"Ma’am, here are the clients list and these are the documents you need to sign," my assistant said, placing the file neatly on my desk."Thanks, Lara, you can go now," I said, acknowledging her help before she left.

As soon as she exited, my phone began to ring, and I knew exactly who it was. Answering the call, I cleared my throat before confirming, "I'm coming in 30 minutes."

"You said that like 30 minutes ago," my sister's voice echoed from the other end, She sounded disappointed at my lateness."Sorry, forgive me. I was caught up with work, which is why I got delayed," I explained, hoping to cool her down.

"Fine, but now leave all the work and come. The party is practically over," she sounded annoyed. I knew she was exaggerating, "Okay, okay, fine. I'm coming. I'm on my way. If you hang up now, I'll arrive even faster."

"Okay, fine. I'm keeping the call," she said as I hung up the call, gathering my belongings. Just then, my secretary entered the room, ready to inform me about a scheduled meeting.

"Ma'am, you have a meeting—" she began, only to be interrupted by my firm command, "Clear my schedule. I have a party to attend." With Lara quickly agreeing to my request, I hurried out of my office, determined to reach the party before my family started teasing me too much.

As I arrived home, I spotted my younger brother chatting with his friends. He paused as he saw me approach. "Di, you're finally here. Lari Di is killing me," he complained, his face filled with relief.

Chuckling at his expression, I reassured him, "Go relax now. I've got it from here."

"Thanks, Di!" he exclaimed, darting off to join his friends with a newfound spring in his step. I made my way inside the house, greeted by the sight of decorations adorning every corner. It was my sister's birthday, and she loved throwing lavish parties.

Entering her room, I found Larisa and Zenisha engrossed in conversation, still getting ready. "You've been pestering me to come home, and here you are, still not ready. Why?" I teased, arranging my own outfit.

"Oh, sis, you know how it is. Girls need their time," Zenisha replied with a playful grin. I shook my head at their antics. "Anyway, where are maa and Baba?" I ask, adjusting my dress.

"They're busy welcoming the guests. How do I look?" Larisa twirled around, seeking my opinion.

"Fabulous. Now, go lend them a hand," I instructed before heading to the bathroom. "You're no fun, Sis!" Larisa called after me, likely pouting.

"I heard that!" I retorted, laughing, as I stepped into the shower.

I descended the stairs to find my family posing for pictures, their smiles warming my heart. "Di, come quick! These chimpanzees are squeezing me," Karthik complained, earning glares from both Zenisha and Larisa. "Hey, who are you calling a chimpanzee?" Zenisha protested, sounding offended.

Larisa, seizing the opportunity, grabbed his ears and replied, "You idiot! I'm older than you!"

Karthik, in pain, began to complain, "Ah, ouch! Bade Maa, look what your daughter is doing!"

Amidst the chaos, Maa scolded them, worried about the guests' impression. Baba however, saw the beauty in our bond. "Where are Chhote Papa and Chhote Mammi?" I asked, scanning the room.

"They went to book tickets," Maa revealed, surprising us. "Tickets for what?" I ask, puzzled.

"To go back to India," Baba announced, grinning. Larisa's excitement was palpable. "After this party, we'll start packing," Maa added. We couldn't contain our joy at the thought of returning to our homeland after five long years.

As we celebrated, Chhote Baba and Chhote Mammi approached, teasing us about our huddled conversation. "Looks like the news of going back to India got out," Chhote Mammi said, smiling at our excited faces.

"Why didn’t you tell us earlier?" I questioned her, but she just smiled and replied, "If I did, it wouldn’t be a surprise for our Lari, would it?"

Larisa jumped in joy and hugged Chhote Mammi tightly, thanking her wholeheartedly . Everyone chuckled at her enthusiasm, and Chhote Mammi kissed her hair lovingly.

"Alright kids, enough of this talk. Let’s go cut the cake, shall we?" Chhote Baba said, guiding Chhote Mammi with one hand and slipping the other in his pocket.

"Yeah, let’s go cut the cake and open the gifts," Baba added, guiding us towards the stage. We sang "Happy Birthday" as Lari cut the cake and fed everyone.

