AN EPIC SAGA OF SISTERHOOD(Nakshatra) Chapter 1

In the heart of winter, a family of four stepped off the train at the quaint hill station of Shimla. The chilly air bit at their cheeks as they breathed in the crisp scent of pine trees. The father, Mr. Gupta, led the way, his thick beard coated with frost. His wife, Mrs Gupta, followed closely, her eyes gleaming with the excitement of a child as she clutched her daughters' hands. The older one, Sia, a teenager with a spirit as fiery as the embers in the distant chimneys, rolled her eyes at her mother's giddiness. The younger, Nisha, bobbed along in her oversized winter gear, her cheeks as rosy as the apples they'd bought from the street vendor.

As the family checked into the cosy hotel, the lobby crackled with the warmth of a roaring fireplace. Sia's eyes darted around, searching for any sign of familiar faces. She had heard whispers of her school friends planning a trip here, and her heart raced at the thought of seeing them. After settling in, she approached her father with a hopeful smile. "Dad, can I go meet my friends?" she asked, trying to keep the desperation from her voice.

Mr. Gupta considered for a moment, his gaze lingering on Nisha, who was busy building a snowman outside their window. "You can," he said finally, "but only if you take your sister with you."

Sia's smile wavered. "But, Dad, she's so little. She'll just get in the way."

Mr. Gupta's expression softened. "Sia, she's your sister. Look after her, and maybe you'll learn something." He handed her a small, round loaf of bread. "Take this with you, in case you get hungry."

With a sigh, Sia grabbed her winter coat and begrudgingly called for Nisha. The little girl looked up from her snowy creation, her eyes sparkling. "Can I come?"

"You have to," Sia said, trying to hide her annoyance.

The two sisters trudged through the snow, Sia's thoughts racing with how she could shake Nisha off without upsetting her parents. As they approached the town square, the laughter of Sia's friends grew louder. Five girls from her school were huddled around a bench, sipping hot chocolate and sharing stories.

"Sia!" they squealed when they saw her. Before she could say a word, they noticed Nisha. "Oh my god, she's so cute!"

The friends swarmed Nisha, showering her with compliments and pulling her into their circle. They began playing dress-up with her, using scarves and hats they'd brought along. Nisha giggled, but Sia felt a knot tighten in her stomach. This was supposed to be her moment, not another opportunity for her sister to steal the spotlight.

As the evening grew colder, the group decided to explore the town. They meandered down narrow streets, the snow crunching under their boots. The setting sun painted the sky with hues of pink and orange, casting long shadows across the ground.

Then, as they turned a corner, a pack of rowdy boys appeared. They pointed and laughed, their taunts echoing off the nearby buildings. "Look at the little snow bunny!" one shouted, starting to chase after them.

The girls' laughter turned to gasps of fear as they sprinted away. But Nisha, tired of being the centre of attention, had had enough. She stopped, turned around, and planted her feet firmly in the snow. "Leave us alone!" she yelled, her voice surprisingly loud and fierce.

The boys paused, unsure of what to do. Nisha took advantage of their surprise. She picked up a snowball and threw it with all her might. It smacked the ringleader right on the forehead, and he stumbled backwards, snow melting down his face.

The girls watched in awe as Nisha picked up another snowball, and then another. Her accuracy was uncanny. One by one, she hit each of the boys, who were now retreating rapidly.

Sia couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride. Her little sister had stood up for herself and her friends. And she had done it without any help from her.

As the boys disappeared into the distance, the group of friends erupted into applause. Nisha beamed, her cheeks even rosier than before. Sia felt a strange warmth spread through her chest. Maybe her sister wasn't so annoying after all.

On the walk back to the hotel, the mood was lighter. The girls chattered away, and even Sia found herself enjoying Nisha's company. When they reached the warm embrace of the hotel lobby, Sia turned to her sister. "You know what, Nisha? You're pretty cool."

Nisha looked up at her, surprised. "Thanks, Sia," she said, her eyes shining.

That night, as they lay in their shared hotel bed, Sia whispered an apology into the darkness. "I'm sorry for not wanting you to come. You're actually pretty fun."

Nisha's voice was small but filled with sleepy satisfaction. "I know."

The following morning, Sia woke up with a newfound appreciation for her sister. She promised herself she would treat Nisha better from now on, recognising the strength and courage she had always overlooked.

As they packed their bags to leave the hill station, Sia took Nisha's hand in hers. "You know," she said, "maybe next time we can plan a trip together, just us sisters."

Nisha's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yeah," Sia said, smiling.

Mrs. Gupta watched the exchange from the corner of the room, her heart swelling with joy. She knew how much her daughters' relationship meant to her husband, who had always hoped for a close bond between them.


