SOLACE- Calm and Chaos

PROLOGUE

(AUTHOR'S POV)

The mansion glowed exquisitely.

The entryway was marked with a captivating floral Rangoli in the foyer, the whole house lit up with fairy lights and lamps. The laughter of children, the blaring of music, and parents yelling after their children to slow down resonating in the air.

Just then a black Audi slows down in front of the entrance. A beautiful family with their two children steps out of the car.

"Dadu, have we re-reached the place?", A five-year-old Mansi asks, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

(Grandfather)

"Yes beta, now come on wake up", Aniruddh Arora, Mansi's grandfather says, brushing hair out of her face.

(Child)

"Mansi, look there is a horse statue also. Let's go." An eight-year-old Vidyut exclaims, looking at his sister.

Seeing the excitement on her brother's face, all the sleepiness is thrown out of the window. She quickly wiggles down from her grandfather's arms.

"Vidyut, Mansi I've told you before also, na? Firstly, we will meet the family and greet them and did you forget that you have to wish the birthday boy also? After all that only you two can go to play.", Kirti Arora, wife of Chirag Arora and the kids' mother, says.

The whole family heads inside, trying to prevent their oh-so excited children from running off.

"Namaste Bhai Sahib", joining his hand, Aniruddh Arora greeted to a tall, elderly man who seemed to be in his early 60's.

(Hello, brother.)

"Arre, bas tumhara hi intezar tha Aniruddh.", the strict-looking man says, hugging his friend after almost a year .

(Hey, we were just waiting for you, Aniruddh.)

"Namaste Uncle", her parents greet, joining their hands.

"Khush raho, khush raho, and who is this sweetheart?", the man ask, looking at the little girl who was trying to hide herself behind her dad's leg.

(Stay blessed.)

"Come on Mansi-bear, tell the uncle your name", Chirag brings her up and coos, trying to coax his daughter to speak.

"Me Mansi Arora.", She looks up shyly.

"Such a pretty name for such a pretty g-", he was cut-off by a firm, yet feminine voice.

"Aniruddh Bhai Sahib, aap sab andar toh aaiye. The cake-cutting would be done just anytime now.", a petite woman looking to be in her late 50's says, standing beside her husband.

(Aniruddh, please come inside.)

"Ji bhabhi ji, chaliye".

(Yes, sister let's go.)

♪♪♪

Mansi cuddled closer to her bhai as the cold breeze blew making her shiver.

Almost all the guests had left, except their family. Everyone spread around the bonfire, the men laughing at something with drinks in their hand, the women sitting near the fire, gossiping about sarees and business.

The only creatures who were left to be bored beyond the mind were the children.

"Dada ji, Dada ji", The little birthday boy said, tugging at his grandfather's kurta, trying to get his attention .