Early Morning

Gauri woke up early, as always. After freshening up, she walked into the kitchen where her mother, Kishori, was making breakfast.

“Maa, I won’t have breakfast today.”

Kishori looked up.

“Are you upset about yesterday’s talk, beta?”

Gauri shook her head faintly.

“No, Maa. I just... I need time. I’ll talk to you when I come back.”

And with that, she left.

“I’ll be waiting for you, Sona!”

Kishori called after her.

Gauri smiled. Her mother’s voice still had that childlike softness. It was a reminder of how much they meant to each other—two souls against the world.

Meanwhile...

Today was Saksham’s wedding—the entire Shekhawat family was already in Chandigarh, except for Hriday. His suitcase was packed, waiting in the car.

He stood before the mirror in a navy-blue three-piece suit. His hair was perfectly styled, his sharp features accentuated. He smirked at his reflection.

Downstairs, his breakfast was ready. But something was off.

“Where is Gauri?”

Hriday asked the maid serving him.

“Sir, she left for the hospital. She seemed very tense.”

“Hospital? Why?”

“I don’t know, sir. She left in a hurry.”

Hriday frowned but nodded. After finishing his breakfast, he tried calling Gauri—no answer.

His father called to ask about his arrival time. Hriday told him he was heading to the airport.

At the airport, Hriday sat with a magazine. His flight was delayed.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

Gauri.

He answered quickly.

“H-Hello, sir...”

“Yes, Gauri?”

“Sir, can you lend me some money? I promise I’ll repay it... but I need it urgently.”

“Calm down. How much?”

“Three lakh, sir.”

Hriday hesitated for a second—then nodded to himself.
“Okay, sending it. Where are you?”

“I’m at the hospital... my mother—she had an accident... she’s inside... I don’t know what to do!”
Her voice cracked.

“I’m coming. Send me the address.”

Hriday stood up, grabbed his bag, and rushed out.

At the hospital, Gauri sat trembling outside the doctor’s chamber. Her eyes were fixed on the floor.

A voice called out.

“Gauri!”

She looked up, startled. Hriday was walking toward her.

“S-Sir?”

“How is your mother?”

“They’ve taken her for observation. The doctor asked me to wait.”

Hriday pulled out his phone.

“Hello, Mr. Bakshi? This is Hriday Singh Shekhawat. Do you have a bed for an emergency case? Good. Prepare everything.”

He cut the call and looked at Gauri, who hadn’t said a word.

A doctor approached.

“Family of Kishori Podder?”

“I’m her daughter.”

“We’ll need to operate soon. You must deposit the payment first.”

Hriday interrupted.

“We’re transferring her to a better hospital. Prepare for the move.”

The doctor warned.

“She’s lost a lot of blood. It’ll be risky to move her now.”

“No, no—we’ll stay here,”

Gauri panicked.
“Please, just do the operation. I’ll pay.”

The doctor nodded and walked away.

Hriday stepped closer.

“This isn’t the best place. I can get her admitted to one of Kolkata’s top hospitals.”

Gauri’s eyes brimmed with tears.

“Sir, I’m grateful... but please, leave me alone. I’m overwhelmed. I can’t think straight. I don’t want to be rude... just please…”

Hriday said nothing. He just watched as Gauri followed the stretcher carrying her mother.

“Gauri, ruko!”
(“Wait!”)

But she was already inside the lift.

“Where are you taking my mother?”

She asked the ward boys.

“We’re shifting her to another hospital. Orders from above.”

“Who gave you permission?! I’m her daughter—I have the right to know!”

The boys looked hesitant. Hriday finally spoke up.

“Gauri, let them do their job. I’m telling you—your mother will be okay.”

She didn't reply, only watched the saline bottle hanging, the oxygen mask on her mother’s face. She wiped her tears.

They reached one of the best hospitals in the city. Gauri and Hriday waited outside the operation room.

Hriday pulled out his phone again.

“Mr. Bakshi, where is your staff? A patient is fighting for her life and your team isn’t even present!”

“Apologies, sir. I’ll send someone immediately.”

“Do it now, or this hospital will see consequences.”

Hriday cut the call and looked at Gauri, who was now praying silently.

“Please, Bhagwan... save my Maa. I have no one else in this world…”

Hriday stood beside her, quietly.

“I don’t know how to pray,” he thought,

“but I know one thing—her mother has to be okay.”

Soon, a team of doctors arrived with Mr. Bakshi.

“Is she okay?”

Gauri asked.

“We’ll begin the operation now. Don’t worry. She’ll be fine,”

said the doctor.

“Hriday sir, please come with madam to the private lounge.”

“No. We’ll wait here,”

Hriday said firmly.

Mr. Bakshi laughed nervously.

“I’ll send someone with refreshments—”

“I don’t need anything.”

Hriday’s voice cut through the air like steel.

Bakshi quickly disappeared.

Hriday glanced at Gauri, still praying.

He didn’t know why he was here.

He didn’t need to be.

But something about the girl crying beside him—alone, desperate—felt all too familiar.

And he couldn’t leave.