It was a beautiful summer evening, the air thick with the scent of blooming jasmine as the Rathor family made their way to the Mehta residence. Arjun, at 14, walked confidently at the front, leading his parents, Vijay and Devika, followed closely by his younger cousins, Aarav and Ishika. His strong presence, even at that age, was undeniableâhis poise and maturity beyond his years. He kept an eye on Ishika, his 10-year-old sister, making sure she stayed close. The younger ones were full of energy, running ahead, eager to reach the Mehta house.
This visit had been planned for a while. Arjun had grown up with the Mehtas; they were old friends, their families bound by history. But today was a little different. The Mehta household was abuzz with excitement because it was the day the Rathor family had promised to bring something special.
"Are we there yet?" Ishika asked, skipping beside Arjun.
"Almost there," Arjun replied, giving his little sister a reassuring smile.
"Good, because I can't wait to see Sia!" Ishika added, grinning as she ran ahead to catch up with Aarav and Riya.
At 13, Riya and Aarav were thick as thieves, always finding trouble in the most innocent of places. Their mischievous grins were unmistakable as they shot playful jabs at each other. Arjun smiled at the sight of themâhow simple their lives seemed, yet how deep their bonds ran. He couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness for each of them, especially his little sister, Ishika, and Sia, who was only 2year younger than him but always seemed so full of life.
As they arrived at the Mehta house, Arjun could already hear the chatter from inside. The Mehtas, as always, were a warm and inviting family. Arjun was familiar with the comfort of their home, and it felt like an extension of his own family. He knocked on the door, and within seconds, it swung open, revealing Mr. and Mrs. Mehta with warm smiles on their faces.
"Welcome, welcome! Please, come in!" Mr. Mehta said, ushering them inside.
The house was large, filled with elegant decor and a sense of grandeur. But what caught Arjun's attention immediately was the figure standing near the window, watching them with a sparkle in her eyes. Sia.
Sia, at 12 years old, was a picture of innocence with her wide eyes and radiant smile. She had always been the most playful of the bunch, but today, she was quieter. Arjun noticed that her gaze kept flicking toward her father, who was busy talking to Mr. Rathor.
"Hey, Sia!" Ishika called out, running over to give her a hug. Sia's face lit up as she caught Ishika in her arms.
"Hey, Ishika!" she greeted, twirling her in excitement. "I missed you!"
Arjun's heart softened at the sight of their bond. There was something about Sia that always made everything seem brighter, more alive. But today, Arjun noticed a change in her. She wasn't quite as bubbly as usual.
Sia's attention drifted to her father, who was deep in conversation with Mr. Rathor. She walked over to her father and gently tugged at his sleeve. "Papa, can I get a puppy?"
Her father, Harish Mehta, didn't even look at her. He was too busy talking to Mr. Rathor to notice the longing in his daughter's eyes. He waved her off dismissively, "Later, Sia, we'll talk about it later."
Sia's face fell for a moment, but she didn't press the issue. She turned away, only to see her older sister, Riya, walk up to her father with a far more familiar request.
"Papa," Riya said, her tone sweet and persuasive, "I really need a new iPad. The one I have is already a year old, and it's outdated. You know I need it for schoolwork and my photography."
Mr. Mehta, without hesitation, immediately nodded. "Of course, beta. We'll get it tomorrow."
Sia's heart sank a little. She didn't want to complain, but it was hard not to notice the difference in how her father treated her and Riya. Riya always got what she wanted, effortlessly, while Sia's requests seemed to fall on deaf ears. Which was observed by both Mr. and Mrs. Rathor.
Arjun, who had been silently observing the interaction, couldn't help but notice the way Sia's face dropped as her father brushed her off. Something stirred in him, a feeling he couldn't quite place. He stepped forward, intending to ease the tension. "Hey, Sia, how about we all go play outside? We're here to enjoy the day, right?"
Sia smiled faintly, grateful for his presence. "Yeah, let's go outside," she agreed, though the disappointment in her eyes was still apparent.
As they made their way to the backyard, the sound of laughter and excited chatter filled the air. It was a typical family gathering, but Arjun couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He caught a glimpse of Sia as she quietly pet the family dog, a sad smile on her face. She wanted the puppy, but her father's dismissal had left her in a quiet funk.
YEARS LATER...
It was a bright, sunlit afternoon, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Young Arjun and Sia sat eagerly on the porch of the Rathor estate, their eyes glued to the long driveway, waiting for the arrival of something special. They had spent weeks anticipating this day, a day that would change their childhood forever. And Sia being the impatient one, arrives to Rathor mansion early morning.
Arjun, at 18, was already the embodiment of confidence and charm. His strong, chiseled features and piercing eyes seemed to attract admiration wherever he went, though he would never admit it. He leaned back against the wooden railing, a quiet smile on his lips as he waited, his legs casually stretched out.
Sia, at 16, was a bundle of energy, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement. Her long, dark hair flowed freely as the wind teased it, and her laughter could be heard echoing across the estate. She bounced on her toes, unable to sit still, her thoughts consumed by the excitement of meeting her new furry companions.
Finally, the car pulled up. Arjun's father, Vijay Singh Rathor, stepped out, holding two small, wriggling puppies in his arms. The sight of the puppies sent both Sia and Arjun jumping up from their seats, their faces lighting up in sheer joy.
"They're here!" Sia shouted, running toward her father to take one of the puppies in her arms.
The puppies, a pair of adorable huskies, yelped and wiggled in Sia's arms. She looked at them with such awe, her heart melting as she cradled them.
"They're perfect," Sia whispered, her eyes wide with wonder. "I'll name this one Snowy," she declared, pointing to the white-furred puppy, which barked happily in her embrace.
Arjun chuckled, watching Sia's enthusiasm. He walked over to take the second puppy from his father, who passed it to him with a proud smile. "So, what are you naming this one?" Vijay asked, raising an eyebrow.
Arjun looked down at the pup, its black-and-white fur gleaming in the sunlight. "Candy," he said looking at Sia, his voice deep but with a touch of playfulness. "Candy fits him. Look at how sweet he is."
Sia wrinkled her nose in mock offense. "Candy? That's too sweet. I think Snowy is the better name."
Arjun simply smiled, amused by her stubbornness. He had always found it endearing how Sia could be so serious about the most trivial things. But then, he also found it fascinating â how she could name a puppy with such care, how she could give it a place in her heart so easily. He had never told her, but her heart was something he had always admired from a distance.
Their childhood was filled with moments like these â moments of joy, innocence, and laughter. And though they never spoke of it, Arjun and Sia both knew that their connection went beyond simple friendship. They shared a bond that felt unspoken, a bond they didn't fully understand but knew was there, in the depths of their hearts.
As the puppies played at their feet, Arjun's thoughts wandered, not just to the present but to the future â a future that was starting to feel more complicated as he grew older. His relationship with Sia, once so simple and carefree, was beginning to shift. The way she looked at him, the way she smiled â it all felt different now.
Sia, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel the weight of her emotions every time she looked at Arjun. He had been a constant in her life, but there was something more now â something that made her heart flutter whenever he came close. She couldn't explain it, but she didn't have to. She just knew.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the estate, Sia and Arjun sat down on the lawn with their new puppies. The world around them seemed to slow down, and for a brief moment, everything felt perfect. Little did they know, this peaceful moment would soon be overshadowed by the complicated web of emotions and destiny that was about to unfold in their lives.
But for now, they were just two children, sitting on the lawn, with their puppies at their feet and a bond that would change everything â a bond neither of them could yet comprehend.