Chapter 2

"Remember, Sia, be responsible," Mr. Gupta called out as they left the hotel.

The sisters set out into the town once again, their breaths visible in the cold air. Freshly powdered snow blanketed the world, giving it a soft, white glow.

This time, they walked hand in hand, sharing stories and laughter. Sia pointed out the ice skating rink and the toboggan run she had discovered with her friends the previous night. Nisha's eyes widened with excitement at the thought of trying them out.

As they approached the rink, they saw a sign advertising a sibling snowball fight competition. Sia raised an eyebrow at Nisha. "Want to give it a shot?"

Nisha nodded eagerly.

The competition was fierce, with siblings of all ages throwing snowballs at each other. Sia and Nisha teamed up, their laughter echoing across the ice. Despite the cold, their cheeks grew warm from exertion and happiness.

Their teamwork was surprisingly good. Sia's height and Nisha's precision with the snowballs proved to be an unbeatable combination. They dodged and threw, their movements synchronised as if they'd been doing this all their lives.

When they took home the prize, a small wooden snowman statue, they realised their bond had only grown stronger. They weren't just sisters anymore; they were a team.

That evening, as they curled up by the fireplace back at the hotel, Sia whispered to Nisha, "You know, I think Dad was right. I learned something today."

Nisha looked at her quizzically.

"I learned that you're not just a little kid to be looked after. You're a badass snowball warrior, and I'm lucky to have you."

Nisha giggled and leaned into her sister's side. "I learned that you're not just a grumpy teenager. You're pretty cool too."

The two sisters sat in contented silence, the warmth of the fire and their newfound bond melting any remaining ice between them. As they watched the flames dance, they knew this trip to Shimla had changed their relationship forever.

The next day, the Gupta family decided to visit the local market before their train back home. Sia walked alongside her parents, still holding Nisha's hand. They wove through the crowded stalls, the smell of warm samosas and spicy chai filling the air. Nisha's eyes darted around, taking in the colourful fabrics and twinkling trinkets.

Mrs. Gupta spotted a stall selling hand-knitted winter hats. She picked out two, one for each of her daughters. Sia playfully rolled her eyes as she put her hat on, but Nisha didn’t protest. Instead, she grinned and did the same.

The train ride home was filled with laughter and chatter about their adventures. Sia couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as the scenery passed by the window. Shimla had not only brought her closer to her sister but also given her a taste of independence and responsibility.

As they pulled into their station, the cold air that greeted them was a stark contrast to the warmth they'd felt in the hill station. But the warmth of their newfound friendship remained, like a glowing ember in the chilly night.




Chapter 3
Their days were now filled with more playdates than ever before, each one an adventure in its own right. They tried new things, from baking cookies to building forts in the living room, all under the watchful eyes of their amused parents.
One sunny afternoon, as they played in the park, Nisha looked up at Sia. "Remember the snowball fight?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Sia laughed. "How could I forget?"
"Let's do it again!" Nisha exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
Sia raised an eyebrow. "Here? Without snow?"
But Nisha was already racing off to gather leaves. The park wasn't Shimla, but the joy of their shared experiences had taught them that adventure didn't need a specific backdrop. They could create their fun anywhere.
As they pelted each other with leaves, the other children stopped to stare. Then, one by one, they joined in, turning the park into a battleground of giggles and flying foliage.
When their mother called them home for dinner, they emerged from the park with leaves stuck to their clothes and hair. Mrs. Gupta couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of her daughters, now inseparable, leading a parade of new friends.
Their father looked on, his heart swelling with pride. He knew that the real prize from that snowball fight wasn't the wooden snowman, but the unbreakable bond they'd forged.
That night, as they lay in bed, Nisha whispered to Sia, "Thank you for taking me to meet your friends."
Sia turned to her, smiling. "Thank you for being my partner in crime, Nisha."
The room grew quiet, save for the sound of their laughter. They had learned that sometimes the most important adventures were the ones that took place closest to home, with the people who knew you best.
As the seasons changed, so did the dynamics within the Gupta household. Sia became more protective of Nisha, and Nisha looked up to Sia with newfound respect. They shared stories of their days at school, secrets about their crushes, and even their fears and hopes.
Their parents watched with contented smiles, knowing that their daughters had discovered the true magic of siblinghood. It was a bond that would last a lifetime, as strong as the mountains they'd once played in.
And so, the story of the Gupta sisters' winter adventure became a legend in their little world, a tale of courage, love, and the power of standing up for one another. It was a story they would tell their children one day as they bundled them up and took them to play in the snow, hoping that they too would find their special connection in the frosty embrace of winter.


The End

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