It's been ten days since Niko fell into a coma. The Poteks and Avits made their regular visits, particularly Teyluk and Dhati. Tul pays her a visit to check on the wound, which is healing quickly, but Niko still doesn’t show any signs of waking up. Dhati decides to visit her one night before she goes to sleep, like she usually does. She enters her house and sits beside Niko.
“Hey, Niko.” Niko remains unresponsive. “It’s been ten days.” She continues as she checks the wound, “I miss you so much, we all do. I know I keep asking this but, why did this have to happen to you?” Dhati cries softly.
Dhati holds Niko's hand up to her forehead as she continues to cry. She talks to her, updates her on what's been going on in her life over the past week. She tells her that everybody has been missing her, tells her that Ash has noticed that she’s been gone. She chuckles softly when she mentions that Teyluk has been helping with taking care of Ash and feeding him.
“Teyluk, likes you a lot apparently. I didn’t think it was that serious. But looks like you’re not the only one down bad” She chuckles as she wipes her tears away.
“Mom and Dad are taking it pretty hard. They're trying to stay strong for you, but it’s tough.” She continues, “Dad still feels guilty about what happened.”
A knock on the door is heard, when Dhati turns to see who it is, she sees it is Ori. At that moment, as her head is turned away, she misses something, Niko’s eyes flutter as she tries to open them.
“How is she?” he asks as he walks to kneel beside Dhati, looking sadly at Niko.
“Nothing changed, Ori. I don't know what to do. I feel so helpless.” Dhati responds, letting go of Niko's hand and crying into Ori's arms.
“We have to stay strong, for Niko. She needs us to be here for her.” Ori says as he tears up, wiping his eyes quickly.
“I know, I'm trying.” she adds, while at the same moment, Niko begins to move her fingers. But again, neither of them notices as Ori holds Dhati while she cries.
Niko’s eyes flutter, trying to open them. Finally, she succeeds in opening them slightly and tries with all her strength to grab their attention. She raises her hand in an attempt to touch one of them. Ori freezes, opening his eyes wide, when he notices that Niko has her hand up and her eyes open. Dhati continues to cry to Ori, pouring her heart out. Ori tries to tell her that Niko is up.
“Niko,” Ori says quietly, but Dhati hears him.
“I miss her too” she replies, pulling aways and wiping her tears.
“No, Niko!!” he exclaims in surprise as he points towards her, and Dhati realizes her sister is awake.
Almost screaming out loud, but Ori puts his hand on her mouth, her eyes getting wider and wider.
“Oh my God! Niko, can you hear us?” Dhati asks surprised as she goes to hold the hand that Niko has up.
“Yes, I can hear you.” Niko replies weakly.
71Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcqiALs2vN
“Niko, you're awake! We've missed you so much.” Ori sobs as he caresses Niko's hair with his hand.
“What happened? How long have I been out?” Niko asks dryly, as Ori stands up to get her water.
“You were in a coma for twelve days, Niko. We were so worried about you.” Ori replies, coming back with a cup of water, helping her carefully sit up as she drinks the water.
“I don't remember anything. What happened to me?” Niko asks, confused.
“You were shot in the shoulder. And you lost a lot of blood, and Mom didn't know if you were going to make it.” Dhati answers as her grip tightens on Niko's hand. “But you did make it, Niko. You're a fighter. We knew you could do it.” Ori adds kissing Niko on the forehead.
Niko says weakly, smiling. “Thanks, guys. I'm so glad to see you both.”
Dhati adds smiling, “You have no idea how many times we've played the scenarios in our head about how you’d react when you wake up.”
“I bet it was something cheesy” Niko says smirking Dhati adds sarcastically, “Yeah, we were hoping for a dramatic gasp and then you'd sit up like nothing happened.”
“And then you'd say something like, I had the craziest dream!” Ori adds, making weird gestures with his hands as both of them giggle.
Niko states smiling, “Well, I hate to disappoint you guys, but it wasn't like that at all.”
Dhati adds, smiling back as she tries to hug her, “We don't care how it happened. We're just happy that you're back.”
Niko recalls seriously, “I don't remember anything, but I know one thing for sure. I love you both so much, and I'm so grateful that you never gave up on me.”
“We could never give up on you, Niko. You're our sister, and we'll always be here for you no matter what.” Ori adds as his eyes tear up again.
“Besides, we’re not the only ones who never gave up.” Dhati says as she exchanges smirks with Ori.
Niko asks confused, “What do you mean?”
Ori mocks, “ a certain, brown-eyed dude.”
Dhati adds, smirking at Niko, “Ooh, Teyluk. Isn’t he the boy she's been crushing on for weeks now?”
Niko snaps blushing, “Shut up. I don't have a crush on him.”
Ori exclaims teasingly, crossing his arms, “Oh really? Then why are you blushing like a tomato?”
Niko replies defensively, “I'm not blushing. You guys are just making it up.”
Dhati responds, chuckling along with Ori, “Sure, Niko. We totally believe you.”
“So, when are you going to tell Teyluk that you like him?” Ori asks, sitting down, and getting comfortable.
“I will need to think about it if I am going to tell him at all. But maybe …” she trails off, lowering her head.
“What are you thinking about?” Ori asks as he puts his hand over hers.
“I was thinking about taking him to meet my family.” Niko says as both Dhati and Ori’s eyes widen. That means she takes him seriously.
“You like him that much?” Dhati asks, smiling gently.
“I think I’m in love with him actually” Niko admits looking at them smiling.
“Finally!! Congrats on being the last one to find out” Dhati adds sarcastically as all of them laugh.
“You should go home and sleep, it’s late enough.” Niko says, gesturing towards the door.
“No way, I'm sleeping here with you tonight.” Dhati states firmly as Ori nods as well, to which then Niko smiles and agrees to let them stay.
They adjust themselves to sleep, Ori asks as he raises his head up. “How will you tell them tomorrow that you’re awake?”
“I have an idea.” Niko answers to which Dhati adds, “Great.”
“It involves flying,'' Niko adds cautiously and almost immediately Dhati objects “Absolutely not”.
They all laugh as they lay back down, talking about the big surprise they are planning for the next day.
Dhati says as a gentle smile grows on her face “We love you, Niko. Welcome back.”
Niko replies smiling, “Thank you, guys. It's good to be back.”
ns 18.68.41.179da2
