The clock on the wall of the VIP ward ticked rhythmically, counting down the seconds of a night that felt eternal. Atharv Parihaar lay awake, the painkillers doing little to numb the storm raging in his mind.To his left and right lay two small bundles of life. They were silent, their breathing so shallow it was almost imperceptible. Atharv stared at the ceiling, his hand hovering over his bandaged abdomen.

Atharv: (Whispering to the darkness) "Ye kya mazak hai zindagi ka Yaar ? Main... Atharv Parihaar... jiske naam se pura North India kaanpta hai... aaj main is bistar par pada hoon, takein lagwaye huye. Ek maa ki tarah."