After meeting the teachers, the four left the school.

On the way out, many parents who knew Arth and Geeta stopped to talk to them.

Parent 1: Congratulations! We heard Adhyay topped the class.

Parent 2: Such a brilliant child.

Parent 3: You both must be very proud.

Geeta's face glowed with happiness.

Every congratulations made her smile wider.

Every praise for Adhyay felt like a personal achievement.

After all, she had always dreamed of hearing people appreciate her children.

And today, that dream was coming true.

Saransh quietly watched her.

For some reason, seeing Geeta happy made him happy too.

---

After reaching home, Arth and Geeta started getting ready for the office.

Meanwhile, in the afternoon, Saransh and Siddharth (Arth's neighbour's son) were playing football in the garden.

Recently, Siddharth and Saransh bonded.

Siddharth kicked the ball toward him.

Siddharth: So... how many kicks and slaps did you get for those results?

Saransh rolled his eyes.

Saransh: Nothing.

Siddharth: Impossible.

Saransh: Dad saved me.

He kicked the ball back.

Saransh: He knows I'm working hard for boards.

Siddharth: Great!

For a few moments, they played silently.

Then Saransh smiled slightly.

Saransh: Mom was really happy today.

Siddharth: Because of your sister?

Saransh (rolling his eyes): She isn't my sister.

Siddharth gave him a look.

Saransh: Whatever.

He sighed.

Saransh: But yeah... Mom always had this dream. Log usko congratulate karein aur uske bacchon ki success ki tareef karein.
(People will congratulate her for her kid's success and will praise her kids)

A small smile appeared on his face.

Saransh: Aaj woh sach mein bahut khush thi.
(She was so happy today)

Siddharth nodded.

Siddharth: Fine. Don't consider her your sister. But She is.

Saransh groaned.

Saransh: Again?

Siddharth: Listen first.

He pointed the football at him.

Siddharth: Your parents are married. Your mom considers her daughter. Her father considers you his son.

Saransh just stared at him.

Siddharth: And no matter how much you tried to hide it, the whole school already knows she's your stepsister.

Saransh looked away.

Siddharth (softly): Once try being her brother. Your mom and dad will become the happiest parents in the world.

Saransh remained silent.

After a few seconds-

Saransh: Whatever.

He kicked the ball.

Saransh: But how can a topper and a chocolate boy be siblings?

Siddharth burst out laughing.

Siddharth: Not a nerd.

Siddharth: A topper and a chocolate boy. Sounds cool actually.

Saransh shook his head.

Then suddenly another thought came to him.

Saransh: I think I should thank Adhyay.

Siddharth: Good.

Saransh: But how?

Siddharth: By using your mouth.

Saransh glared at him.

Siddharth laughed harder.

Siddharth: Fine, fine.

He thought for a moment.

Siddharth: Arrange a small family party. A surprise for her. Your mom and dad will be happy too.

Saransh's eyes lit up.

Saransh: That's actually a nice idea.

He started thinking immediately.

Saransh: For decorations we need to go to the market now.

Siddharth: Hein?

Saransh: I'll ask aunty to make special dishes.
I need decorations, cold drinks and snacks.
I can handle the decorations.
Till evening everything will be ready.

Siddharth: Good plan.

Saransh: Let's go.

Siddharth (shocked): Kahan? (Where?)

Saransh: Decoration arrange karne. (To arrange decoration material)

Without waiting, Saransh dragged Siddharth with him.

Siddharth: Oye! At least let me wear my shoes properly!

---

Evening

Geeta and Arth returned home.

The moment they entered, both stopped in surprise.

The living room was beautifully decorated.

Balloons.

Lights.

Snacks arranged neatly.

And in the middle of it all-

Saransh was running around checking everything.

Geeta (shocked): Yeh kya hai? (What's all this?)

Saransh turned proudly.

Saransh: Mom, Adhyay ne top kiya hai na. So, Siddharth suggested a success party.
(Adhyay, topped in her exams)

Geeta folded her arms suspiciously.

Geeta: Aur tere dost aayenge. (Your friends are coming)

She stared at him, narrowing her eyes.

Geeta: Success party ke naam par sirf sardard karenge.
(I will be having a headache on the name of the success party)

Saransh (offended): Mom!

Saransh: No friends. The party is only for the four of us.

Arth smiled proudly.

Arth: Arey waah. Geeta, tum toh bacche ki baat sunti hi nahi.
(Geeta, you don't listen to him)

Saransh immediately pointed at Geeta dramatically.

