It was late at night in the Kapoor house, and Ishika was running after Meethi, trying to catch her.

"Meethi, kya kar rahi hai? Jaldi se aake doodh peele, fir school bhi toh jaana hai kal," she called out, her voice a mix of exasperation and amusement.

"Pehle pakdo!" Meethi retorted playfully, sticking out her tongue before darting away. Ishika tried to catch her, but she couldn't manage with the glass of milk in her hand. Frustrated, she placed the glass on the side table and then resumed her chase.

Meethi giggled as she ducked behind a pillar and then beneath a table, evading Ishika's every move. The little girl was determined not to get caught by her elder sister.

"Meethi ki bachhi, kitna dauda rahi hai mujhe," Ishika muttered, feeling tired. It had been ten minutes of non-stop running, and she was starting to feel the strain.

"Meethi, dekh, tu doodh piyegi na, toh main tujhe dher saare chocolates dungi, haan?" Ishika tried to tempt her, hoping the promise of sweets would do the trick.

Meethi placed her hands on her waist, a look of determination on her face. "Didu, main kitne saal ki hun?"

"8," Ishika replied, puzzled by the sudden question.

"Toh main aapke chocolate ke laalach mein nahi aaungi. Main ab badi ho gai hun," Meethi replied smartly, teasing her sister. She stuck out her tongue again and gave a thumbs down, clearly enjoying the game.

Ishika couldn't help but smile at Meethi's antics, despite her exhaustion. "Theek hai, Meethi. Ab tu badi ho gai hai. Par doodh toh phir bhi peena padega."

Realizing the chase wouldn't end easily, Ishika took a deep breath and prepared for another round of running, determined to catch her mischievous sister and ensure she drank her milk.

Meanwhile, they heard some footsteps approaching, and Ishika immediately recognized the familiar sound of their father's steps.

"Tu aise nahi maan rahi na, ruk, aane de Bauji ko, unse shikayat kar dungi, samjhi?" Ishika warned her younger sister.

"Karo, karo, dekhte hain Bauji kya bolenge," Meethi replied defiantly.

Just then, their father appeared. "O bhayi, kya ho raha hai bachchon?" he asked, his voice warm but curious.

"Dekhiye na, Bauji, kab se ye Meethi ki bachhi mujhe tang kar rahi hai, doodh hi nahi pee rahi," Ishika complained, pointing at Meethi who was giggling behind the pillar.

"Oho bhayi, ye tum dono ki roz ki nok-jhonk," he chuckled. "O main nahi aata tum dono ke beech, chalo ji, Satnam Waheguru," he said, joining his hands in mock surrender before heading up to his room.

"Dekha!" Meethi teased Ishika again, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Bauji bhi na, kuchh kehte hi nahi is Meethi ki bachhi ko," Ishika grumbled, though a smile tugged at her lips.

Meethi was reveling in the playful banter. She loved teasing her elder sister, who had taken on the role of her mother after their own had passed away when Meethi was just two years old. Since then, Ishika had cared for her as if she were her own child, not letting their father feel the burden of responsibility. K.K. didn't have to worry about his younger daughter, knowing Ishika had it all under control. He was proud that Ishika never complained about the duties she had taken on.

It wasn't that K.K. didn't love his daughters equally or shirk his responsibilities. He knew the harsh realities of life and was acutely aware of his deteriorating health. He feared his daughters might have to fend for themselves when he was no longer there. He wanted them to be strong and self-reliant, ready to face the cruel world. Thus, he prepared them for the school of life.

Both Ishika and Meethi had trained themselves to take over the massive confectionery business their father had built. Ishika, in particular, had shown remarkable resilience and dedication, ensuring that her little sister felt both loved and cared for, even in the absence of their mother.

Ishika was exhausted and sank down onto the sofa with the glass of milk in her hand.

"Meethi ki bachhi, please doodh pee le na," she pleaded, her voice softening with fatigue. This plea melted Meethi's little heart.

