AYESHA'S POV

one year later.

I can't do this. I am freaking out. What if I fail? What if I'm not selected? What if...

"Eshu bacha, relax, will you?" Bhabhi said softly, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"I'm trying, Bhabhi," I muttered, sighing.

"It's time. Check it now," Bhai said, sitting next to me. Bhabhi held my left hand to encourage me.

I love these two. They have been my constant support throughout this year. It wasn't easy-all those sleepless nights, constant doubts, wanting to give up. I almost didn't even give my exam, but they stood by me through every doubt, every step, and encouraged me.

"What are you thinking, Eshu?" Bhai asked worriedly. I shook my head and entered my details on the result portal.

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Passed.

Shit. I passed. Shit... I... PASSED.

"I passed," I muttered, staring at the screen in disbelief. Bhabhi gasped and squealed, Bhai shouted a big 'yes,' and I... I started crying like a baby.

"Heyyyy," Bhabhi muttered and hugged me close. The same embrace that always reminds me of my mother.

"Shhh, stop crying, my baby. Your hard work paid off," she said softly, comforting me. I nodded, sniffing.

"Congratulations, little one. I am so proud of you," Bhai said, hugging me close to his heart.

"Thank you, Bhai," I replied, still sniffing.

"Come on, let's tell everyone and celebrate," he said softly. I nodded with a smile.

We informed everyone-Chachi, Chachu, and Pari were in Mumbai because of Pari's college, while Priyu di and Jiju were in Singapore for a business meeting.

Bhai and Bhabhi made this day special for me by cooking my favourite food and baking a chocolate cake.

They've always loved me like their own child, and I couldn't be more thankful to God for this blessing.

Later, I received an email from the academy that I could start my training on Monday, just four days away. I informed Bhai and Bhabhi, and they agreed. We decided to start packing tomorrow since I'd be staying at the academy in Ghaziabad for about 42 weeks.

The next three days were all about packing this and packing that. All I did was eat, sleep, shower, pack, and repeat. Bhai and Bhabhi helped me pack most of the stuff I'd need in the dorms. I couldn't come home anytime I wanted. Neither my brother and sister-in-law could come visit me whenever they liked, so I spent most of my time with my loved ones, knowing I'd be gone for nine months.

"Eshu, ye spare charger rakh apne bag mei and this-" Bhai said, dashing into my room like a man on a mission. He's been fussing over everything lately. I cut him off by taking things from his hands and making him sit on the bed.
(Eshu keep this spare charger in your bag and this-)

"Sit down and relax. I'll just be gone for nine months," I said softly, kneeling in front of him.

"Exactly-you'll be gone for NINE MONTHS," he replied, exaggerating.

"Aap shant ho jao, I'll manage," I sighed, shaking my head.
(You calm down, I'll manage.)

"Bachpan se toh sambhal rahi hai, khud ko, nightmares ko, apni problems ko, ab bhai ko packing karke hi santusht ho jaane de." He said softly, taking my hands in his, looking down. My eyes instantly watered at his words.
(Since childhood, you've been managing everything-yourself, your nightmares, your problems, now at least let your brother help in packing, I'll be relieved.)

"Mai ro dungi," I muttered, sniffing.
(I'll start crying.)

"Mai teri nozii ni puchunga," he replied, making me chuckle through my tears.
(I'll not wipe your runny nose.)

"I'll miss you, Bhai. Aapke bina kabhi rahi hi ni, I don't know how I will manage," I sniffed.
(I never lived without you.)

"I'll miss you too, little one. A lot," he whispered, looking at our hands. He was trying hard not to cry-I could feel it.

"Let's watch a movie, like old times, in Mumma Papa's room. Just you and me," he said suddenly, getting up. "A brother-sister movie date. After that, your Bhabhi has something planned for you."

I chuckled, shaking my head but nodded nonetheless. We went to our parents' room- a memory box of them, all thanks to Bhabhi.

My eyes instantly teared up as I looked at the pictures my parents had managed to click for memories. All of them were hanging on the wall, and we could easily recall the beautiful moments we had created with them. My eyes roamed around the whole room until they landed on the projector displaying pictures on the wall and the snacks scattered on the bed. That was the last straw. I turned around and immediately hugged my brother, crying like a baby.

"Ayee... I did this to make you happy, and look at you sobbing like a baby," he whispered softly, caressing my head.

"Bas kar Eshu, teri bhabhi meko daategi, unki baby ko rula diya maine," he continued.
(Stop crying eshu, your bhabhi will scold me saying I made her baby cry.)

After a minute or two, I calmed down. He made me drink a few sips of water and handed me tissues to wipe my face. We settled on the bed and binge-watched my favourite childhood movies, Jab We Met and Vivah. I can't even count the number of times I made my brother watch these movies with me whenever I felt like it. Every time, he would groan and deny, but always ended up watching them with me.

After that, I had a dessert date with Bhabhi, and later, as a family, we ate my favourite food that she cooked for me, along with the dessert we both had made together.

