✨“𝐁𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰,

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰...

𝐈𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐰

𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰.”✨

The first rays of the sun shone over the soothing waves of the Ganga river in Nashik, where traditions run deep, where the strong essence of culture fills the air, and where temple bells adorn the mornings at the Ganga Ghat — and at the Kirloskar Mansion too.

The Kirloskar mansion echoed with the prayer bells and Sanskrit chants, as Mohan Kirloskar performed his daily rituals, offering aarti and dhoop to deities with devotion. In the kitchen, Meera was making aloo parathas for everyone — they tasted heavenly. The aroma filled the entire house. The  irresistible aroma  of parathas reached the nose of the family's drama queen, Anvi, waking her up instantly from her sleep.

Siddharth, the charming yet commanding man, had just returned from jogging and was now taking a shower, flexing his well-built body — in a way that could make any girl fall for him. On the other hand, Pratyush had already left early in the morning for the office today due to an urgent meeting, even though it was Sunday — because for him, work and discipline were most important.

“Hey Aai, what's for breakfast today? I'm starving!” Came the storm of the family — Aditya, the angry young man — hugging his Aai from behind and asking for food after his usual gym session.

Meera elbowed him and said,

“First go take a shower, then eat. And in the evening, take me to Ganga Ghat. I want to distribute some necessary things to the people in need there,” she said while flipping the paratha on the pan like an expert.

“As you say, Aai,” Aditya replied with a soft smile, heading upstairs toward his room.

•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·••·•·•·•·•·•·•·•

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, at the Deshpande Residence...

“Vakratund Mahakay Suryakoti Samprabha, Nirvighnam Kurumedeva, Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada.”

(This is Lord Ganesha's mantra.)

“Hey Bappa, my best friend,” Swara whispered, joining her hands in front of the idol of Ganpati Bappa. “You gave me everything, but still please always keep my family happy and healthy, and thank you for always being there for me.”

Just then, Rishi came over and lightly hit her on the head, teasing,

“God won't listen to idiots like you, Swara.”

“Shut up! You’re the idiot one here! And why do you always hit me?” she said, hands on her waist.

“I hit you because you’re an idiot,” he teased again, smacking her head lightly once more with a grin.

Swara groaned and was about to fire back, but just then Nilam (Aaji) arrived for puja with the puja thali full of flowers.

“You two started again?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No Aaji, see this idiot, he started it!” Swara said innocently.

“No Aaji, she starts!” Rishi interrupted.

“Oh, you both shut up! Swara, you have an exam the day after tomorrow, right? You should be studying!

And Rishi, don’t you have cricket practice today?” Nilam asked.

“Yes, Aaji, I’ll leave after breakfast,” Rishi said, and they both ran away.

Aaji sat before the puja ghar, shaking her head with a smile.

At the same time, Durva and Shivam were preparing poha and tea for breakfast, while Ragini was packing Kavya’s tiffin.

Even though it was Sunday, Kavya’s boss didn’t give her a full holiday — she had to go to the medical store for half a day. They worked in the kitchen while Ragini’s evergreen playlist played in the background.

“Piya tose naina lage re... naina lage ree ae...”

“Aai, is the tiffin ready?” Kavya asked, coming downstairs, fully ready to leave.

“Yes, almost done,” Ragini replied.

“Di, why do you have to go even on Sundays? Tell your boss you need a full holiday. It’s supposed to be a rest day!” Shivam said, pouring tea into the tea jar, while Durva set the plates on the dining table.

“No, Shivam, I can’t say no...” Kavya whispered, barely audible.

But Durva heard it and said, “Oh come on, Di, I’ll come with you and teach your boss a lesson! How can he make you work like this?”

“Oyy, Jhansi Chi Rani, first serve the food, then go on your mission!” Aaji said, finishing her puja.

Everyone laughed and sat for breakfast. Everyone was having breakfast when Ranjeet’s phone rang. He answered it while eating. “Hello, Yash! Yes, yes, we remember,” he said with a chuckle, then hung up. It was Yash Deshmukh, Ranjeet and Yuvraj's school friend, reminding them again about the wedding invitation for his son’s marriage tomorrow. Ranjeet told everyone after ending the call.

“But Yash Kaka already told us three days ago,” Rishi said.

“Aree, Yash forgets things easily, na? That’s why he would have called again,” Yuvraj said.

“Oh, now I get it,” Rishi said, laughing lightly.

“We all have to go tomorrow at 7 PM,” Ranjeet informed everyone.

“But Baba, I have an exam the day after tomorrow, I can’t come,” Swara said, making a cute pout.

“It’s okay, Swara, you can continue your studies. But don’t stay alone — call your best friend Nitya to accompany you. You both can study together,” Ragini said.

“I know how you two will 'study together' — because you won’t study at all!” Shivam teased.

“We do study, Dada! It’s not like that!” Swara defended herself.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Shivam said, laughing.

Since it was a lazy Sunday, everyone was in chill mode, lost in their little worlds.

Swara was highlighting notes while sipping tea in her room, Rishi left for cricket practice after dropping Kavya at work, Shivam was doing his office work, and, as always, Ranjeet and Yuvraj were busy fixing something around the house.

Durva, fully absorbed in her colors and canvas with her hair messily tied, was engrossed in painting Ragini, who was seated on the swing in Durva’s room balcony like a statue.

Aaji was resting in her room because she was having a headache.

•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·•·••·•·•·•·•·•·•·•

Kirloskar Mansion- Afternoon

Everyone was watching a cricket match on the big screen in the Home Theater. Some were sitting on the sofa, some lying on the floor.

“YES! SIX!” everyone cheered loudly as Dhoni hit a powerful six.

“Kiti ordataye tumhi sarv?” Vrinda said, putting her fingers in her ears.

(Why are you all shouting?)

“Because cheering when Dhoni hits a six is mandatory!” Aditya and Rutuja said in unison, grinning.

Just then, Mohan entered the room.

“Everyone, be ready by 7 PM tomorrow. We’re attending the wedding of Yash Deshmukh’s son,” he announced in his usual calm yet commanding tone.

“But Baba, I don’t think everyone needs to go,” Aditya said, his tone casual.

Mohan looked up sharply, the warmth in his eyes vanishing in an instant.

“I didn’t ask for anyone's opinion,” he said, voice firm but clipped.

“First learn to handle responsibilities without making excuses — then try giving suggestions.”

For mohan aditya was still irresponsible — though it wasn't entirely true.

The room fell silent for a beat.

Aditya’s jaw tightened, and a flicker of anger flashed across his face. He turned to leave, fists clenched, but stopped short as Siddharth shot him a warning glare, silently telling him not to react.

He sighed and nodded curtly, his silence louder than words.

“Yes, Baba is right. We all must attend the wedding. They are close family friends,” Pratyush added, placing the water bottle on the side table. He had just returned after his important meeting.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“But Aai, I have nothing to wear!” Anvi groaned dramatically.

“Oh, Madam, look at your cupboard — it’s overflowing with clothes!” Vrinda whispered teasingly.

“Shut up, Di! You don’t know anything about fashion,” Anvi said.

“Yeah, you know everything na,” Vrinda, who looked quite different from her twin sister Rutuja, replied with a smirk, resting her head on Meera’s lap.

Pratyush chuckled, listening to their playful banter — unaware that fate had already set its eyes on him…

· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·

How was Chapter 1?

What do you think might happen when the two families cross paths at the wedding?

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

The rest of the characters will be introduced in the upcoming chapters, so stay tuned — lots more coming up!