The faint hum of the air conditioner was the only sound filling the examination room.
Ekant Yugen sat quietly on the edge of the bed, his back straight, hands resting on his thighs. The pale light from the ceiling reflected softly off the white walls, making the room feel colder than it actually was. In front of him, mounted on a lightboard, was his X-ray—an image he didn't fully understand, but one that had somehow managed to decide the course of his next few days.
Dr. David Hubel adjusted his glasses and leaned closer to the illuminated film.
"Hm…"
That single sound made Ekant's mother tense immediately.
Dhriti Yugen clasped her hands together, fingers interlocked so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. She had been trying to appear calm ever since they entered the hospital, but now that the doctor was silent, her anxiety surfaced in full.
Ken Yugen stood beside her, his expression composed, but Ekant knew his father well enough to notice the subtle signs—the clenched jaw, the slight narrowing of his eyes. Ken was the kind of man who rarely showed worry outwardly, but when he did, it was never without reason.
Dr. Hubel finally turned around.
"Ekant," he said calmly, "you've been experiencing difficulty breathing through your nose for quite some time now, correct?"
Ekant nodded. "Yes, sir. Especially at night."
"That aligns with what we're seeing here," the doctor replied, tapping the X-ray lightly. "You have a condition known as turbinate hypertrophy. Simply put, the tissues inside your nasal passages are enlarged, restricting airflow."
"..."
Dhriti's breath hitched. "Is… is it dangerous?"
Dr. Hubel gave her a reassuring look. "It's not life-threatening, but it is disruptive. Left untreated, it can affect sleep, focus, and overall quality of life. Considering Ekant's academic workload, that's a concern."
Ken crossed his arms. "What are the options?"
"We've already tried medication," the doctor said. "Since it hasn't been effective, surgery is the best solution. It's a relatively common procedure, low risk, and recovery is usually quick."
"How quick?" Ken asked.
"Two days for the operation preparation. Three to five days of rest afterward. He should be back to normal within a week."
The room fell silent again.
Ekant stared at the floor, his thoughts drifting.
'So this is it… surgery, huh.'
He was not scared— at least, not outwardly. But there was a strange weight pressing against his chest. His second year of high school had barely begun. He had plans. Goals. Schedules stacked neatly in his head.
Few months, but last fifteen days were peak...
That was how long his illness had already disrupted everything.
Dhriti spoke again, her voice softer now. "Doctor… the cost?"
Dr. Hubel named the amount.
The cost was not high when judged by the importance and complexity of the operation, yet for a middle-class family, it amounted to three months' salary and several years of hard-earned savings.
Dhriti inhaled sharply, but Ken didn't flinch.
"We can manage," Ken said after a brief pause. "What matters is his health."
Ekant looked up. "Dad—"
Ken raised a hand gently. "Don't worry about it. Focus on getting better."
Dhriti reached out and held Ekant's hand. "We'll handle the rest."
Dr. Hubel smiled faintly. "I'll schedule the surgery for two days from now. Before that, we'll need a blood test to confirm he's ready."
As if on cue, a nurse knocked and entered the room, pushing a small tray.
"Ekant Yugen?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Just a small sample," she said kindly.
Ekant rolled up his sleeve without hesitation. The needle prick was brief, almost insignificant compared to the thoughts swirling in his mind.
"..."
Two days…
A short while later, the nurse returned with the results.
"All clear," she said with a smile. "He's ready."
The words felt heavier than they should have.
---
The sky had begun to darken by the time they reached home.
Evening had settled in quietly, painting the streets in shades of orange and blue. As soon as the door opened, hurried footsteps echoed from inside.
"You're back!"
Tiyan came running toward them, his school bag still slung over one shoulder. He was younger than Ekant by several years, smaller in frame, but his eyes were sharp with concern.
"Brother, where were you?" he asked, stopping abruptly when he noticed the tension on their faces.
Dhriti knelt down and placed her hands on Tiyan's shoulders. "There's something we need to tell you."
They explained everything—slowly, carefully.
Tiyan's brows furrowed as he listened.
"So… brother needs surgery?" he asked.
"Yes," Ken replied. "But it's a simple one."
Tiyan turned toward Ekant, staring at him for a moment before suddenly stepping forward and hugging him tightly.
"It'll be okay," Tiyan said firmly. "You're strong."
"..."
Ekant blinked in surprise, then chuckled lightly. "Hey… who's the younger one here?"
Tiyan puffed out his chest. "Obviously you. You're the one going to the hospital."
Dhriti laughed softly for the first time that day.
The tension eased, if only slightly.
That night, Ekant lay awake longer than usual.
He stared at the ceiling, listening to the distant sounds of the city outside. His mind replayed the doctor's words again and again, but strangely, fear never truly settled in.
Instead, there was anticipation.
'After surgery… I'll have time.'
'Time to rest.'
'Time to breathe.'
'Time to think.'
The next day passed quietly, yet heavily.
Ken spent most of the morning making calls—insurance, hospital administration, banks. Dhriti prepared clothes, labeling them carefully, folding them neatly into a small bag.
Ekant watched from the doorway.
"How long will I stay?" he asked.
"Just a few days," Dhriti replied. "But we'll prepare for a week, just in case."
She packed extra clothes. Snacks Tiyan insisted on adding. Books, though Ekant doubted he'd read them.
Meals were planned. Finances calculated. Schedules adjusted.
Life reorganized itself around one operation.
That evening, as everything was finally set, Ken sat down and exhaled deeply.
"We're ready," he said.
Dhriti nodded. "Yes. We're ready."
Ekant looked at his family—his parents, his brother—and felt something settle within him.
Whatever awaited him on the other side of the operation…
They were prepared.
To be Continued...