The cozy light of the living room created a calm atmosphere as Priya walked in.Her mother, Shipra Ji, sat comfortably on the couch with Peehu nestled in her lap, both giggling over some silly story Peehu was sharing. The moment Priya appeared, Peehu's eyes lit up, and she wriggled off her grandmother's lap, rushing to her mother with boundless energy.

"Mumma!" Peehu exclaimed, grabbing Priya's hand and tugging her towards the couch.

Priya winced slightly, her body betraying the sharp sting from her earlier mishap. Shipra Ji noticed instantly, her smile fading into concern as she rose to her feet. "Priya, what happened? Why are you limping?"

Priya shook her head quickly, attempting to wave off the question. "It's nothing, Mom. Just a small accident, nothing to worry about." But her attempt at a nonchalant tone faltered, the exhaustion of the day creeping into her voice.

Shipra Ji didn't seem convinced, but before she could press further, Priya opened her arms and pulled her mother into a tight hug. The embrace felt like a sanctuary, a moment of comfort Priya didn't realize she had been craving. "I've missed you so much, Mom," Priya whispered, her voice soft and laced with emotion.

Shipra Ji held her daughter for a moment longer before stepping back, her eyes warm but searching. "I missed you too, beta. Your father's work kept me away longer than I intended. But where have you been all day? I called, and you didn't answer."

The question caught Priya off guard, and she stiffened slightly, her agitation barely concealed. Before she could muster an answer, Peehu's bright voice chimed in, cutting through the tension.

"Mumma, did you send that uncle home?" Peehu asked innocently, looking up at her mother with wide, curious eyes.

Shipra Ji's gaze snapped to her granddaughter, then back to Priya. "Uncle? What uncle is Peehu talking about?"

For a fleeting second, Priya's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing for a response. She forced a casual tone, her lips curving into an uneasy smile. "Oh, just one of my patients. Nothing serious."

Shipra Ji raised an eyebrow but didn't push further, though the unspoken curiosity lingered in her expression. Priya quickly redirected the conversation, kneeling to gather Peehu in her arms, distracting her with playful questions about her day. But even as Peehu's laughter rang through the room, Priya couldn't shake the uneasy knot forming in her chest.

Her mother's subtle scrutiny and Peehu's innocent revelation had reminded Priya of the day's events. She was trying to push them away, yet the fragments of that strange, unexpected reunion with Ram hovered at the edges of her thoughts, refusing to fade.

As the quiet hum of the evening settled in as Priya and Shipra sat on the couch, the remnants of dinner still lingering in the air. They had been talking for hours, their conversation drifting between laughter and reflective silence. Then, Shipra's voice softened as she asked, "How long do you plan to stay like this, Priya? Alone? Don't you think it's time to find someone for yourself?"

Priya, adjusting her glasses, met her mother's eyes with a calm but firm expression. "So what if I'm alone? I'm enough for my daughter, Mom," she said, her voice steady but defensive.

Shipra sighed, leaning forward with concern. "Priya, just because you're earning well and providing for Peehu doesn't mean she won't miss having a father's love. Daughters need that, especially as they grow older. When she starts understanding more, it will hurt her deeply."

Priya's grip on the cushion tightened, her expression hardening. "What do you want me to do? I can't let anyone into my life again. Not after what happened."

Shipra shook her head, her voice tinged with both regret and determination. "Priya, I understand the past still weighs on you. We all made mistakes, and you bore the brunt of them. But Aryan...he's different. I've seen how much he cares for you and how he adores Peehu. Can't you give him a chance?"

Priya's patience frayed, and she abruptly stood up. "That's enough, Mom. Yes, Peehu might need a father, but I don't need a man in my life. I'm done with this discussion. You should rest now. Are you sleeping in Peehu's room tonight?"

Shipra sighed deeply, her shoulders sagging in resignation. "I don't know what will make you see reason again, Priya. Anyway, good night."

Without waiting for a response, she retreated to Peehu's room, leaving Priya standing in the dimly lit living room. After a moment, Priya switched off the lights, the weight of her thoughts settling over her like a heavy blanket. She lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing even as her body ached for rest.