After bidding farewell to the guests, we retired to our rooms. Currently, we siblings are in my room, having a small chit-chat party.

“We are finally going back home, I can’t believe it,” Zen said in excitement.

“You're saying it as if you've never been to India,” Karthik said, sipping his cold drink.

“You be quiet, let's be happy for once,” Zen retorted.

“Di, I was thinking about surprising Dadi and Dada,” Lari said, playing with our cat, Oryo.

“Yeah, but what do we do?” Karthik asked, looking confused.

“I have an idea. Soon, Dada and Dadi's anniversary is coming. We'll give them a huge gift on the day we return,” I said, with a plan set in my mind.

“By your look, I can say you have a plan ready,” Zen smiled, with a knowing look.

“Well then, let's go and tell Maa, Baba, Bade Maa, and Bade Baba,” Karthik said excitedly before trying to leave the bed. We sisters held him back and made him sit on the bed.

“Are you mad? This should be a secret between us siblings,” Lari hissed, scaring him.

“Yeah, they surprised us, so now we'll surprise them with something unforgettable,” Zen replied, making Karthik understand our plan.

“Okay, got it. You guys are the scariest sisters ever,” Karthik said, looking scared.

“Anyways, what's the plan?” Zen asked, excitedly. I told them the whole plan, which made their eyes widen.

“I knew it. You guys are not going to sleep until I scold you all,” Maa said from behind the closed door. We quickly pretended to be asleep.

“See, our kids have already slept, and here you are, thinking they didn't sleep,” Baba said sleepily.

“But I'm sure I heard some noise,” Maa said, confused. Just then, our cat, Oryo, jumped on the nightstand and meowed.

“You were looking for noises? That's the noise, our troublesome cat,” Baba said, picking Oryo up, making her meow more.

“Now, let's go and sleep. Tomorrow, we leave for the airport early,” Baba said, taking Maa and Oryo with him.

“But—” Maa began, but Baba cut her off.

“No buts. Come on, let's go and sleep,” Baba said, closing the door.

“Thank god, Oryo saved us all,” Zen said, with relief.

“Yeah, but on a serious note, let's sleep now, or else we'll have to face her wrath tomorrow,” I said, lying down.

“Yeah, I'm really exhausted anyway,” Zen said, dropping her body onto the mattress.

“Goodnight, guys. See you tomorrow, if I'm alive, that is,” Lari said, putting on a sleeping eye patch and going to sleep.

Karthik fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Sighing, I stared at the ceiling. A lot of thoughts were coming, but one thing was for sure: we were all happy to go to India.

“Kids, get up! We'll be late if you don't wake up,” Chhote Mammi's voice pulled me out of sleep, and I sat up slowly.

“Ishu, please wake them up. I have to make breakfast for you all,” Chhote Mammi said, pulling the covers off them. They whined, and I smiled in response.

“Chhote Mammi, you can go and prepare the food. I'll wake them up,” I said, seeing her glare at Karthik and Zen. “Thanks, Ishu. If you have to throw cold water, do it, but wake them up,” she said, leaving the room.

I tied my hair and got out of bed. “Guys, wake up! We have to get ready,” I said, kicking them to wake them up.

“The whole family is an enemy of my sleep. Fine, I'm getting up,” Lari said, getting out of bed and going to her room. “Zen, help me wake him up.”

“Hey, bro, wake up! How long are you going to sleep like a pig?” Zen said, hitting Karthik while she was half asleep.

“You idiot, stop hitting me and let me sleep. Oh, and you're the pig, not me,” Karthik complained, but Zen kicked his back hard, making him scream in pain.

“You idiot, what was that for?” he yelled, but Zen got up and left the room.

I shook my head before telling him, “Go and freshen up. We have to leave for the airport.” He groaned but got up and left the room as well. These siblings of mine, I love them, but sometimes they can be a pain in the ass.

Words: 1485

To be continued………

I know it’s a bit boring, but exams are going on and my I’m not able to write properly.

Just one week more and then I will write some interesting parts