After some time,

Mihika came into Ruhi's room with a glass of water.

Ruhi's eyes fell on the water.

As Mihika took a step, the water moved slightly.

Ruhi gulped as she felt water waves around her, pulling her inside, despite her struggle to push herself out.

On the instant, she felt water choking, her breath going down.

Mihika noticed.

Keeping the glass aside. She rushed towards Ruhi.

Mihika held her hand with one hand and patted her cheek with the other.

Mihika: You are safe. Look at me. You are at home, with us. You are safe.

Ruhi felt the touch and heard the words.

She looked at Mihika, breathing heavily.

Mihika (cupping her cheeks): Don't think about that. Talk with me. Focus here...

Ruhi tried to steady her breathing, but her chest still felt tight.

Mihika (holding her hand): Come here... Listen to me...

Ruhi (trembling voice): I thought....

Tears filled her eyes.

Ruhi (with shaky breath): I thought I was in the lake again... I couldn't...

She lowered her gaze, trying to steady her breath.

Mihika's heart clenched. The way Ruhi was trying to breathe, trying to speak-Mihika felt goosebumps.

Mihika (calmly): It's over... You are here with your family.

Ruhi's breath began to steady slowly...

Ruhi (mumbling): Every time I close my eyes, I can feel it. The water... the darkness... I can't forget it.

Mihika pulled her in a hug, gently patting her back.

Ruhi's composure finally broke.

She buried her face in Mihika's shoulder and cried silently.

Mihika simply held her, allowing her to let out the fear she had been carrying inside her.

After a few minutes,

Ruhi calmed. She wasn't crying.

Mihika (cupping her cheeks): You don't have to fight alone. We are here with you. You will be fine soon. Trust yourself.

Ruhi blinked her eyes.

Mihika (sighing): It's been hours since you've sipped a single drop of water. Dehydration is not good for health.

Ruhi got quiet, not knowing what to reply.

Mihika: It's coconut water. Have it. You want me to make you drink with a spoon?

Ruhi looked down, frightening her fingers.

How pathetic and burdensome she is being.

Mihika (patting on Ruhi's cheek): Don't think negative... You know, supporting each other and being each other's pillar is what we call family. You are our child. Never think otherwise.

Ruhi's eyes welled up again.

Today, despite everything, Mihika was reminding her that she wasn't alone.

Mihika took the glass and placed it near Ruhi's lips.

Slowly, Ruhi took the first sip.

She gulped it slowly, while Mihika distracted her with random topics.

It took forty minutes for Ruhi to complete the glass.

But after the incident. This is the first time, she has completed 1 glass of water.

Mihika smiled proudly, softly brushing a strand behind Ruhi's ear.

Mihika: See, you did baby. Slowly, you have to face this fear. We are all with you.

Ruhi lowered her gaze, feeling an unfamiliar warmth spread through her chest, as she saw Mihika smiling proudly for her.

Her chest tightened.

They were celebrating something as small as drinking a glass of water.

Once upon a time, nobody needed to help her drink water.

Yet here they were, treating her victory as their own.

For Ruhi, achievement is not that she is overcoming her fear but Mihika is smiling proudly for her.

For the first time since the incident, the suffocating fear eased a little.

---

At the time of dinner...

Everyone gathered around.

Anirudh sat beside Ruhi.

He started feeding her. She was silently accepting the bites, eating them.

Everyone felt silence, an uncomfortable one.

The twins who sat on table, they came towards Ruhi.

Advik (giggling): Yuhi...

Saurav: Bua...

Advika and Advik both shook their heads in sync.

Niyati: Yes yes papa... Bua is boring... Yuhi...

Khushi (giggling): Yuhiiiiiiiii....

Khush stood up walking towards Ruhi.

He placed his hand on her forehead.

Khush (nodding in a serious tone): No fever...

Vidyut (chuckling): Doctor, any medicine?

Khush pouted angrily.

Adrita gestured to him to come towards her. He jumped towards Adrita.

Adrita (whispering in Khush's ear): Say, I will give you a prescription.

Khush grinned nodding.

Khush (acting like doctor): I will give you pre-....

He groaned not able to pronounce.

Khush: I will give you my name.

Anirudh (pulling Khushi's cheeks): Rooh has a personal doctor at home.

Khush puffed his chest, proudly.

Ruhi was staring at them. Her eyes brimmed with tears, orbs shining.

She gulped the lump before ruffling Khush's hair.

Not words...

---

Next morning...

After everyone left for work or the office.

Harsha, Adrita with twins and Ruhi were home.

When Nayan came...

He met Harsha and Adrita in the living area.

Nayan: Bhabhi, how's Ruhi?

Harsha: She is improving...

Nayan: Can I meet her?

Harsha narrowed her eyes.

Nayan (nervously): Fine! Fine!! I am going...

He walked into Ruhi's room.

Ruhi was sitting at the study table, randomly scribbling on a book.

Nayan knocked on the door.

Ruhi turned to see him.

He walked towards Ruhi. Sitting on the table, opposite her.

Nayan (ruffling her hair): What's up Ruhi Chuhi...

Ruhi gave him a forced smile, settling her hair.

Nayan paused at her reaction.

Usually, she would hit him for spoiling her hair.

Nayan (holding her hands): Ruhi, you are assuming a lot because of some random person.

Ruhi stared at him.

Nayan (softly): You are Ruhi Rajput. Sister of Anirudh Rajput, Saurav Rajput and Vidyut Rajput. Granddaughter of Shalini Rajput.

Ruhi (shaking her head): Burden for them.

Nayan: You know Shalini Dadi, she is a self-made woman. She lost her husband after around 4-5 years of marriage. Since then, she had been building herself all alone.

He rubbed her knuckles.

Nayan: You are her Granddaughter, Ruhi Rajput. Neither did she need someone to make her identity, nor did her Ruhi.

Ruhi (with trembling lips): I failed her.

Nayan: You didn't... You proved her always, you are her pride.

Ruhi blinked her eyes, trying to control her tears.

Nayan: He stained his mother's name. But she knew the stain was never meant for her to carry. So, she started her life with dignity and her loved ones.

Ruhi was looking at the scribbling, processing his words.

The mess she put on the paper...

Nayan (sighing): You are an important part of our family. We need you on every step of our life beside us.

Ruhi (still looking at scribbling): Even when I am messy?

Nayan: Yes! However, your real version is. We just need you.

Her grip loosened around the pen.

To be continued...