AUTHOR POV:
The morning sun peeked through the curtains, lightly kissing the scattered toys and clothes strewn across the floor. In the house of the Sharma siblings, chaos reigned supreme. Dhruvi, Tara, Naina, and Aarav were all up and buzzing like bees in a hive, each with their own mission for the day.
"Come on, Naina! We're going to be late!" Dhruvi shouted, looking at her watch anxiously. She had barely managed to gulp down her cereal before racing toward the bathroom to perfect her hairstyle.
"I can't find my favourite shirt!" Naina called back, rummaging through a pile of clothes that had inexplicably exploded across her room. The shirt in question was a vibrant blue, the same shade as the sky on a clear day - the one she absolutely had to wear for their visit to Shanti Bhavan, the beloved orphanage where they had spent countless weekends creating memories and friendships.
"You left it in the laundry basket again!" Tara yelled from the kitchen, where she was trying to balance a plate of toast while keeping an eye on the steaming kettle. She had always been the responsible one, taking on the role of caretaker even amidst the chaos.
Aarav, the youngest of the bunch, was darting between the siblings like a tiny whirlwind. He had already raided the fridge and stacked two pieces of toast high on his plate, determined to fuel himself for the adventure ahead. "I'm ready!" he exclaimed, crumbs flying as he shoved the bread into his mouth.
"Great! You're going to be our secret weapon!" shared Dhruvi with a cheeky wink. If anyone could charm the staff and make sure they all had a good time, it was Aarav, with his infectious energy and bright smile.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of morning madness, they gathered at the front door, outfitted and ready to go. Naina had found her shirt, Tara had borrowed a flat cap that made her look adventurous, and Dhruvi had settled on her trusty denim jacket. Aarav placed a well-loved Basketball under his arm as the final touch, They representation of the friendship and love they wanted to share.
As they stepped outside into the fresh morning air, a wave of anticipation washed over them. Shanti Bhavan wasn't just a place; it was a treasure trove of memories, laughter, and shared moments. The orphanage held a special corner in their hearts, filled with games, storytelling, and bonding with the children there.
SHANTI BHAVAN
The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the familiar landscape of Shanti Bhavan. The once-bustling orphanage was now a sanctuary of memories, each corner echoing the laughter and dreams that had flourished within its walls. As the four siblings—Dhruvi, Tara, Naina, and her brother Aarav—gathered at the entrance, a flutter of anticipation coursed through them.
"Can you believe it's been Five years since we left?" Tara said, her eyes sparkling with nostalgia as she brushed aside a few strands of hair.
"Five years and yet it feels like yesterday," Naina chimed in, her smile widening as she thought about their journey through school, life, and each other's support.
"And now we're back," Aarav added, bouncing on his toes excitedly, his youthful energy infectious.
The four friends stepped through the gates, inhaling the scent of the blooming bougainvillea that climbed the walls around them. Memories rushed forward—playing hide-and-seek among the trees, curling up on worn benches with books, and sharing dreams under the stars.
As they approached the entrance, the familiar figure of Raghav Uncle came into view. His round glasses sat low on his nose, and his warm smile was like a beacon welcoming them home.
"Dhruvi! Tara! Naina! Aarav!" Raghav Uncle exclaimed, enveloping them in a hearty embrace. "It's so good to see all of you back! The place hasn't been the same without your laughter."
They exchanged heartfelt stories about their lives, each revelation punctuated by laughter and a few nostalgic sighs.
The group wandered through the building, their laughter mingling with that of the children. Each room felt alive with energy, filled with the kind of joy that only innocence could cultivate. The little ones reminded them of their younger selves—full of curiosity and mischief.
"You have to meet the new kids!" Raghav Uncle beckoned, leading them inside. They were met by a gaggle of young children, their faces lit up with curiosity. Among them was a particularly tiny girl, a little dumpling with curly hair, who shyly peeked out from behind her friends.
"Who's this little one?" Dhruvi knelt down, and the girl grinned shyly.
"This is Meera," Raghav Uncle said, his eyes twinkling. "She just arrived last week and is still finding her feet here."
With a gentle touch, Dhruvi coaxed Meera out from her hiding spot and soon joined the chase, her long hair flying behind her like a banner of joy.
In a sunlit playroom, they found a cluster of toddlers engrossed in building blocks and making art. Naina knelt beside a little girl with pigtails, who was carefully coloring a picture of a butterfly. "That's beautiful! Can I join you?" Naina asked, and the girl nodded enthusiastically, handing over crayons with a shy smile.
Tara found herself surrounded by a group of energetic boys playing tag. She jumped in, her laughter ringing out as she tried to catch them.
Meanwhile, Aarav, the youngest of the group, discovered a shy boy sitting apart from the madness. He approached him gently, kneeling down to be at eye level. "Hi! My name's Aarav. What's yours?"
"I'm Amir," the boy replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Do you want to come play with us? It's really fun!" Aarav encouraged, and after a moment's hesitation, Amir held out his hand.
As laughter rang through the air, the siblings settled into their roles: Naina leading an art session, Dhruvi organizing games, Aarav sharing stories, and tara playing tag with a group of enthusiastic toddlers. Time slipped by effortlessly, as did the worries of their regular lives. Here, they were just four friends, connected by their desire to spread joy.
After having enough fun with the kids, they gathered in the old library, a sanctuary where dreams were kindled and stories were woven. The smell of old books and polished wooden shelves greeted them like an old friend. It was a treasure trove of stories, of worlds beyond their own, and where they had lost themselves time and again in the pages of adventure.
