The 151 Days

After helping Prakhar get dressed, Pranay gently covered him with a blanket. Then, holding his hands, he began to slowly rub them. Shrey also sat down, quietly massaging his feet. Within moments, Prakhar's shivering began to ease.

The room was silent — only the soft rustling of the blanket and the gentle motion of their hands could be heard.

"Pranay… he'll be okay, right?" Shrey asked in a trembling voice.

"Yeah… of course," Pranay replied, barely audible, then suddenly burst out in frustration, "Call that doctor, where the hell is he!"

Shrey quickly dialed the number, but just then, the doorbell rang.

"Must be the doctor… I'll get it!" Pranay rushed toward the door.

A few moments later...

The doctor examined Prakhar thoroughly — checked his pulse, assessed his condition, and then stood up and said,

"He's developed a fever from staying too long in wet clothes… but there's no need to worry. I'll prescribe some medicines; he should be fine in two days."

Pranay listened, but instead of relief, there was restlessness in his eyes.

He pulled the doctor aside and said quietly,

"Doctor… is it really just a fever? I mean… did you see his condition?"

The doctor took a deep breath,

"Look, I was about to speak to you privately. Your friends seem very worried — I didn't think it was right to say this in front of them…"

The doctor paused, leaned slightly forward, and continued in a serious tone,

"The patient appears to have been under severe stress for a long time. His blood pressure is very high. He might be dealing with depression and anxiety. He needs a good psychiatrist… but more than that — he needs love and care. You all seem very close to him, don't leave him alone right now."

Pranay silently listened, then spoke softly,

"Umm… one more thing, doctor… there are many scars on his body. If you could just take a look…"

The doctor nodded slightly,

"Alright, I'll check. Please ask Shrey to step outside."

Pranay went back into the room. Shrey was still standing in a corner.

"Shrey, come with me to the kitchen… need to get some ice and cloth."

Pranay intentionally gave him a small task to keep him out of the room.

Shrey quietly followed him.

The doctor looked at Prakhar once again.

As soon as the doctor reached to remove Prakhar's clothes—

Prakhar suddenly sprang up and twisted the doctor's wrist.

"Ahh!!" the doctor screamed.

"Who are you?!" Prakhar growled.

Hearing the scream, both Pranay and Shrey rushed into the room.

"Prakhar...!" Pranay hurried forward, "Let go… he's a doctor!"

Prakhar stood still for a moment, breathing heavily, then as if coming to his senses — released the doctor's hand and collapsed onto the bed. His body trembled, and his breathing grew fast, as if he'd just woken from a nightmare.

The doctor stood stunned for a moment, then gently massaged his wrist and said quietly,

"I was only trying to check his injuries… but he just— jumped up."

Pranay's face had turned stern. His eyes were fixed on Prakhar, who now looked barely conscious.

He muttered to himself,

"This... this isn't normal. No one can even stand in such a high fever… and he… he just grabbed the doctor like that!"

"It's alright… doctor, you can go now," Pranay gestured toward the door. "We'll call you if needed."

The doctor silently packed his bag and left.

Shrey came in with the ice.

"Here…," he said softly.

"Give it to me, I'll do the cold compress," Pranay said, taking the bowl.

"There's no need," Prakhar suddenly said firmly.

Pranay looked up.

"Did anyone ask you?" he scolded with authority. Then without waiting for a response, he gently laid him down and sat by his side.

"Lie down quietly," he said, wetting a cloth in the cold water and placing it on Prakhar's forehead.

The coolness of the cloth seemed to ease the heat from Prakhar's forehead. His tense face slowly began to relax, and his eyes started to close. His breathing deepened, and soon, he fell into a deep sleep.

After making sure Prakhar was properly covered, Pranay looked at him once — his face still slightly pale, but his breathing now steady.

Shrey still sat quietly nearby — gently caressing Prakhar's feet.

Pranay stepped outside. A soft breeze was blowing. He took out his phone and dialed a number.

"Bhai…" his voice held hesitation.

"Speak, Pranay…" came Ajit's calm yet serious voice from the other side.

"There's something strange about that boy…" Pranay's eyes remained fixed on the room inside.

"Strange? Like what?"

Pranay took a deep breath and slowly explained everything —

The deep scars on Prakhar's back,

How he leapt up despite a high fever,

And how he grabbed the doctor's wrist like a reflex… as if some terrifying trigger had been activated.

Ajit remained silent for a few seconds, then said,

"I'll come tomorrow… stay with him for now. If anything happens, call me immediately."

"Yes, Bhai…" Pranay replied softly and ended the call.

The next morning…

Prakhar's eyelids fluttered. He slowly opened his eyes. It took him a few seconds to realize where he was. As his gaze shifted to his left, his heart skipped a beat — Shrey and Pranay were sleeping beside him, each with a hand resting on his chest, as if holding onto him.

Prakhar's eyes welled up… then a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Very carefully, without waking them, he moved their hands off and got out of bed.

He went straight to the drawer, opened it, and pulled out his diary.

*"This morning feels the most beautiful to me… or maybe I should say, perhaps the 'only' morning that truly feels beautiful.

The presence of these two, their innocent touch, their unconditional warmth —Was this ever really meant for me?

I wish… I wish this morning waited for me every day…But no — I know, this is a lovely dream,And reality…Reality always hurts."*

As he closed the diary and turned around, he saw Pranay watching him. Prakhar quickly tried to hide the diary.

But Pranay had already noticed. He didn't say anything, just looked away and asked casually,

"How are you feeling?"

Prakhar replied in a cold tone,

"I'm fine. Thanks for yesterday… now you both can leave. I don't need anyone's pity or sympathy."

Pranay slowly walked closer, locking eyes with him —

"You think I felt sorry for you?"

Prakhar turned his face away and said with indifference,

"What else could it have been…?"

Pranay looked at him for a moment, as if trying to read the pain hidden behind his coldness. Then he took a deep breath and added a touch of mischief in his voice —

"Umm… let's call it friendship.You see, my brother Shrey likes you, so I can't lay a hand on you…Otherwise, last night… I mean, you were looking quite hot!"

Prakhar's face turned bright red. He avoided eye contact.

"I'll make some soup. Go wash up quickly. No need for a bath," Pranay said as he walked toward the kitchen.

"But I need to go out…"

"You're going nowhere!"

Pranay's voice now had an edge of authority — so much so that Prakhar fell silent.

"But it's important—"

"What could be more important than your health? And if it is, just tell us. Shrey and I are free — we don't mind tagging along as your 'tail'."

"You don't understand…"Prakhar's voice was tired.

Pranay didn't smile this time. He took a step back, then said —

"Bhai is coming… If my scolding didn't fix you, and you insist on going out in front of him, he'll scold you properly — and maybe that'll knock some sense into you…"

As he walked out, he muttered —

"I don't know what kind of hell you've been through… but whatever it was, no more pain is reaching you now. Not while I'm around.If you're the one my brother has chosen…then to hell with the world,to hell with understanding —you have to be his…at any cost."