As days passed, Arjun made a sincere effort to reduce his drinking. Slowly but surely, he felt his resolve strengthen, spurred by the gravity of recent events and the solemnity of his grandmother’s passing. The fog of his dependency was beginning to lift, and in its place, he felt the faintest glimmers of clarity and purpose, though he hadn’t fully realized what he was working towards.

The next morning, Arjun sat at the dining table, his mind unusually calm. Ishita moved around the kitchen, preparing breakfast, though he couldn’t help but notice how pale and worn-out she looked. She brought him his plate with a small smile, but as she reached out to set it down, her expression suddenly faltered. She wobbled, clutching the edge of the table, and before he could fully react, her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor.