After school ended, life moved forward quietly.
There was no excitement.
No big change.
Just a new routine.
Aarvika continued her studies.
New place.
New environment.
But inside—
she was still the same.
Quiet.
Careful.
Distant.
Days passed normally.
Until slowly—
things started changing.
At first, it was just weakness.
She felt tired more often.
Even without doing much.
Then came fever.
It didn't seem serious in the beginning.
Just something normal.
But it didn't go away.
Days passed.
And instead of getting better—
she started feeling worse.
Her body became weak.
She felt dizzy.
Even simple things started feeling difficult.
Then came vomiting.
And stomach pain.
Now it was no longer something she could ignore.
Her family took her to a nearby clinic.
Medicines were given.
Tests were done.
But nothing improved.
Instead—
her condition kept getting worse.
When the reports came—
everything changed.
Her blood level was very low.
The doctor said it was severe jaundice.
It was serious.
Very serious.
Her family immediately took her to a hospital.
They spent the whole day there.
Waiting.
Moving around.
Trying to get proper treatment.
But nothing clear happened.
No proper care.
No urgency.
Time was passing—
but her condition was not stable.
At night—
they decided to go to a private hospital.
But things didn't get easier.
There were no beds.
They went to one hospital.
Then another.
Then another.
Three hospitals.
Still no bed.
Her condition was getting worse.
And there was still no place.
Finally—
they found one hospital where she could be admitted.
That night—
everything changed.
She was admitted immediately.
Tests started.
Medicines were given.
Doctors came and checked her condition.
But things were not normal.
Her pain increased.
Her body felt weak.
She didn't understand everything.
But she knew—
something was very wrong.
The next day—
doctors said something her family wasn't ready to hear.
She needed surgery.
And urgently.
Her blood level was too low.
They needed blood.
A lot of blood.
Twelve units.
Her family called relatives.
Friends.
Anyone who could help.
Some people refused.
Some agreed.
But slowly—
people came forward.
Blood was arranged.
And then—
she was taken to the operation room.
It was her first time.
She was scared.
The doctors tried to calm her.
They talked to her.
Then anesthesia was given.
But even after that—
she could feel pain.
She cried.
But slowly—
everything went blank.
After the operation—
she was shifted to her room.
But at night—
her condition became worse.
She had difficulty breathing.
Everything felt heavy.
Doctors rushed.
And she was shifted to ICU.
She was alone.
No family.
No familiar face.
Just machines.
And silence.
She couldn't walk properly.
Her body was weak.
One time—
she tried to go to the washroom.
But she couldn't stand.
She fell.
She cried.
And someone helped her get up.
That moment—
she felt completely helpless.
Days passed in ICU.
She couldn't talk to her parents.
Couldn't see them properly.
And then—
doctors said something again.
Another surgery was needed.
Her parents agreed.
But during the operation—
her condition became critical.
She couldn't breathe.
Her heartbeat increased.
Everything became chaotic.
Doctors started panicking.
They stopped the operation.
She was rushed back to ICU.
Her condition was not stable.
Her parents decided to change the hospital.
She was taken in an ambulance.
A doctor was with her.
It was an emergency.
At the new hospital—
everything started quickly.
Tests.
Treatment.
Preparation.
And then—
another surgery.
At night.
This time—
she was unconscious.
Doctors worked on her.
Her life was at risk.
Doctors said—
it was difficult for her to survive.
But her parents didn't give up.
They told doctors to try everything.
That night—
she saw something she had never seen before.
Her father crying.
Quietly.
Trying to hide it.
But she saw it.
For the first time—
she understood how serious everything was.
After some days—
she was again in ICU.
Weak.
Scared.
One night—
she removed her oxygen mask.
Nurses came and tied her hands.
She cried.
But then promised she wouldn't do it again.
They untied her.
Slowly—
her condition started improving.
She was shifted to a normal ward.
She started walking again.
Step by step.
Slowly—
her body responded.
Days passed.
She stayed in the hospital for one month.
And then—
she was discharged.
When she came home—
everything felt different.
Her family was relieved.
But inside—
something had changed.
She had seen something she couldn't forget.
Life.
And death.
Very closely.
And from that moment—
nothing felt the same anymore.