Sumit's POV :
I was just trying to get away from Anant, not start a horror movie. But then my shoulder clipped the edge of the old wooden shelf, and everything on top decided to rain down like karma in cardboard boxes.
One of them—a heavy one, filled with God-knows what—slammed against Anshika's head.
She collapsed. Just like that. One second she was standing, the next—flat on the floor. No scream, no sound. Just a sickening thud followed by silence.
"Anshika!" I choked, knees hitting the ground. She didn't move.
Anant was already by her side, trying to wake her up. I—I couldn't think of anything.
One hit and she was down—I swear I stopped breathing for a second.
I was scared. I didn't know what to do. But luckily I had Anant. He picked her up and brought her to our room.
Anant tried splashing water on her face. But no use. Now I feel really scared.
My hands are shaking so bad I almost dropped the phone. But I call mom. She picked.
"Where were you both. I have tried"
""Mom. Are you free?" I interrupted her.
"What happened? Is everything fine?"
"Mom... A... Aa... Anshika—"
"What Anshika? Sumit, say something. You're scaring me."
"Mom—Anshika—she... there was this shelf, and then the box—and she's not waking up."
"What? "
'What happened Swati. ' I heard dad's voice.
"Are you with dad? "
"Yes. We are coming. Till then don't do anything stupid. "
______________________________________
Mom and Dad arrived in just twenty minutes along with our family doctor - Mahesh uncle.
Those were the worst twenty minutes for us. Anant and I sat near her. We tried calling her name. Sprinkling water. But nothing worked.
I chewed my nails down to the skin. My fingers wouldn't stop twitching.
Anant paced the room like he was chasing a ghost—his foot tapping the floor in a rhythm that only anxiety could compose.
The only sound? The clock.
Tick. Tock.
I counted every breath she took just to be sure she was still breathing.
I feel guilty. For Anshika. Then I fear dad. What would he do to me if he learns that she got hit because of me.
"Raghav sir. Is she the girl from ten years ago? "The doctor asked my dad.
"Yes."Dad replied.
I blinked. What girl? What ten years ago? But i dare not say anything.
The doctor examined her wound and then tried opening her eyes. " I can't tell anything just like this. We need to wait for her to wake up. "
Anant and I sat in the room silently for around next forty minutes while mom and dad were discussing something with Mahesh uncle in the other room.
Suddenly Anant stood up and started walking towards her. " Is she waking up? "
I then saw her - brows raised and face covered in sweat. And then she opened her eyes and started crying.
I couldn't understand anything so I just called mom. And then mom and dad rushed inside.
Mom hugged her tightly" Anshika. Sweetheart. Don't worry. We are here. Everything is fine. "
Mom kept comforting her. And then she opened her eyes and looked around the room.
"Aunty who are they? "
"Who anshika? "
"A stick... someone crying… and pain—" she hugged mom and started crying and mom kept comforting her until she calmed.
" Did you have a nightmare anshika? "Dad asked and then she started staring at him.
" Don't worry. He is your uncle - Raghav. My husband . "
" And he "She said pointing at Mahesh uncle.
" He is our family's doctor - Mahesh uncle.Don't worry sweetheart. We are here.Tell us. What happened? "
She stayed silent for some time -as if remembering things and then she spoke" Something hit my head and then I don't remember anything. "
" Why were you crying when you woke up? Did anything happen? "Mahesh uncle asked her.
"It was a dream."
Her voice wasn't just cracked—it was splintered. Like a memory trying to claw its way out.
"It was dark. Freezing. The air smelled like... rust. And there was crying. A small voice, scared. And laughter—twisted, like someone was playing a game."
Her hands gripped the blanket like it was the only thing tethering her to reality.
"And... and a stick. I couldn't see it. But I heard it. Again and again."
Her breath hitched like she'd swallowed glass.
" Maybe we should just look after her. It might me just a dream or she might be remembering that incident," Mahesh Uncle finally spoke to mom and dad.
" Which incident? " I asked - but no one replied.
" Anant. Sumit. Take care of her. We have something to discuss with Mahesh. "
They left - leaving me, Anant and Anshika in the room.
She was resting against her bed with closed eyes.
"Are you fine? "I asked and sat on the other corner of her bed.
" Yes. "She opened her eyes.
" Does your head heart? "Anant asked grabbing a chair and sitting next to her.
" Just little. "
"I am sorry. "
" It's fine. I do not blame you. "
Suddenly dad stormed inside. " Did she get hurt because of you Sumit? "
"Uncle.We.. " Anant tried defending me.
"Let him speak Anant. "Dad said staring at me.
"Dad... I hit the shelf, and it tipped—"
He didn't wait for the rest.
His hand cut through the air. The sound came before the sting.
My face whipped to the side, cheek burning.
"Do you even realize what she's been through?" Dad roared, eyes wild with something between fear and fury.
______________________________________
Anshika's POV :
" I am sorry "Sumit said to me with his eyes down - as if he was filled with regret.
" It's fine. I do not blame you. It was dark. "I do not really blame him. They didn't intend to hurt me.
I close my eyes because I am still trying to figure what I saw. It felt too real.
" Did she get hurt because of you Sumit? "
I then opened my eyes.
"Uncle.We.. " Anant said.
"Let him speak Anant. "
"Dad... I hit the shelf, and it tipped—"
Uncle slapped him.
"Do you even realize what she's been through?" Dad roared, eyes wild with something between fear and fury.
I froze.Anant clenched his fists but said nothing.
I wasn't sure if I should speak. But then I saw Sumit's cheek—red and trembling—and something snapped.
I couldn't stay silent. Not anymore.
"Uncle," I said, my voice louder than I expected. "It was an accident. It's not Sumit's fault."
His eyes whipped toward me.
"Don't cover for them, Anshika."
"I'm not." My voice trembled, but I held my ground. "You didn't even let him explain. You just hit him."
" Is it so Anant? "
I don't allow Anant to reply" Yes uncle. Can I get something to eat aunty. I feel hungry. " I purposefully changed the topic.
" Yes sweetheart. " She then signalled uncle to come with her.
"Thank you but you didn't need to. "
" I didn't do it for you. I just wanted some silence. "
"Fine. Thanks."
"Doesn't the slap hurt?"
"No."
"Liar." I sigh. "Ugh, boys and their egos. Now scoot over—I need sleep more than you need to pretend you're fine."