JAAN ( Darr 2 )

As the weeks passed, Kiran felt the walls of their new home closing in on her. In India, her days had been filled with the warmth of familiarity—family, friends, and the bustle of life just outside her door. 

There had always been something to do, somewhere to go, someone to talk to. But here, in Switzerland, she felt like she was floating in a vast, empty sea, with no anchor to hold her steady.

The silence was oppressive, pressing down on her until it was hard to breathe.

She would stare at the clock, counting the minutes until Sunil would come home, but even then, the emptiness didn't fully disappear.

 The routine she tried to build for herself, writing letters, knitting, and cooking felt hollow, mere distractions from the aching void that seemed to grow with each passing day.

Kiran felt like she was fading into the background of her own life.

She missed the comforting chaos of her old life, the constant hum of activity that kept her mind occupied and her heart at ease.

Now, the hours stretched endlessly, with nothing but the echo of her own thoughts to keep her company.

 But as most of the time they were tainted with her past trauma, it wasn't pleasant to be alone with them.

The streets outside were foreign, the language unfamiliar, and the faces that passed by were distant, indifferent. Even the beauty of the mountains could not soothe the loneliness that had taken root in her heart.

This was the state of things when One evening, as Kiran was flipping through the local newspaper, her eyes caught on an advertisement for research assistant positions at the botanical research institute in Grutenburg.

The idea sparked something in her, a tiny flicker of excitement she hadn't felt in weeks. Later, over dinner, she casually brought it up to Sunil, trying to sound nonchalant.

"There's a vacancy for research assistants at the institute in Grutenburg," she said, testing the waters.

Sunil barely looked up from his plate, his expression indifferent. "Why do you need to work? We have enough money."

Kiran felt a pang of frustration but tried to keep her tone calm and reasonable.

 "It's not about the money, Sunil. I just feel so alone at home. It would be good to have something to do, something that makes me feel useful.

I have a bachelor's degree in science, with a specialization in botany. It seems a shame to waste it. Besides, I'm not even sure I'd get the job, but if I do, it would be a nice change. Please, Sunil..."

She watched his face, hoping for some sign of encouragement, but his expression remained impassive. He shrugged slightly, clearly uninterested.

"Okay, if you want it so much, I won't say anything about it," he finally said, his voice flat.

Kiran smiled, though his lack of enthusiasm stung. "Thank you," she said softly

She did get the job in the end, and she couldn't have been happier with her decision. For the first time in what felt like ages, she felt she had a real sense of purpose.

 The work was engaging, and she quickly found that she fit in well with her co-workers.

Her duties were enjoyable, a perfect balance of challenge and ease that made each day something to look forward to.

The research center was conveniently close to her home, just a short ten-minute bus ride away.

The commute gave her a brief, peaceful moment to herself, a time when she could transition from the quiet of her flat to the lively buzz of the institute.