Love comes in many forms. It isn’t a personalised emotion for only couples. The meaning of this beautiful emotion is different for different people. Some people take it as an emotion and claim to imbibe it in their souls, while others take it as an opportunity to be dominating towards their favourite people. Such people do not care about the feelings and emotions of others. However, it’s completely normal to have the right to someone you love, to show that they belong to you, but at the same time, you should have the emotion coming from within and you must realise it before you profess it to your loved ones. Furthermore, there are people who imbibe both concepts and still live their best lives. Such is the belief of a prominent business family, the Saraswats. They don’t hesitate in showing their possessiveness and rights on the person they love, and at the same time, they understand the tenderness of the emotion too.

One such person is Nitya Saraswat, the elder daughter of the Saraswat family. She has a deep understanding of the emotions she feels, and she respects the emotions truly. She gets everything on which she lays her hands. She is closest to her younger sister, Anamika.

Anamika is the most pampered child in the house and Nitya is the one who pampers her the most. Often, the girls’ mother chides Nitya for pampering her younger sister. Nitya argues back, saying she can do anything for her sister. As a result, Anamika has become adamant and she thinks that she can get anything she wants. This has made her a little rude and sassy at the same time. However, she loves her sister dearly. And there’s someone who actually acts as the shield for the two sisters, their darling brother, Arjun Saraswat.

They’re one happy family, indeed. It’s a family of seven people and they are indeed happy.

*****
It’s a fine day in the Saraswat House. The elders of the house are sipping their morning tea. The two brothers - Shailesh and Anoop, are discussing business while their wives, Savita and Naina, are in the kitchen, preparing for breakfast.

“Shailesh, subah-subah toh business ko side mein rakhiye. Jab dekho aap dono ko business hi discuss karna rehta hain.” Savita nudges the two men.

“Han, aur abhi aapka laadla aata hi hoga, uska bhi phone pe business hi chal raha hoga.” Naina comments.

She’s talking about Arjun, Savita and Shailesh’s firstborn. Nitya is their secondborn, while Anamika is Anoop and Naina's daughter. The three siblings might have been born to a different set of parents, but they’re no less than real siblings. Arjun loves both Anamika and Nitya equally and they’re nothing without each other. Meanwhile, a young lad enters the house while talking over the phone. The ladies share a glance.

“Lijiye, ye bhi phone pe laga hain. Jaane iska kya hoga?” Naina speaks.

“Han, subah hui nahi ki inka phone shuru ho jaata hain! Subah ke waqt bhi shanti nahi rehti hain.” Savita makes a face.

“Business hain, Ma! Calls aa hi jaate hain, kyun gussa kar rahi ho?” Arjun says as he hugs Savita.

“Han toh subah subah kyun? Tu bhi bilkul apne Dad pe gaya hain. Jaisa baap waisa beta! Huh!” Savita makes a face.

“Arey Mumma, Kyun gussa kar rahi ho? Ho sakta hain Bhaiya apni girlfriend se baat kar rahe ho! That’s a sort of business!” Anamika comments, while rushing down the stairs.

“Ana! Kitni baar bola hain stairs pe jump nahi karte hain, lekin nahi, tujhe meri ek baat samajh mein nahi aati hai!” Arjun scolds her.

“Maine bhi toh kitni baar pucha aapse, aapne milvaaya mujhe aur Didi ko aapki girlfriend se?” She shoots another question, and Arjun turns his face away, not wanting to answer her.

“Aisa kuch bhi nahi hain. Anu, tu kuch zyada nahi bolne lagi hain!” He glares at her.

“Usne kya galat kaha, bhai? Aap hi aise sharma rahe ho jaise koi ladki hain sach mein! Bata bhi do! ” Nitya teases him further and shares a fist bump with Anamika.

“Arjun beta, bata de! Nahi toh tere peeche padi rahengi dono!” Naina comments.

“Han , bata do. Maa aur Mom ki tension door kardo. Vo kehti rehti hain main aur Anu unki baatein nahi maante! Unki bahu hi unki baat maanegi!” Nitya comments mischeviously.

“Arey! Tum dono kyun mere peeche pad jaate ho, subah subah! Main hi milta hoon satane ke liye?” Arjun glares at his sisters.

“Obviously! Aapke alawa hamara koi bhai hai hi nahi.” Nitya and Anamika roll their eyes at him.

“In case ek aur bhai hota toh bhi we’d choose you. Kyunki aap bade ho na! Aur bade bhai ko saari baatein maanni padti hain.” Anamik comments naughtily.

Arjun feels a bit annoyed, but at the same time, he can't stop himself from smiling at his sisters' jokes. He loves them a lot. They mean a great deal to him, and he can't stand the thought of anything bad happening to them. Before his sisters tease him more, he hugs them, surprising them. Nitya smiles warmly, maybe she understands the reason behind his act, while Anamika snuggles closer to him.

Anamika, Nitya and Arjun have been like saviours to each other. Being the youngest, Anamika has always been the warm solace of her siblings. Arjun has always been her protective shield, ever since childhood. Nitya is her secret-bearer. Simultaneously, Nitya loves Anamika dearly, probably her second mother, while Arjun holds the same emotion for her. Anamika acts as a stress buster to both her siblings, she’s the one to make them smile after a long tiring day.

As Arjun pulls the girls into another hug, there’s a determined look on his face. It seems like he’s determined to protect them forever. Holding them close to his heart, he knows that they’re his treasure, and that he doesn’t want to lose them.

*****

Naina and Savita are watching them with a smile on their faces. They’re sure that these three will always be together and nothing won’t be able to tear them apart. But there’s something that’s disturbing the ladies. Naina looks at Savita.

“Didi, aapko darr nahi lagta?” She asks.

“Hamare teenon bachche ek sath hain , Naina. Kya tumhe lagta hain ki koi inhe alag kar payega?” Savita asks; a smile playing on her lips.

“Nahi Didi, lekin phir bhi mujhe darr lagta hain. Main nahi chahti saalon pehle jo hua wo dobara ho. Main jaanti hoon Arjun sab sambhal lega, lekin fir bhi apne mann ko nahi samjha pa rahi hun.” Naina expresses her feelings.

“Naina ji, Jo beet chuka hain, us baat ko bhool jaiye. Aapko khush hona chahiye ki aapka laadla hamare business ko badha raha hain.” It’s Anoop who comes by his wife’s side.

“Aap dono jaanti hain na, humne vaada kiya hain ki hum apni taraf se koi pehel nahi karenge, hum uss vaade pe kayam hain.” It’s Shailesh who looks at his wife.

“Haan, par hum apne haq ke liye ladna bhi jaante hain, Maa. Don’t worry, ab sab achcha hi hoga.” Arjun chimes in on to the conversation, side-hugging both ladies, making them smile, while the two girls agree.

Arjun, being the firstborn, holds not only his mother’s heart but also Naina's, who loves him immensely. He has a rough and tough demeanour on the outside and a soft soul inside. He holds immense love for his family, but at the same time, he’s a perfectionist at work. However, when it comes to right and wrong happenings in society or business, he prefers to fight the wrongs. He can't stand seeing unfair things happen

Naina and Savita are relaxed, they know that their mutual love will help them maintain their sanity, and it’s better if some secrets remain covered for the rest of their lives.

To Be Continued.