Dinner was supposed to be peaceful.
A simple meal. Rotis, daal, sabzi, maybe a little salad on the side. Some harmless family talk-society ki aunty ka gossip, or mom reminding Ahaan to finally clean his cupboard. That's it. That's all he wanted.
But no. Of course not.
Ahaan had that evil grin again. That look. The one that said "I'm about to ruin your life for fun."
I had just dipped my roti in daal when I heard it.
"Mummy, aapko pata hai Ekansh bhaiya ne kya kiya hai aaj?"
(Mummy, do you know what ekansh bhaiya has done today? )
What. The. Hell.
My hand froze mid-air. My heart dropped straight into the steel plate. Ab bol diya na sabke saamne, chalo goodbye meri izzat.
I glared at him instantly. My eyes were screaming: Don't. You. Dare.
But Ahaan, the menace, was already in full form. Still smiling. Still chewing. Still being the worst brother on earth.
So, I did what any panicking elder brother would do.
I kicked him.
Under the table. Sharp and hard.
He yelped. Serves him right. But no he had to be dramatic about it.
"Kya maar rahe ho yaar! Shaanti se khaana khaane do na!" he said, as if I was disturbing his peace.
Then, as if he hadn't tortured me enough, he stood up and walked to sit beside mom.
(Why are you kicking me! Let me eat in peace)
Mujhe maar hi daalo.
(Just kill me already)
I could already see mom's eyes narrowing. That tone was coming. The protective one.
"Mere bete ke baare mein tu kuch mat bol. Kya kiya hai aisa usne?"
(Don't talk about my son like that. What has he done?)
I held my breath. Bach jaa bhai. Kuch mat bol. Please kuch mat bol.
(Be safe bro. Don't say anything. Please don't say anything)
But no. Ahaan was glowing. This was his moment.
"Jo aaj tak nahi kiya... woh kar diya bhaiya ne aaj!"
(He did what he has never done in his whole life )
I wanted to shove a roti in his mouth.
Dad looked up, half amused, half confused. "Zyada se zyada exam mein ek minute late pahucha hoga. Woh bhi impossible hai."
(The least he could do is reach late at the exam by 1 minute and that's impossible)
I tried to smile. Maybe they'd drop it. Maybe he'd give up.
"Papa, sunoge na toh shock lagega..." Ahaan said with all the drama of a crime show host. "Poori duniya hil jaayegi."
(Papa, you will be shocked after hearing)
(Your whole world will shake)
Ab main hi duniya se hil jaaunga.
(Now I am going to move from this world)
I couldn't take it anymore.
"Kya bakwaas kar raha hai tu?! Khana kha. Baad mein baat karte hain." My voice came out faster than expected. Mom and dad both looked at me now.
(What nonsense are you talking? Eat your food. Let's talk about it later)
Great. Now I looked guilty.
Mom leaned forward. Voice sweet but the eyes are sharp. "Itna bol raha hai, bata de. Kya kiya mere seedhe-saadhe bete ne?"
(He is saying too much, let him say. What has my innocent child done?)
And there it was.
Game over.
I just slouched back in my chair, rubbing my temple, waiting for the disaster to unfold.
Aaj ka dinner nahi, mera postmortem ho raha hai yaha.
There are moments in life when everything slows down like in those dramatic movies where water drops in slow motion, and the hero just knows something terrible is about to happen.
This was one of those moments.
Ahaan took a sip of water like he was about to make a toast at someone's wedding and casually said:
"Bhaiya ne Ritvik bhaiya ki behen ko Parso answer sheet pe answer likh ke de diya tha."
I blinked. One... two...
And then-PFFFFF!!
Papa, who had just taken a generous sip of water, spit it out in a perfect arc, nearly spraying the table.
At the exact same time, Mom coughed so hard, her roti probably regretted existing. Her eyes wide, her hand clutching her throat like she'd just swallowed a crime.
And me?
I just sat there. Red. Burning. Melting.
My face felt like it was about to explode. Ahaan, tu ek din mujhe jail bhijwa ke hi dum lega.
