Unknown to her, several members of the family had gathered outside the study door.
By the time she finished speaking, they had heard everything.
Rohan stepped into the room first.
Behind him came his brothers.
Their wives followed quietly.
Rohan smiled.
"We'll buy the ticket."
Alankrita stared at him.
He continued.
"Not only the ticket."
Her eyes widened.
"We will send monthly support until your studies are completed."
"No..."
"Yes."
She shook her head immediately.
"I can't accept that."
Aravind sat beside her.
"You are accepting a loan."
She looked confused.
"A family loan," he explained gently.
"After graduation, after you build your career, after you stand on your own feet, you can repay every rupee if you still wish to."
Another brother spoke.
"Until then, your responsibility is your education."
"And your health," one of the daughters-in-law added.
"And the baby's health," Priya said firmly from the doorway.
The room laughed softly.
Dr. Sumitra nodded.
"Stress helps nobody."
Dr. Vikram adjusted his glasses.
"You are carrying enough responsibilities already, child."
He looked directly at her.
"Allow others to carry some of them for a while."
That sentence shattered whatever remained of her composure.
She cried.
Not from sadness.
Not from fear.
From relief.
Weeks of terror finally left her shoulders.
The women of the family surrounded her immediately.
Anjali held her hand.
Priya hugged her tightly.
Someone brought water.
Someone else brought tissues.
For the first time since leaving home, Alankrita allowed herself to believe she might actually survive this.