Chapter 9: The Turning Point

That day, on my way home, I got into a car accident.

A speeding truck rear-ended me, knocking me unconscious.

The world went black in a swirl of screeching tyres and shattering glass. When I woke up in the hospital, the doctor told me I'd been in a coma for five days.

Dazed, I took out my phone to call Arjun, when the Mehra family butler hurried in.

"Madam, you're finally awake! I've been checking on you every day—thank goodness you woke up!"

His voice was thick with relief, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of warmth.

I smiled weakly.

"Sorry to have worried everyone. I'm fine."

But the butler's face was grave.

I looked at him. "What's wrong? Is Maaji upset?"

He hesitated a moment. "Madam, Mr. Mehra has passed away."

My eyes widened slowly.

"What did you say? Who passed away?"

The butler spoke solemnly.

"The night you had your accident and fell into a coma, Mr. Mehra suddenly had an acute attack outside. He was rushed to the hospital, but died despite resuscitation."

"The house has been in chaos these past days. Maaji fainted from crying several times. Dadaji is barely holding on to handle the aftermath. The cremation was just completed this morning."

The news settled over me like a heavy shawl. I listened, dazed, motionless—a shell without a soul.

The butler sighed, "Madam, please restrain your grief. You can't collapse now. Dadaji told me to check on you every day. There are many inheritance procedures that need your signature, so please hurry back."

I said nothing, slowly sitting up.

The bedsheet was stiff, the hospital room too white, too bright. I could hear the clang of a vendor’s bell from the street below, life carrying on as always.

The butler hurried to support me. "The car is waiting downstairs. Please hold on—Dadaji is anxious."

I gently pulled my hand away.

The butler looked at me, confused.

I slowly leaned back, resting against the headboard, and said softly:

"If it's so urgent..."

"Then let him come see me himself."

For the first time, the city outside felt strangely quiet. Something inside her had shifted—something that would not bend again.