She was taken to the hospital, unfortunately, just a day after her discharge because she fainted again in her room.
When Alankrita opened her eyes again, the first thing she noticed was the ceiling.
White.
Bright.
Hospital white.
Then came the familiar voices.
"She's awake."
"Little Pumpkin?"
"Alankrita?"
Her eyes slowly adjusted.
Mei Lin stood beside the bed.
Sam looked as though he had not breathed properly for hours.
Elara held a cup of tea she had probably forgotten to drink.
Sara sat quietly near the window knitting something impossibly tiny.
And standing slightly behind them...
Oliver.
Chloe.
Marcus.
The gossip gang.
Looking worried.
Looking guilty.
Looking human.
Dr. Ellis entered moments later carrying a tablet.
"Welcome back, future journalist."
Alankrita blinked slowly.
"The exam..."
Dr. Ellis sighed dramatically.
"You collapse after the examination and your first concern is grades."
Professor material, apparently."
The room laughed.
"Your body simply reached its limit. Severe stress, exhaustion, pregnancy, lack of rest, and determination levels that should frankly be illegal."
Alankrita smiled weakly.
"And Baby Pumpkin?"
Dr Ellis smiled.
"Perfectly fine."