Kartik, a bright and talented medical student whose life takes turns he never expected. Trauma caused in his life makes him sail through the most unexpected life he had ever imagined as a merit-list student. His struggle to cope with academics, rela...
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Kartik sat in his dimly lit room, staring at the ceiling. The weight of the past few weeks pressed down on him like a heavy blanket. His mother still lay unconscious in the hospital, and each day was unbearable to count. All these thoughts were mixed with worry, guilt, and more helplessness than he could ever muster. He couldn’t recall eating a full meal or getting a decent night’s sleep.
Sakshi had been wearing her brave face, but even she wasn’t that anymore. The sleepiness always kept her eyes red because of crying or lack of sleep. The sibling banter now had become silence with forced smiles.
Kartik exhaled another deep sigh as he turned around and picked his phone from the table. He saw a pop up an unread message from Rutuja.
He looked at the words, his throat contracting. Rutuja had always known that something wasn’t right. She could read him like an open book, but at that moment, he didn’t want anyone to see the mess he has turned into. Talking about his mother or the situation sounded like making it more tangible, more real than he was ready to face.
He didn't notice It either because his mind was still preoccupied. And then there was a knock on the door.
“Kartik, it’s me,” Sakshi said softly from the other side. She didn’t wait for him to reply; instead, she pushed the door open and stepped inside. Her hair was tied in a messy bun and looked like she had been worn down by weeks of worrying. Her usual energy had been leeched out. She sat down on the edge of his bed.
“Can’t keep on doing this to yourself,” she said gently but firmly. “I know you are trying to deal with everything in your own way, but this is not healthy. You are barely eating, and I know you’re not speaking to anyone at all. Not even Rutuja.” Kartik sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Fine, Sakshi. I just need. Time.”
Sakshi shook her head. “You say that for days, baba. I know you’re hurting. We all are. But locking yourself up is not going to fix things. Rutuja’s been inquiring about you, and so has Meera."
The mention of the name Meera had him stiffen up. They hadn’t been discussing much since he took his drop year. She moved on with her medical studies, and he stayed stuck, his life seeming to come to a pause. The thought of talking to her now made his stomach twist.
“I don’t want to drag her into this,” he muttered.
Sakshi raised an eyebrow. “Drag her into what? She is concerned about you. That’s not something you ‘drag’ someone into. It is something friends do.”
Kartik didn’t respond to her. He knew she was correct but it did nothing in helping him improve the situation. Everything felt so suffocating, and he didn’t know how to deal with anything. Sakshi slowly stood up and placed a soft hand over his shoulder.
“Just. Think about it, okay?” she murmured. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”
Before Kartik could respond, they both heard a knock at the front door.