Saransh (huffing): Vahi toh! Jab dekho tab Adhyay, Adhyay, Adhyay!
(Exactly! All the time she is just Adhyay, Adhyay, Adhyay!)

Geeta laughed.

Pulling him into a hug, she kissed his forehead.

Geeta: Aisa nahi hai. Tu mera pyaara beta hai.
(It's not like that. You are my lovely son)

Saransh's expression softened.

Geeta: Adhyay ko khushi milti hai jab main uske saath rehti hoon. Isliye thoda extra attention deti hoon.
(Adhyay, feels happy when I am around her. That's why I give her a little more attention)

She turned to Arth.

Geeta: Aur Arth? Woh toh har waqt tera side lete hain. Phir?
(Arth? He is always on your side. Isn't he?)

Saransh hugged her tightly.

Saransh: I know, Mom.

Peeking at her cheek

Saransh: I love you.

Geeta smiled emotionally.

Geeta: I love you too, baby.

Arth dramatically wiped imaginary tears.

Arth (fake crying, singing tone): Koi mujhe pyaar nahi karta. Koi mujhe I love you bhi nahi bolta.
(No one loves me, no one says to me I love you)

Saransh laughed.

Then pulled him into a hug.

Saransh: I love you too, Dad.

Arth hugged him back proudly.

Arth: That's my boy.

Geeta looked around.

Geeta: Bas Adhyay ki kami hai. (Only Adhyay is left)

Arth: Chalo jaldi fresh ho jao. (Let's get fresh quickly)

Arth: Then it's party time.

Geeta: Saransh, jao Adhyay ko bulao. (Saransh, go and call Adhya

Saransh: Why me?

Geeta: Because you arranged all this. Tum hi bulao. (You only call her)

Flicking his nose.

Geeta: She'll be happy.

Saransh: Huh...

---

Saransh walked toward Adhyay's room.

He knocked.

After a few moments, the door opened.

Saransh: Mom and Dad bula rahe hain.
(Mom Dad are calling you)

Adhyay: Okay.

Both walked downstairs.

The moment Adhyay saw the decorated living room, she froze.

Her eyes widened.

Adhyay: Mom ka birthday hai aaj? (Today is Mom's birthday?)

Saransh: No.

Adhyay: Toh? (Then?)

Just then Geeta arrived.

Geeta: Hey Bhagwan. Saransh, aise surprise dete hain? (Saransh, is it a way of surprise?)

Saransh shrugged.

Adhyay: Party kis liye hai? (Why do we have a party?)

Geeta: Tune top kiya hai. (You topped in school)

Adhyay's eyes sparkled.

Adhyay: Really?

Geeta: Yes.

Adhyay (excitedly): Wow!

She immediately hugged Geeta.

Adhyay: Thank you!

Geeta smiled. She pointed toward Saransh.

Geeta: Isne arrange kiya hai. (He arranged it)

Adhyay looked at him.

A genuine smile appeared on her face.

Adhyay: Thank you, bhaiya.

Saransh groaned.

Saransh: Tujhe bola tha na bhaiya mat bola kar. (I told you don't call me bhaiya)

Geeta: Toh kya bole? (What should she call you?)

Saransh (grumpy): Mujhe nahi pata. Bhaiya sunke pani puri wale bhaiya wali feeling aati hai. (I don't know. Bhaiya word gives me a pani puri vendor's feeling)

For a second there was silence.

Then Geeta burst out laughing.

Geeta: Oh God!

Arth arrived just in time.

Arth: Kya hua? (What happened?)

Geeta (laughing uncontrollably): Adhyay isko bhaiya bolti hai toh isko pani puri wale bhaiya wali feeling aati hai.
(Adhyay is calling him bhaiya and he is feeling like a Pani puri vendor)

Arth started laughing too.

He looked at Adhyay.

Arth: Aaj se isko "bhai" bulao. (Call him "bhai")

Adhyay giggled and nodded.

Adhyay: Okay, bhai.

For the first time, Saransh didn't argue.

Siddharth's words echoed in his mind.

"Once try being her brother."

The evening passed with laughter, food, games and endless family photos.

For the first time in a long while, all four felt genuinely happy.

There were still wounds.

There were still misunderstandings.

But slowly...

Very slowly...

This family of four was beginning to find its way back to each other.

To be continued...

The next chapter will be the last...

The chapter is ready in drafts.