A boy in a crisp school uniform dashed towards Arnav and Anjali, his voice laced with urgency as he called out, "Hey, don't leave me behind!"

Anjali spun around, her smile sharp as a tack. "Chill out, the bus isn't here yet. No need to run a marathon," she retorted, her tone dripping with dry humor, offering a stark contrast to his frantic gasps.

"Di!! I wasn't running a marathon." 

"Yeah, we can see. Maybe try waking up to the alarm next time?" Arnav slapped his brother on the shoulders, a scowl on his face as he muttered a teasing remark.

Curious eyes followed the boy, and sensing the attention, Anjali stepped forward to make introductions. "He's Dhruv, our cousin-brother. 13 Years old. He just came from his Nana's place yesterday," she explained, bridging the gap between the familiar and the new.

Khushi was the kind of person who seized every opportunity to forge new friendships. So, when she saw Dhruv, she didn't hesitate. "Hi, Dhruv. I'm Khushi," she said with a bright smile, "And the Tom and Jerry on your bag is my favorite cartoon, you know. Do you watch cartoons too? And which class are you in? Who is your favorite? Tom or Jerry? I love Jerry the most but then I love Tom too. They're so funny, aren't they?" Her questions tumbled out like pearls from a string, each one shining with curiosity and her own feelings.

Everyone collectively sighed at Khushi's barrage of questions, but Dhruv found himself amused rather than overwhelmed. With a smile, he replied, "Well, yeah, I watch Tom and Jerry too. My favorite is Jerry and yeah, they are funny. I'm in the 9th standard, btw."

Khushi's eyes sparkled with excitement at his last words. "Jiji, he's in the same class as yours," she exclaimed, clapping her hands as if she had just discovered a hidden treasure.

Payal, who had been watching the exchange with a fond shake of her head, interjected, "Khushi, even if we study in the same standard, who knows if we are in different sections." She tried to temper her sister's enthusiasm with a dose of reality.

But Anjali was quick to provide clarity. "Dhruv is from A section," she said, passing on the information with a smile.

"And I'm from B section," Payal added with a smile, pleased with the small connection they shared.

Khushi's face fell, her disappointment evident as she blinked rapidly, processing the information and that her guess had gone wrong.

Noticing something else, Dhruv's concern shifted to Khushi's appearance. "What happened to your leg?" he asked, eyeing the wound with a mix of concern and curiosity.

"I fell," Khushi responded, her pout deepening as she recounted the mishap.

Dhruv nodded in understanding. "Oh, my brother too fell a few days ago. Although his wound is small," he shared, finding common ground in their conversation.

Khushi's eyes sparkled with the unmistakable light of excitement, not at the thought the boy fell but at the thought she could make one more friend. "Oh, you have one more brother?" she asked, her voice tinged with the thrill of discovery.

Anjali, Dhruv, and Arnav smiled warmly at the mention of the youngest family member. "Dhruv has a brother, Daruk, he is just 3," she informed them taking over Dhruv, her smile reflecting the affection she held for the toddler.

"Aww. He's a baby," Khushi cooed, her imagination already painting a picture of the little one she had yet to meet.

Dhruv's smile widened as he thought of his brother. The boy is sleeping in his room, having kept his mother awake for half of the night.

"Yeah, he is, and a very naughty one," he said, his fondness for Daruk evident in his voice.

"I'll play with him," Khushi declared, her eagerness to meet the young boy clear in her voice.

Anjali, with a gentle smile and a tone of warm assurance, responded, "After coming from school, sure." She then glanced at her brothers, her grin widening playfully as she raised an eyebrow in a silent question, "Hai na, Chotte? Dhruv?"

Playing with Daruk is disastrous.

In unison, the boys nodded. Arnav couldn't help but grin. Knowing Khushi, he knew what would happen when she met Daruk in the evening.

As if on cue, his eyes fell on the bus. And so, he, who had been quiet during the exchange, suddenly spoke up, his voice cutting through the hum of conversation, "Our bus is on its way."