She walked up to Ishika and gestured for her to hand over the glass. "Arey arey, rote nahin hai achhe bachhe, lao do, pee leti hun doodh," she teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Ishika glared at her playfully but then sweetly pulled Meethi into her lap. "Fatafat doodh piyo, fir kal school jaane ki taiyyari karenge, hmm?" she said, and Meethi nodded, her eyes twinkling.

Meethi finished the glass of milk, and Ishika placed it in the sink. She held Meethi's hand, and the two walked upstairs together.

"Didu, aap roz mujhe itna saara doodh kyun pilaate ho? Mujhe bilkul nahi pasand," Meethi asked sweetly, her voice filled with innocent curiosity.

"Kyunki main chahti hoon meri Meethi ekdam strong bane, class mein sabse avval aaye, aur achhe marks se pass ho. Aur ye saari cheezein doodh peene se hoti hain, kyunki doodh mein vo saare gun hote hain na," Ishika explained, her voice filled with love and care.

They walked to their room, and Ishika opened the wardrobe with a smile. She pulled out something and turned to Meethi with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Dekh Meethi, kal tu naye school jayegi na, toh didi tere liye kya laayi hai," she said excitedly, revealing a new school bag, tiffin box, water bottle, and the new uniform. "Dekh Meethi, nai school ki nai uniform, water bottle, tiffin."

Ishika waited to see the excitement on Meethi's face but was instead met with a sad expression. She walked over and gently caressed Meethi's head.

"Kya hua Meethi? Muh kyun latkaya hua hai?" she asked softly.

"Didu mujhe ye sab nahi chahiye, mujhe nai school mein nahi jaana," Meethi replied, her face filled with sadness.

"Par kyun mera bachha? Tune khud dekha tha na us din, kitna achha hai naya school," Ishika asked, concerned.

"School toh achha hai Didu, par meri saari saheliyan mere puraane school mein hain na, mujhe naye school mein kyun dala aapne?" Meethi cutely complained.

"Aww, bachhe! Aisa nahi kehte, aapka naya school jo hai na, vo aapke puraane school se kai zyada achha hai. Vahan aap nai cheezein seekhoge, naye tarike seekhoge, naye friends banaoge, haina?" Ishika sweetly explained.

"Par Didu, Shweta, Radhika, Komal, wo sab toh nahi honge na naye school mein," Meethi sadly repeated.

"Arey baba, toh tumhein wahan naye friends mil jayenge," Ishika replied, trying to cheer her up.

"Didu mujhe naye school nahi jaana," Meethi said and made a face.

"Meethi bachhe, aap achhe bachhe ho na, aur achhe bachhe zid nahi karte. Chalo sone ka waqt ho raha hai, jaldi se so jaate hain fir school bhi toh hai na subah," Ishika said firmly. Meethi wanted to protest further, but Ishika gently guided her to the bed.

Ishika made her lie down and covered her with a blanket. She laid beside her, caressing her head to help her sleep.

"Meethi, main jaanti hun tu naye school se bilkul khush nahi hai, par jo taalim main nahi le paai vo tujhe dena chahti hoon, taaki tu kuch bahot bada kar sake aur tujhe meri tarah ye dukaan na chalani pade, balki tu vo kar sake jo tera mann ho," she thought while patting Meethi's head.

As Meethi's eyes slowly closed, Ishika continued to stroke her hair, feeling the weight of her responsibilities and the hopes she had for her little sister's future.

RAICHAND MANSION

Naman was passing by Golu's room and noticed that the lights were still on. Usually, Golu would be asleep by this time, but tonight was different. Peeking inside, he saw a number of chart papers spread around, scissors and colors scattered on the bed, and Golu sitting amidst the chaos with a frown on his face.

He smiled and walked in, making some space near him before sweetly sitting down next to him.

"Kya hua, Golu Polu? Muh kyun latkaya hua hai?" Naman asked.

"Bhai, vo..." Golu looked up at him sadly and then made a face again.

"Kya vo...?" Naman prompted.

"Teacher ne Diwali vacation ke liye homework diya tha," he said with a sigh.

"Aur Golu Maharaj ne wo kiya hi nahi hoga, haina?" Naman guessed, and Golu nodded his big head.

