The priest turned toward them, his voice calm in a way that almost felt cruel.

He said they had to take the pot on the right shoulder and walk seven rounds around the wooden pyre.

Seven rounds, as if grief could be measured in numbers.

He stepped forward, lifting the earthen pot, and gently placed it on Kabir's shoulder, as if this was just another ritual and not the unravelling of a little girl's entire universe.

Kabir's hands came up automatically to steady the pot, but his eyes never once looked at it.

They weren't on the priest either, or on the firewood stacked so neatly, waiting to eat Neil away from the world.

His gaze was locked on Avanya.

She stood near his leg, clutching his pant with both her tiny hands, her knuckles white, her body trembling, tears slipping out silently as if even crying felt too loud here.

Kabir swallowed hard, nodded once, more to himself than anyone else.

He bent his head slightly and spoke very softly, like one wrong word might shatter her completely.
"Sunshine... now we'll walk around this wooden bed, okay?"

She nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, eyes still fixed somewhere far away, as if she was already losing the ability to understand what was happening.

He forced a smile that never reached his eyes.
"You remember counting, right?" he asked gently.

"We'll take seven rounds. You'll count with me and Tuffy too."
She nodded again, no words, just obedience born out of trust, not understanding.

The priest lifted the axe and struck the pot, making a small hole near its edge.
Water began to drip, slow at first, then steady, marking their path like quiet tears hitting the ground.

Kabir took the first step forward.
Avanya followed, her small feet struggling to keep pace, Tuffy trailing behind her, his head low, eyes glassy, as if even he knew something sacred was breaking.

"One," Kabir said, his voice tight.

Avanya whispered it after him, barely audible.

They walked past Neil's still body, wrapped and silent, lying on the pyre that looked far too real, far too final to be just wood.

Her eyes flicked toward him for a second, confusion flickering there, as if she was still waiting for him to sit up and scold them for walking around his bed.

"Two."
Her voice cracked this time.
Water continued to fall from the pot, soaking the earth, like the ground itself was mourning him.
Kabir's steps felt heavier, each round stealing a little more air from his lungs.

"Three."
Tuffy whimpered softly behind them.
Avanya's hand tightened on Kabir's leg, her steps faltering, but she didn't stop.
She never stopped, because children like her think obedience might fix everything.

"Four."
The world felt quieter now, unnaturally so.
Kabir could feel his shoulder burning under the weight of the pot, but it was nothing compared to the weight in his chest.
Avanya's tears fell freely now, dropping onto the ground without sound, like she had already learned that grief here had no audience.

"Five."
Her counting slowed.
She stumbled once, and Kabir adjusted his step instantly, anchoring himself so she wouldn't fall.
If he could, he would have carried her away from this place, from this truth, from this ending.

"Six."
Her voice was almost gone.
The pot was nearly empty, water reduced to a thin trickle, like time itself running out.
Kabir's jaw clenched as his eyes burned, but he didn't let a single tear fall.

"Seven."
They stopped.
The rounds were complete.

But for Avanya, it wasn't seven rounds.

It was the end of bedtime stories, the end of waiting by the door, the end of believing her world would always come back to her.

She stood there, small and silent, holding on to Kabir like he was the last solid thing left, while behind her, the man she called her whole world lay still, unaware that a child had just walked him toward goodbye without even knowing it was forever.

And then, as if the sky itself decided to speak, the last sound rose from every throat around them.

"Ram naam satya hai."

God's name is the only truth.

The words echoed across Nigambodh Ghat, rolling through the smoke-heavy air, striking Kabir's chest like a final verdict.

His fingers loosened around the earthen pot, and it slipped from his hand.

It hit the ground and shattered.

Pieces scattered everywhere - sharp, uneven, impossible to put back together.

Just like something else that had broken today.

The pot could never be fixed.
But somewhere, buried under fate and cruelty, there might still be a chance for Avanya's heart if destiny showed even an ounce of mercy.

Arnav stood rigid, his jaw clenched so tight it hurt.
His eyes were dark, stormy, watching the pyre like it was an enemy he couldn't shoot.

