Introduction

Arnav sat in his small, cluttered room, staring at the letter in his hands. The waithad been agonizing, but finally, the news he had been hoping for had arrived.

Ashe read the words "Congratulations, you have been selected..." his heart skipped a beat. A wide smile spread across his face, and he felt like he was walking on air.

Arnav jumped out of bed, letter still clutched in his hand, and danced around theroom. He rushed out of his room and into the living room, where his parentswere watching TV.

"Maa,Papa, I got it! I got the scholarship!" he exclaimed, waving the letter inthe air.

His parents' faces lit up with pride and happiness. His mother, Ratna, rushed tohug him, tears of joy in her eyes.

"We're so proud of you, beta!" she said, beaming.

Avinash, Arnav's father, patted him on the back, a wide smile on his face. "You'veworked hard for this, Arnav. You deserve it."

Arnav felt a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over him. This scholarship wasmore than just a financial aid – it was a validation of his hard work and determination.

As they celebrated, Arnav's father's expression turned serious. "But what about your job here?"

Arnav's face fell, knowing that his family relied on his income. "I'll have toquit, Papa," he said, feeling a pang of guilt.

Ratna's smile faltered, and she looked at her son with concern. "Arnav, beta,London is so far away. How will you manage? The cost of living is so high there."

Arnav tried to reassure her. "Maa, I'll be fine. I'll work hard and make sure Ican send some money back home. And think about the opportunities I'll have at Harvard – it's one of the best universities in the world."

Ratnanodded, but her eyes still looked worried. "I know, beta. But we'll missyou so much. You're our only son, and the thought of you being so far away isdifficult for me to bear. I don’t want you to go behind girl there"

Arnav felt a pang of guilt and hugged his mother tightly. "I am going to studythere Maa. And I'll make sure to stay in touch regularly. You can even videocall me whenever you want. Strictly no girls ok?"

Ratna's face relaxed slightly, and she smiled, seeming to accept her son's reassurance."Okay, beta. I trust you. Just remember, your studies are the most important thing right now."

Arnavnodded, feeling a sense of responsibility. "I will, Maa. Don't worry, I'llmake you proud."

Avinash,Arnav's father, spoke up, his voice filled with pride. "We know you will,beta. You've always made us proud. Now, let's celebrate this achievement!"

Khushi stepped out of the luxurious car and onto the driveway of her family's opulent mansion. The bright Indian sun was a stark contrast to the gloomy London weather she had left behind.

Asshe entered the house, Khushi was immediately enveloped in the warm embrace ofher family's staff. They had been like a second family to her, and their concerned faces reflected the gravity of her mother's illness.

"Khushi beta, welcome back," her father, Shashi, said, his voice laced with worry."Your mother is waiting for you."

Khushi's heart skipped a beat as she hurried to her mother's room. She had left Londonin a rush, leaving behind her exams and her friends, to be by her mother'sside.

As she entered the room, Khushi was taken aback by her mother's frail appearance.She looked so different from the strong, vibrant woman Khushi remembered.

"Ma..."Khushi whispered, tears streaming down her face as she hugged her mothertightly.

Hermother's weak smile and gentle pat on her back were a comforting reassurance that she was home. Her mother Meera spoke.

"Are you eating in London or not? Why did come leaving exams?"

Khushi pulled back, wiping away her tears. "Maa, I was eating, but...I couldn'tfocus on my studies when I knew you were ill. I had to come back to take careof you."

Meera'sexpression turned stern, despite her weak condition. "Khushi, your studiesare important. You can't just leave them like that.”

Khushi'seyes widened as her mother's words hit her like a ton of bricks. "Maa,what do you mean? You're going to get better, with me here aren't you?"

Meera's expression turned stern, despite her weak condition. "Khushi, my illnessis not curable. You know that, don't you?"

BeforeKhushi could respond, her father, Shashi, intervened. "Meera, she's herenow. Don't start with your speech. She'll clear her exams, don't worry. Yourest now."

Shashi gently took Khushi's arm and led her out of the room, leaving Meera to rest. Assoon as they stepped out, Khushi turned to her father, her eyes brimming withtears.

"Papa,why did you ask me to come back so quickly? And why did we use the jet?"

Shashi's eyes welled up with tears as he struggled to speak. "Doctors...have losthope, Khushi. I wanted you to be here...in her last days."

Khushi's face crumpled as she burst into tears, her father's words shattering her world.