I scrambled for damage control. Voice shaking, I tried, "Aaram se mummy-papa... aise kaise khaana kha rahe ho, paani pee rahe ho? Ghar hi toh hai, thoda control-"
(Be Gentle Mummy-papa...how are you drinking water and eating? It's just house, control-
They weren't listening. Obviously.
Papa finally wiped his mouth, staring at Ahaan as if he'd just confessed to robbing a bank.
"Ahaan! Aise mazaak kaun karta hai?!"
(He looked ready to ground him and me both.)
But the real finishing blow came from mom.
"Haan wahi na! Mazaak bhi aisa karo ki sach lage... hai na, Ekansh?"
(Yes right! Joke about something which can be truth... Right ekansh?)
Her tone. That sweet-but-deadly one. The kind that said: Beta, sach bol de warna bhagwan bhi nahi bacha sakta.
I opened my mouth... and closed it.
What could I even say?
"Haan mummy, maine vaani ko answers likh ke diya tha"
(Yes mummy, i wrote the answers for vaani)
I looked at my plate like maybe the daal would swallow me whole. Complete silence. My throat dry. My mind running through exactly how this would look in the next family WhatsApp group rumour cycle.
And then, mom leaned in slightly, gentler now but firm.
"Ekansh... kuch toh bolo. Kya tum bhi mazaak kar rahe ho humare saath?"
(Ekansh say something. Are you joking with us too?)
I swallowed. Still no words. Not one.
And then the traitor my own brother went for the final nail in my dignity's coffin.
"Mummy, papa... aapki kasam. Yeh mazaak nahi hai. Sach bol raha hoon."
(Mummy papa...I swear on you. This is not a joke. I am telling truth)
Bas. Khatam. Main officially zameen mein sama gaya.
I sat there. Paralyzed. Heart thudding. Wondering if I should start running now or after dessert.
I should've known the moment Ahaan opened his mouth that dinner was about to turn into a family comedy show, starring me as the main victim.
But I didn't expect this.
Papa set down his spoon slowly like in slow motion and looked straight at me, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Ekansh... tumne... kisi ladki ko answers likh ke diye? Seriously? Ladki ko??"
(Ekansh...you... Wrote answers for a girl? Seriously? For a girl?)9
I blinked, my throat locking up. He wasn't angry. No. This was worse. This was utter shock.
"Main galat nahi sun raha na?" he added, checking the table like he might've misheard.
(I am not hearing wrong?)
I remained silent. Because what was I supposed to say?
Then Mom turned toward me, looking equally stunned and deeply suspicious.
"Ekansh... mere jaaan... tu sach bol raha hai na?"
(She drew out "jaan" like it was a threat wrapped in affection.
(Ekansh mere jaan... Are you telling the truth?)
I finally spoke. Quietly. Defeated. "Yeh sach hai... lekin-"
(This is the truth...but-)
"Lekin kuch nahi!" Papa cut me off. "Ritvik ko call karo. Shaadi fix karni hai. After all, mere bete ki pasand hai."
(But nothing )
(Call ritvik. We have to fix marriage. It's my son's choice after all)
What-WHAT?
"Nahi Isha, abhi late ho gaya hai," he added dramatically. "Kal subah karenge call."
(No isha, it's late now)
(We will call them tomorrow morning)
My spoon dropped back into the plate with a clatter.
"MERI BAAT TOH SUNO!" I nearly yelled. "Aap log kya kuch bhi bol rahe ho? Abhi age kya hai meri?"
(Here me too!)
(What are you talking? What's my age rn?)
Before anyone could respond, Ahaan clapped his hands in pure evil joy.
"Waah mummy! Meri friend meri bhabhi banegi! Mazaa aa jayega!"
(Woww mummy! My friend will be my sister in law! It will be fun)
Mom joined in, "Haina? Kal hi call karti hoon! Ritvik ki mummy ko kehti hoon milne aayein."
(Right? I will definitely call tomorrow! I will tell ritvik's mom to come for a visit)
I wanted to faint.
