Shadows Of The Stumps

Chapter - 85

The house was bursting with life and joy. Balloons adorned the walls, streamers hung from the ceilings, and laughter filled the air. Rohit's residence was alive with celebration, the perfect welcome home for their newest family member. The children were running around, their energy infectious, while the adults reveled in the happiness of the moment.

Meera entered quietly, her uniform still crisp, her steps measured. Her eyes were bloodshot, exhaustion and grief etched into her features. The pain from her injuries had started to intensify, but she barely registered it. The weight of her emotions numbed everything else.

It was Hardik who noticed her first. He froze mid-laugh, his expression immediately softening as he took in her state. He could see it in her eyes, the silent storm brewing beneath her stoic exterior.

Rohit noticed the shift in the atmosphere. He turned, his smile faltering as he saw Meera standing in the doorway. "Meeru," he called out gently. "What's wrong?"

Meera's eyes darted around the room. The children were still playing, their laughter a sharp contrast to the heaviness in her heart. She caught Ritika's eye, and Ritika immediately understood.

"Okay, chalo," Ritika said, clapping her hands to gather the kids' attention. "Time for the baby's nap. And you all should rest too."

There were protests, but Ritika's gentle firmness won out. She led the children away, and within minutes, the house was quiet again. When she returned, she found Meera seated on the couch, surrounded by Rohit, Hardik, Anushka, and Athiya. The tension in the room was palpable, everyone waiting for her to speak.

Meera's hands rested on her knees, her fingers clutching the fabric of her uniform. Her voice was barely above a whisper when she started.

"Ayan and Arya..." She stopped, her breath hitching. She swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on a spot on the floor. "They didn't make it back."

The words hung in the air, a heavy silence settling over the room. Rohit's face fell, his eyes widening in disbelief. Anushka covered her mouth, her hand trembling. Ritika and Athiya were equally shocked, trying to make sense of what she had just spoken. 

"What?" Rohit's voice was hoarse. "What are you saying, Meeru?"

Meera took a shaky breath, forcing herself to continue. "We lost them on the mission. They... they didn't make it back. Ayan—he—he protected Arya till the end, but..." Her voice cracked, and she couldn't finish the sentence.

Ritika leaned back, her hand running through her hair as she tried to process the news. "No... no, that can't be..."

"And Arjun," Meera said, her voice trembling. "He's in the hospital. He's unconscious, but... he's alive."

Hardik clenched his fists, his jaw tight as he looked away, trying to control his emotions. Rohit continued "Meera," he said quietly, his voice heavy with concern. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"I couldn't," Meera admitted, her voice breaking. "You had just had a child and the kids... I couldn't take away your happiness. Not now. Not when you're celebrating."

Ritika flinched, her voice trembling with barely contained frustration. "You're not taking our happiness, Meera. But how could you think it was a wise decision to hide something like this from us?"

Meera's resolve faltered for a moment, but she steadied herself and got up, moving to kneel in front of Rohit and Ritika. Her hands clasped their hands together tightly as she spoke, her voice heavy with exhaustion and grief.

"I know," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I'm sorry. But even I didn't know at first. I was unconscious. When Harry and SKY found me, I was still processing the news." She paused, her gaze flicking to Harry, who stood silently, his jaw tight.