"Together, we paint the canvas of our lives, each brushstroke a testament to our dreams, laughter, and the unbreakable bond we share."

AUTHORS POV:

In a bustling 4BHK apartment in Mumbai, four siblings gathered for the evening. The clock struck 8 PM on a Friday, and a sense of togetherness enveloped the living space, where the scent of worn-out sneakers and fresh laundry mingled with the air.

Naina had just emerged from her room, her hair wrapped in a towel after a quick shower, her mind still tangled in the events of the day.

As she made her way to the open kitchen, she glanced at Aarav and Tara sprawled across the sofa, their attention absorbed by the latest episode of their favourite police-based daily soap. "What would you guys like to eat for dinner?" Naina called out, her voice cutting through the tense build-up of the drama unfolding on screen.

"Aarav's fine with anything," Tara chimed in, her eyes glued to the TV. Aarav barely registered her response, transfixed by the action. Naina rolled her eyes but chuckled softly as she surveyed the culinary options left from the afternoon.

"Okay, so there's dal, aloo ki sabzi, and one serving of rice. Should I make more rice, or do you want roti?" she shouted, hands on her hips, a playful edge in her tone.

Tara nudged Aarav, still not wavering her gaze from the screen, "What do you want?"

After a thoughtful pause, Aarav finally replied, "Roti." Satisfied, Tara called back, "Me and Aarav will eat roti!"

Just then, Dhruvi emerged from her room, her expression a blend of urgency and hunger. "Then give me that remaining rice! I'm hungry," she declared, heading straight to the open kitchen without waiting for a response.

"Alright, I'll make roti then!" Naina confirmed, smiling at the familiar chaos. Dhruvi swung open the refrigerator and poured herself a cool glass of water.

As Naina started gathering the ingredients for the roti, she turned to Dhruvi, who was now sipping on her cool water. "Hey, Dhruvi, do you want any side dishes or just the dal and aloo ki sabzi with your rice?"

Dhruvi put down her glass and thought for a moment. "Just the sabzi and dal would be great. I'm too hungry to wait for anything else. Plus, I really love the way you make roti, give me one ok!"

Naina smiled "Ok! I'll make sure to roll them out nice and soft for you."

As Naina began preparing the dough for the rotis, she could hear the faint sounds of the TV. Aarav and Tara were still engrossed in their police drama, their eyes glued to the screen, occasionally laughing or gasping at the plot twists.

Dhruvi, meanwhile, took a seat at the kitchen counter with her glass of cold water. "What's the drama about?" she asked, curious to know what had captivated her siblings' attention so much.

"It is a comedy-drama that revolves around a group of women police officers and their day-to-day challenges and how they tackle social issues with humour is just awesome," Tara replied, sneaking a look back at the living room. "You should see the way they interrogate suspects! It's so funny!"

Naina chuckled as she kneaded the dough. "Maybe I'll catch the next episode after dinner."

Aarav called out from the living room, "You should! But we can't spoil anything for you, it's too good to miss!"

As Naina formed the dough into small balls, she glanced at Dhruvi, who was scrolling through her phone. "Hey, Dhruvi, are you done with your project?"

"Almost," Dhruvi replied, her attention still on her phone. "I just need to finalize a few details, then I'll be free for the weekend."

"Great! We should plan something fun," Naina suggested, feeling grateful for the rare moments when all four siblings could be together. "Maybe a movie night or an outing?"

"Sounds good to me!" Dhruvi said, finally looking up. "Aarav, you in?"

"Count me in! As long as it's not another rom com!" Aarav's voice carried a mock seriousness, but the teasing was evident.

"Okay, so let me check on my phone then," Dhruvi said, her thumbs dancing over her screen. "Are we going tomorrow or day after tomorrow?"

"Let's go tomorrow itself," Naina decided. "With that, we can also do some shopping."

Suddenly tara chimed in, "Oh, from the shopping, remember we discussed donating some books and stationery to the orphanage? When should we go? It's been a long time." Tara's voice was laced with nostalgia, carrying a hint of sadness as she reminisced about the children and the warmth of their old home.

The air in the kitchen shifted, the lightness fading as each sibling understood Tara's feelings; their first home held a special place in their hearts. Aarav, sitting next to Tara, attempted to soothe her out of her sombre mood, his concern evident.

"Hey, Tara," Dhruvi ventured softly, sensing what was on her mind. "We know how much you miss those kids. It's been a while, but we'll make it special. Just like old times."