And then Papa said the final blow with a completely serious face:
"Engagement karwa dete hai. Shaadi baad mein kar denge. Bade ho jaoge tab. Chalega na, Ekansh?"
(Let's do engagement. Marriage will happen later. When you will grow up. Fine with you ekansh?)
"MERI. BAAT. TOH. SUNO!" I shouted, waving my hands. "Yeh sab kya... matlab... AAP LOGON KO LAGTA HAI MAIN SHAADI KE LIYE READY HOON??"
Ahaan leaned back, as if enjoying a soap opera.
"Ab sunne ke liye kya reh gaya hai? Ab toh baraat niklegi aapki."
(What's left to hear now? Now direct baraat will go)
I pressed my palms to my face, groaning. "Yaar... voh Ritvik ki behn hai! FAIL ho jaati bichari. Isliye bata diya! Unhone bola chemistry nahi aati, baaki sab samajh leti hai. Bas! Aur koi reason nahi tha!"
(Yaar ...she is ritvik's sister! She could have failed that's why I helped her. That's it! There is no other no reason!)
Papa wiped his mouth, smirking. "Chemistry toh ab tumhari banegi Vaani ke saath."
(Now chemistry will be made of you with vaani)
And Mom laughed, patting my head. "Bas bas. Bahot tang kar liya mere bete ko. Ab gussa ho jayega, bichara."
(Enough enough. Don't pull leg of of my son. He is angry now.)
I looked at all of them in disbelief.
"Matlab ab tak mazaak kar rahe the mere saath?"
(Which means you all were joking around till now?)
Papa grinned. "Nahi, main toh sach mein pooch raha hoon. Karni hai shaadi? Isha, kal call kar dete hain unke ghar pe."
(No, I was seriously asking. You wanna marry? Isha, let's call them tomorrow.)
"PAPAAA!" I whined, banging my forehead lightly on the table as they all burst into laughter.
And just when I thought it was over...
Mom looked thoughtfully at Ahaan. "Vaani se yaad aaya... Ahaan, Tara ko ghar pe bol ke laa. Kitne din ho gaye, nahi aayi. Bahut miss kar rahi hoon main usse."
(remembered from vaani...ahaan, call tara tomorrow at home. It's been long since she came here. I miss her a lot.)
Ahaan threw his napkin down, rolling his eyes. "Main? Drop main? Nahi bulane wala main aapki dulari ko. Khud bulao. Aur Ekansh bhaiya ki behen hai na, unko bolo bulane."
I sighed, pushed back my chair, and got up from the table, wiping my hands half-heartedly. Dinner had turned into a full-blown comedy circus, and I was the main clown. Before I could escape, Mom looked at me expectantly.
"Thik hai mummy," I muttered. "Kal Tara ko bolta hoon... aapko call kar de."
(Okay mummy)
(I will tell tara tomorrow to call you)
Her face lit up like Diwali.
"Haan haan, uske bhi boards hai na. Ab koi baat nahi... abhi call kar lungi main. Aaram se milne bulaungi usse."
(Yes yes, her boards are coming soon too. No worries... Rn I will just call her. I will meet her later)
I glanced sideways at Ahaan his smile had vanished. His face had that disgusted-but-trying-to-hide-it look.
Of course. He hated her.
Okay, maybe not hate... but whatever existed between them was enough to set fire to the air when they were in the same room. His jaw tightened as he shoved his plate away and got up. I didn't say anything. I knew that look. He wasn't done.
I just quietly made my way to my room.
I sat on the bed, resting my back against the wall, staring at the faint glow of my study lamp. I let out a long breath and tilted my head back.
Vaani.
I don't know why she wouldn't leave my thoughts tonight.
I thought about how she didn't even look at me after the first exam. How she laughed with everyone, how her voice echoed in the hallway... but not for me. Never for me.
And I remembered what I had said that day.
"Ritvik ki behen hai."
Why did I say that?
