Radhika
The harsh morning light filtered through my curtains as my mother's voice cut through my peaceful slumber like a blade.
"Radhika, it's already ten in the morning. Wake up now, beta, or I'll leave for the temple without you!"
I buried my face deeper into the pillow, my voice muffled and thick with sleep. "Yes maa, just give me thirty minutes. And please stop yelling at me — emotional blackmail this early in the morning isn't fair."
Emotional blackmail — yes because she knows how much I love visiting RadhaKrishna's temple.
I reluctantly opened my eyes, remembering my responsibilities and my thoughts began to organise themselves. It had been exactly one week since I'd returned to India after three long years abroad and only four days since I'd officially joined Papa's business. The transition back to Indian life was proving more challenging than I'd anticipated, but today felt different — hopeful, even. After our temple visit, I planned to head straight to the office to dive deeper into understanding the company's operations and with a sigh, I dragged myself to the bathroom.
The familiar routine of my morning ritual grounded me. After brushing my teeth and taking a refreshing shower, I stood before my wardrobe, contemplating my options. My fingers brushed past fabric after fabric until they settled on a peacock blue georgette kurta. The intricate gold embroidery caught the light as I pulled it out.
Once dressed,I applied a thin line of kohl around my eyes and added just a touch of lip balm—makeup had never been my forte, nor my preference. Simple and authentic had always been my style. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed I looked presentable enough for both temple and office.
Descending the stairs, I found my parents in the living room. Following the tradition that had been ingrained in me since childhood, I touched their feet in respect before turning to my mother.
"Ready, Maa?"
She nodded.
Just as we reached the front door, my mother paused, her hand pressed against her forehead. "Beta, you go ahead today. I'm not feeling quite right."
Concern immediately flooded through me. "What's wrong? Should I cancel and stay home?"
"Nothing serious, just a little headache" she replied, though I could see the exhaustion in her eyes. "You go ahead and offer prayers for both of us."
"Are you sure? I can stay home with you and—"
"No, beta. Go, seek blessings. Just promise me you'll be careful."
I kissed her cheek gently. "I will. Please rest and take some medicine for your headache."
❊--❊
The temple stood majestically against the morning sky, its ancient stones warmed in the sunlight. As I stepped through the entrance, the familiar embrace of spirituality enveloped me. The air was thick with the sweet fragrance of jasmine and rose petals, mingling with the earthy scent of burning incense. The soft, rhythmic chanting of morning prayers created a cocoon of peace around me. After placing a rose at Lord Radhakrishna's feet, I stepped back and closed my eyes, letting the familiar ritual wash over me after years away.
After completing my prayers and receiving the priest's blessings, I felt renewed and centered. As I walked toward the temple exit, my phone buzzed with an important call from the office. I answered, immediately becoming absorbed in the conversation about an urgent client matter.
Lost in discussion, I was barely aware of my surroundings when a flash of movement caught my peripheral vision. A massive truck was barreling down the road at dangerous speed, heading straight toward a small figure—a little girl who seemed oblivious to the approaching danger.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl. Without conscious thought, my body moved on pure instinct. Phone still clutched in my hand, I sprinted toward the child, reaching her just as the truck bore down on us. I wrapped my arms around her small frame and threw both of us to the side, away from the vehicle's path.
The impact with the ground was brutal. Sharp pain exploded through my skull as it connected with a jagged rock lying beside the road. The world began to spin and fade around the edges. The last thing I registered before darkness claimed me was the weight of the child being lifted from my body, and strong arms gathering me up, the scent of colognes filling my senses.
Avyut
The shrill alarm pierced through my dreams at exactly five in the morning. I'd always been an early riser, finding solace in the quiet hours before the world awakened. After silencing the alarm, I headed straight to the bathroom for my morning routine.
The hot shower helped clear the remnants of sleep from my mind. From my wardrobe, I selected a pair of well-fitted dark trousers and a black sweatshirt—comfortable yet professional enough for a day of working from home. The decision to skip the office today had been deliberate; I needed uninterrupted time to focus on some critical projects.
Downstairs, I moved through the quiet house to the kitchen, where I prepared my usual black coffee—strong, no sugar, no cream. The bitter taste was a perfect companion to early morning concentration. Cup in hand, I made my way to my home office, ready to tackle the day's challenges.
I was deep into analyzing our international expansion figures when a soft knock interrupted my concentration.
