The evening air outside the Mary Smith Hospital was still. Inside, in a quiet consultation room faintly lit by the bedside lamp, Dr. Ethan Reynolds sat across from Arav, his eyes calm yet heavy with concern.
Arav had just finished recounting everything — the accident, his brother's sudden collapse, the strange behavior that followed. His voice trembled near the end.
"Please, doctor… please help my brother."
Dr. Ethan leaned back, fingers interlaced. "Mr. Arav," he said gently, "from what you've described, your brother's symptoms resemble a rare neurological condition we've been studying — Somnatic Resonance Syndrome. He's not the first victim. It causes vivid hallucinations, deep unconsciousness, and sometimes… unnatural behavior during sleep."
He placed a reassuring hand on Arav's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll personally keep an eye on him tonight. He'll be under my supervision."
Relief washed over Arav. The doctor's composed assurance gave him something to cling to. "Thank you, Doctor Reynolds," he said, standing up.
He left one maid and Ishan with the doctor, instructing them to stay by his brother's side, before leaving the hospital.
The rain had started outside as Arav settled into a modest hotel room. The city's hum seemed distant, muted by grief.
"Butler Veer," Arav said quietly, staring out the window, "call my brother for me."
Veer nodded, his old fingers deftly dialing the landline. The shrill trrr-trrr of the ring echoed until it clicked.
On the other end, a calm voice answered — Shaurya.
"Young Master Shaurya," Veer greeted. "Master Arav wishes to speak with you."
He handed the receiver over. Arav took it with trembling hands. As soon as he spoke, his voice broke — and from his left eye, a single tear slid down his cheek, glimmering like a shard of pain.
"Bhaiya…" his voice cracked, "why is this happening?"
Shaurya stayed silent for a heartbeat, then replied in his steady, soothing tone, "Arav, don't cry. Everything will be alright. Calm down."
But Arav couldn't hold it in anymore. His dam of emotions burst. Words tumbled out — questions, grief, guilt — everything he'd buried since the night of the accident.
On the other end, Shaurya sighed softly. Then, with a faint, almost bittersweet smile, he said,
"This is a test, Arav. A trial from God — to see if we're worthy of what's waiting ahead. We'll endure. We always do."
Arav wiped his tears, nodding even though Shaurya couldn't see him. "Take care, bhaiya," he whispered.
"You too," Shaurya said, and hung up.
Butler Veer, ever composed, helped Arav lie down. "Master," he murmured, "your father faced storms far worse and never bowed. Rest now. Tomorrow will bring clarity."
He covered Arav with a blanket. Arav's breathing steadied, his eyes fluttered shut — for the first time in days, he slept peacefully.
Veer smiled faintly and turned off the light.
But what happened the next morning……shook Arav to the core.