They saw the yellow school bus round the corner, its approach heralding the end of their morning chatter. The children prepared to board, their movements a practiced dance of backpacks and goodbyes.

Garima watched over the scene with a mother's vigilant eye, ensuring Khushi safely boarded the bus before sending the children off with a wave and a heartfelt "bye.". Anjali followed her actions on cue.

Her college bus is yet to come.

School Bus,

Aman's eyes lit up with relief as Khushi made her way onto the bus, settling down on her seat, beside Payal. "Thank God, you graced us with your presence, Khushi. I was half-tempted to send Gohan to drag you here," he exclaimed, the teasing tone in his voice betraying his earlier concern.

Khushi turned around, her face breaking into a wide, infectious grin, her eyes reflecting a twinkling star. "You watch Dragon Ball Z?" she asked, her enthusiasm bubbling over.

From his seat, Arnav frowned, his thoughts a mix of bemusement and exasperation. Dragon Ball Z? God, how many more cartoons does she watch? he wondered silently, unable to comprehend her joy in watching such cartoons.

Little did he know that Dragon Ball Z was not a cartoon, but an anime series, just like Doraemon and Shinchan.

Aman, oblivious to Arnav's inner turmoil, nodded eagerly. "Yes, I do. And you know, Goten is my favorite," he declared, his fondness for the character evident in his tone.

Khushi clapped her hands together, her imagination running wild. "Aww. Mine too. Isn't Goten so adorable? He's such a cutie-pie," she exclaimed, picturing herself leaping through the television screen to pinch Goten's chubby cheeks.

Aman agreed with a nod, his smile matching Khushi's in warmth before his expression turned more serious. "How's your wound?" he inquired, shifting the conversation to a more pressing concern.

As the bus trundled along, Khushi's chatter filled the space, weaving through topics with Aman, Dhruv, and a few other companions, her voice a constant, lively thread in the tapestry of their morning journey.

School,

"Alright, Khushi, let's get going. Your class isn't going to walk up to you all by itself, and we wouldn't want that, would we?" She teased. Just as she was about to hold Khushi's hand, the sound of Khushi's voice echoed in her ears.

"I need to escort Arnav before anything else, Jiji," she frowned and turned towards Arnav and Aman who were frowning back at her.

She's the one under the weather, yet here she is, playing the gallant escort? The world's truly flipped on its head. Arnav thought. Aman shook his head at her stubbornness.

She clung to the vow with fierce resolve. "Chalo, Arnav. I'll drop you to your class and then I am off to mine," she said, her words echoing the commitment she made to Ratna.

Arnav shot back without missing a beat, his voice cutting through any attempt at debate. "In your dreams," he stated flatly, his hold on Khushi's hands a mix of tenderness and unyielding strength.

"Haww! How do you know what I dream of? But I don't dream of taking you to the class, you see! I dream of Tom and Jerry. I dream of Gohan and Goten. I dream of Tangled. I dream of-", she pauses, realizing she's going off the track, "But it should be me who'll have to drop you and not the other way around. Arnav, I'll drop.." Ignoring her feeble claims that she was supposed to be the one leading the way, he steered her towards her classroom with a resolve that brooked no opposition.

Once there, he made sure Khushi was comfortable on her bench, her presence in the classroom setting a serene scene.

"But I'll-" she was cut off by her sister.

"Don't jump like a rabbit, got it? I'll come by in breaks. No need for you to show up," Payal commanded, her hand firmly cupping her sister's face.

"But Jiji, I'm not a rabbit. Rabbit is Dorechan and I am — " Before she could finish, Arnav and Payal, exchanging knowing glances, quietly slipped away along with Aman. Their exit was punctuated by Khushi's astonished 'haww'.

Her expression was captured in the three O's that formed on her lips, her words cut off and unheard — an unspoken reflection of the day's unexpected turn.

What a change.

The shift in dynamics was palpable, a silent testament to the evolving relationship between Khushi and Arnav. It was a change that spoke volumes, not through words, but through actions and the tender care that now flowed in reverse.

