MALHOTRA MANSION

Early Morning - 8:00 AM

Let's step into the grand Malhotra Mansion...

The morning was bright, the air filled with a special kind of joy and reverence. The entire family had gathered in the home temple - hands joined, heads bowed in prayer.

Today was a big day for the Malhotras.

A day of celebration.

It marked the 30th anniversary of not only Harish and Janvi's marriage... And also the 30th anniversary of the Malhotra Group of Companies - the dream they had built from the ground up.

30 years of hard work.

30 years of dreams turned into reality.

30 years of togetherness.

Each of them stood quietly, lost in their own thoughts as they prayed...

Janvi (softly, with folded hands):

"Mata Rani, today is such an important day for my family... 30 years ago, harish and I began this journey together... and on that same day, harish took his first step in business. I have nothing more to ask... till now, You have given us everything, even without asking. I trust that whatever You do in the future will be for our good. Just one thing-please keep my family together and happy."

Harish (smiling gratefully):

"Mata Rani... what can I ask, when You've given me everything-my wife,my family, my work, this life. Just one thing I will pray for-keep my family happy always. And please... remove all the distances from his family too."

Manik (quiet strength in his voice):

"Mata Rani... thank You for everything. My only wish is to... keep my family together, safe, and happy."

Cabir (grinning, mischievous tone):

"Hello, Mata Ji! Good morning! Just one wish today-please give my family all the happiness in the world... and umm, if You could kindly do something to let me know what color dress my pumpkin pie will wear tonight... so I can match it and our friends can tease her. I really want to see her blushing, please!"

Mukti (smiling sleepily, hands folded):

"Good morning, Mata Rani! Please make Maa understand that sunrise and my sleep schedule are on two very different tracks-they just can't happen together!"

"And... thank You for this beautiful family, for their love and care... and yes, thank You for giving me a senior like Abhimanyu sir... Thank you, truly. ♥️♥️♥️"

After the prayers, they all performed the Aarti together - warmth and devotion filling the room.

Once the Aarti ended - they all rushed toward harish and janvi, wrapping them in hugs and laughter, showering them with "Happy Anniversary!" wishes.

Manik and cabir respectfully took their blessings, while mukti hugged them tightly.

Harish and janvi beamed with happiness - smiling, their hearts full as they thanked each one of them.

Soon, the family moved to the dining table - breakfast was a lively affair, filled with laughter, teasing, playful banter, and fond memories.

The mansion echoed with joy, the sound of their love and togetherness filling every corner.

After breakfast, everyone headed to their respective rooms - to finish their day's work and get ready...

Because by evening, the Malhotra Mansion would transform for a grand party - to celebrate 30 beautiful years of dreams, love, and success.

🍁

MURTY MANSION

Same Day - Early Morning, 8:00 AM

The air in the Murty Mansion felt heavier than ever.

Today wasn't just any day, it was that day. The day that haunted them all. The day they lost what was most precious to their hearts. The youngest member of the family - their little princess - was no more.

Though everyone was under the same roof, each was drowning in their own grief, lost in the shadows of memories.

(Where is everyone right now...?)

ARJUN - in his bedroom

He sat silently on the edge of his bed, fingers trembling as they clutched his wallet.

Inside it, an old photograph peeked out - a memory frozen in time.

It showed a happy family

Arjun and Riya holding their infant daughter, beaming with joy.

Beside Arjun stood his elder brother Vishnu, while Shanno his wife smiling next to Riya. Two adorable children - Abhimanyu and aliya - sat in the center.

Tears streamed silently down Arjun's face. His heart was weighed with guilt. He had failed his wife... his daughter... his entire family.

RIYA - in their daughter's room

She sat on the cold floor, surrounded by countless photographs - from their daughter's birth to her final days.

She had been crying for hours, her heart shattered. As a mother, the guilt consumed her. She believed she had failed her child - failed to protect her, failed to care for her. The emptiness was unbearable.

VISHNU - in the living room

sat with a newspaper in hand, though his eyes were unfocused. The words on the page blurred as he stared into the distance, lost in thought.

A single tear slipped from his eye - but he quickly wiped it away. He wouldn't let the others see his pain. He couldn't.

SHANNO - in the kitchen

She tried to keep herself busy

mixing batter to bake a cake - something to keep her hands moving. But grief clouded her mind. Absentmindedly, she placed the batter in the oven without even turning it on.

Moments later, realizing her mistake.

ABHIMANYU - in the garden

He stood at the gate, eyes fixed on the road beyond. Hope flickered in his heart - maybe she would come back. Maybe this had all been a bad dream.

But as time passed, reality sank in. His hope crumbled, leaving only silent tears on his face.

Aliya - in her bedroom

She sat curled on the window seat, clutching a photograph of the little one.

Her heart ached with guilt - guilt that wasn't truly hers to carry, but still weighed heavily. The situation had unfolded beyond her control, yet she couldn't stop blaming herself. Her tears fell freely as the blame consumed her.

Later... at the dining table

One by one, they gathered at the table, each wearing a mask to hide their sorrow. The silence was deafening.

VISHNU:

"Shanno... today we need to attend harish and janvi's anniversary party. It's an important day for them. Harish personally invited us, and I had promised we would come."

ARJUN:

"I have some work. I won't be able to join."

RIYA (pleading softly):

"Arjun... please, just once, listen.

Bhaiya promised them we'd come. We're not asking you to neglect your work... but can't we at least stand together today... as a family?"

VISHNU (firm, yet calm):

"Riya... leave it. If he doesn't want to come, we can't force him. Let it be. Whoever wants to go, be ready on time."

Without another word, everyone quietly finished their breakfast and retreated to their rooms once again... lost in the grip of the past.

_______________