Tara nodded, a slight smile breaking through her thoughtful demeanour. "I just... wish we could do more for them. They're like family to us."

"I get it," Aarav replied gently, "We all miss it, but those kids cherish every moment we spend with them. Plus, we get to share our stories and bring joy, even for a little while."

Naina felt her heart swell with affection for her siblings. They had all grown up in that orphanage, under the loving care of Raghav Uncle, and each visit they made back became a precious chance to give back.

With renewed energy, Dhruvi grinned again, "Okay, how about this? Tomorrow, we watch the movie first, and then the next day, we take a proper day trip to the orphanage. We can plan activities and games, maybe even a small picnic if the weather holds up. It'll be so much fun!"

The more they talked, the more excited they grew. tara and Aarav both left their drama behind and came up with book and pen sat on chairs around the open kitchen. Aarav started listing out ideas for games, while Tara leaped into planning their mini-picnic menu.

"Okay team, consider this our plan: After the movie, we can... Wait!" Naina interrupted herself suddenly, her brow furrowing in thought. "We need to make a shopping list for the orphanage too! We don't want to forget anything!"

"Good idea!" Dhruvi replied eagerly. "Let's put it all together."

As they worked through the list, the kitchen transformed into a chaos of steam, laughter, and the sweet scent of dough being shaped into rotis.

Dhruvi suggested, "Why don't we go to the movie tomorrow? Then shop for the books, stationery, clothes, and some snacks for the kids. And on Sunday, we can spend the day at the orphanage!" Her wide smile illuminated the room, igniting a glimmer of hope in their hearts.

"Great idea!" Aarav grinned as he bounced back from his contemplative state. "Then I can even choose a gift for Raghav Uncle! Last time, Naina di did it on my behalf," he pouted playfully, recalling the earlier shared experience.

The room erupted in laughter, the mood shifting back to one of warmth and togetherness. "You're right, Aarav! It's high time we let you pick Raghav Uncle's gift. You have such thoughtful ideas!" Naina teased back.

Dhruvi nodded enthusiastically. "So, it's settled! We'll go out for a movie tomorrow, and day after tomorrow, we'll head to the orphanage." Her eyes twinkled as she continues to type on her phone. "Now, let's me see which movie we can watch tomorrow!"

Naina turned her focus back to cooking. She rolled the first few rotis and placed them on the hot tava, the sizzling sound filling the kitchen. Dhruvi who was beside her also came towards her and help her in flipping roti while still scrolling through her phone.

Suddenly Dhruvi exclaimed, "Hey, I just found a list of the top movies playing right now! How about 'Dunki' and SRK is also in it? It's supposed to be good!"

Aarav perked up, "I've heard about that one! It has a lot of twists, and it's got some humour too. I'm in! What do you think, Tara?"

Tara, who had been listening quietly, nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! I love a good mystery! Plus, we'll might find some funny bits in it to laugh about!"

Naina smiled, enjoying the sight of her siblings animatedly discussing their plans. "Alright, let's get our tickets booked. We want good seats!"

As Naina finished making the rotis, she started to heat up the dal and subzi.

In meanwhile Aarav and tara also done with the list and Dhruvi also booked 3:30pm movie show, Aarav suddenly turned his head towards the kitchen. "Naina Di, do you want me to set the table?"

Naina nodded "Yes, just grab the plates and bowls from the cupboard."

As Aarav got up, Tara finally turned her attention away from the List. "I can help too!" she chimed in, hopping off the chair. "What do you need me to do?"

"Can you get the butter and some pickles from the fridge? That'll go perfectly with the roti," Naina replied.

Once the cooking was done, everyone gathered around the table, the delicious rotis stacked high in the centre, along with the dal and subzi. 

"Alright, you all start eating; I'll put my hair towel to dry," Naina said cheerfully as she removed the towel from her head, shaking her long hair free. The damp strands glistened in the warm light of the living room.

As she stepped outside, the evening breeze greeted her, cool and refreshing. Naina instinctively ran her fingers through her damp hair, taking a deep breath as she leaned over the railing. The view from their modest apartment was a delightful blend of bustling city life and the greenery of trees that lined the streets, a reminder of the vibrant life below.

After hanging the towel, she took a moment to herself, gathering her thoughts and went back to the dinning table.

The clinking of plates and the sound of chatter filled the air as they dug into the meal.

