Chapter 26: First Ride, Sibling Pride

A few days later,

On a weekend,

At Vikram's house,

In the garage:

(The garage was a hub of activity as sunlight streamed in, illuminating the freshly polished blue Activa parked at the center.

A soft breeze carried the faint aroma of marigolds, mingling with the heady fragrance of sandalwood incense.

Anuradha stood in front of the new vehicle, with her sari's pallu was draped over her head.

Her hands were steady and movements deliberate as she performed the puja.

Beside her, Tanvi held the thali, carefully balancing the diya, red kumkum, turmeric powder, rice grains, fresh flowers, and a piece of coconut.

Vikram stood a few steps away, arms crossed, watching the ritual with a serene expression.

Gaurav leaned casually against the garage wall, a slight smile playing on his lips as he observed his mother-in-law's meticulous gestures.

Kiaan and Kiara stood next to each other, their hands loosely clasped behind their backs.

Kiara's eyes occasionally darted toward the vehicle, a hint of impatience creeping in, while Kiaan maintained a composed demeanor, though his lips twitched with amusement at his sister's restlessness.

Kabir, the youngest, stood slightly ahead of the twins, craning his neck to get a better view of the proceedings.)

Kabir: (whispering to Gaurav) maine aaj tak, ek gaadi ki, itni grand puja hotay huay kabhi nahi dekhi!!!

Gaurav: (grinning) Aur ab tumhe pehla ride bhi chahiye, hai na?

(Tanvi, overhearing, leaned in.)

Tanvi: (teasing Kabir) Tumse pehle main apply kar chuki hoon, junior. Line mein lag jaao!! Tumhaare Kiaan bhaiya toh pehle mujhe hi lekar jaayenge, ride pe!!!

(Anuradha smiled and bent slightly, placing a small vermillion mark on the vehicle's front panel and the she sprinkled rice over it.

She later adorned the scooty with a flower garland.

She then handed the lemon to Gaurav who placed it beneath the wheels of the scooty— a customary gesture symbolizing protection and smooth journeys.

She lit an incense stick, waving it in front of the vehicle. Her face reflected calm and devotion as she stepped back, completing the ritual.)

(Finally, the group gathered around eagerly as Vikram held the coconut firmly in his hands, all eyes on him for the symbolic beginning.

With a swift motion and a sharp crack, the coconut broke cleanly on the ground, its water spilling out in a small puddle.

A chorus of claps erupted, accompanied by cheers and smiles.

Kabir immediately darted forward, raising his hand high, his excitement palpable.)

Kabir: Pehli ride toh bhaiya mujhe denge!

Tanvi: (playfully interjects) Nahi! Pehli ride toh Kiaan apni bhua ko dega.

Kiaan: (smirks and folded his arms) Nahi.... pehli ride toh Kiara ki hai.

(Kiara gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like a theater actress in her finest moment.)

Kiara: Kiaan? Mujhe itni izzat? Main toh emotional ho gayi, boss!!! (pretending to wipe invisible tears with her fingers) Thank you for the offer... but no thanks! Main, Mount Everest chadh jaaungi, lekin tere peeche kabhi nahi baithungi!

Kiaan: (rolls his eyes, playing along with a sigh) Aur main bhi, kabhi tumhe apne peeche nahi bithaane waala!!! Actually, I want you to take the scooty on a ride all by yourself.

(Kiara blinked, genuinely surprised, her dramatic facade slipping for a moment.)

Kiara: Are you serious?

Kiaan: (shrugging casually) Haan, waise toh, scooty ka sapna tumne dekha tha... toh I want you to have the first ride.

(Kiara's expression softened, her eyes glimmering with nostalgia as memories flickered back.)

Kiara: (smiling) Haan, 6th class mein maine yeh sapna dekha tha ki meri apni scooty ho. Aur main apne scooty mein aaram se tuition class attend karne jaaun!!!!

Kiaan: (with a teasing smile) Waise toh yeh tumhaari superbike ke saamne kuch nahi hai, but—

Kiara: (interrupting with a warm smile) But thanks for the honour, Kiaan. I'd love to take it for a ride!

(She turns toward Kabir with a playful grin)

Kiara: Oye Kabiraa! Aaja!

Kabir: (face lights up) Aaya didi!

(Kiara settled onto the scooty, while Kabir scrambled to get on behind her.

Kiara turned the key and pushed the self-start button. She revvs it slightly and carefully pushed forward, making sure the wheel crushed the lemon placed beneath it.

Kabir smiled in excitement as everyone cheered.

Vikram leaned against the wall, grinning as he watched the scene unfold.

Tanvi's curiosity got the better of her, and she turned to him with a raised eyebrow.)

Tanvi: Bhaiya, waise 11th ke result ke liye Kiaan ko scooty dilaa di. Kiara ke liye kya laaye ho?

Vikram: (chuckles, shaking his head) Madam wanted to get a tattoo done.

Tanvi: (eyes widen in mock surprise) Aur aapne mana kar diya hoga, right?

Vikram: (laughing) Pehle mana kiya tha... par phir maan gaya. Kiara toh tattoo parlor bhi chali gayi thi—

Kiaan: (cutting in with a mischievous grin) But wahaan, woh injecting needle dekh kar, iski phatt gayi... aur woh wahaan se bhaag aayi!

(The garage erupted in laughter as Kiara rolled her eyes at all of them.

She placed her hands on her hips and gave them an indignant expression.)

Kiara: Haan... haan, sab milkar mazaak uda lo!!! Jab khud wahaan chair pe baithoge naa, tab pata chalega!!!!

(Tanvi laughed and placed a hand on Kiara's shoulder.)

Tanvi: Arrey, bas mazaak kar rahe hain, beta!!! thodi badi ho jaao, thodi himmath jod lo.... Phir bana lena tattoo!!!!

Kiara: (smiles) haan bhua!!!!

(Slowly, she took the scooty out of the garage, Kabir sitting behind her with an ear-to-ear grin.)

(As they disappeared around the corner, Tanvi turned toward Kiaan with a mischievous smile.)

Tanvi: Kiaan, Kabir ka toh ho gaya...... Ab mujhe second ride mil jaayegi, right?

Kiaan: (pretending to think hard) Dekhte hain, bhua... pata nahi Kiara scooty waapas degi bhi ya nahi!

(The group shared a hearty laugh as the day carried on, filled with warm banter, memories, and joy.)

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Author’s Note:

Do you also believe in respecting even inanimate objects the way we do in our culture?

It’s what makes our country so special and unique, don’t you think? 🌸

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Can’t wait to share more twists with you all! Stay tuned! 🔥