Dawn arrived slowly over Eraviputhoor.
The darkness of the forest gradually surrendered to the pale light of morning. Mist rested close to the ground, covering the narrow roads and the edges of the dense woodland in a thin silver veil.
Near the border of the restricted forest zone, a villager walking along the roadside noticed something unusual.
At first, he thought it was a fallen bundle of clothes.
Then he saw the hand.
A boy.
He was lying motionless near the boundary of the forest.
The villager immediately approached him.
"Moné…?"
No response.
He crouched beside the boy and checked whether he was breathing.
He was.
Barely.
The villager recognized him.
It was the young man who had arrived at Aachi's Hotel with Raama Varma the previous night.
Without wasting time, he called for help and brought Raaghav back toward the hotel.
Inside Aachi's Hotel, Raama Varma was already awake.
He had spent the remaining hours searching through the surrounding area after discovering that Ponmon had disappeared.
When he saw the unconscious boy being carried inside, his face went pale.
"Ponmon!"
Raama rushed forward.
They carefully placed Raaghav on one of the mattresses.
His clothes were damp with dew and dirt. His face was pale, and his hair was covered with tiny leaves and fragments of soil.
Raama knelt beside him.
"Ponmon… open your eyes."
Nothing.
His fear grew.
He took a little water and gently splashed it across Raaghav's face.
"Ponmon! Wake up!"
Raaghav's eyelids trembled.
His breathing suddenly became irregular.
He gasped.
His chest tightened.
"Chettah…"
Raama immediately understood.
"Asthma?"
Raaghav could barely nod.
Raama quickly reached for his inhaler and helped him use it.
"Slowly, Ponmon. Breathe. Don't panic."
Raaghav inhaled the medicine.
Once.
Then again.
Raama supported his back and kept him upright until his breathing gradually became steadier.
The colour slowly returned to his face.
His eyes finally focused.
He looked at Raama.
For several seconds, he simply stared.
Then he suddenly grabbed him.
"Chettah…"
Raama froze.
Raaghav buried his face against his shoulder and began crying.
Not quietly.
Not the restrained tears he had shed before.
He cried continuously.
His shoulders shook.
His breathing broke between sobs.
Raama wrapped both arms around him.
"Ponmon… njan ivide undu."
I'm here, Ponmon.
Raaghav held him tighter.
"I… I was scared, Chettah…"
Raama gently rubbed his back.
"Shhh… it's okay. You're safe now."
But even Raama could feel that something had happened.
Something Raaghav wasn't ready to explain.
Aachi watched them from the doorway.
She didn't ask questions.
Instead, she quietly went inside and brought a small brass plate.
She placed a few traditional items upon it and performed a simple protective ritual for Raaghav, moving carefully around him while murmuring prayers beneath her breath.
Raaghav sat silently.
Raama watched Aachi without interrupting.
When she finished, she touched Raaghav gently on the head.
"Now eat something, mone. You haven't eaten properly."
Raaghav nodded.
Aachi served them a hot breakfast.
The smell of freshly prepared food filled the small hotel, bringing an ordinary warmth into a morning that had been anything but ordinary.
Raama sat beside Raaghav and watched him eat.
"Slowly, Ponmon."
Raaghav managed a faint smile.
"Yes, Chettah."
For a while, neither of them spoke about the forest.
Neither asked what had happened.
Neither mentioned the restricted zone.
They simply ate.
After breakfast, Raama prepared to leave.
Raaghav collected his belongings while Aachi stood near the entrance.
"Take care, mone," she said.
Raaghav folded his hands respectfully.
"Nanni, Aachi."
Raama thanked her as well.
Then the two of them stepped outside.
The morning sun had risen above the trees.
Behind them stood Aachi's Hotel.
Ahead lay the long road back to Kalamandalam.
Raama started the bike.
Raaghav climbed onto the back seat.
Before leaving, he looked once toward the distant forest.
The restricted zone remained hidden behind layers of trees and morning mist.
For a moment, he thought he saw a tiny golden light between the branches.
A firefly.
He blinked.
It was gone.
Raaghav said nothing.
The bike began moving.
Together, Raama Varma and Raaghav started their journey back toward Kalamandalam.