"By the way, what should we do for snacks for the kids at the orphanage?" Dhruvi inquired, her mouth half-full of a delicious bite of roti.

Naina who was sitting opposite to dhruvi.  "I think something simple but fun, like cupcakes or samosas, with fruity would be great!" she replied, her mind racing with visions of beaming faces.

Aarav chimed in; his enthusiasm infectious. "Absolutely! Kids love all things sweet and tasty," he said, leaning forward with palpable excitement. "What about a mix of both? We can get some cupcakes and then have a samosa too, with fruity!"

"Perfect!" Tara agreed, her eyes gleaming with delight. The thought of the journey they were about to embark on—the trip to the orphanage made her feel like a child again. "Let's not forget some treats for ourselves too while we're at it!"

"Of course! We deserve a little indulgence," Naina added, laughter ringing through the air like music.

After a lively dinner, they migrated back to the living room, where they could continue their preparations for the movie plan, and Naina couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation for the weekend ahead. The thought of visiting the orphanage and sharing their time and love with the children brought a smile to her face.

As they settled into the couch with their favourite snacks, Naina picked up the remote and said, "Alright, it's time to see what all this fuss is about with your show! Are you ready, Dhruvi?"

SOMEWHERE IN QUITE ROOM

In a dimly lit room, where shadows danced on the walls adorned with fading portraits, a heavy tension hung in the air. The soft glow of a flickering lamp cast an uneasy light, and the quiet was broken only by the restless footsteps of a man pacing back and forth. Dressed in a simple white kurta pyjama, his face was pale with unease, his thoughts clearly a storm of worry.

The creak of the door made him stop in his tracks. An older man entered, his movements unhurried but deliberate. His presence carried a calming gravity, as though the weight of countless truths rested in his serene gaze.

"Guruji," the man said, his voice taut with urgency. "You're here. Has something happened?"

Guruji stepped further into the room, closing the door softly behind him. His faint smile did little to ease the younger man's anxiety. "Yes, something has happened," he said. "But I bring both good news and bad news. Which one would you like to hear first?"

The man froze, his hands curling into fists by his sides. His voice quivered as he asked, "Good news? Bad news? Is the kingdom safe, Guruji? Tell me."

Guruji's expression grew serious, the faint smile fading as he met the man's gaze. "No," he said solemnly. "The kingdom is far from safe. Rational issues are brewing beneath the surface—conflicts that threaten its very core. Though it might appear stable from afar, the cracks are growing deeper."

The man's heart sank, his worry etched deeply across his face. "Then how can there be any good news in this?" he asked, his voice a whisper.

"The good news," Guruji said, his voice steady, "is that soon, they will return. To their homeland. To the place of their birth, the source of their identity. The time has come for them to reclaim what has always been theirs."

The man's eyes widened, hope and fear warring within them. "Return..." he murmured, the word heavy with meaning. "But if the kingdom is so unstable, how can they go back? Won't it be dangerous?"

Guruji nodded slightly, his gaze unwavering. "That is where the bad news comes in," he said. "The kingdom needs help—urgently. It cannot survive without action, and it cannot wait."

The man stiffened, his breath quickening. "You came here because of this, didn't you? You need me to go?"

Guruji stepped closer, placing a hand gently on the man's shoulder. "I came for two reasons," he said. "First, to tell you this good news about their return. And second, to bring you with me. The kingdom cannot hold much longer without your presence."

The man swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "When... when do you want me to leave?"

Guruji offered a faint smile, his tone steady but kind. "Not tonight. But tomorrow. At this same hour, I will come to take you with me. You must be ready to leave."

The man lowered his gaze, doubt flickering in his mind. "And if I'm not ready by then?"

Guruji's smile softened, his voice carrying the weight of certainty. "Whether you're ready or not, the path has already been set. Fate is not something we can delay. But you must trust yourself—you are stronger than you know. The Almighty does not give trials without granting the strength to overcome them."

For a moment, silence filled the room as the man processed Guruji's words. Then, Guruji raised his hand and placed it lightly on the man's head in a gesture of blessing.

"May you live long and thrive," Guruji said warmly. "Trust in the journey. It will guide you to them and bring you closer to your true purpose."

With that, Guruji turned and left the room, the door creaking softly as it closed behind him. The man stood motionless, his thoughts swirling with uncertainty and anticipation. The room, now quiet once more, seemed to hum with the echoes of destiny—a storm waiting to break, a path waiting to be walked.