"Come in" I called, not looking up from my laptop screen.
"Bhai" Saransh's voice. I glanced up to see my younger brother leaning against the doorframe, his casual posture a stark contrast to my rigid one. "Everyone is waiting for breakfast."
I glanced at my watch, surprised by how quickly time had passed. "I'll be right there."
The dining room buzzed with morning conversation as I entered. My mother and grandmother discussed temple plans, while Vedika di, my sister tried to convince her daughter to eat one more bite of paratha.
The moment I took my seat, five-year-old Pari abandoned her breakfast and launched herself into my lap. "Mamu!" She exclaimed, planting a sticky kiss on my cheek, her eyes-so like her mother's-sparkling with mischief.
Something tightened loosened in my chest as I wiped orange juice from her chin. Despite my typically reserved nature, I couldn't help but smile at her innocent enthusiasm. "Eaten everything, princess?"
She nodded solemnly, though the half-empty plate told a different story. I fed her the remaining pieces of paratha, somehow managing to eat my own breakfast, enjoying these rare moments of uncomplicated joy that she brought into my structured life.
As I finished eating and prepared to return to work, my mother's voice stopped me.
"Beta, your grandmother and I are going to the temple. Come with us."
I felt the familiar tightness in my chest that always accompanied discussions about temple visits. "Maa, you know I prefer not to go there. I'll ask Ansh to accompany you instead."
"Bhai, why should I always be the one to go? Why don't you go yourself for once?" Ansh interjected with his typical lack of tact.
I fixed him with a sharp look that made him shift uncomfortably. "Do you have a problem with going?"
He quickly backtracked, swallowing nervously. "No, no problem at all, Bhai. I'll go."
I was already halfway to my office when my grandmother's voice cut through the air with unmistakable authority. "Avyut, you're coming to the temple with Meena and me."
The tone brooked no argument. Even as a grown man, I couldn't bring myself to defy my grandmother when she used that particular voice. It was the same tone that had guided me through childhood, and some habits were impossible to break. I turned slowly, meeting her unwavering gaze. "As you wish, Dadi" I conceded, ignoring Ansh's poorly hidden smirk.
As we prepared to leave, Pari's sweet voice piped up from behind me. "Mamu, I want to come with you too!" She pleaded, her lower lip trembling in a way that made my supposed iron will crumble instantly.
Looking down at her hopeful face, I knew I was defeated. I scooped her up in my arms, her delighted giggle making the inconvenience worthwhile, and secured her in her car seat.
❊--❊
At the temple, I remained in the car to take an important business call while the others went inside. The conversation was complex and required my full attention, so I barely noticed when Pari appeared beside the car, having apparently slipped away from the group.
I was just about to end the call and step out to collect her when everything changed in an instant.
A massive truck came barreling down the road, its driver seemingly unaware of the small child standing directly in its path. Terror flooded through my veins as I realized Pari was in mortal danger.
I threw open the car door, but I was too far away, moving too slowly. Time seemed to stretch impossibly as I watched the truck bearing down on her.
Then, like an angel appearing from nowhere, a young woman in a flowing green kurta sprinted toward Pari. Without hesitation, she threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around my niece and pulling both of them out of the truck's deadly path.
The relief was short-lived. Both figures hit the ground hard, and I watched in horror as the woman's head struck a sharp rock. She went completely still.
I reached them in seconds, immediately checking Pari for injuries. She was shaken but miraculously unharmed, clinging to me as tears streamed down her face.
"It's okay, beta. You're safe now," I whispered, holding her tight.
But my attention quickly shifted to the woman who had risked her life to save my niece. She lay unconscious, a small trickle of blood visible near her temple. Without hesitation, I carefully lifted her into my arms. Her kohl-rimmed eyes remained closed, long lashes fanned against her cheeks.
"Mamu, is she dead?" Pari whimpered as my mother rushed toward us.
The word 'dead' felt like something hard hit my body and for a moment my body stiffened.
"No, princess. But she needs help." I somehow managed to speak.
With Pari secured in her seat and the unconscious woman cradled in the back of the car, I drove home as quickly as safely possible. The nearest hospital was thirty minutes away in the traffic and I couldn't bear the thought of wasting precious time. My home, with our family doctor on call, was less than ten.
I found myself stealing glances at her in the rearview mirror, wondering who she was and what twist of fate had brought her into our lives at exactly the right moment. Little did I know that this collision of circumstances would change everything.