As they wandered through the stacks, Tara's eyes landed on a familiar cover—the red and gold lettering of Kings' Favorite Women. "I can't believe they still have it!" she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face as she pulled it from the shelf.
"I remember how we fought over who would get to read it first," Dhruvi remarked, her laughter dancing through the library. "I am pretty sure we flipped a coin, but I absolutely rigged it to win!"
Aarav listened intently, as the girls animatedly recounted tales from the book, weaving the story of royal love, intrigue, and the kind of profound friendship that mimicked their relationships.
Suddenly, Tara says, "Wait, guys. I don't think this is the same book we used to read. Look, it displays section two. I assume that is "part two of King's favourite woman". Why aren't we just reading it? Even if we don't have much time right now. But we can borrow it, correct? Look, friends, this looks extremely interesting. We have a few hours here, right? Let us experience the same feelings that we used to have when we read together And talk about about this topic. Please for me." Tara then offered off her cutest puppy eyes, which always works. With that, everyone agree to read this book.
They settled into their old spots, surrounded by the comforting whispers of books, sharing not only the words written on the pages but also their dreams for the future. The soft glow of a single tube light illuminated their faces as they read passages aloud, their voices harmonizing with memories etched in time.
As they huddled together, they found themselves discussing the plot—the tale of a king and his four wives. Throughout their childhood, they had debated it endlessly, each of them taking a side as they immersed in discussions that felt like grand adventures. Now, they turned the pages in awe.
The story unfolded of a proud king who had taken four wives, each blessed with children. The Queen, the first wife, bore him two sons and two daughters, while the second wife had three children—two sons and a daughter. The third wife had a single daughter, and the fourth wife, a commoner, was gifted with three sons who were bright and intelligent but often bullied due to their lineage.
Tara, with her heart on her sleeve, sighed. "Those poor boys! It wasn't their fault they were different."
Dhruvi nodded, the sincerity touching her voice. "It's tragic. The queen and the second wife, instead of embracing them, plotted against them."
The group leaned in as they uncovered the dark twist—the queens devised a plan, using false astrology to exile the commoner's sons for seven years, claiming their bad star sign brought calamity to the kingdom. Aarav rolled his eyes at the villainy, his empathy rooted deep within him.
"They wanted them gone! And the worst part, the fourth wife knew it, but she stayed quiet for the sake of her boys," Naina whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
As the story progressed, tragic events unfolded. The king lost the queen's first son and second wife's both son in the war. Grief-stricken, he named his queens second son the crown prince. By contrast, the commoner's sons endured a life in the mountains, seeking solace from the pain inflicted by a kingdom that failed them. They spent every day praying to Mahadev, steadfast in faith despite the agony surrounding them.
"I hope they find happiness," Aarav murmured, his eyes reflecting a mixture of admiration and pity. "They deserve it after everything."
The story's climax ignited passion within them. The crown prince fell in love with a village girl, and as they witnessed the emergence of their love amidst social hurdles, each friend felt a tug in their hearts. It reminded them of their own bonds, adventures, and the hurdles they had faced.
But as quickly as hope illuminated the story, darkness lingered nearby. The fourth wife's sons, embittered by their mother's suffering, descended upon the kingdom seeking vengeance—a harsh reminder of the deeply entrenched cycle of pain and retribution. They were steadfast in their belief that the queens' betrayal had wronged not only their mother but their very existence.
Tara's voice trembled with intensity as she spoke. "But the crown prince is loyal to his family! He can still be a good king, a good man, despite being born into this web of deceit. Yet, we cannot ignore the pain the fourth wife's sons have endured. They are the villains in this story, but can we blame them?"
The group fell into silence, each lost in their thoughts. Loyalty battled love and justice tangled with revenge, leaving them grappling with the complexities of every character's truth.
"As a good human being, we should reflect on our actions, on the consequences they bring," Aarav broke the silence, his voice steady. "Maybe there is a lesson here for us in our own lives."
As they reached the conclusion—an epic confrontation where the crown prince defended his royal sibling and vanquished the intruders—the serenity of the library felt magical. They leaned back, hearts racing from the twists and turns of the story, but their minds didn't rest easy.
"Did they really find their happiness in the end?" Naina wondered aloud, her eyes staring wistfully into the distance. "Those boys went through so much; they deserved more."
Dhruvi smiled softly. "Maybe that's what we should take away from this. Life isn't always fair, but we can choose to be better. We can form our family, our friendships, and create happiness despite our pasts."
In 6 hours they finished that book as it only had 50 chapters. As darkness enveloped the orphanage, the friends knew it was time to leave their temporary haven.
soon, the caretaker's voice echoed faintly from the hall, urging them to return to their home. They exchanged glances filled with unspoken reluctant to leave. Still, four friends stepped out of the library, their hearts reluctant to leave but grounded in hope for the future.
Just as they reached the door, a soft glow emitted from the very book they had been discussing—a thick, leather-bound volume with gold leaf edging that had often beckoned to them, its pages whispering secrets and adventures. It shimmered, capturing their attention, pulsing softly as if alive.
"Did you see that?" Aarav exclaimed, pointing at the book, his eyes wide with wonder.
The others turned, breath hitching in their throats. The book shone brighter, illuminating the dark corners of the library before it quickly dimmed, leaving only silence and the echo of their collective breath.
THANK YOU READING SO FAR.
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPENED NEXT?
HOPE YOU LIKE THE STORY ? WRITE YOUR THOUGHT?
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