CANVAS OF COURAGE [Ongoing]

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Harshvardhan pulled her closer, his own body trembling slightly. He pressed his lips into a thin line, his silence heavy as he struggled to keep his composure. I can't fall apart—not now. 

He gently rubbed her back in slow circles, his movements soothing but mechanical, as though his body moved on its own while his mind was a whirlwind of dread.

"She's strong, Leela," Ramesh murmured, his voice barely audible but filled with quiet conviction. "Sanvi is strong. She'll get through this." But his gaze flicked toward the operation theater, the red light above the door casting an eerie glow that seemed to mock his words. Please.

Kaira remained close, glancing at both of them with pang of sympathy.  She placed a hand on the Leela's shoulder and said softly, "Aunty, everything will be fine."

Arya, though silent, stood and reached for Leela's hand, squeezing it gently. It was a small gesture, but one that carried a world of solidarity. 

The group sat together in a fragile circle of hope and despair, their hearts heavy with the weight of fear as they waited for any sign, any word, that might bring them relief.

As Seconds becomes minutes, and minutes stretch into hour, the weight of fear and anxiety lingers, refusing to ease.

The red light above the operation theater finally turned off, and the door opened with a soft creak. All heads snapped toward it as Dr. Ravi Rai stepped out, his expression calm but serious. The group rushed toward him, their breaths caught in their throats, each of them clinging to the fragile hope that the news would be good.

"Doctor, are they alright?" Eshan asked urgently, his voice trembling despite his attempt to appear composed. Arya's hand clutched at his arm tightly, and Kaira stepped forward, her face pale but expectant.

Dr. Rai raised a hand, his tone reassuring. "Everything is fine. Both are stable now. They inhaled a significant amount of smoke, which caused their unconsciousness, but there's no lasting damage. His hand injury has also been treated—it was minor, and there's no cause for concern. Right now, they're resting, but they'll wake up soon. you can meet them after they move to ward."

The collective exhale from the group was almost audible. Arya let out a sob of relief, covering her mouth as tears brimmed in her eyes. "Thank God," she whispered, her legs feeling weak beneath her.  

Eshan placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her, his own chest loosening as he released the breath, he hadn't realized he was holding. "Thank you, Doctor," he said, his voice thick with gratitude.

"They'll need rest and care," Dr. Rai continued, his gaze softening as he looked at them. "You can take them home tomorrow after they're discharged. But for now, let them sleep—they've been through a lot."

Kaira nodded, looking at her father and said, "Papa she will be fine, right?" Her eyes lingered on her father, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through her usual calm. Dr. Rai turned to her, stepping closer. His voice lowered as he addressed her directly, his tone warm with quiet reassurance. "Don't worry, Kaira betu. They're going to be just fine. And you've been strong through all of this. You did well betu."

Kaira's composure wavered for just a moment, her lips trembling as she tried to respond. "Thank you," she murmured softly, her voice barely audible. She looked down, blinking away the tears threatening to spill.

Dr. Rai placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "They'll need you," he said gently. "But don't forget to take care of yourself too." With that, he gave her a small nod, his presence steadying them all, before walking away to attend to his duties.