Rithvik's hands trembled at his sides, doctor or not, brother or not;this wasn't a wound medicine could touch.

Arin stared blankly, shock freezing him from the inside out, as if his mind refused to accept that Neil was already halfway gone.

And Vikram.....Vikram stood like a man hollowed out, holding himself upright purely by will, his soul bleeding in places no one could see.

The priest turned to Kabir and spoke softly, respectfully.
"Kabir sahab..... ab agni deh kijiye."

Kabir nodded once.

The priest handed him the wooden stick, wrapped neatly in cloth soaked in ghee, the fire already licking its edge.
As Kabir took it, Avanya's eyes followed the flame.

She stared at it.

Then at the pyre.

Then back at the fire.

Her lashes fluttered as she closed her eyes tightly.

Fire was bad.
Fire hurt.
Fire burned.

And now her dashing chachu was going to be given to fire.

She didn't understand death, or rituals, or heaven.
But she understood pain.
And no one was stopping this
so maybe, in her small logic, this was how things were supposed to be.

Kabir suddenly dropped to his knees and gathered her into his arms, holding her against his chest.
He pressed his forehead to her hair, his voice breaking for the first time.

"Sunshine now we'll add fire there," he said softly, pointing toward the pyre.

She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes, lips trembling.
"Bhaiyu why fire?" she asked in a small, broken voice.
"It hurts..... dashing chachu na?"

The world cracked.

Something snapped inside every man standing there.

Kabir turned his face away instantly.

There was no answer in the universe that could make this okay.

Arnav stepped forward, crouching to her level, his voice unusually gentle, stripped of all sharpness.

"Angel fire helps dashing chachu go to heaven," he said slowly.
"And we're making him wear very good clothes so fire won't hurt him."

She sniffed, thinking hard, then nodded with heartbreaking trust.
"Okay"

Kabir took the burning wood from the priest.

He stood up, holding Avanya in his arms, and walked forward.

His hands were shaking.

For the first time in his life.

The same man who had once burned an entire room without blinking, just to make a point.

The same man whose hands never trembled around guns, blood, or bodies.

Today, his hands shook while offering fire to someone he loved.

He bent down slowly, Avanya clinging to him, and placed the burning stick against the pyre.

The fire caught instantly.

Flames rose, hungry and unforgiving.

Kabir stepped back.

Avanya buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing quietly.

And Kabir.... Kabir just stood there, watching her entire world collapse into fire.

Vikram rushed forward and tried to take her from him.
"She'll be fine," he whispered urgently.

But Avanya didn't move.

No crying.

No sound.

Her eyes were closed.

Vikram touched her forehead.

It burned.

Panic exploded.

He tapped her cheek gently.
"Princess.....beta?"

No response.

Rithvik was already moving.
"Dad put her in the car. Now. There's a medical kit."

Vikram scooped her up in his arms, holding her in a bridal carry, while Tuffy barked frantically, circling them, sensing something was terribly wrong.

Before leaving, Vikram turned back.
"Arnav. Arin. Stay here," he said firmly.
"Don't leave until it turns to ashes."

They nodded but their faces screamed fear.

Kabir dropped to his knees and lifted Tuffy into his arms, stroking his head.
"She'll be fine," he murmured, voice raw.
"We'll make her smile again. You'll help me..... okay?"

Tuffy whimpered, then barked softly, as if he believed him.

In the car, Rithvik worked fast.

He checked her pulse - weak.
Placed the stethoscope on her chest, listening carefully.
Measured her blood pressure- dangerously low.
Pulled out the thermometer.

High fever.

"She's in trauma, Dad," Rithvik said, voice tight.
"High fever. Low BP. We need to take her home. Medication immediately."

Vikram nodded but before leaving, he stepped out.

He walked back to the pyre.

The flames roared now.

He stood close, clasped his hands together.

The man who bowed to no one.... bowed today.

"I know because of me you had to leave this world," Vikram said quietly.
"I took everything from you and you gave me everything."

The four boys watched in shock.