"Thank you for making my day, guys. I am so thankful to have you both," I told my brother and Bhabhi. In response, I received a smack on my face from my brother and a glare from my Bhabhi.

"Dobara bolna ye baat, ek baat bohot pitai khaogi," Bhabhi said, glaring at me cutely. Bhai nodded with a smirk, crossing his hands.
(Don't say that again, you'll get beatings.)

"Okay fine, chalo mai chali sone. Good night, love birds," I sighed.
(I'll go and sleep.)

"Ooye, love birds' baby bird, I thought you would want to spend some time with your Priyu di and Jiju," someone said from behind as I walked to my room.

My eyes widened and I immediately turned to see my whole family-Priyu di, Jiju, Chachu-Chachi, Pari, and my best friend Jivu-grinning at me. I looked at Bhai and Bhabhi. They grinned and said 'surprise' in unison.

And just like that, I had the best time with my family. We stayed up the whole night doing fun things. I had the best time, making memories that would stay in my heart forever. I had to leave the next day, but I wasn't sad anymore, because all I felt was love and gratefulness to have such a beautiful family who would always support me in every damn situation. I wouldn't trade this for anything in the world.

The next morning, we had a fulfilling breakfast together, with lots of banter, teasing, and family time that I knew I would miss the most.

Bhai and Bhabhi would be coming to drop me off and complete the final formalities needed so I could settle in my dorm properly.

After bidding goodbye to everyone, we left for the dorm. Bhai and Bhabhi tried to make me talk or joke, but I just couldn't bring myself to say anything. I had never lived away from my family before, and it was quite overwhelming for me.

When we reached my dorm, they helped me unpack and settle properly. My roommate hadn't arrived yet, so we had the room to ourselves for unpacking and finishing last-minute protocols.

I had an orientation today that was supposed to take place in the academy, so I quickly freshened up and changed into my random grey sweatpants and white tank top. We were yet to receive our academy uniforms for practice. After a quick lunch at a nearby restaurant, we left for the academy, which was just a 2-3 minute walk from the dorm.

The orientation was a normal affair. We were introduced to our training coaches, though three of them unfortunately couldn't join us as they were on a mission. They will meet us tomorrow morning instead. I tried to talk to other trainees too, but it was a huge fail. Some of them were way too arrogant, some creepy, and some only cared about the money in my brother's bank account.

"Hi, myself Ritika Jha," a cheerful girl said, appearing out of nowhere.

"Hi, Ayesha Mehra," I replied with a smile. I couldn't quite match her infectious energy, it was almost cute.

"Oh, we're roommates! I saw you walking out of the room when I was coming with my parents, but I didn't stop you since you were with your family," she said with a huge smile. She was a chatterbox, I could already tell,an innocent one at that.

"Oh, thank God it's you," I replied. "We'll get along well."

"Oh, I'll never let you get bored. In return, just bear with my bak-bak," she muttered, looping her hand through mine. I just nodded, chuckling.
(Yapping.)

She's too cute. Jivu would love her-both of them are almost alike.

Soon, we were dismissed from the orientation. Ritika excused herself as she had some last-minute formalities to complete. I offered to accompany her, but she refused, saying she'd meet me at the dorm directly. Respecting her privacy, I nodded.

Just then, as I walked out, my eyes followed the movements of other trainees. Some went directly to their parents, who were sweet enough to wait for them. Some walked straight back to the dorms.

"Ahem," someone cleared their throat. Too familiar. Sounds like my Bhai-

I immediately turned around. There stood my brother and sister-in-law, smiling softly.

They waited... for me.

Like a parent would... on their child's first day of school.

I've been crying a lot these days. I chuckled softly as I walked towards them and hugged them both tightly.

"Do you guys know how much I love you both?" I muttered. They chuckled together.

"Perhaps we would, if you start dancing like a monkey right here," Bhai said mischievously.

"Shut up Ved, kuch bhi bolte ho aap bhi," Bhabhi shushed him, making me smirk at him.
(Don't start speaking nonsense.)

"Anyways, how was it?" Bhabhi asked excitedly. And like a woman on a mission, I told them everything. They listened attentively and gave equal inputs. Somewhere in the middle, we even walked out of the academy premises to have dinner before they dropped me off at the dorm before curfew. The whole time during dinner, I was sharing everything-what I observed, what happened, how I met Ritika, how she is... basically everything.

"It seems like Ritika and Jivika are twins," Bhabhi piped in, amused.

"I felt the same. Their energies are infectious and identical," I replied. Bhai, on the other hand, was bored as hell, pouting in a corner while drinking his Pepsi. We chuckled at his face, which only deepened his pout.

After a filling dinner, Bhai and Bhabhi dropped me off at the dorm, not before giving me a longgggg hug and repeating the same set of instructions they'd been drilling into me since the day I received the notice for training.

As they left, I quietly walked back to my room and unlocked it with my keys, since it was still locked. It seemed Ritika was still out.

Shrugging, I quickly freshened up and immediately lay down on my bed, not before setting my alarm for tomorrow. Sleep engulfed me as soon as I closed my eyes.