Chapter: Home comingThe instant their car hit a speed breaker and she experienced a bumpy ride because of the pits and falls in the road, Rithanya knew that they have neared their house. It was dusk. The evening diyas, the clay lamps lit up the entrance of every house. The car took a sharp left turn and halted.Hearing the car, Dadda and Satvik rushed to the doorstep. “Hello, little one! Welcome home!” Dadda greeted Rithanya with open arms.Rithanya tried to get down. But she limped and lost her balance. The poor girl could not reach the shelter of her daddy's arms. She was caught by Satvik before she fell.Dadda and Satvik carried Rithanya home while the driver helped Amma to carry things inside from the car. The driver waved a bye to Rithanya saying, “Sleep well, Papa. Take rest and you will be fine soon. You won’t need me to take you back to school. You will commute by bus, you will see that! Now, good night ma!”Dadda ca
Last Updated: 2023-09-03
Chapter: Panic attacksThe road stretched out ahead, a ribbon of asphalt cutting through the countryside. Inside the car, a scene of turmoil unfolded. Rithanya's condition was again deteriorating rapidly from her peaceful slumber. Her breathing had turned shallow, and panic was evident in her eyes. It was as if an invisible vice was tightening around her throat, constricting her airways. Her hands, once steady, were now trembling uncontrollably, and the sensation was draining from her fingers, leaving them numb. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, glistening like dewdrops in the early morning sun. Yet, despite the heat that was coursing through her body, she was overcome by chills that racked her form.Amma stood by helplessly, her heart aching as she witnessed her daughter's suffering. Tears welled up in her eyes, a mixture of fear and despair. She wanted to soothe Rithanya, to make the pain go away, but she felt utterly powerless. All she could do was hold onto Rithanya's hand, a silent
Last Updated: 2023-09-02
Chapter: Mother comes to pick upRithanya’s parents received a distressing call, urging them to rush to their daughter's hostel. The voice on the other end informed them that Rithanya had suffered a fall and was now under a doctor's care, advised to take a significant amount of rest. Concern gripped Rithanya's parents as they immediately made arrangements to journey to her side. It was a Tuesday morning when they set out, the sun casting a warm glow over the city streets. Rithanya's mother, Geetha, was particularly anxious. The two-day interval between the incident and their arrival seemed like an eternity. Thoughts raced through her mind as she recalled all the instances of her daughter's boundless energy, the laughter that once resonated through their home, and the dreams Rithanya held close to her heart. Her daughter had always been a spirited soul, taking on challenges with a fierce determination. This hospitalization was an unexpected twist, and Geetha's heart clenched at the thought of Rithanya in pain. Finall
Last Updated: 2023-09-01
Chapter: Epileptic RithanyaThe van screeched to a halt in front of the hospital, and Ms. Roopa, the teacher accompanying Rithanya, hurriedly called out, "Sister, please get a wheelchair for this girl." The sterile atmosphere of the school had given way to the chaotic and unfamiliar setting of the hospital. Cries of pain and distress reverberated through the corridors, creating an atmosphere of fear and unease. Somewhere in the distance, a child wailed at the top of her voice. As another girl emerged from the hospital, tears streaming down her face, Rithanya's anxiety intensified.The hospital was crowded and in a state of utter disorder, which only heightened Rithanya's discomfort. Her palms grew clammy, and her heart raced as she took in the overwhelming sights and sounds. She felt a sheen of sweat break out on her forehead, and her entire body seemed to palpitate with anxiety.The nurse, a tall and stout woman in a faded blue sari, dragged a screeching, rusted wheelchair toward Rithanya. Her v
Last Updated: 2023-08-29
Chapter: Rithanya's fallThree months had passed since the classes had begun at the school. The girls had gradually acclimated to the regimented life they led within the school's walls. Their Sunday afternoons became their sanctuary amidst the mechanical routines of the week. Those precious hours of extra sleep on Sunday mornings were their lifeline, revitalizing them for the forthcoming six and a half days of relentless work. In this institution, there were no holidays for national events, regional festivals, or religious celebrations.Mid-September had arrived, and the vibrancy of Dussehra celebrations swept across India. In North India, the rhythmic beats of the dandiya dance and the grandeur of Durga Puja captivated the hearts of the people for ten days. Central India was preparing for the dramatic immolation of the ten-headed, hundred-armed effigy of Ravana on the festival's final day. Meanwhile, in the southern regions, devotion reigned as people worshipped the Golu doll exhibits during the nin
Last Updated: 2023-08-28
Chapter: At the hospitalThe doctor, Dr. Sharma, emerged from the physician's room with an air of professional concern. His eyes, usually sharp and analytical, now held a mixture of empathy and detachment as he approached Ms. Roopa, the hostel warden, who was anxiously waiting for his assessment of Rithanya's condition.Dr. Sharma cleared his throat before speaking, choosing his words carefully. "Her blood pressure is fluctuating," he began, his voice measured. "I've administered some injections to help her relax. She appears exceedingly weak, as if she hasn't had a proper rest in a long time. Her body is utterly drained, saturated, you might say. We'll keep her on the IV for a few hours, and she should gradually start recovering."Ms. Roopa nodded, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over her. She appreciated the doctor's competence and the reassurance he provided in this trying situation. The sight of Rithanya unconscious had filled her with dread, and now she was relieved to hear that
Last Updated: 2023-08-26