"I promise to take care of her," he continued, voice shaking.
"To love her, guide her, protect her. Not the way you did because no one can replace you but with all I have."

He swallowed hard.

"I doubted if I should ever be her baba. But today, seeing her cry I understood. A father doesn't need training. Just a heart."

His voice broke.

"I always told Rashi I wanted a daughter. A girl like her. I never got one.....until now."
"She's little Rashi. The smile. The tears. The strength."

Tears finally fell.

"Maaf karna yaar tera sab kuch cheen ke mujhe mera sab kuch dene ke liye."
(Forgive me, my friend for taking everything from you and giving me my entire world.)

"She's mine now. And I'll make sure she feels you alive in her heart. Always."

He wiped his tears, nodded once to Arnav and walked away.

The fire burned.

And somewhere between smoke and fate, a little girl was being driven home unaware that the man she loved had just been entrusted to flames, and her heart to destiny.

They reached the mansion without a word.

The gates opened, the car rolled in, and silence followed them inside like an unwanted guest.

Vikram stepped out first.

Avanya was still in his arms ; limp, burning, unaware.

Her head rested against his chest, her small body too still for a child who usually filled spaces with chaos.

Without looking back, Vikram made his way inside and straight toward the stairs.

Rithvik was already moving.

He didn't wait.

Didn't ask.

He ran toward the medical room;not the ICU wing, not the ventilator section.
Just the emergency medical room.
The one meant for situations like this-sudden, unexpected, brutal.

(A/N; Finally something human type otherwise on wattpad there's whole hospital fit into their house)

Kabir followed Vikram upstairs.

The room was dim, curtains half-drawn.

Vikram laid Avanya gently on the bed, as if even the mattress might hurt her.

"Change her clothes," he said to the maid, voice low but firm.
"Warm ones."

The maid nodded quickly.

Vikram handed her Avanya's soft woolens;light, comforting.

The maid worked silently, carefully, then stepped out without a word.

Kabir and Vikram stayed.

Minutes later, Rithvik entered with a tray.

His face was professional but his eyes betrayed him.

He pulled out a syringe.

"This is Paracetamol injection, IV," he said, already preparing it.
"It'll help bring the fever down temporarily."

He slid the needle in with practiced precision.

Avanya flinched faintly.

Rithvik's jaw tightened.

Then he turned to Vikram.

"She's in an acute trauma response, Dad," he said quietly.
"Physically, the fever will reduce. But mentally she's not processing what happened."

Vikram didn't interrupt.

"In children," Rithvik continued, "trauma doesn't always show immediately. Sometimes they cry. Sometimes they scream."
He paused.
"And sometimes.....they shut down."

Kabir's fingers curled into fists.

"Her BP is low because of emotional shock," Rithvik added.
"Her body thinks it's still under threat. She feels unsafe - even here."

He exhaled slowly.

"She needs warmth. Constant presence. Familiar voices. And no sudden changes."
A pause.
"And Dad..... she may wake up asking for him."

Silence fell heavy.

Rithvik called the maid again.

"Bring lukewarm water and clean cloths," he instructed.
Then turned back to them.

"Dad. Bhai. You both go take a bath and change."
"I'll stay with her till then."

Vikram hesitated.

"I'm here," Rithvik said firmly.
"She needs calm energy. Go."

They nodded.

Kabir left for his room.

Vikram moved toward the wardrobe, then into the bathroom.

Rithvik sat beside Avanya.

He dipped the cloth into the water.
Squeezed it gently.

Placed it on her forehead.

Again.

And again.

His eyes never left her face.

Tuffy sat on the floor near the bed, silent.

Too silent.

(A/N; My poor baby tuffy,we all love you don't be sad)

After a while, Vikram returned.

"Go," he told Rithvik softly.
"I've got her."

Rithvik nodded and left.

Vikram took over.

Same routine.

Same care.

Cloth.

Water.

Forehead.

Kabir entered quietly with a bowl of dog food and placed it on the floor.

"Tuffy," he said softly.
"Eat."

Tuffy didn't move.

Kabir knelt beside him.

