Chapter 7– The Way Home
After spending time with his family, Krish smiled shyly.
"I'll be back in a minute."
He walked toward the hospital washroom.
As soon as the door closed behind him, the three women exchanged relieved smiles.
Siya was the first to speak.
"Mom... Krish is thirteen years old now."
Radhika nodded silently.
Siya continued, "He has been unconscious for three years. He has missed everything he should have learned during that time. We need to enroll him in middle school and help him catch up with his studies."
Shruti folded her arms thoughtfully.
"It won't be easy."
"He'll have to learn everything again."
"But we'll help him together."
Radhika looked toward the washroom door with gentle eyes.
"He has already fought the hardest battle."
"The rest... we'll face as a family."
The sisters smiled.
No matter how difficult the future became, none of them intended to leave Krish's side again.
---
A few minutes later, Krish returned.
He looked refreshed and much more energetic than before.
"Ready?" Siya asked with a smile.
Krish nodded enthusiastically.
Soon, the hospital discharge formalities were completed.
The four of them walked through the hospital corridor together.
Outside, the same black luxury car was waiting.
Radhika sat in the driver's seat.
Siya sat beside her.
Krish and Shruti occupied the back seats.
The car quietly left the hospital and drove through the busy streets of Mumbai.
For Krish, everything outside the window felt new.
The tall buildings.
The traffic.
The glowing billboards.
The city had changed while he slept.
After nearly an hour, the car entered a peaceful residential neighborhood and stopped in front of a beautiful modern house.
Radhika opened the door.
"Welcome home, Krish."
Krish stepped inside.
A warm feeling spread through his heart.
This was his home.
Siya smiled brightly.
"Come on, Little Bro."
"I'll show you around."
She led him through the house.
"There are five bedrooms."
She pointed toward the first room.
"This one belongs to Mom."
The next room.
"This is yours."
Krish looked inside.
It was simple, neat, and prepared especially for him.
The third room belonged to Siya and Shruti.
The fourth was a guest room for visitors.
The house also contained a spacious living hall, a modern kitchen, and two bathrooms.
As they walked through the home, Krish noticed one hallway that seemed to end at an ordinary wall.
Siya casually guided him in another direction without mentioning it.
She showed him everything else, but never spoke about the hidden room concealed somewhere inside the house.
Krish, still overwhelmed by everything around him, did not question it.
After the tour, Siya led him back to the living room.
"Sit here for a while."
Krish obediently sat down on the sofa.
Since he had just returned from the hospital, he was still wearing his patient clothes.
Siya gently helped him remove the outer hospital robe so they could prepare fresh clothes for him.
Just then, Radhika entered carrying neatly folded clothes and towels.
She smiled warmly at her children.
"Come on."
"It's time to get you cleaned up."
The four of them walked together toward the bathroom, laughing softly as they disappeared down the hallway, leaving the quiet house filled with a warmth it had not known for three long years.