I winced, covering my face with my hand. I hadn't meant it to sound the way it did. It wasn't like I thought any less of her but I was cornered, nervous, and caught. That was the first thing that came to my mind.
But it was stupid.
I should've just said "Vaani." Her name. Not someone's label. Not something that would push her away.
"Kal sorry bol dunga," I whispered to myself.
But then another thought crept in.
"Lekin unhe kya fark padta hai?"
Even when I said that... she left. Not a word. Not a glance. Not even a small taunt, the way she usually does.
"Gussa thi kya?"
I tried to think back. No, she was smiling all day. Joking with Tara.There was no anger in her eyes.
But...
Vihaan ne bola tha na... jaldi mai hoga.
He knows her better than I do. Maybe I misread everything. Maybe I was never meant to matter.
Before my thoughts could spiral deeper, there was a soft knock on the door.
"Bhaiya?"
I ignored it.
A second knock. Softer.
"Bhaiya?"
(Brother)
"Kya hai ab?" I groaned. "Phir mazaak udana hai kya?"
(What now?)
(You wanna make fun again?)
"Bhaiya voh... mazaak kar raha tha bas. Aise hi. Ab chhodo na... aaj saath mein sote hain na? Mujhe bahut kuch batana hai aapko."
(Brother I was just joking. Casually. Now leave it. Let's sleep together tonight.)
I looked up, surprised.
Ahaan stood there, half-pouting, half-smiling genuine this time. His usual mischief dialed down. And for once, it didn't feel like he was ready to roast me again.
I scooted over on the bed and patted the space beside me.
"Aa ja."
(Come)
Maybe some things were still good in this madness.

The next few days passed in a blur of question papers, pen caps chewed out of anxiety, and last-minute revisions scribbled on the backs of notebooks.
Each morning began early bleary-eyed and half-awake, the group dragged themselves to school with heavy bags and heavier sighs. The air buzzed with the collective tension of exams, hallways filled with whispers of "yeh aaya kya?" and "last page bhi padhe kya?" as the bell rang to signal another test.
Vaani, however, was different.
She was there chirpy with Nirma, playfully pulling Kriti's braid, sharing her coloured pens with Tara, even grinning when Ayaan dropped his water bottle for the third time. But there was one face she didn't so much as glance at.
Ekansh.
She didn't avoid him in the obvious way she didn't turn and walk away. But she never looked directly at him. Not once. It was as if he'd become invisible in her world, a ghost drifting quietly in the periphery. And he noticed. Every time she laughed with someone else, every time she high-fived Ahaan after a paper, and didn't even nod at him it stung more than he expected.
He'd try to smile at in the corridor, . But she kept walking. Smiling. Glowing like always, but never at him.
Still, true to her nature, Vaani didn't let the silent ache ruin her essence. If there was one thing she wasn't built for, it was sulking forever.after all she is the most funnier and roaster of the group she is sunshine of everyone.
Today was my last paper, and I felt a lightness I hadn't felt in weeks. I got ready quickly and came downstairs, where Papa and mumma were already having breakfast. The smell of fresh parathas and tea filled the air just like every morning at home, cozy and comforting.
"Good morning, Mumma, Papa," I said, a little louder than usual to shake off my nerves.
"Good morning, beta! Come, sit down and have some breakfast," Mumma said warmly. She glanced at me and asked, "Aur kitne paper hain abhi?"
(How many papers are left now?)
I took a bite of my bread and said, "Aaj mera last paper hai."
(Today is my last paper)
Mumma smiled, pleased. "Achha! Toh kitni chhutti milegi?"
(Is it? How long will you get holidays?)
"Pata nahi, shayad aaj hi bata de," I replied, taking another bite.
(Don't know, they might tell us today")
Papa looked up from his cup and said, "Achha hai. Waise Sunday ko ek kaam karna sabko apne ghar le aana."
(It's good then... Well do one thing bring all your friends at home)
I nodded, focused more on the bread than the request until she added, "Sabko means Ahaan included."
(All means ahaan included)
"Kyun?!" I choked, coughing on my bite. Why? Why is my mom obsessed with that idiot?