Naman laughed, "Achha, karo karo, main disturb nahi karunga," he said teasingly.

"Bhai!" Golu screamed, grabbing his kurta.

"Arey, aise kyun chilla raha hai?" Naman asked.

"Golu ko teacher daantegi," he said with an upset face.

"Haan toh sahi baat hai na, Golu ne homework nahi kiya toh Golu ko teacher daantna hi chahiye. Main toh kehta hun ek do thappad bhi laga dene chahiye," Naman continued teasing.

"Bhai!" Golu screamed again, louder this time, his way of asking for help.

"Kya, mujhe dekh kar kyun baar baar chilla raha hai?" Naman asked, amused.

"Golu ki help karo, karo, karoooo!!!" Golu screamed in desperation.

"Ye tu help maang raha hai ya daant raha hai mujhe?" Naman asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Golu daant nahi raha hai, lekin ab daantega! Mujhe help karooooooo!!!" Golu warned, shaking his finger at him.

Naman laughed at the cute warning. "Chal, baith jaa, nautanki! Help bhi khud hi ko chahiye aur dhamki mujhe de raha hai," he said, settling down to help Golu with his homework.

Golu made space for Naman to sit and then climbed into his lap. Golu explained the homework he had received from school, and Naman started to help him. They worked diligently, trying to complete it together.

A while later, Golu got up from Naman's lap and moved to the other side of the table to start coloring in his drawing book.

"Jaldi jaldi kar, Golu. Abhi doosri drawing mein bhi color bharna hai," said Naman, urging him to hurry.

"Golu toh fast hi kar raha hai. Aap fast fast haath chalao," Golu replied, focused on his coloring.

"Arey, kar raha hun, mere baap!" Naman said, joining his hands in mock supplication.

A while later, Golu glared at Naman, who noticed and asked, "Kya hua?"

"Bhai! Sky ka color kya hota hai?" Golu asked.

"Blue," Naman replied confidently.

"Aur aap kya kar rahe ho?" Golu pointed to the crayon in Naman's hand.

Naman looked down and realized he was holding a green crayon. He understood his mistake and eyed Golu sheepishly. He then sweetly held his ears in a gesture of apology.

"Bhai!!" Golu screamed, starting to hit Naman with his small hands.

"Golu, kya kar raha hai? Lag jayegi," Naman said, trying to dodge the hits.

"Bhai, aapko meri help karni thi, mera homework kharab nahi karna tha..." Golu shouted, clearly frustrated.

"Sorry, Golu," Naman said sweetly, his tone sincere.

Golu slapped his head in frustration and said sadly, "Golu kal kya le jaayega school mein?"

"Golu, dekh pareshan nahi hote haan. Kal tu aur main dono chalenge school, main teri teacher se sorry bolunga, thik hai," Naman tried to explain, but Golu wasn't in a mood to listen.

"Nahi!! Nahi!! Nahi!!" Golu shouted, his little face turning red with anger.

"Golu! Beta, itna gussa nahi karte," Naman tried to calm him, but Golu ran around the room, his anger only growing.

"Golu beta, dekh shaant hoja, main hoon na, main sab sambhal lunga kal," Naman said, but Golu wasn't ready to listen.

With no other option, Naman picked him up in his arms. "Golu shaant hoja! Bas, bahot ho gaya," he said firmly.

Golu started to hit him with his small fists. Naman held both his hands, stopping him finally. "Golu, dekh maine kaha na, teacher kal tujhe nahi daantengi. Main hoon na," he explained sweetly, and this melted Golu's anger a little, but he still made a pouty face.

"Chal Golu, so ja beta, kal school jaana hai na," he said gently.

Golu had no other option but to nod his head. Naman placed things properly in the room and then made him lie down on the bed. He covered him with a blanket and sat beside him, patting his back softly until Golu's eyes began to close.

"Goodnight, Golu," Naman whispered.

"Goodnight, Bhai," Golu mumbled, already drifting off to sleep.

Naman stayed there for a while, watching his little brother sleep peacefully, his earlier frustrations now forgotten. With a tender smile, he quietly left the room, making sure everything was in place for the next day.