Eternal Ties: The Heartfelt Journey of Rohan and Priya

10.) A promise

As Priya was still unconscious, her mother sat beside her, gently stroking her hair, her heart breaking at the sight of her daughter lying so still. Every breath Priya took was a reminder of how close they had come to losing her, and the thought sent shivers down her spine. She wiped away her tears, trying to stay strong.

Mr. Sharma stood in the corner of the room, his stern demeanor shattered. The sight of Priya, so fragile and vulnerable, had pierced through his pride, leaving him struggling with a pain he hadn't anticipated. He had always believed he was doing what was best for her, guiding her toward a future that he thought was right. But now, seeing her like this, he realized he had been blind to her pain, to her fears, and to the dreams she had kept hidden from him.

"She's just a child," her mother whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Our little princess... How could we do this to her?"

Mr. Sharma didn't respond, his eyes fixed on Priya's pale face. Every word his wife said cut deep, but he knew she was right. He had pushed her too far, and now he was faced with the possibility that he might have lost her forever.

On the other hand, Kabir was not even aware of the chaos his sister was battling alone.
(He was on a trip to rishikesh, with his friends for a week)

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Hours passed in a tense silence. Priya's breathing gradually steadied. The doctor's words echoed in Mr. Sharma's mind: "No more stress... no more pressure."

As the night deepened, Priya finally began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, the haziness of sleep and exhaustion clouding her vision. She blinked, trying to make sense of her surroundings.

"Priya, beta," her mother whispered, her voice trembling with relief. She kissed her forehead, eyes, nose and ckeeks one by one, her tears spilling onto the bedspread. "Shukar hai Kanha ji ka, unho ne mere bache ko mere pass vapis bhej diya."
(Thank you Kanha ji, you sent my child back to me.)

Priya smiled softly upon seeing her mother's presence but then her eyes landed on her father. The moment their gazes met, the pain of his harsh words hit her with full force. She quickly looked away, her heart heavy with the realization that her father, the man she had looked up to her entire life, had pushed her away when she needed him the most.

Seeing Priya turn away from him broke Mr. Sharma's heart. The distance in her eyes was a punishment he hadn't expected, and it left him feeling more helpless than ever before. He had always been the one in control, the one making the decisions. But now, he felt lost, unsure of how to bridge the rift that had opened between him and his daughter.

"Mai mandir ja k abhi aati hu." her mother said softly. She squeezed Priya's hand before standing up, her steps heavy with the weight of everything that had transpired.
(I'm going to the temple and will come back soon.)

As she left the room, Rohan entered, his comforting presence, brought a small, radiant smile to her lips. Rohan's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her smile, and he returned it with one of his own, filled with relief and tenderness.

Upon seeing Rohan entering the room, her father left, relieved that someone was with her and also he was not able to witness his daughter's hate towards him.

"How are you feeling, Priya?" Rohan asked, his voice soft, almost a whisper.

Priya tried to respond, but the words seemed to catch in her throat. She simply nodded, her eyes reflecting the turmoil still swirling inside her. She was grateful for Rohan's presence, for his patience, and for the understanding that he wouldn't press her to speak before she was ready.

He decided not to force anything, instead focusing on what Priya needed at that moment. "Here, take your medicine," he said, handing her the pills and a glass of water.