Chapter 7: The Morning She Didn’t Want to Wake Up… But Did
The alarm rang at 4:45 AM. A soft chime. Then again. And again. Neha opened her eyes slowly. The room was still dark. The ceiling fan rotated in the same steady rhythm. Beside her, Kabir slept peacefully, one arm stretched across the bed, his hair falling over his forehead.
For a moment, Neha did not move. Her body felt unusually heavy. Not the kind of tiredness that disappears after a good night’s sleep. This was deeper. The kind that settles in your bones. The kind that makes even simple things feel difficult.
She looked at the clock.
4:58 AM.
In another few minutes, she would have to get up for the same routine i.e. Tea, Breakfast, Tiffin, Uniform, Office, Homework, Dinner.
And then… do it all over again.
She closed her eyes for a while again. A thought crossed her mind.
👉 “Aaj bas nahi hota.”
She wanted to take leave from everything.
She missed the mornings when Rajat (her husband) was there to support her in every work & chaos. He used to make tea for her in the morning, helps her to pack tiffins, Kabir's School Bag.
Neha missed his voice when he says
"Take a leave today & have some rest."
"I will manage everythig. I am here for You."
The alarm rang again.
It's 5:15 AM
The room was full of silence. Then Kabir turned in his sleep. Without opening his eyes, he moved closer and rested his small hand on her arm. A simple unconscious gesture.
Warm. Trusting. Complete.
Neha looked at his hand. Then at his sleeping face. And something inside her shifted. The tiredness did not disappear. The responsibilities did not become lighter.
But the reason to get up was right beside her.
Carefully, she moved his hand aside and sat up. Her feet touched the cool floor. She tied her hair into a loose bun. And walked to the kitchen.
The gas stove clicked. Water began to boil. The first light of dawn filtered through the window. Outside, the world was still quiet. Inside, another day had begun.
By 6:30 AM, the tiffin was ready. By 6:45 AM, tea was poured. By 7:00 AM, she stood beside Kabir.
“Kabir… uth jao beta.”
He opened one eye. “Mumma… aap uth gaye?”
Neha smiled. “Haan.”
Kabir sat up and hugged her suddenly. “Good morning.”
She held him a little longer than usual. “Good morning.”
Later, as she watched the school bus disappear at the end of the street, Neha stood at the gate for a few extra moments. The morning air was cool. The road was ordinary. Nothing extraordinary had happened. And yet… something important had.
She had shown up again not because she felt strong, not because she was fully rested, not because life had become easier. But because someone depended on her.
There are mornings when courage does not look dramatic. It looks like:
Getting out of bed. Packing lunch. Smiling when you feel exhausted. Continuing anyway.
And that morning, Neha realized that strength is not the absence of tiredness… It is the decision to rise despite it.
If you've ever cried quietly after everyone was asleep, read:
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