"Buddy if you don't eat, you'll fall sick," he whispered.
"And if you fall sick , sunshine will cry."

Tuffy's ears twitched.

Kabir smiled faintly.

"So come on. We both have work to do. We have to make her happy again."

Tuffy stood up slowly and walked to the bowl.

Kabir washed his hands and sat opposite Vikram.

After a long pause, Kabir spoke.

"Dad"
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"When she gets to know the truth; will she hate us?"

Vikram didn't answer immediately.

He kept wiping Avanya's forehead.

Then--

"We shattered her entire world," he said calmly.
"If she hates us that's nothing."

He looked at Kabir.

"We deserve far worse."

________Time passed

The mansion door opened again.

Arnav and Arin entered silently, holding a kalash filled with Neil's ashes.

They placed it in the pooja room.

No words.

They bathed.

Changed.

Then quietly entered Vikram's room.

Vikram was still there.

Still wiping her forehead.

Kabir sat on the sofa, laptop open - but his eyes weren't reading anything.

Rithvik sat opposite, books and laptop open doctor mode on, heart elsewhere.

Arnav spoke softly.

"How is she, Dad?"

Vikram didn't look up.

"She's in her healing phase," he said.
"It'll take time."

They nodded.

Arnav opened his tablet.

Arin scrolled on his phone.

But none of them were really there.

Their focus was on the small girl lying on the bed -
The one they never planned for.
The one they never accepted.

Yet somehow
The one they were already protecting with their lives.

____________🎉✨🎉________

Anuvae's Note 🖤

Okay pause......

Let me breathe first because 5K READS???

No because ----
WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE???
WHERE DID YOU COME FROM???
WHY ARE YOU READING MY PAIN AT 3 A.M. AND STILL STAYING??? 😭

I am genuinely sitting here staring at the screen like it's about to say "just kidding".
5K feels illegal.
5K feels unreal.
5K feels like I accidentally manifested something without knowing how manifestation works

I never thought this would happen
Not this fast,not this real
I didn't promote this book
My friends don't read it
My relatives definitely don't know I write (thank god)
And yet look at this little family we built from absolute zero

Thank you Gannu maharaj for being kind to me when I didn't even know how much I needed it

And Anuvians you have no idea how much you mean to me
You read silently, you cry silently, you support loudly, and somehow you stay.
This book is mine YES but this journey?
That's OURS🤍

Now let me ruin the emotional moment with reality

I have an exam tomorrow.
Yes Again.
my life is just exams and trauma at this point.

So there's a high possibility that I will come home, lie down for 5 minutes
and wake up the next morning questioning my existence.

I might not publish a chapter
I am not sure.
I will try my best but I refuse to give you fake hopes and then vanish like a ghost
If I disappear please assume I am either sleeping ,studying, or crying over syllabus

⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️

NOW.
VERY IMPORTANT.
VERY SERIOUS.
VERY OFFENDED AUTHOR MOMENT.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE COMMENTS??? 🤨

Earlier you people were commenting like it was a competition
Now suddenly
2.....3.... comments??

Excuse me???
Did I scare you?
Did I traumatize you too much?
Or are you all just silently judging me? 😭

Let me be clear
If comments don't increase; I WILL set a chapter target.
And until that target is completed....
NO CHAPTER

Yes I am blackmailing you emotionally
Yes i learned from the best
Yes it works 😌

So comment
Cry in comments
Scream in comments
Type "😭" in comments.
Just --- COMMENT na peaze 🥺

🥈🥈🥈🥈🥈🥈🥈🥈🥈🥈

Second important thing before I go insane -
Should I change my PFP?

If yes drop Pinterest picture links in the comments
I will choose one from you guys because apparently you control my life now.

That's all for today.
My brain is tired.
My heart is full.
My eyes are threatening to leak again.

I love you.
I miss you.
And don't act smart ----
you miss me too.

Now go comment before I get dramatic again. 🖤😌

SUBSCRIBE HERE, FOLLOW THERE — AUTHOR-ANUVAE & @anuvae._.here ARE EVERYWHERE. 😭