Chapter 5 – A Mother's Miracle
Darkness.
An endless silence surrounded Krish.
For three long years, he had remained trapped in an unconscious sleep.
Then...
A faint ray of crimson light appeared before him.
The darkness slowly dissolved, and a dream unfolded.
Krish found himself standing inside a quiet hospital room.
He saw his own body lying motionless on the bed.
Beside him sat his mother...
Radhika.
Every day she came to see him.
Sometimes she simply held his hand for hours.
Sometimes she prayed silently before the small idol of God placed near the window.
Sometimes she smiled, even while tears quietly rolled down her cheeks.
Krish watched countless moments pass before his eyes, as though years were flowing by in only a few minutes.
He saw his mother speaking to him even though he never answered.
She celebrated his birthdays alone.
She wished him good morning every day.
She apologized for mistakes he had never blamed her for.
Then...
The dream changed.
Radhika entered the room carrying a mysterious black box.
She opened it.
Inside rested a crimson stone glowing like a living heart.
Standing before Krish's bed, she closed her eyes and prayed with all her heart.
"Please..."
"Give my son another chance."
"I am willing to bear any price."
Then she placed the crimson stone upon his chest.
A brilliant scarlet light engulfed everything.
The dream shattered.
---
Krish suddenly inhaled a deep breath.
His eyelids trembled.
Slowly...
He opened his eyes.
Bright white lights greeted him.
Confused, he rubbed his eyes several times before looking around the room.
Everything felt unfamiliar.
Machines.
Medicine.
The faint smell of antiseptic.
He slowly pushed himself upright and sat on the hospital bed.
His body felt weak, but alive.
His eyes drifted toward the wall clock.
12:00 Midnight.
Then his gaze shifted.
Beside the bed, seated on a chair with her head resting on the mattress, was his mother.
She had fallen asleep while waiting beside him.
Her face showed exhaustion.
As if she had spent countless nights without proper rest.
Krish stared at her silently.
His heart filled with warmth.
Then, in a soft voice, he spoke the one word she had longed to hear for years.
"Ma..."
The single word echoed through the silent room.
Radhika's eyes opened instantly.
She lifted her head in confusion.
For a brief second...
She thought she was still dreaming.
Then her eyes met Krish's.
He was awake.
Looking at her.
Smiling.
Time seemed to stop.
Without thinking, Radhika rushed forward and wrapped both arms tightly around her son.
Tears burst from her eyes.
She cried uncontrollably.
Years of fear, loneliness, guilt, and hope poured out all at once.
"My son..."
"My Krish..."
"You've finally come back..."
She continued crying, holding him as if she feared he might disappear again.
Krish winced.
"M-Ma..."
"It hurts..."
"Please... a little gently."
Startled, Radhika immediately released him and stepped back.
"Oh... I'm so sorry!"
"I forgot... you've only just woken up."
"I'm sorry, beta..."
"I didn't mean to hurt you."
Her voice trembled with guilt.
Krish smiled softly.
Without saying another word, he leaned forward.
Standing at nearly 150 centimeters, he was still much shorter than his mother, whose graceful height reached 170 centimeters.
Even so, he stretched out his arms and embraced her.
This time...
It was the son comforting his mother.
Radhika closed her eyes once more and hugged him gently.
No words were needed.
After three years of silence...
The warmth of that embrace said everything.