Chapter 37

A few days slipped by after Ravi’s birthday.

Mayuri had returned to her daily routine, but things felt… different. Since that night, Karikalan had kept his distance, avoiding her. He made sure either Venu or Ashok drove her to and from campus. As he had other important work, but Mayuri knew better. He simply didn’t want to be anywhere near her… So she matched his distance, she stopped lingering near the courtyard in case he walked by, stopped looking toward the gates when she heard a bike outside, stopped letting her eyes search for him.

She didn’t want to make him uncomfortable again and somehow, that hurt far more than the argument itself.

Last night, Reshmi had called, telling her that their mother's health is improving a lot. The doctors have allowed her discharge and they will be back home in a few days. Mayuri had nearly cried and everyone in the house had smiled genuinely for the first time in weeks. Sidharthan was healing too… slow, but steady. He could open his eyes and recognize faces now, sit upright with someone supporting him, even point at things clearly when he wanted them.

It felt like the worst was finally passing… Like their family was breathing again.