Abir and Kunal sat together in the living room, the warm glow of the evening sun casting a gentle light over the room. As they sat silently for a moment, Abir couldn't shake the feeling of Tara's absence.

Since Tara was in US for her higher studies,her brothers were missing during the rakshabandhan festival.

"It doesn't feel right celebrating Rakhi without Tara, does it?" Kunal said, breaking the silence as he glanced at the empty seat where his sister would usually sit.

Abir let out a sigh. "No, it really doesn't. I miss her – her laughter, her energy. It feels like a piece of our celebration is missing," he admitted, his voice tinged with longing.

Kunal nodded, his eyes reflecting the same sentiment. "I miss tying the rakhi on her wrist and seeing her smile. How I wish she was here with us today," he murmured, the bond between the siblings palpable even in their silence.

Just then, Meenakshi entered the room holding a tray of sweets and the sacred thread for the rakhi ceremony. Her eyes mirrored the same sorrow the boys felt.

"Today doesn't feel the same without Tara, does it?" she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Abir and Kunal nodded silently, unsure of how to fill the void left by their sister's absence.

Abir recalled the flashback of last rakhi when Kunal came back after marrying Kuhu.

Flashback
Tara sat on the veranda, tying a rakhi on her brother Abir's wrist as tears welled up in her eyes. "I wish Kunal was here," she said, her voice filled with a tinge of sadness.

Abir looked at his sister with empathy and took her hands in his. "I miss him too, Tara. But I know he'll come back. He loves us too much to stay away forever."

Tara sighed and brushed away her tears. "I hope so, Abir. It's just not the same without him."

As they finished the ritual, their mother joined them on the veranda, her eyes also reflecting the pain of Kunal's absence. "He may have left, but he is still a part of this family. He will come back when he's ready," she said, trying to reassure her children.

The day passed by with the family participating in the festivities, but Kunal's absence echoed in every corner of the house. Tara couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for her brother.
As the sun rose on Raksha Bandhan day, Tara eagerly awaited the arrival of her beloved brother Kunal. She couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. Abir, understanding Tara's emotions, stood by her side, ready to comfort her.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached the front door. Tara and Abir exchanged glances, their excitement growing. As Tara rushed to open the door, she found Kunal standing there, holding hands with a woman by his side.

Tara's eyes widened in surprise, and then lit up with joy. "Kuhu!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with happiness.

Kuhu, with a warm smile on her face, embraced Tara tightly. "I've missed you so much, Tara," she said, her voice filled with genuine affection.

Tara stepped back and looked at her brother, Kunal, unable to contain her happiness. "You brought Kuhu back with you," she said, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Kunal nodded, his eyes filled with love for both his sister and his wife. "I realized that I had made a mistake in leaving, but Kuhu never stopped supporting me. She believed in our family, in our bond, and urged me to come back. I'm sorry for the pain I caused, but I promise, I'm here to stay."

Tara couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotions as she embraced Kunal. "We're just glad you're back," she whispered, her voice choked with tears.

Abir looked at Kunal with a mixture of relief and forgiveness. "Family is everything, Kunal. No matter what happens, we will always be there for each other."

Kunal nodded, grateful for the forgiveness and acceptance. "I've learned my lesson. I've realized the true value of family, and I won't take it for granted anymore."

As the day progressed, the family celebrated Raksha Bandhan with renewed joy and fervor. The bond between the siblings grew stronger, and Kuhu seamlessly merged into the family, filling the void that had been left behind. It was a day of love, forgiveness, and unity.

As they tied rakhis on each other's wrists, Tara looked at Kuhu and said, "You are not just Kunal's wife. You are our sister too."

Kuhu smiled, her eyes shimmering with tears. "I'm grateful to have found a family who loves me like their own."

In the evening, as the family sat down for a celebratory feast, the atmosphere was filled with laughter, joy, and a sense of completion. With every passing moment, Tara realized that the true essence of Raksha Bandhan was not just about brothers protecting sisters, but about the unbreakable bond of love and support that held them together.

As the day came to an end, the family bid farewell to Raksha Bandhan with hearts full of gratitude and happiness. They knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together - as a united, unbreakable force.

And so, as the moon cast its gentle glow on the house, the family went to bed, their hearts overflowing with love and gratitude, knowing that they had truly found the strength and meaning of family - a bond that nothing, not even distance or mistakes, could ever break.

As the evening approached, there was a knock on the door. Tara rushed to open it and was surprised to see Kunal standing there, a sheepish smile on his face. "I couldn't stay away, not on Raksha Bandhan," he said, embracing Tara and Abir.

Tara's eyes lit up with joy as she tied the rakhi on Kunal's wrist. "I knew you would come back," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Kunal looked at his siblings with a hint of regret in his eyes. "I'm sorry for leaving, but I needed some time to figure things out. I promise I won't go anywhere again."

The family gathered for a celebratory dinner, the air filled with laughter and love. As they sat around the table, Tara looked at Kunal and said, "You are our protector, and we need you here with us, always."

Kunal smiled and nodded, feeling a sense of belonging that had been missing during his time away. "I'll always be here for you, Tara. I love you guys too much to ever leave again."

Flashback Ends

As Meenakshi tied the rakhi on Abir's wrist, memories of Tara tying colorful rakhis on their wrists flooded their minds. The lively banter and the excitement of exchanging gifts with Tara were dearly missed. The moment felt incomplete without her laughter and her presence.

"I wish Tara was here to tie the rakhi on our wrists, to remind us of the bond we share," Abir said, his voice heavy with emotion.

Meenakshi wiped away a tear and placed a hand on Abir's shoulder. "Tara may not be physically here, but our bond is unbreakable. She is in our hearts, and her love will always connect us no matter the distance," she reassured them.

Kunal nodded in agreement, a bittersweet smile forming on his lips. "You're right, Ma. Our bond with Tara goes beyond physical presence. She's always with us in spirit," he said, finding solace in his mother's words.

As they finished the ceremony and shared the sweets, they carried Tara in their thoughts and prayers, finding comfort in the unwavering love that bound them together as siblings.

And though Tara wasn't by their side on this special day, her presence was felt in every moment they shared, weaving a tapestry of love that transcended the physical miles between them.

As the night came to an end, the family went to bed with their hearts full of love and happiness, knowing that no matter what, they would always stick together, through thick and thin.