Shadow of Desires

Chapter 2-

Shadows of the past

Meher tossed and turned in her sleep, haunted by the shadows of her past. Her dreams replayed the horrific day her life changed forever. As the nightmare intensified, she woke up in a cold sweat, her heart pounding, and anxiety gripping her tightly. She felt a fever coming on, her body trembling.

-Morning:

Isha woke up early and saw her mom, Neelam, in the kitchen, muttering under her breath.

Neelam: Ye dono ladkiyan kabhi time pe nahi uthti. Kitna kaam padta hai, aur sab kuch mujhe hi karna padta hai. (These two girls never wake up on time. There's so much work, and I have to do everything myself.)

Isha: Good morning, Mom! You're up early.

Neelam: Tumne toh aaj subah uth kar mujhe hairaan kar diya. (You waking up early today shocked me.)

Isha giggles and she hurried to Meher's room to wake her up and found her burning with fever. Panicked, she called out for everyone.

Isha: Mama, Bade Papa, jaldi aao! Meher ko bohot tez bukhar hai! (Mom,uncle, come quickly! Meher has a high fever!)

Arjun rushed in, his face a mix of fear and frustration.

Arjun: Ye sab kaise hua? Meher, tum thik toh ho na? (How did this happen? Meher, are you okay?)

Neelam: Kya kar rahi thi raat ko? Tumhe apna khayal rakhna chahiye. (What were you doing last night? You need to take care of yourself.)

Anjali: Meher, tumhe pata hai tumhari tabiyat itni asaani se kharab ho jati hai. Tumhe apna dhyan rakhna chahiye. (Meher, you know how easily you get sick. You need to take care of yourself.)

The news of Meher's illness reached the Roy household. Concerned, they rushed to the Khanna house.

Diya: Meher kaisi hai, bhai? (How is Meher, brother?)

Aditya: Pata nahi, chalo jaldi chalte hain. (I don't know, let's go quickly.)

Shakuntala: Haan, chalo. (Yes, let's go.)

They reached the Khanna house, and Shakuntala, Diya, and Aditya hurried inside.

Shakuntala: Meher beti, kaise ho tum? (Meher dear, how are you?)

Aditya: Ye sab kaise hua? (How did this happen?)

Diya: Meher, tum thik toh ho na? (Meher, are you okay?)

Meher slowly woke up, her eyes fluttering open. Everyone's worried faces greeted her.

Meher: Main theek hoon. Aap logon ko tension lene ki zarurat nahi. (I'm fine. You all don't need to worry.)

Shakuntala: Oh, zaroor Aditya ne tumhe bohot daanta hoga, isliye bukhar aa gaya. (Oh, Aditya must have scolded you a lot, that's why you have a fever.)

Everyone chuckled, easing the tension.

Isha: Meher, tumhe araam karna chahiye. (Meher, you should rest.)

Arjun: Haan, thoda so jao. (Yes, get some sleep.)

Neelam: Haan, Meher, apna khayal rakho. (Yes, Meher, take care of yourself.)

Meher claimed that she wanted to sleep now & to send the dinner in her room itself

Isha: Nahi Meher, tumhe akele nahi sona chahiye. (No, Meher, you shouldn't sleep alone.)

Meher: Main theek hoon. Mujhe akele rehne do plss (I'm fine. Plss Leave me alone.)