Once, it was Khushi who stood as the unwavering guardian, her resolve as strong as steel. She was the one who would ensure Arnav's safe passage to class and to home, her dedication a constant, reliable force.

But the tables had turned, and now it was Arnav who was the protector. His determination mirrored that of Khushi's past fervor, a reflection of his deep-seated desire to care for her. This role reversal was not just a change; it was a revelation, a new chapter in their story where care and concern were mutual, where roles were interchangeable, and where care was a shared language spoken heart to heart.

Back in the class, Khushi was surrounded by a bunch of friends who were asking her all sorts of questions.

She answered every one and thankfully, no one cut her off, unlike her sister and Gardener.

Afternoon,

During Lunch, Payal had left her classmates and went to her sister, to sit with her and eat, to make sure she didn't run anywhere. Yet she knew her sister wasn't one to stay put; true to form, Khushi, like the butterfly she was, had flitted to the school grounds.

There, under the shade of a generous tree, she had settled with her friends, her laughter mingling with the rustle of leaves.

Payal's search ended at the sight of Khushi, perched on the benches, her presence as vibrant as the sunlight filtering through the branches. With a mix of affection and exasperation, Payal chided her sister for her wanderlust, taking a seat among them, and sharing her meals with them.

On the other hand, it was Samaya who delivered lunchboxes to Arnav and Dhruv, as Ratna was preoccupied accompanying her mother-in-law on a visit to an orphanage where they were engaged in charitable giving.

Arnav finished his lunch and along with Aman, made his way to the ground. Knowing her, she'd not stay in the classroom. It's better he checked outside and then the classroom.

He was right. There he saw Khushi and Payal sitting on an open bench.

"Khushi, you had your medicines?" he inquired, hoping she had followed her health regimen.

Khushi, having finished her lunch with her sister and friends — who had since gone to their class — gave a quick nod and a forced smile. "Yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, betraying the truth she was trying to hide.

Payal, who had been sitting beside Khushi, chimed in with a tone of exasperation. "Liar," she declared, having witnessed Khushi's stubborn refusal earlier.

Khushi's frown deepened as she turned to face her sister. "Don't look at me like that. I am pleading with you to have your medicines for the last ten minutes," Payal implored, her worry for Khushi evident in her eyes.

"And I took them, Jiji. When you went to get water, I had them," Khushi retorted, trying to sound convincing.

Payal didn't believe her, tho! That's why for the past ten minutes, she had been alternating between pleading with and cajoling Khushi to take her medication.

Arnav, who had been quietly observing the exchange, interjected with a skeptical tone. "Then why is the count still the same?" He held up the medicine strip that he took from her bag, showing that none were missing, his meticulous nature shining through.

Caught in her lie, Khushi pouted, feeling the weight of their stares.

"I don't want to eat medicines," Khushi finally admitted, her face scrunching up at the mere thought of the bitter taste.

Arnav crossed his arms, his expression firm. "Alright, then. Don't take them. I'll complain to Garima Aunty, and she will not let you out of the home for the next seven days," he threatened, hoping the prospect of confinement would sway her.

Khushi's eyes narrowed, a spark of defiance lighting them up. "Don't be so mean, Arnav. Just look at me, my innocent face, and decide," she pleaded, batting her eyelashes in what she hoped was an irresistible display of innocence.

Despite her best efforts, Arnav remained unmoved, his resolve to look after her health unwavering. "Dekh liya, aur kuch? I'm still going to complain," he stated flatly, unimpressed by her theatrics.

"Hmphh!!" Khushi huffed, her nostrils flaring with indignation as she glared at Arnav, her frustration growing.

Payal joined in, reinforcing Arnav's stance. "Haan, Khushi. Even I will tell Mumma. She'll not let you go out of the room then," she warned, her voice firm yet laced with concern. She had threatened with the Teacher's name earlier, but nothing worked. Mother sentiment would work, perhaps?

Feeling cornered, Khushi turned to the one person she thought was on her side.

Aman — the silent audience.

