A week after her discharge she returned to campus.
The winter sun was gentle.
The courtyard was unusually quiet.
She sat with her friends drinking tea and discussing assignments.
Then Oliver appeared.
Behind him stood Chloe and Marcus.
All three looked nervous.
Oliver held a small paper bag.
"We wanted to apologise."
The courtyard fell silent.
Oliver looked embarrassed.
"We talked about you like you were a theory."
"A science project."
"A mystery."
He looked down.
"You were just a person trying your best."
Nobody interrupted.
Then he held out the paper bag.
Inside sat a tiny stuffed elephant.
Grey.
Soft.
Round ears.
Black button eyes.
Alankrita stared.
"It's for Baby Pumpkin."
Oliver scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Elephants protect their families."
"And they remember kindness."
For several seconds Alankrita simply looked at the toy.
Then she smiled.
Not politely.
Not formally.
Genuinely.
She accepted it carefully.
"Thank you, Oliver."
The relief on his face was immediate.