(Why?)
(Why is mom obsessed with that idiot)
Mamma nodded, "Haan beta, Ahaan bhi. Woh tumhari class mein hai, toh agar Ekansh aayega toh Ahaan kyun nahi aayega?"
(Yess beta, also ahaan. He is in your class and if ekansh will come then why not ahaan?)
I sighed, trying to keep my tone calm. "Meri class mein 50 log hain, Mamma. Sabko kaise bulaoon? Aur Ekansh bhaiya aur unke friends toh board exams ke liye bahut busy hain. Woh log nahi aa sakte."
(There are 50 students in my class, mumma. How can I call everyone? And about ekansh bhaiya and his friends they have boards so they are busy. They won't come.)
"Bohot din ho gaye last time school function mein mile the un logon se. Isiliye sabko bulana aur ekansh,ritvik, vihaan aur ayaan nhi toh baad mai bula lena," she said and walked off like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
(Last time we met at a school function it's been a long that's why ,invite everyone and about ritvik,ekansh, vihaan and ayaan invite them later.)
I stared after her, then looked at Papa and muttered, "Aapko nahi lagta Mumma kuch zyada hi chhote logon se dosti kar rahi hai?"
(Don't you think mom keeps having been friends with such low people?)
Papa smirked and said, "Kya kar sakte hain, beta? Tumhari Mumma kisi ki nahi sunti."
(What can we do beta, your mumma doesn't listen to anyone.)
Just then, the sound of a car horn outside caught our attention Ritvik bhaiya had arrived. Papa waved, "Jao, beta Ritvik aur Vaani wait kar rahe honge. All the best, beta!"
(Go, ritvik and vaani must be waiting for you. All the best , beta.)
I grabbed my bag, ready to leave, feeling a little lighter knowing that even with all the chaos, home was still home full of love, little arguments, and hopes for good days ahead.
In the car, Vaani looked at me through the rearview mirror. "Kya baat hai? Badi khush lag rahi hai?"
(What's the matter? You are looking so happy?)
"Mumma ne tum sabko ghar bulaya hai," I said, still rolling my eyes at the memory.
(Mumma has invited you all at home)
"Kab aur kaun kaun?" she asked, eyebrows bouncing.
(When and who who?)
"Sunday ko. Aur sabko... included unka favourite Ahaan," I said with a dramatic sigh.
(On Sunday and everyone including her favourite ahaan)
"Kya?" Vaani echoed.
(What?)
"Haan," I groaned, then turned toward the front seat. "Bhaiya, aapko aur aapke friends jo bhi bola Mumma ne aane ko lekin maine unko bata diya ki aap logo ke boards hai toh nhi aapaoge"
(Yess)
(Bhaiya, she asked me to invite you and your friends to but I denied saying that you all have boards )
Ritvik bhaiya kept his eyes on the road. "Thik hai, achha ki tum ."
(Okay, you did good)
I just nodded.
But something was still nagging me.
There was a strange calm in the air. The kind that settles when a storm has passed. The last exam ended just before noon. Everyone looked relieved, unburdened. Teachers smiled probably happier than we were.
After collecting the papers, the class teacher stood up in front of them, a small smile playing on her lips.
She announced that from tomorrow onwards, both 11th and 12th grades would be on holiday.
There was a brief, excited buzz in the class until she added -
"11th students will have a one-week break only. After that, extra classes for your 12th standard will begin to prepare you early for boards. Consider this a transition, not a vacation."
Some groans followed, but the announcement didn't end there.
"Also, a quick note for 12th students your farewell will be conducted soon after this break ends. Details will be shared later. So enjoy your week, but be ready to come back stronger."
And with that, the bell rang not just for the end of the exam, but for a break everyone desperately needed.
Outside those school gates, the air felt just a little lighter.
"Aaj ka paper achha aaya na?" Kriti asked.
(Today's paper was pretty good right?)
"Haan... utna bhi kharab nahi tha," Vaani muttered. She always had a unique kind of war with studies.
