Shadows of Same Face

Chapter Four: The Unraveling

The sun filtered through the curtains of Dhruv’s room, casting long shadows across the floor. The atmosphere was tense, filled with the quiet hum of concern. Dhruv lay motionless on the large bed, his face pale, his breaths shallow but steady. At his side sat Misthi, his little sister, her small hand gripping his, refusing to let go.

Anumita paced the room, her eyes red from sleeplessness and worry. “How could this happen?” she whispered under her breath, her voice cracking as she turned to her husband, Anand. “Everything was fine last night. He was perfectly healthy… then this.”

Anand Kapoor stood by the window, his strong presence weighed down by the helplessness he felt. His jaw clenched as he stared out at the lush garden below, but he had no answers for his wife. Dhruv was the pride of the Kapoor family—their eldest son, strong and dependable. This wasn’t supposed to happen, not to him. Not now.

Sneha’s soft voice broke the silence. “He’ll wake up, right, Papa? He’s going to be okay?”

Anand turned to his daughter, forcing a reassuring smile, though his heart ached seeing the fear in her eyes. He knelt beside her and stroked her hair gently. “Of course, Sneha. Your brother is strong. He’s going to be fine.”

But deep down, Anand wasn’t so sure. The doctors had found no reason for Dhruv’s sudden collapse, and with each passing hour, his worry only grew.

Just as the tension seemed to thicken, a knock at the door drew their attention. Nandini stood in the doorway, her face pale and tear-streaked, her eyes swollen from crying. She rushed inside, followed closely by her parents, Raman and Anandita Bansal.

“How is he?” Nandini asked, her voice trembling. She had been by Dhruv’s side all night but had gone home briefly at her parents’ insistence.

Anumita stepped forward, her voice tight with emotion. “No change,” she said quietly. “The doctors don’t know what’s wrong. They’re running more tests, but…”

Nandini moved toward the bed, her heart sinking as she saw Dhruv’s still form. She knelt by his side, taking his hand in hers. “Dhruv,” she whispered, her voice thick with unshed tears. “Please… wake up. We were supposed to start our life together. Don’t leave me like this.”

Sneha looked up at Nandini, her own eyes wide with worry. “He’ll be okay, right, Nandini Di? He’ll wake up?”

Nandini forced a smile for Sneha’s sake. “Of course, Nehu. He’ll wake up. He has to.”

But as she looked down at Dhruv, a creeping dread gnawed at her. Something about last night didn’t feel right. She replayed the events in her mind—the laughter, the celebration, everything had been perfect until Dhruv collapsed. And then there was Tarini…

Nandini’s thoughts darkened as her sister’s face flashed in her mind. Tarini had been… off that night. She had been unusually quiet, watching the engagement ceremony from the shadows, her face an unreadable mask. And then there was that moment when Dhruv had nearly drunk the wine Tarini had given him.

Could she have…?

Nandini shook her head, trying to push the thought away. No, she couldn’t think like that. Tarini was her sister, her twin. She wouldn’t… she couldn’t.

But the doubt refused to leave her mind.

Just as Nandini was lost in thought, the door opened again, and Tarini stepped in, her expression cool and composed. “What’s happening?” she asked, her voice steady, almost too calm given the circumstances.

Anumita’s gaze shifted to her, suspicion flickering in her eyes. She had noticed the strange tension between the sisters last night but had dismissed it as typical sibling rivalry. Now, seeing Tarini standing there, completely unfazed by Dhruv’s condition, she couldn’t help but wonder.

“We’re waiting for the doctors,” Anumita replied, her voice tight. “But Dhruv hasn’t woken up yet.”

Tarini’s gaze moved to Dhruv, her lips curving into a small frown, though her eyes betrayed little emotion. “That’s unfortunate,” she said softly. “I hope he recovers soon.”

Nandini’s heart twisted painfully at her sister’s words. There was something so… detached about the way Tarini spoke, as if she didn’t truly care. And that was when Nandini knew. The seed of doubt that had been planted in her mind took root.

“Tarini,” Nandini said, her voice wavering as she rose to her feet. She took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. “What did you do?”

The room fell silent, everyone turning to look at Nandini in shock. Tarini’s expression didn’t change, though a flicker of something—annoyance, perhaps?—crossed her face.

“What are you talking about, Nandini?” Tarini asked, her voice cool. “I didn’t do anything.”

Nandini’s hands trembled, but she stood her ground, her eyes locked on her sister. “You gave Dhruv that drink last night. He nearly drank it before I stopped him. What was in it, Tarini? What did you do?”

Tarini’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing in them. “You’re accusing me? Of hurting Dhruv?”

Nandini’s heart raced, but she nodded, her voice shaking. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. I know you’ve been angry, I know you didn’t want this engagement to happen, but to go this far…”

Tarini stepped closer, her voice low and menacing. “Be very careful with your words, Nandini. You don’t want to make accusations you can’t take back.”

Anandita, sensing the rising tension, stepped forward, placing a hand on Nandini’s arm. “Nandini, please. This isn’t the time for this. Dhruv needs us to stay strong.”

But Nandini couldn’t stop herself. “No, Mom. Something’s wrong. I know it.”

Before anyone could respond, a soft groan filled the room, cutting through the tense silence. All eyes turned toward the bed, where Dhruv’s fingers twitched, and his eyelids fluttered.

"Bhai!?” Sneha whispered, her eyes widening in hope.

Dhruv’s breathing deepened, his chest rising and falling more steadily. Slowly, his eyes opened, squinting against the light. His gaze flickered around the room, confusion clouding his expression.

Nandini rushed to his side, tears streaming down her face. “Dhruv! You’re awake!”

But as Dhruv’s eyes settled on her, something shifted in his expression. His brow furrowed, and a look of uncertainty crossed his face.

“Nandini?” he rasped, his voice weak.

Nandini nodded, squeezing his hand. “Yes, I’m here. I’m right here.”

Dhruv blinked slowly, as if trying to piece something together. “What happened? Last night… I remember… Tarini…”

The room fell into a heavy silence. Tarini’s face remained impassive, though her eyes narrowed slightly.

“What about Tarini?” Nandini asked softly, her heart racing.

Dhruv’s gaze moved to Tarini, his confusion deepening. “I… I don’t remember. But something… something wasn’t right.”

Nandini’s heart sank. Dhruv couldn’t remember clearly, but his instinct was there. Something had happened between him and Tarini last night, but what?

As Dhruv’s strength slowly returned, the room remained tense, filled with unanswered questions. And as Tarini stood in the corner, her expression unreadable, the air around her seemed to grow colder.

What had Tarini done? And why?

The truth remained elusive, buried beneath layers of secrets and lies, but one thing was certain—this was only the beginning.