Chapter 42

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The doctor stood at the end of Saakshi’s bed, glancing between Aadhi and Anjali as he gently explained the discharge options.

Doctor:
We’ve monitored her recovery closely. The vitals are stable now. Medically, she’s fit to be discharged. From here, we have two paths — either she continues her rehab from home with a full-time caretaker or… she stays under our post-trauma care center here for extended support and physiotherapy.

Anjali (softly):
She’ll come home. We’ll manage everything, Doctor.

She turned to Saakshi with a warm, reassuring smile.

Anjali (sincerely):
I won’t strain. There’ll be a nurse. I’ll just stay nearby. You’ll have everything you need, Saakshi.

But Saakshi didn’t smile back.

She was silent. Her jaw clenched.

Aadhi (firmly):
You’re coming home, ma. That’s not up for discussion. We’ve arranged everything already.”

Still, Saakshi didn’t speak.

Until—

Saakshi (flatly):
I don’t want to go.”

The air changed.

Aadhi (blinking):
What?”

Saakshi (louder):
I don’t want to go home.”

Anjali (gently):
Saakshi… why? We’ve already—

Saakshi (cutting in, voice cracking):
Because I don’t want to be a burden!”

Aadhi’s brows furrowed. Anjali’s face fell.

Saakshi (raising her voice, tears rising):
Anni, you’re pregnant. You’re already exhausted. Aadhi has work, Aaru, you, the baby… and I— I’ll just be one more responsibility neither of you asked for!”

Aadhi (sternly):
“You’re not a burden. Nee ennoda thangachi. ”

Saakshi (desperate, voice trembling):
Then why can’t I choose what to do in it?! Why is everyone deciding for me like I can’t think anymore?!”

Her voice cracked open, spilling every emotion she had swallowed since the fall.

Saakshi (shouting):
I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t ask for pity, or people hovering like I might fall apart every second. I just want… space. Control over something. Can’t I even have that?!

Tears spilled freely now. Her chest heaved. The nurse at the door instinctively paused, sensing the weight of the moment.

Anjali took a step forward, her hand hovering helplessly.

Anjali (softly):
But you won’t be alone—

Saakshi (whispers, broken):
“I am alone.”

Silence.

Saakshi (sobbing):
I can’t walk. I can’t sleep. I close my eyes and I hear that horn again. I feel my body falling. Every day, I’m waking up in a body I don’t recognize— and now, I don’t even get to decide where I go next?”

Aadhi’s throat bobbed, his eyes heavy with unshed tears, but his expression remained tight.

Aadhi (quietly, but firm):
I’m not leaving you here.”

Saakshi (voice trembling):
Then what? You’ll drag me home against my will? Put a smile on my face, feed me like I’m five again, and pretend I’m okay when I’m not?

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