Rukhsana, a twelve-year-old girl from Deoband, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, suddenly wakes up one night while sleeping and starts screaming. Her terrifying screams frighten all her family members.

Initially, Rukhsana's family dismissed her behaviour as a minor incident, attributing it to an accident. However, as the days passed, Rukhsana's condition deteriorated. Eventually, they began to suspect that she was possessed by a spirit. They decided to take her to see a tantrik (spiritual healer), and this sequence of events unfolded.

Rukhsana's journey, once begun, seemed relentless. She didn't pause or look back, as months and days slipped by alongside those who tried to heal her. Yet, the path remained elusive to her family, where each destination held a prescribed method of treatment according to her needs.

Due to financial constraints, it often took time to travel to other cities. The scarcity of time and the burden of relying on a single family member weighed heavily. Rukhsana had to endure a lot in such circumstances. The family's situation deteriorated day by day, as they struggled to make ends meet. They couldn't afford to let all six members go hungry just to save one life. So, Rukhsana had to bear this pain, but the little girl fought bravely and confronted the spirit that haunted her.

Rukhsana's family began keeping her at home more frequently because the entire neighbourhood soon became aware of her situation. Over time, she was labelled as a witch, ghost, or other supernatural entity. The way the neighbours looked at her forced her family to confine her indoors. Despite enduring immense pain, Rukhsana was locked away, much like how people often navigate life according to others' expectations rather than their own. This struggle isn't unique to just this place; it echoes across the entire world.

Rukhsana started living a secluded life, suppressing her laughter, avoiding conversations, and forsaking her playful spirit. She shut herself off from the world, sleeping day and night. Gradually, this pattern became an essential part of her existence, and her family assumed she was recovering. They didn't realize that she had stopped considering any other possibilities. She didn't even think about anything else."

Sometimes, life takes unexpected turns, and we find ourselves in a different rhythm.

When Rukhsana's mother tried to wake her up, she remained unresponsive. Despite her mother's persistent efforts, Rukhsana didn't stir. Alarmed, her mother acted swiftly. She took Rukhsana to SBDB District Hospital in Saharanpur, accompanied by her husband. As soon as the doctor there assessed Rukhsana's condition, she was immediately admitted to the ICU for treatment and further tests. Her parents anxiously waited outside the ICU, hoping for her recovery. Time slipped away unnoticed, and they didn't realize when night fell.

As per the medical reports, everything appears normal. Due to the lack of advanced equipment at the current hospital, Rukhsana was referred to GTB Hospital in Delhi. Her journey to Delhi has begun, and she is currently resting in the ambulance. her brother and mother are accompanying her.

It's been five days since Rukhsana has been in the GTB Hospital ICU. All the necessary tests have been conducted, but her reports show nothing abnormal—everything appears normal. The doctors attending to her are perplexed by this case. However, Rukhsana is ready to wake up from her slumber, as if beckoned by her own inner resolve.

Rukhsana's brother and mother wait in a park outside the ICU, anticipating her awakening. Her mother can only catch glimpses of Rukhsana when she needs to be cleaned. The wait seems endless, and their financial resources are dwindling.

As the doctors discuss Rukhsana's condition, she suddenly opens her eyes in the ICU. Swiftly removing her mask, she begins to scream in a terrifying manner. The duty staff tries to restrain her, but their efforts prove futile. Eventually, she loses consciousness. The doctors rush to examine her, while outside the ICU, her mother and brother listen to her scream.

IHBAS (Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences) has a renowned Neurology department. Rukhsana has been referred there because the hospital suspects a neurological condition. Her mother and brother have been in Delhi for a month now, waiting for her recovery.

Rukhsana's mother now works inside the hospital, cleaning other patients. For each patient she assists, she receives 50 rupees. This daily routine leaves her with a total of 250 to 300 rupees. The hospital staff is aware of this, but they don't intervene because Rukhsana and her brother rely on that money for their meals. Meanwhile, her brother waits outside, patiently hoping for Rukhsana's recovery.

It's been forty-five days, and today Rukhsana's father has come to the hospital to meet his son and wife. They sit in the canteen, sipping tea and enjoying samosas. Meanwhile, in the ICU, Rukhsana wakes up. She's somewhat better now, and the ICU staff is searching for her family. However, when no one arrives to see her, they transfer her from the ICU to Ward No. 1, Bed 4.

Rukhsana is sitting on the bed, her family is sitting on a bench placed in front of her. They are feeding her juice, and Rukhsana looks a little happier now. Seeing her improved condition, her family, along with doctors and other patients, come to check on her. After a while, senior and junior doctors approach

Rukhsana and have a conversation with her. She appears completely fine after the examination. Therefore, the doctors decide to discharge her after one week. Hearing this, Rukhsana's family becomes quite happy. It's nighttime, and Rukhsana and her mother are sleeping on the bed. Her brother is on the bench, and her father is sleeping in the park, covered with a blanket.

It has been three days since Rukhsana was shifted to the ward. Now, she is engaging in conversations with everyone and has started feeling happier. However, she dislikes the hospital food, so her brother brings food from outside for both of them. Whatever food the hospital provides, her mother consumes. Rukhsana's family is now confident that whatever illness she had is now cured, and in a few more days, she will return home.

It was evening, and Rukhsana and her brother were playing when suddenly she started screaming again. Her brother became quite alarmed, and even the other patients in the room looked on in shock. The staff immediately informed the doctor, and now all the doctors are standing, observing her closely.

Even though all the reports and tests came back normal, the girl remained unconscious for several days. Her family's hope was gradually fading. However, they found solace in the fact that this time the doctors didn't shift their daughter to the ICU. As a result, both mother and daughter could sleep in the same room. Only they knew how they managed to endure the scorching heat outside. The father continued working at the hospital, sitting in the room, pondering whether any treatment would make a difference.

Now, after ninety days in the hospital, Rukhsana remains unchanged. Her brother looks worried, and her mother spends her days anxiously checking on her like a lost soul. Rukhsana continues to converse with others. However, today marks the day when their journey here comes to an end. Doctor's has been referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The hospital could only keep her here for this long, and now the family must begin their journey anew. But their courage wanes—they cannot bear to go there and start all over again. So, they take their daughter home.

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