Chapter 10: A Prayer for the Lost

2:30 AM – The Edge of Despair

Debasish lies on his hostel bed, staring at the ceiling. A crushing weight sits on his chest.

He has failed. Not just in studies, but as a son, as a brother, as a person.

His father is working himself to exhaustion.

His mother is suffering in silence.

His sister is carrying a burden that should have been his.

And he?

He is nothing.

His phone lies beside him. This time, there is no urge to scroll. No distraction can numb this pain.

For the first time in years, he feels completely, utterly alone.

2:45 AM – A Name from the Past

Through the suffocating silence, a thought surfaces. Nani.

His childhood guardian.

The one who held him close when he was sick.

The one who never scolded him for failing.

The one who always believed in him, even when he didn’t believe in himself.

With trembling hands, he dials her number.

2:50 AM – The Voice of Home

The phone rings twice before a gentle, sleepy voice answers.

> Nani: "Debu?"

The warmth in that single word shatters him. He bites his lip, trying to hold back tears.

> Debasish: (Whispering) "Nani…"

> Nani: (Yawning) "What happened, beta? Why are you calling so late?"

Debasish opens his mouth. But no words come out. How does he explain this pain?

> Nani: (Sensing something is wrong) "Did you eat? Are you sick?"

He lets out a shaky breath.

> Debasish: (Voice breaking) "I don’t know, Nani… I think I’m lost."

Silence. Then, her soft chuckle.

> Nani: "Lost? My Debu? That’s not possible."

> Debasish: (Tears spilling over) "I… I don’t know what to do anymore. Everyone is suffering because of me."

3:00 AM – The Wisdom of a Simple Heart

Nani listens patiently, not interrupting. When she finally speaks, her voice is calm, steady like a river.

> Nani: "You know, when you were small, you were weak and often fell sick. Everyone worried. Your mother cried, your father ran from doctor to doctor… But do you know what I used to say?"

Debasish closes his eyes. He remembers—a faded memory, a prayer whispered in the dark.

> Nani: "Shiva will take care of my Debu. He is meant to shine."

He sobs.

> Debasish: (Whispering) "But I’m not shining, Nani. I’m failing."

> Nani: (Firmly) "Not yet."

Her voice is so certain. So unshaken.

> Nani: "Tell me, Debu… why are you so afraid?"

> Debasish: (Breathing unevenly) "Because I can’t do it. I’ve wasted too much time. I keep making the same mistakes."

> Nani: (Gently) "Then stop making them."

It’s so simple. Almost too simple.

> Nani: "Every day, the sun rises again, beta. That is Shiva’s way of telling us—tu abhi bhi jeevit hai. You are still alive. And as long as you are alive, you can try again."

Debasish clutches his chest. The words hit something deep.

> Nani: (Softly) "You don’t have to be perfect, Debu. You just have to try."

3:30 AM – A Moment of Realization

For the first time in months, maybe years, something shifts inside him.

It’s not motivation. It’s not confidence.

It’s something quieter. Hope.

> Debasish: (Wiping his tears) "Will you pray for me, Nani?"

> Nani: (Smiling) "I already do, every day."

She starts whispering a prayer to Lord Shiva. A prayer for strength, for clarity, for success.

As her voice flows through the speaker, Debasish finally closes his eyes.

And for the first time in a long time, he feels at peace.

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