11-10-2024, 08:44 AM
Back in India, the warmth of Sara’s modest home contrasted sharply with the grandeur of the Khan mansion where Ayaan had grown up. Here, every corner was filled with love, simplicity, and memories of the three of them—Sara, Ayaan, and Fatima—living together as a small but happy family. Since Ayaan left for Dubai, the house felt a little quieter, the absence of his lively presence noticeable to both Sara and Fatima. Yet, they cherished the memories they had shared, keeping him close in spirit.
Fatima, only eight but with a maturity beyond her years, had grown quieter since Ayaan's departure. Her big, expressive eyes often stared wistfully out the window as if waiting for him to return any moment. She missed him terribly but tried to keep herself busy, helping Sara with household chores, reading books, and sometimes imitating Ayaan’s thoughtful habits, which made Sara smile.
One afternoon, as they sat together after lunch, Sara couldn't help but chuckle as she watched Fatima quietly setting the table for tea. Fatima, always so serious and deliberate in her actions, was a little girl trying to behave far older than her age.
“You’re always so grown up these days, Fatima,” Sara said, smiling softly. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you playing like other children.”
Fatima looked up from her task, a small frown creasing her brow. “I’m not a little kid, Auntie Sara. I have to be responsible like Ayaan.”
Sara laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Oh really? You think you’re as grown up as Ayaan now?”
Fatima nodded confidently, her chin jutting forward in a way that made Sara’s heart warm. “Of course! When Ayaan comes back, I’ll show him that I’m not just a little girl anymore. I can help with important things too.”
Sara watched her for a moment, sensing the depth of her affection for Ayaan. Though young, Fatima’s love for Ayaan was pure, a blend of admiration and the bond they shared after growing up together. Sara decided to tease her a little, curious to see how far Fatima’s feelings went.
“Well, Fatima,” she began with a teasing smile, “do you want to marry Ayaan when you grow up?”
Fatima’s face scrunched up in a mix of embarrassment and indignation. She stomped her foot lightly, crossing her arms over her chest in a way that made her look both cute and stubborn.
“No! Ayaan is my brother,” Fatima declared firmly, her cheeks flushing red. “I can’t marry him. Brothers and sisters can’t get married!”
Sara laughed at her adorably flustered reaction, but there was a glint of curiosity in her eyes. She leaned forward, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. “But Fatima, you know that you and Ayaan aren’t really blood-related. You’re not siblings by birth.”
Fatima paused, her wide eyes blinking in surprise at the statement. She had always seen Ayaan as her brother, and it had never occurred to her to think otherwise. Her small mind was still wrapped around the idea of family, but Sara’s words left her both confused and intrigued.
“So... we’re not real brother and sister?” she asked quietly, her voice filled with wonder.
Sara shook her head gently, smiling as she watched the wheels turning in Fatima’s mind. “No, you’re not. So, who knows? Maybe one day, when you’re older, you’ll see Ayaan differently. Maybe he won’t just be a brother to you.”
Fatima’s brows furrowed again, this time in deep thought. She didn’t fully understand what Sara was hinting at, but the idea of Ayaan being something other than her brother made her uncomfortable in a way she couldn’t quite explain. She shook her head, her voice determined as she answered, “No, Auntie Sara. He’s my Ayaan. My brother. That won’t change.”
Sara couldn’t help but laugh again, her heart full of affection for the young girl’s innocence and loyalty. “Alright, alright,” she said, raising her hands in mock surrender. “You win. But who knows what the future holds?”
Fatima scowled playfully at her, sticking out her tongue in childish defiance, but there was a softness in her eyes. Though she couldn’t articulate it, the bond she shared with Ayaan was special, deeper than she fully understood. For now, in her young mind, that bond was enough. He was her brother, her friend, her protector—and nothing, not even Sara’s teasing, could change that.
Sara watched her with a knowing smile, sensing that one day, things might shift in ways neither of them could predict. But for now, Fatima was just a little girl who missed her brother, and that was enough for both of them.
Fatima, only eight but with a maturity beyond her years, had grown quieter since Ayaan's departure. Her big, expressive eyes often stared wistfully out the window as if waiting for him to return any moment. She missed him terribly but tried to keep herself busy, helping Sara with household chores, reading books, and sometimes imitating Ayaan’s thoughtful habits, which made Sara smile.
One afternoon, as they sat together after lunch, Sara couldn't help but chuckle as she watched Fatima quietly setting the table for tea. Fatima, always so serious and deliberate in her actions, was a little girl trying to behave far older than her age.
“You’re always so grown up these days, Fatima,” Sara said, smiling softly. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you playing like other children.”
Fatima looked up from her task, a small frown creasing her brow. “I’m not a little kid, Auntie Sara. I have to be responsible like Ayaan.”
Sara laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Oh really? You think you’re as grown up as Ayaan now?”
Fatima nodded confidently, her chin jutting forward in a way that made Sara’s heart warm. “Of course! When Ayaan comes back, I’ll show him that I’m not just a little girl anymore. I can help with important things too.”
Sara watched her for a moment, sensing the depth of her affection for Ayaan. Though young, Fatima’s love for Ayaan was pure, a blend of admiration and the bond they shared after growing up together. Sara decided to tease her a little, curious to see how far Fatima’s feelings went.
“Well, Fatima,” she began with a teasing smile, “do you want to marry Ayaan when you grow up?”
Fatima’s face scrunched up in a mix of embarrassment and indignation. She stomped her foot lightly, crossing her arms over her chest in a way that made her look both cute and stubborn.
“No! Ayaan is my brother,” Fatima declared firmly, her cheeks flushing red. “I can’t marry him. Brothers and sisters can’t get married!”
Sara laughed at her adorably flustered reaction, but there was a glint of curiosity in her eyes. She leaned forward, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. “But Fatima, you know that you and Ayaan aren’t really blood-related. You’re not siblings by birth.”
Fatima paused, her wide eyes blinking in surprise at the statement. She had always seen Ayaan as her brother, and it had never occurred to her to think otherwise. Her small mind was still wrapped around the idea of family, but Sara’s words left her both confused and intrigued.
“So... we’re not real brother and sister?” she asked quietly, her voice filled with wonder.
Sara shook her head gently, smiling as she watched the wheels turning in Fatima’s mind. “No, you’re not. So, who knows? Maybe one day, when you’re older, you’ll see Ayaan differently. Maybe he won’t just be a brother to you.”
Fatima’s brows furrowed again, this time in deep thought. She didn’t fully understand what Sara was hinting at, but the idea of Ayaan being something other than her brother made her uncomfortable in a way she couldn’t quite explain. She shook her head, her voice determined as she answered, “No, Auntie Sara. He’s my Ayaan. My brother. That won’t change.”
Sara couldn’t help but laugh again, her heart full of affection for the young girl’s innocence and loyalty. “Alright, alright,” she said, raising her hands in mock surrender. “You win. But who knows what the future holds?”
Fatima scowled playfully at her, sticking out her tongue in childish defiance, but there was a softness in her eyes. Though she couldn’t articulate it, the bond she shared with Ayaan was special, deeper than she fully understood. For now, in her young mind, that bond was enough. He was her brother, her friend, her protector—and nothing, not even Sara’s teasing, could change that.
Sara watched her with a knowing smile, sensing that one day, things might shift in ways neither of them could predict. But for now, Fatima was just a little girl who missed her brother, and that was enough for both of them.
Feel free to critic
On going
a loving daughter spandana
completed
art by muskan&slaman
aisha - yes lady
On going
a loving daughter spandana
completed
art by muskan&slaman
aisha - yes lady