In the hushed classroom, Avni's world turned upside down as the principal's urgent summon of her pierced the tranquil air. With a heart thudding in her chest, she hastily gathered her belongings, her mind a whirl of anxious thoughts. Led by her concerned teacher, she made her way to the office.
Her brother's tear-stained face and her father's grim demeanor set the stage for a foreboding reality she couldn't comprehend. As her elder sibling, always the pillar of strength, wept silently, Avni's confusion deepened. Dad, what's wrong?" Avni's voice trembled with fear as she approached them. In a moment of instinct, Avni reached out to her father, seeking comfort in his embrace. His touch, though brief, conveyed a world of emotion as he gathered them both, urgent and resolute, leading them towards the waiting car. The touch of his hand, usually reassuring, now felt laden with an unspoken burden that sent shivers down her spine. Her father's gaze met hers, a mixture of sadness and determination flickering in his eyes. Without a word, he took Avni and her brother by the hand, leading them out of the school with a sense of urgency.
A gentle pat on her head from her class teacher. " poor kids" . Their teacher she said under her breath then her eyes glistening with unshed tears, only added to the sense of foreboding that gripped young Avni's heart. As they sped towards an unknown destination, her queries met with silence, her father's gaze fixed ahead as if chasing shadows. As they hurried towards the car, Avni's mind raced with questions. Her brother's silent tears spoke volumes, and the heaviness in her father's steps filled her with unease.
"Where are we going, Dad? What's happening?" Avni's voice quivered with uncertainty, but her father remained silent, lost in his own thoughts. Upon arriving at the hospital, Avni's eyes widened in shock as she saw her mother, her usually vibrant presence now subdued by tears. Her brother's voice cracked as he explained the situation, and Avni felt a wave of emotions crash over her. "What's wrong with Mom?" Avni's voice broke as tears welled up in her eyes. Her brother's words hung heavy in the air as he revealed the truth " our sisters are gone Avni". Harsh says crying. Avni's heart shattered into a million pieces. She clung to her family, seeking solace in their shared grief.
As the night deepened, Avni found herself in a world of turmoil and sorrow, her dreams haunted by the echoes of pain and loss. She tossed and turned in her bunk bed, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her like a suffocating blanket. All of a sudden Avni's eyes snapped open, the darkness of the room enveloping her like a comforting embrace. She realized with a jolt that it had all been a nightmare, a figment of her imagination woven from the threads of her deepest fears. In the silent darkness of her room, she clung to the remnants of that dream, the emotions raw and vivid even in wakefulness.
As Avni stirred from her nightmare, tears trickling down her cheeks, she rose from her bed because she wanted to pee and quietly descended the ladder of her bunk. In the dimly lit room, she noticed her friends were all deep asleep. With a heavy heart, she made her way to the bathroom. The moon's gentle glow was the only source of light, casting eerie shadows around her. Closing the stall door behind her, she was engulfed by an unsettling odor that lingered in the air, a noxious blend of grease and neglect. Her heart raced as she hesitantly called out, "Hello? Who's there?"
The sound of running water intensified her anxiety, each drop echoing in the silent room. Avni's nerves were on edge as she cautiously pushed open the bathroom stall, revealing the faucet still gushing water. As she reached to turn it off, a sudden grip on her arm sent a shockwave of fear through her. "Boo!" exclaimed Lola mischievously, causing Avni to let out a startled scream before Lola hushed her with a playful grin. "Lolaaaaaa Don't do that to me, Lola! I was genuinely scared," Avni having mix of relief and lingering fear in her voice.
Despite Avni's reproach, Lola couldn't help but chuckle at her prank. "I saw you heading to the bathroom and decided to have a bit of fun," Lola confessed, her laughter infectious. Avni, still catching her breath, managed a smile and forgave her friend, understanding the harmless intent behind Lola's playful scare. Together, they returned to their bunks, the night once again quiet and serene, laughter lingering in the air as they settled back into the comforting embrace of sleep.
