Have you ever felt lost and alone?

Ayani and Sana played in the courtyard, their giggles echoing off the walls like tiny squeaks. They chased each other, their ponytails bouncing like two little pom-poms.

"I'm a pwincess!" Ayani exclaimed, twirling around in circles, her dress fluttering like a butterfly's wings.

"No, no! Me pwincess!" Sana said, snatching a pretend crown from Ayani's head, her eyes sparkling like glitter.

Ayani pouted, her lower lip jutting out like a tiny pink shelf. "No, me pwincess! You big silly dragon!"

Sana roared, her eyes flashing like sparklers, her arms outstretched like a big hug. "Rrr! Me give you a big squeeze, Ayani!"

Ayani squealed, running away from Sana's outstretched arms, her little legs moving like a bunny's. "No, no! Me hide!"

She hid behind a pillar, her heart beating like a drum, her eyes peeking out like a mouse's. Sana found her, and they both giggled, their laughter echoing off the walls like a happy memory.

Just then, a ringing sound came from the phone in the corner of the courtyard. Aunt Diya, Ayani's father's sister, picked it up, her eyes scanning the room as she listened to the voice on the other end.

Ayani and Sana watched, curious, as Aunt Diya's expression changed from calm to concerned. Her eyebrows furrowed, and her lips pursed, as if she was trying to hold back words.

Diya's hands trembled as she dropped the phone. Tears began to fall, like slow-moving raindrops, down her cheeks. Her gaze drifted towards Ayani, her eyes filled with a deep sorrow.

Ayani's curiosity got the better of her. She asked, in a soft, childlike tone, "What happened, Diya Auntie?"

Sana's voice was laced with concern as she asked, "Why are you crying, Diya Auntie?"

Aunt Diya's face crumpled, her lips trembling. She struggled to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. The words caught in her throat, refusing to come out.

The silence stretched out, like a slow-moving shadow, filling the space between them. Ayani and Sana exchanged worried glances, sensing something was terribly wrong.

Aunt Diya took a deep breath, her eyes locked on Ayani's. "Your mother... she's gone, Ayani."

Ayani's eyes widened, her face scrunched up in confusion. "But where did she go, Diya Auntie?"

Aunt Diya's face contorted in anguish. "She's... she's not coming back, beta."

Ayani's gaze drifted to Sana, searching for answers. But Sana's face mirrored her own confusion and fear.

Just then, Ayani's uncle rushed into the courtyard, his face ashen. "Diya, I have to go to the hospital," he said, his voice urgent.

Ayani's heart skipped a beat. "Why, Uncle?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Her uncle's eyes avoided hers, and he mumbled something about saying goodbye.

Ayani's mind raced. Goodbye? What did that mean?

Ayani ran to her grandmother with Sana following, tears streaming down her face. "Grandma, what's happening? Where's Mother? Why did Uncle say goodbye?"

Her grandmother's voice trembled. "Your father is at the hospital, Ayani. He's hurt, but he's alive. Your uncle went to see him, to say... to say goodbye to your mother."

Ayani  didn't understand what was happening.

Sana's grip on Ayani's hand tightened.
Ayani clung to her grandmother.
As they hugged, Ayani whispered, "I want my mother, Grandma. I want her to come back."