(Yess.. it was not that bad)
I raised a hand. "Okay guys, aaj paper khatam hone ki wajah se Sunday ko party."
(Okay guys, there will be a party on Sunday as our exams are over)
"Kahan, kab, kaun de raha hai, aur kaun kaun aayega?" Yuvraj shot questions like bullets.
(Where,when, who is giving it, and who are coming?)
"Mere ghar par. Sunday ko. Mumma ne sabko bulaya hai," I replied.
(At my place, on Sunday, mumma has invited all of you)
Before anyone could react, a sharp voice chimed in behind me. A voice I didn't want to hear.
"Aur tere ghar koi jaane ke liye mar toh nahi raha," Ahaan said, arms crossed.
(And now one is dying to come to your house)
"Tujhe kisne bola aane ko?" I snapped back.
(Who asked you to come?)
"Mujhe laga 'sabko' mein main bhi aata hoon and ofcourse Aunty ne mujhe bulaya hi hoga"
(I thought I was included in 'everyone' and of course aunty must have told me to come.)
"Sabko mein sab aate hain... but you're an exception. You're the footnote no one reads aur han mummy ne tujhe bulaya hai ."
(Everyone is included in everyone...but not you, you're an exception)
"Ouch. Jealous much?"
"Of you? Please. Mamma bas insaan ko pehchaan nahi paati, warna tujhe toh guest list mein bhi na leti."
(Mumma doesn't recognise people like you otherwise you wouldn't have been in the guest list.)
"Tumhare sarcasm se zyada irritating kuch nahi."
(Nothing is more irritating than your sarcasm.)
"Oh really? Tumhara chehra dekha hai?"
(Oh really? Have you ever seen your face?)
We glared. A cold silence, the kind only enemies could make sacred.
Vaani awkwardly tugged my hand. "Tara, chhod na."
(Tara, leave it na.)
But my blood was boiling. I turned to Ahaan's friends Yuvaan and Rudra who were quietly watching.
"You all guys are invited. Sunday. Mamma would love to have you."
Ahaan raised an eyebrow.
I smirked. "Tumhare bina zindagi mein thodi aur shanti hogi."
(There will be more peace in life without you.)
The sun was sharp but soft, like it hadn't decided whether to roast us or forgive us.
Kriti leaned over to me as we walked on the road to our home. "Tara... tu sach mein sabko bula rahi hai?"
("Tara... are you seriously inviting everyone?")
I nodded with a sigh. "Haan yaar, Mumma ki wish hai. Tum log toh samajh hi sakte ho."
("Yeah, it's Mom's wish. You guys get it, right?")
Nirma grinned. "Aur Ahaan? Aur uske doston ko bhi? Aunty ka toh taste hi alag nikla!"
("And Ahaan? And his friends too? Aunty's taste is truly one of a kind!")
Vaani laughed. "Tara ki Mumma ko toh Ahaan se kuch zyada hi pyaar hai."
("Tara's mom seems to have a special soft spot for Ahaan.")
I threw them a dramatic look, flipping my hair back. "Tum log has lo. Mumma ko toh bas sabko bulana tha. Ahaan included. Ab ho gaya invite ab bhugatna mujhe padega."
("You guys can laugh. Mom just had to invite everyone, including Ahaan. Now I have to suffer through it.")
Ritvik bhaiya honked from the car. "Chalo ladies, jaldi baitho. Dhoop mein roast hone ka irada hai kya?"
("Come on ladies, get in quickly. Planning to roast under the sun?")
We piled into the car, laughter bubbling through us. we bid our goodbyes to nirma and kriti.
"Sunday ko kya pehne wali hai tu?" vaani asked me as the car turned into our lane.
("What are you planning to wear on Sunday?")
"Wohi jo mummy pasand karegi." I said, half-laughing.
("Whatever Mom picks.")
We laughed as Ritvik bhaiya parked the car in front of the house.
At Home
As soon as I reached home, I climbed the stairs two at a time and kicked off my shoes near the door. Mumma was still at work, but I called her immediately.