"Only Aman Bhai cares about me," she exclaimed, "You both are so mean, " she accused turning towards them both.

Aman, who had been trying to stay out of the fray, shifted uncomfortably and took a step back as Arnav and Payal's glares turned towards him. He wondered silently, 'What did I do?'

Rather, what he didn't do?

Arnav's eyes rolled in exasperation as he faced Khushi again, his voice carrying the dual notes of annoyance and amusement. "Fine, we're the mean ones, happy now? Just take your medicine," he urged, his insistence a clear sign of his concern for her well-being.

Khushi, however, turned her head away, a silent refusal etched in her gesture.

Unfazed, Arnav gently cradled her face as Payal slipped the tablet into Khushi's mouth, no words were exchanged except for Khushi's two little eyes widening in shock. Left with no alternative, Khushi grimaced as she swallowed the water, the liquid a necessary chaser to the medicine's bitterness.

The syrup followed, a sweet yet unwelcome visitor that glided down her throat, promising relief yet reminding her of the bitter taste.

"I'm not talking to you both, go away," Khushi declared with a fiery tone. Rising abruptly from the bench, she limped determinedly toward her class.

Payal tried going behind her sister while Arnav rolled his eyes, "Ajeeb hai ye!"

(She's weird!)

She dismisses them with a sharp tongue, yet she's the one who storms off! Very ajeeb!

The bell rang. Everyone had gone to their own classes, including Payal.

RR Fashion House,

In the quiet confines of his cabin, Arvind was immersed in his work when the sudden ring of his cell phone broke the silence. He glanced at the caller ID — it was his brother. With a resigned sigh, he answered the call, only to be greeted immediately with an urgent query.

"Bhai, what happened to the property papers?" his brother's voice was laced with urgency.

Arvind's response was curt, a mix of authority and weariness coloring his tone. "We'll discuss it in the study at home. Let me work for now," he said, and without waiting for a reply, he ended the call.

As the line went dead, Arvind couldn't help but feel a twinge of resignation, knowing full well that his evasive answer would only serve to heighten his brother's frustration.

School,

As the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden hue over the school grounds, the day's final bell echoed through the corridors. It signaled the end of lessons and the beginning of the evening's freedom for the students. The sound reverberated, and a buzz of excitement filled the air as children hurriedly gathered their belongings, eager to head home.

And so did Khushi.

Strolling leisurely alongside her friends, her steps unhurried. She promised herself she'd have to go to Payal and then Arnav like she promised Ratna, completely forgetting she was miffed with them.

In the whirlwind of the school's dismissal, her determination to stay annoyed with them had slipped away, lost in the promise of the evening ahead.

Khushi's eyes widened with surprise as she spotted Payal, Aman, and Arnav approaching her. "I was just about to come to you," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with a playful pout.

I should be the one escorting Arnav and not the other way around. No one is listening to me today. She thought deepening the pout.

Arnav's lips curled into a scowling smile. "Should we turn around then? Give you a chance to come to us?" he offered, his eyes narrowing at her.

Khushi's grin spread across her face, mischievous and bright. "Yes, go back," she declared, her voice firm yet still carrying the hope.

Payal let out a sigh, her exasperation with Khushi's antics evident. "Khushi! Seriously?" she said, her tone a mix of fondness and mild irritation.

Khushi's pout returned, more pronounced this time. "But then I'd be breaking my promise to Ratna Aunty," she said, her voice softening as Arnav gently took one hand and Payal the other, leading her away.

Payal glanced at her sister, a smile touching her lips as she sought to make amends. "You can drop him from this point," she suggested, her eyes on Khushi's still-pouting face.

Khushi's eyes lit up, a spark of realization dawning. "Yeah, I can, right? Jiji, you're my Einstein," she praised her sister with genuine admiration. In a burst of affection, she released Arnav's hand and leaped toward Payal, planting a kiss on her cheek.

As they boarded the bus, Arnav, momentarily distracted, failed to notice Dhruv and hurried back to fetch his elder brother.