The stillness of the night was broken by the sudden ring of Priya's cellphone, pulling her from the deep slumber she had just begun to settle into. She rubbed her eyes, her mind still clouded with the remnants of sleep, and glanced at the unknown number flashing on her screen. A wave of curiosity mixed with a tinge of unease washed over her. Tentatively, she answered the call, her voice thick with sleep, "Hello?"

On the other end, a shaky and distressed voice met her ears. "Dr. Priya, are you there? Are you listening?"

Priya's heart quickened. It was Mrs. Mehra, but her tone was unlike any Priya had ever heard—filled with worry and fear. "Mrs. Mehra? What's going on? Why do you sound so tensed?"

There was a pause, followed by a sharp intake of breath. "I... I don't know if it's the right thing to ask of you, but Ram... he's having a panic attack. His caretaker just called me. He's... he's out of control, Priya. I don't know what to do. Can you please come? I know you can calm him down. I wish I could be there, but I won't be able to come until tomorrow. I know this is too much to ask, but I'm at a loss. If someone doesn't stop him, I'm afraid he might hurt himself."

Priya's chest tightened. She hadn't expected something like this in the middle of the night. Yet, the urgency in Mrs. Mehra's voice left her no room for hesitation. "Mrs. Mehra, you don't need to apologize. I'll go. I'll take care of him. Don't worry."

There was a soft sob on the other end of the line, and Priya could almost feel Mrs. Mehra's helplessness seep through the phone. "I'm so sorry for disturbing you at this hour. I just... I don't know what else to do. Please, if no one intervenes, I fear he might hurt himself."

The weight of those words hung heavily in the air, and Priya's mind snapped into action. Without another word, she ended the call and hurriedly got dressed, her heart racing with concern for Ram. The night had shifted from the quiet stillness of her home to the urgency of a task she couldn't ignore.

As she stepped into the night, she knew that once again, her journey would lead her to Ram.

Priya's heart raced as the elevator ascended, each passing floor only heightening the tension in her chest. She had faced panic attacks before, helped countless patients through their own episodes, but this was different. This was Ram. She felt the weight of the situation more acutely than any other. Her mind swirled with thoughts: What if I can't calm him down? What if he doesn't trust me? But she pushed those thoughts aside as the elevator dinged, signaling her arrival.

Stepping into the hallway, the sound of shouting reached her ears. Ram. It was unmistakable. The door to his apartment was slightly ajar, and the chaos within was clear. With a deep breath, Priya approached the door, her hand trembling as she knocked. The door swung open almost immediately, revealing a woman—Ram's caretaker, she assumed—standing there, wide-eyed and fearful.

Without any warning, the woman spoke, her voice shaking. "I locked him inside his room... he was trying to hurt me. I can't stay here with him anymore... I'm leaving."

Before Priya could respond, the woman was gone, rushing past her with trembling steps. Priya stood frozen for a moment, feeling a pang of unease. She didn't know what she would walk into, but she had no choice but to move forward.

With slow, measured steps, she made her way to the door and gently turned the knob. She pushed the door open, and there he was. Ram. Sitting on the floor, his knees drawn to his chest, his head buried in his hands, rocking back and forth. His breath was ragged, his face twisted in distress, and in that moment, Priya could see how lost he was, consumed by his panic.

Her heart ached for him. This wasn't the man she had known, the one who had always kept his distance, the one who had never shown this side of vulnerability. And yet, here he was—utterly shattered.

Priya knelt down beside him, her movements gentle and careful. She placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch light yet firm enough to ground him. The contact seemed to break through the fog of his panic. Slowly, he lifted his head, his eyes red and wide with fear, confusion, and something deeper that she couldn't quite place.

For a moment, the world around them seemed to disappear. It was just the two of them, locked in that tense moment. Priya's heart pounded in her chest, but she knew that now, in this fragile space, it was up to her to help him. "Ram," she whispered softly, "I'm here."