The first light of dawn filtered through the thin curtains of Tahir's room. Yn was sitting beside him on a bed cradling Tanishka who was peacefully sleeping. She could not sleep the previous night. The things that happened felt like a distant nightmare. Tahir was sleeping, his chest rising and falling with even breaths. Tears rolled down Yn's cheeks as she recalled the doctor's words. She clutched Tanishka close to her chest and sobbed silently. She gently took Tahir's hand in hers and rubbed small circles on his palm with her thumbs.

"Uth jaaiye ab toh..aur kitna soyenge..chinta ke maare mar rahi hoon main yaha" (Get up now.. how much more will you sleep.. I’m dying here out of concern.)