Aman, meanwhile, had settled into his seat, a new book open in his lap as he prepared to jot down some notes.

Khushi, who had been nibbling at her sister's ear about what she did, what her friends did, what teachers did, etcetera, etcetera turned her attention to Aman's book. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Wow, is this your book, Aman?" she asked, her voice filled with innocent curiosity and a hint of joy.

Aman responded with a proud nod, "Yup."

Eager to leave her mark, Khushi pleaded in rapid succession, "Can I write your name on the first page? Please. Please. Please."

He had no problem if Khushi wrote her name on the first page, Aman consented with a smile, "Okay."

Khushi finished writing.

"It's beautiful," he exclaimed and left the book open for Payal to show on her insistence.

Arnav walked in with Dhruv, his eyes immediately drawn to the elegant script. "Aman, did you bribe someone to write this for you? There's no way this handwriting is yours," he remarked, glancing at Aman with a teasing twinkle in his eye.

Aman quickly pointed out, "Well, that is Khushi's."

Hearing the conversation, Khushi nodded her head in excitement.

"Isn't my handwriting beautiful, Arnav," Khushi inquired, seeking validation.

Arnav, genuinely taken aback by the finesse, replied, "It is good."

Aman couldn't resist a playful jab at his friend, "Anything is better than your chicken scratch, Arnav."

His tease elicited a hearty laugh from Khushi.

Arnav, unfazed, shot back with a teasing grin, "Oh, coming from Mr. 'Poultry Cranium' in math class, are we?"

The smile on Aman's face wavered, replaced by a frown. "No need to highlight my Achilles' heel in mathematics," he grumbled.

Khushi's expression mirrored Aman's as she too felt the sting of the subject's difficulty. "Arnav, this is so wrong. If Aman Bhai is weak in something, making fun of him is wrong," she admonished him, her voice firm yet caring.

"Yeah. Yeah. Right! Because poking fun at my shortcomings is so noble, isn't it?" Arnav retorted, his tone laced with sarcasm, yet a playful glint remained in his eyes.

Khushi opened her mouth to respond, but words failed her. For once, she remained silent. He was the first person who had always managed to leave her without a comeback.

The silence that had fallen over her was a rare occurrence, one that might have been deemed the eighth wonder of the world by those who knew her well. But it was short-lived.

As the bus jolted into motion, Khushi, who had momentarily been rendered speechless by Arnav's sharp wit, found her voice again.

Ignoring Arnav's previous words, she began to speak, her voice rising above the hum of the engine and the chatter of the other passengers. Her words flowed like a river, unstoppable and ever-changing, as she moved on from their playful banter to the scenes passing by outside the window, commenting on everything and nothing at all.

Gupta House,

Khushi burst into her room, her eyes immediately seeking out the tranquil waters where Beebo and Saibo, her cherished fish, swam in blissful ignorance of the world beyond their glassy confines. "Buaji, did you remember to feed Beebo and Saibo, or were you too captivated by your daily soap operas to care for their hunger?" she inquired, her tone a playful mix of accusation and jest.

Madhumathi, ever the matriarch with a retort at the ready, shot back without missing a beat. "Hey Re Nandakishore, worry not, Sankadevi. I have fed them. But as for you, no celestial being is descending to attend to your stomach's growls. So, freshen up and come soon, or you'll find your plate as empty as a politician's promises," she warned, her voice carrying the weight of impending snack-time doom.

Khushi, taking the threat to her impending feast seriously, dashed out of the room as much as her legs could take her, her school attire in disarray, her tie and belt flung aside in her haste, her gown abandoned in the wake of her urgency. She stood defiant, clad only in her shirt, and proclaimed with fierce determination, "Buaji, dare you feed my food to someone else, I'll eat all the chocolates sitting in the fridge." The room held its breath, captivated by the little bundle of threat, her voice steely. It was a quiet storm, a gentle tempest, as Khushi, with a resolve as unyielding as the tide, ensured that her sustenance remained rightfully hers.

