Six months had gone by since Ram relocated to London, seeking a fresh start and a break from his past's emotional turbulence. In the city's fast-paced environment, he buried himself in work and the anonymity it provided. His days were packed with meetings and reports, and his nights were spent alone in his apartment, often seeking temporary solace in bars and one-night stands to distract himself from his deeper feelings.

One evening, Ram returned home from a long day at the office. The sky outside was a dusky shade of gray, and the city lights had begun to flicker on, casting a soft glow through his apartment's windows. He felt exhausted, the weight of the day's work pressing heavily on his shoulders. Deciding to unwind, he headed straight for the bathroom, eager to wash away the stress and fatigue.

As he stood under the warm spray of the shower, the sound of his phone ringing faintly reached his ears. He frowned but ignored it, assuming it was just another work call or a message that could wait. He leaned against the cool tiles, letting the water cascade over him, trying to clear his mind and relax.

But then, the persistent ring of the landline in his apartment jolted him from his brief respite. The sound was louder, more insistent, cutting through the steamy tranquility of the bathroom. With a sigh of frustration, Ram quickly rinsed off, grabbed a towel, and stepped out of the shower. He hurriedly wrapped the towel around his waist and reached for the phone, annoyance creasing his brow.

"Hello?" he answered, still dripping wet, his voice sharp with irritation.

The voice on the other end was hurried and strained, a tone Ram instantly recognized as one of urgency. It was a family friend, speaking in rushed, clipped sentences. Ram felt a sudden, cold chill as he heard the words: "Your father... had a heart attack... serious condition..."

Time seemed to stop. The rest of the conversation became a blur, the words blurring together in a rush of panic and disbelief. Ram stood there, frozen, the towel clutched tightly around him, water still dripping from his hair. His mind struggled to process the information, the reality of the situation hitting him like a physical blow.

His father, the strong, resilient man who had always been a pillar of strength in his life, was now lying in a hospital bed, fighting for his life. The news was a shock that sent a wave of cold fear and helplessness crashing over him. Ram's mind raced, a thousand thoughts and worries flooding in all at once.

He dropped the phone back onto the receiver, his hands trembling. The apartment around him seemed to blur, his surroundings suddenly feeling distant and surreal. He stared blankly ahead, the reality of the situation sinking in. The noise of the city outside faded, replaced by the deafening silence of his fear and uncertainty.

Ram quickly dressed, his movements hurried and mechanical. He needed to get to the hospital, needed to be there for his family, but he felt paralyzed by the gravity of the news. As he rushed around the apartment, packing a bag and making quick arrangements, the weight of the situation bore down on him.

In the quiet hum of the flight, Ram found no solace. The rhythmic thrum of the engines was a constant reminder of his anxiety, each vibration seeming to echo his racing thoughts. His mind was a tumult of worry and restlessness, unable to find even a moment of calm amidst the humdrum of air travel. He shifted in his seat, tried to distract himself with a book, but the words blurred together, offering no refuge from the gnawing fear that consumed him.

The journey seemed endless, each passing minute a reminder of the urgency that propelled him forward. As the plane descended towards its destination, the first light of dawn began to seep through the windows, casting a faint glow over the cabin. Ram's heart beat in sync with the steady descent, a rhythm of anticipation and dread.

The plane finally touched down, and as the wheels hit the tarmac, Ram felt a wave of relief mixed with apprehension. He disembarked quickly, his movements brisk and purposeful. The bustling airport seemed like a distant blur as he navigated through it with a singular focus. His mind was solely on getting to the hospital, where his father lay in critical condition.

Ram made his way to the taxi stand, his gaze darting around for the first available cab. The early morning air was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside him. He hailed a cab with a hurried wave, the driver nodding in understanding as Ram slipped into the backseat.

The cab wove through the city's streets, the sights and sounds of London a blur of movement and noise. Ram stared out the window, his thoughts a jumble of fear and hope. Each traffic light, each turn, seemed to stretch time, amplifying his anxiety. He gripped the seat, trying to steady his racing heart, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on his shoulders.

Finally, the cab pulled up to the hospital's entrance. Ram's breath caught in his throat as he stepped out, the enormity of the moment hitting him. The hospital loomed before him, a stark and imposing building that symbolized both hope and uncertainty.

