The house didn’t sleep that night.
It just… waited.
Yashvi had locked herself in her room.
No sound.
No response.
Just silence.
Everyone assumed the same thing—
She was shaken from what happened.
And yes…
That was true.
But not the whole truth.
Outside her room—
Aarav sat on the floor.
Back against the wall.
Eyes fixed on the closed door.
He hadn’t moved.
Not once.
“Bhai… you should rest,” Aditya said softly.
Aarav didn’t look at him.
“I’m fine.”
“You’ve been here the whole night.”
“I said I’m fine.”
That was the end of that conversation.
Inside the room—
Deepika sat beside Yashvi on the bed.
Gently holding her hand.
Yashvi hadn’t cried loudly.
Hadn’t spoken much either.
Just silent tears.
And distant eyes.
Deepika watched her quietly.
And something inside her… tightened.
Because she had seen this before.
That kind of silence.
That kind of breaking.
It reminded her—
Of herself.
Of the time when she and Aarav had broken apart.
When everything looked normal outside—
But inside, everything had collapsed.
And now—
Yashvi.
The girl who filled every room with laughter.
Who never stopped talking.
Who was the sunshine of this house—
Was sitting in front of her like this.
Dim.
Fading.
It scared her.
Deepika took a deep breath.
No panic.
No overreaction.
Just… presence.
She adjusted the blanket around Yashvi gently.
“I’m here,” she said softly.
No pressure.
No questions.
Just care.
After a while—
Yashvi leaned slightly toward her.
Barely.
But enough.
Deepika smiled faintly.
Because sometimes—
Healing starts with just that.
Downstairs
Anita refused to eat.
Rishi wasn’t any better.
Aditya kept pacing.
The whole house felt heavy.
Deepika came down quietly.
“Uncle… aunty,” she said softly.
“You both need to eat something.”
“No beta… not right now,” Anita whispered.
Deepika walked closer.
“For her.”
They looked at her.
“She’ll need you both strong tomorrow,” she said gently.
A pause.
Then slowly—
They agreed.
She made sure they ate.
Sat with them.
Stayed calm.
Held everything together—
Without making it obvious.
Later—
She checked on Aditya too.
“Relax,” she told him. “She’s strong.”
Aditya nodded, though worry still filled his eyes.
Only after making sure everyone was okay—
Deepika went back upstairs.
Aarav was still there.
Same place.
Same position.
“You didn’t move?” she asked quietly.
He shook his head.
“How is she?”
Deepika looked at the door.
“She’ll be okay.”
A pause.
Then softer—
“She just needs time.”
Aarav nodded.
That was enough for him.
Morning
The sunlight felt different.
Too normal.
For a house that had changed overnight.
Yashvi opened her door slowly.
Her eyes slightly swollen.
But calmer.
Quiet.
Aarav stood up instantly.
Like he had been waiting for this exact moment.
She walked downstairs.
Everyone looked at her.
Relief.
Worry.
Love.
All at once.
Before anyone could say anything—
Aarav reached her.
And pulled her into a tight hug.
“Barbie…” his voice was low, but steady.
Yashvi’s grip tightened around him.
Like she needed that.
“I made sure they see hell,” he said quietly.
His jaw clenched slightly.
“Don’t be scared.”
Yashvi closed her eyes.
Tears forming again—
But these weren’t the same as last night.
Because this—
This was safety.
“I’m okay, bhai…” she whispered.
Even if she wasn’t.
Aarav pulled back slightly, looking at her carefully.
He didn’t push.
Didn’t question.
Just gently tapped her head.
“You’re stronger than this.”
From behind—
Aditya spoke, trying to lighten the mood.
“Moti, you scared us yaar.”
Yashvi gave a faint smile.
“Sorry…”
Deepika walked forward, holding a bowl.
“I made soup,” she said softly. “You have to finish it.”
Yashvi looked at her.
And for the first time—
A real, small smile appeared.
“Okay, bhabhi.”
Everyone relaxed a little.
Just a little.
But no one noticed—
The way Yashvi’s eyes flickered for a second.
Toward the door.
Like she was expecting someone.
Or hoping not to see someone.
Because some fears…
Don’t come from the outside.
They come from the heart.
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