All Chapters of The Ordeal: Chapter 21 - Chapter 25

Three 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

Rithanya’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

The 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