AUTHOR POV:
In a sun-soaked 4BHK apartment in Udaipur, Rajasthan, four without the same bloodline—had forged a family that transcended blood ties. Having grown up together in an orphanage, they had left behind their past to create a life filled with laughter and warmth. Aarav was the baby of the group; at just 18 years old, he was well protected by his three older sisters who showered him with affection. They often joked about being his guardians from the trials of life—a role they took on earnestly.
On weekends, the apartment transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity and chaos. The walls were adorned with colourful artwork created during late-night brainstorming sessions fuelled by instant noodles and laughter.
It was normal morning with all 4 of them waking up late and taking breakfast. As tara was cooking breakfast she was being scolded by all of them as she is not a good cook, and they can't eat her food.
''Hey tara your cooking is worst we cannot eat your food today,'' said Naina as she was getting ready to cook.
''Come on Naina let me cook today I want to taste my cooking today,'' said tara as she was pouting.
''No tara your cooking is so bad it can harm us,'' said Aarav.
''Come on guys let her cook,'' said Dhruvi who is also busy playing with Aarav.
''Fine but don't say we didn't warn you'' said Naina and Aarav.
Then they all start eating her food which was actually not that bad and they start complementing her cooking. With that they finish their lunch and went to their respective work.
Naina was a famous surgeon in hospital so she has her own team of people and also, she is good friend with one of the owners of hospital so she can easily do whatever she wants and also if she wanted, she could easily make her dream come true.
Dhruvi was a cardiology doctor so she is also having her own team of people, but she is also working at hospital were Naina works and is good friend with owner of hospital.
Tara is a psychologist and has her own clinic where she gives her treatment to patient and have her own staff too and she is also friend with Naina and Dhruvi.
Aarav is an IT engineer student who make lots of software and web site for company, so he is earning lots of money despite his age.
Brought up into an orphanage, Naina grew up with her three best friends Dhruvi, Tara, and her younger brother Aarav. They formed a close-knit family bond that has carried them through life's hardships. Together they navigated the labyrinth of life's trials; their bond was forged in laughter and tears alike. Dhruvi's calmness acted as an anchor to Tara's vivacious energy, while Aarav's ingenious mind breathed innovation into their every endeavour and Naina being go getter and leader of the group.
They all are doing their jobs and when they came back there, they watch TV and went to sleep.
Next morning was their day off and they decided to spend their time together. As dusk settled over their home like a gentle quilt, the last rays of sunlight surrendered to the embrace of twilight. The air was imbued with a soft warmth that wrapped around Aarav and his companions as they gathered on a worn-out rug sprinkled with colorful patterns reminiscent of ancient Indian motifs a remnant from their orphanage days. Each hue spoke of laughter, tears, and memories long cherished, creating an intimate tapestry that bound them together.
Aarav reclined against the wall, his dark hair tousled by the evening breeze. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he recounted tales from their childhood adventures woven from threads of imagination and survival within the walls of Shanti Bhavan Orphanage. The scent of sandalwood incense lingered in the air, mingling with faint echoes of laughter that seemed to whisper through time.
Dhruvi sat cross-legged beside him, her gaze distant yet thoughtful. "Let's visit the orphanage tomorrow," she suggested suddenly after a contemplative pause. "I miss our library the smell of old pages... It felt magical."
Her words hung in the air like an unspoken spell, conjuring visions of dusty shelves lined with books whose spines cracked open like secrets waiting to be shared. A flicker passed through Naina's eyes as nostalgia enveloped them all like an embrace from long-lost friends. "Yes! We can read 'The King's Favourite Women' again!" Tara chimed in excitedly.
"It was more than just a book," Aarav said softly, tracing his fingers over one intricate pattern on the rug—a lotus blooming amidst chaos. "It was our escape into worlds where queens wielded power and love alike."
The mention stirred something deep within each soul present; they had devoured its pages countless times during those formative years within Shanti Bhavan's walls—its tale spun intricately around power struggles between queens vying for favor amidst court intrigue resonated deeply with their own lives marked by longing for belonging.
Dhruvi's eyes glimmered with enthusiasm. "Remember how we used to play those characters? Aarav, you were always the ambitious queen, and I was the loyal friend who helped you plot your rise!"
"More like a sidekick who got caught in the middle of the drama," Aarav laughed, nudging her playfully. "But, yes! Those afternoons were pure magic."
As the stars began to pierce the twilight, Tara shifted, looking at the group with a more somber expression. "I hope the library is still there... that it hasn't changed too much. I would hate for it to be lost to time like so many memories."
Naina, who had sat quietly, finally spoke. "Things may have changed, but the essence will always remain. Our past, no matter how weathered, is the very foundation of who we are. Shanti Bhavan gave us more than just shelter; it gave us a sense of family."
Silence befell the group, each lost in their reverie as they sat on that cherished rug. The shadows lengthened, dancing around them like the playful spirits of childhood. Aarav sensed a hint of vulnerability in Naina's voice, an echo of their shared experiences.
"Can you imagine if those walls could talk?" he mused, a smile forming on his lips. "They'd have tales of mischief, midnight feasts, and the endless quests we embarked on, from sneaking cookies from the kitchen to performing skits in the courtyard."
"Don't forget about the time we borrowed the gardener's tools to dig a hole in search for treasure!" Dhruvi added, giggling. "We thought we were real adventurers! And what did we find an old shovel and a rusty tin can!"
"It became a treasure of its own," Tara quipped. "We buried our dreams deep in that can, didn't we?"
The group erupted into laughter, the memory lighting up their hearts even as the world around them darkened.
Aarav's voice grew serious, enthusiasm laced with a hint of nostalgia. "We were our little kingdom, each of us rulers in our own right, still searching for that elusive crown acceptance, love, and dreams unburdened by the weight of the world."
"Then let's reclaim that kingdom tomorrow," Dhruvi declared. "Let's remind ourselves of the places that shaped us and fight for the dreams we buried."
The promise hung in the dusky air as they slowly rose, each heart aflame with the anticipation of rediscovery. The chill that followed twilight served only to tighten their bond, a flicker of warmth amidst the quiet anxieties of adulthood.
As they drifted off to sleep later that night, the whispers of the past wrapped around them, a gentle lullaby promising adventure and rekindled friendships at the place that had once harboured their dreams.
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