Payal, unlike her sister who found delight in the garden's flowers and trees or the playful nibbling of their pets' ears, had other priorities. She had promptly freshened up upon returning home and now sat at the dining table, a picture of readiness. Before her was the Avocado Sandwich, its aroma subtle yet inviting, the bread toasted to a golden hue, complementing the creamy green slices of avocado.

The Avocado Sandwich never looked so appetizing!

A few minutes later, Khushi eagerly took her seat, the air was filled with the rich aroma of spices. She declared her excitement with a gleeful exclamation, "Avocado Sandwich, here I come," The creamy texture of the avocado, coupled with the crisp lettuce and ripe tomatoes, nestled between the toasted slices, was a delight. Payal, still enjoying her first sandwich, couldn't help but chuckle as she saw Khushi, already eyeing a second Avocado Sandwich with eager anticipation. It was a testament to the dish's delicious allure and Khushi's unabashed love for it.

"Jiji, hurry up! We can't keep Arnav waiting for us to play," Khushi implored, her words punctuated by the rapid consumption of her sandwich.

Payal glanced at the clock with a practical eye. "I haven't forgotten, my little sister, but the stars say playtime is after 6. We've still got an hour to complete before then. Homework now, play later," she stated, her voice a blend of firmness and foresight.

Khushi's face fell like a wilted flower. "Homework? But Jiji, the garden is calling for me. Who else it has, other than me, their personal assistant?" she protested, hoping for a reprieve.

Payal's response was as immovable as a mountain. "No excuses today, Khushi. The path of your feet leads straight to our study table," she asserted with unwavering resolve.

In a last-ditch effort, Khushi played her trump card. "But Jiji, Max's stomach must be growling like a thunderstorm. We can't ignore the call of Max, can we?" she said, her eyes darting towards their pet who was having his time in the living room, with a mix of hope and mischief.

Payal, however, was not to be swayed. "Buaji's already calmed the storm. Max is as content as a cat in the sun. Now, let's go to the room," she commanded, completing her snack, her tone leaving no room for argument as she ushered a sulking Khushi away from temptation.

And so, with their study table set, pencils, pens, and notebooks, at the ready, the sisters faced their common foe — a mountain of homework.

Sheesh Mahal,

Subadhra entered the hall, the aroma of freshly made Kheer wafting from the bowl in her hands. She approached Arnav with a hopeful smile. "Chotte, I have made this Kheer for you, your favorite dish. Won't you taste it?"

Arnav, who had been writing something into his notebook, turned sharply towards his grandmother. His voice was firm, tinged with unresolved anger.

"Mom, I thought I said I wouldn't talk to her until she apologized to Khushi," he said, glancing briefly at his mother who sat knitting a saree on the sofa.

Caught in the crossfire, Ratna felt the weight of the discord between them as she glanced at her mother-in-law. She sat silently, her heart siding with Khushi, who deserved an apology for the unjust treatment. The class difference should never have been a reason for such cruelty from her mother-in-law, pushing a little child. That's just being beyond mean. Psychotic, perhaps?

Subadhra's voice broke through the silence, her tone stern as she addressed her grandson. "Don't be stubborn, Chotte," she admonished.

But Arnav remained unmoved, his expression stoic. For three days, he had maintained this silent protest against Subadhra's actions and words, and today was no different.

Subadhra's patience snapped, her anger flaring like a sudden flame. This is too much! she thought, struggling to contain her emotions.

"Mom, tell her she can apologize to her today. Anjali Di, Dhruv, and I will be playing with Khushi and her Jiji. They will be here soon. She can apologize to her then."

Subhadra slammed the bowl of Kheer onto the tea table. Daruk who sat beside his brother playing with his toys jerked in his place and saw his 'Hitler Dadi' striding off to her room, brushing past Samaya who was puzzled by Arnav's silence towards his grandmother. Nobody told her anything until she saw Arnav ignoring Subadhra at last night's dinner. 

Regards, 

Poly, 

14/04/2024

Let me know how was the update. 

What do you think? Subadhra will apologize to Khushi?

Any reviews are welcome.