The next morning in Nandanpur was harsh and dry. The monsoon clouds had left behind cracked earth and sweltering air. At Ishanvi's house, the kitchen was completely empty. No rice, no lentils, not even leftover roti crumbs.
Sunita stared at the empty tin and sighed. "There's nothing left," she whispered to herself, not wanting to wake the children. She and Rajesh had tried asking for some credit at the ration shop the previous night, but the shopkeeper refused—again.
By the time the children woke up, it was already time to leave for school. They all got ready in silence. The usual playful chatter was missing. Ishanvi clutched her stomach quietly, hiding the weakness with a bright smile.
"We're fine," she told herself. "It's just one day."
But even Raghav, the always-hungry one, didn't ask for anything to eat. He just tied his shoelaces and said, "Let's go."
Across the road, Abhay was watching them closely. Neha, his mother, stood behind him.
"They didn't eat again, did they?" she asked softly.
Abhay nodded. "I'll talk to Ishanvi later."
🌪️ At School:
By afternoon, Vrinda looked pale, Vivaan kept rubbing his eyes, and Raghav leaned against the school wall looking dizzy. But none of them complained. Not one of them.
🛵 After School:
On the ride home, Aariv whispered to Abhay, "Raghav's not talking. That's never good."
"I know," Abhay muttered, worry clouding his face.
At the turn near the Sudarshini Bridge, Vivaan suddenly slumped slightly.
"Vivaan!" Ishanvi shouted, catching him before he fell. That's when she felt it — her own knees giving way, her vision blurring.
Abhay hit the brakes and caught her scooter just in time.
"Didi fainted!" Vrinda cried out.
"We're taking them home," Abhay said firmly. "Now."
🏠 Later That Evening:
The two families sat together. Neha quickly cooked some khichdi with whatever little they had. Vikram and Rajesh silently arranged water and mats.
"It's okay," Abhay told Ishanvi gently as she lay resting, sipping from a steel glass. "You don't always have to be strong."
Ishanvi gave a small smile. "You too. Ripple."
He chuckled. "I was calm the whole time, even with all that happening. That's the strange part."
Meera added, "You're always calm in storms."
A quiet pause.
"I think... we're all a little strange," Raghav muttered, trying to joke.
"Good kind of strange," Aariv said.
They all laughed weakly