Morning arrived quietly.
Too quietly.
As if the house itself was trying not to disturb something fragile.
Inside the room, the curtains were half drawn, letting in a soft, pale light that barely touched the bed.
Sasmita stood near the door for a moment before stepping in.
Her gaze moved instantly—
To her grandmother.
Dadi lay still, her breathing slow but steady now.
Not normal.
But better.
Sasmita exhaled softly, walking closer, her fingers gently brushing against the edge of the blanket.
"Dadi…" she called, her voice softer than usual.
A faint movement.
Her grandmother's eyelids fluttered slightly before opening just enough to recognize the face in front of her.
"Sasmi…" the voice was weak.
But alive.
And that—
Was enough.
Sasmita's eyes softened, relief flickering through her for the first time since last night.
"You scared everyone," she murmured, trying to keep her voice steady.
A weak smile appeared on Dadi's lips.
"Still… here," she whispered.
But Sasmita didn't smile back.
Because something else—
Still lingered in her mind.
Later—
The doctor finished his check-up, adjusting his glasses with a slight frown.
"She's stable," he said,
"…but this is temporary. We need proper treatment."
Sasmita nodded.
"I understand."
The doctor hesitated before adding—
"Whoever gave her first aid yesterday… it was precise."
A brief pause.
"Not something an untrained person would know."
That line—
Didn't help.
It made things worse.
Outside the room—
Sasmita stopped walking.
Her thoughts circling back.
Again.
And again.
America.
Worked under a doctor.
Learned a few things.
It sounded logical.
But it didn't feel real.
Her steps slowed as she noticed him—
Standing near the corridor window.
Aarav.
Calm as always.
As if last night—
Had meant nothing.
That calmness—
Irritated her again.
She walked toward him.
"You didn't tell me everything," she said directly.
Aarav didn't turn immediately.
"About what?" he asked.
"About you."
Now he looked at her.
There was no surprise in his eyes.
Only stillness.
"You said you 'learned a few things,'" she continued, her voice sharp,
"…but what you did yesterday wasn't basic knowledge."
A pause.
"That was precision."
Aarav held her gaze.
"You're overthinking."
The reply came simple.
Too simple.
Sasmita let out a small breath, shaking her head slightly.
"No," she said.
"I'm observing."
Silence stretched between them.
Because this time—
She wasn't guessing.
She was watching.
"Then keep observing," Aarav replied quietly.
No defense.
No explanation.
Just that.
Something about that answer—
Didn't satisfy her.
But it didn't give her anything to argue with either.
Before she could say anything else—
A sudden noise echoed from the hall.
A sharp flicker.
The lights dimmed for a second.
Then steadied.
Sasmita frowned.
"That's strange…"
Across the room—
Aarav's expression changed.
Barely noticeable.
But real.
Because he felt it.
Not the flicker.
But what came with it.
His phone vibrated.
Once.
A message.
He didn't open it immediately.
But he already knew.
It's starting.
Sasmita turned toward him again, noticing the shift.
"What happened?" she asked.
Aarav locked the phone.
"Nothing."
The answer came too quickly.
Too controlled.
Sasmita narrowed her eyes slightly.
Because this time—
She was sure.
Something was wrong.
And Aarav—
Was already a part of it.