Phone ringing. Then her warm voice answered, "Haan beta?"
(Yes beta?)
"Mumma, sab log aa rahe hain Sunday ko... sab matlab sab. Vaani, Kriti, Nirma, aur..." I hesitated for a second. "...Ahaan ke friends bhi."
(Mumma everyone is coming on Sunday I mean vaani,kriti nirma and ahaan's friends too.)
"Ahaan ke friends? Kaun kaun?" she asked with mild curiosity.
(Ahaan's friends? Who ?)
"Yuvraj aur Rudra," I said simply.
"Achha beta, theek hai. Sabke liye kuch special banayenge," she replied, excited.
(Okay beta. We will make something special)
"Thik hai Mumma, bye," I said, cutting the call quickly before she could get into menu-planning mode.
(Okay mumma,bye)
Later that Night
It was late. The house had fallen silent the kind of peaceful quiet that only arrived after a long day. I was in my room, wrapped in my old blue blanket, a cup of cold coffee sitting forgotten on the table.
I opened the drawer of my study table slowly, almost like I was scared someone would stop me.
There it was my diary.
The soft purple cover was slightly worn out at the edges, like it had been opened and closed too many times. I held it for a moment, feeling the weight of words not yet written.
I opened to fresh page. My pen hovered over it.
And then... I began to write.
(But not everything is meant to be shared - not yet.)
Her pen moved slowly at first, then faster - like something inside her had been waiting to pour out.
The lights stayed on for another hour.
Then silence.
The next three days slipped by like pages fluttering in the wind. Everyone was excited. Group chats buzzed. Plans were made. Dresses picked out. Even Tara's mom started preparing the grocery list and she had four different versions of it.
The day arrived -----
The golden rays of Sunday morning filtered gently through Tara's bedroom window, landing on her soft cream curtains, which swayed slightly with the breeze. The air was fresh, and the house was unusually quiet the kind of quiet that only existed in the early hours before chaos took over.
Tara sat cross-legged on her bed, still in her oversized tee, a cup of coffee warming her hands. She glanced at her phone. 7:36 AM. Her stomach fluttered slightly.
"Sab aa rahe hain aaj..." she whispered to herself.
("Everyone's coming today...")
She looked around her room books scattered from last night's half-hearted attempt to study, hairbrush on the floor, and her bag half-unzipped. With a sigh, she set her cup down and got up.
"Aaj ka din shaant shuru hua hai, iska matlab hai... kuch na kuch to hoga," she muttered with a slight sigh.
("If the day starts off this peacefully, something is definitely going to happen.")
Downstairs, the smell of fresh parathas filled the air. Her mother was already up, flipping one on the tawa with effortless speed.
"Tara! Jaldi fresh ho ja, sab aaj aa rahe hain na?" her mom called.
(Tara, freshen up quickly everyone are coming today na?)
"Haan Mumm! Bas 10 minutes," Tara shouted from upstairs, brushing her hair quickly and throwing on a comfortable but cute kurti and jeans.
(Yes mummy! Only 10 minutes)
She helped her mom in the kitchen arranging plates, cutting fruits, and sneaking bites of fried aloo in between.
"mummy ,sabko kya khilayogi?" Tara teased.
(Mummy, what are you going to feed them?)
"Sab kuch par main Vaani ko kitchen se door rakhungi," her mom said, narrowing her eyes.
("Everything but I'll keep Vaani out of the kitchen.")
Tara laughed. "Sahi socha vaise abhi voh aa hi rhi hai phir baad mai ready hone jayegi."
(You thought right, well she is coming now and then she will go again to get ready)
Her mother nodded.
Few hours passed-
Tara stood at the front door, her eyes scanning the empty street. She checked her phone - Nirma: 'On the way!'.
Suddenly, the bell rang.
"Aa gaye!" her mom called from the kitchen.
(They have arrived)
Tara's mom opened the door with a warm smile, brushing her hands on her kurti as she stepped aside.
The chapters are not edited carefully as it's already done on Wattpad....You all can check there...
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