He hurried inside, navigating through the bustling lobby with determined steps. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with the muted sounds of voices and footsteps. Ram approached the reception desk, his hands trembling as he asked for his father's room number.

The receptionist provided him with the information, and Ram made his way through the  corridors, each step bringing him closer to the unknown. His mind was a whirl of thoughts, each one fueled by the fear of what he might find.

Finally, he reached his father's room. Taking a deep breath, he paused for a moment, steeling himself for the sight that awaited him. As he pushed open the door, he stepped into the room with a heavy heart,

Ram's father lay motionless on the bed, his once strong and reassuring presence now diminished to a frail figure under the harsh hospital sheets. The steady beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound that punctuated the silence, a rhythmic reminder of the fragile line between life and uncertainty.

Ram stood at the doorway for a moment, his heart clenching at the sight of his father's pale, weakened state. The world outside seemed to fade away as he approached the bedside, each step heavy with the weight of his worry and regret. The room was quiet except for the soft hum of medical equipment, creating a cocoon of stillness around them.

He gently reached out and took his father's hand, which felt cold and fragile in his own. With a tender touch, he began to stroke his father's arm, trying to convey all the words he couldn't quite speak.

His father's eyes fluttered open, the gaze weak but filled with recognition. Ram's heart ached as he looked into those familiar eyes, eyes that had always been a source of strength and comfort for him. A moment of silence stretched between them, laden with unspoken emotions.

"Dad," Ram whispered, his voice catching in his throat. "I'm here."

His father's gaze shifted slightly, a faint smile touching his lips despite the pain etched across his face. "Ram," he croaked, his voice barely audible but filled with a warmth that reached out to his son. "You came..."

Ram nodded, his eyes brimming with tears. "I had to be here. I'm so sorry I wasn't here sooner. I—I didn't know..."

"It's alright," his father said softly, his voice a strained whisper. "You're here now, that's what matters."

Ram swallowed hard, his own tears slipping down his cheeks. He took his father's hand in both of his, holding it gently. "I've missed so much, Dad. I should have been here with you. I should have done more..."

His father's eyes, though tired, held a glimmer of understanding and love. "You're here now," he repeated, his voice fading but his meaning clear. "That's enough. Don't blame yourself, son. Life... it has its own way."

The room fell into a tender silence as Ram leaned closer, brushing his father's hair back from his forehead.

"I love you, Dad," Ram said, his voice steadying. "No matter what happens, I want you to know that."

His father's eyes softened, a final flicker of strength and love shining through. "I love you too, Ram. Always."

The exchange, though simple, was profound—a moment of connection and understanding amidst the uncertainty. Ram sat by his father's side, holding his hand and staying close, finding comfort in the presence of the man who had been his rock.

A week had passed so one day, he decided to visit the city office. The familiar path took him through the area where Priya's flower shop once thrived, a place that held memories of a past he was still trying to piece together.

The city streets bustled with activity as usual, but as Ram's car turned into the familiar lane, something struck him as odd. The place where Priya's shop had been was now starkly different. His heart skipped a beat as he took in the sight before him—an empty, charred shell of a building stood in place of the vibrant flower shop he remembered.

Ram parked his car and stepped out, his gaze fixed on the wreckage. The building was a haunting ruin, its walls blackened and scorched. The once colorful storefront was reduced to a grim facade of ash and debris. The sight was jarring, a stark contrast to the vibrant image that had lingered in his memory.

He walked closer, his footsteps echoing on the cracked pavement. The remains of the shop lay strewn across the ground, the vibrant blooms and fragrant memories now replaced by desolation. Ram's heart sank as he surveyed the damage, the reality of the fire's impact hitting him hard.

A passerby, noticing Ram's confusion and concern, slowed down and offered a sympathetic glance. Seeing the man's inquisitive look, Ram approached him.

"Excuse me," Ram asked, trying to keep his voice steady. "Do you know what happened to this building?"

The man looked at the remains of the shop, his expression one of sadness and resignation. "Yeah," he said with a sigh. "A fire broke out here a few months ago. It was pretty devastating. The place was gutted, and everyone had to move their shops out. I heard it was a real mess."

Ram's face fell as he absorbed the news. With a heavy heart, Ram turned away from the ruin, his mind racing with thoughts and emotions. The building was a ghost of what once was, and as he walked back to his car, he felt the weight of the past pressing down on him more than ever.