

He said, pointing towards his fingers, which Ruhi was holding.

Vidyut (scoffing): Oh please! I am her favourite brother. She just understands that Adrita won't be able to handle both the kids alone. That's why.

Saurav (rolling his eyes): Whatever... Still, she chose me. So, I am her favourite.

They fought just to distract Ruhi. To give her a homely feel.

Anirudh: Stop! Let her rest.

He bends down to kiss her forehead.

Anirudh: You are home. Dada is here, princess.

Wishing her good night, they left the room.

Saurav lay beside Ruhi and cuddled with her.

After some minutes, she lay in the lap of sleep.

Saurav sighed, closing his eyes, drifting to sleep.

To be continued...