𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐇: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐂 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐄

Chapter Forty-One

FLASHBACKS-

"Mammaa!" Little Sankalp ran toward his mother with uncontainable excitement, his small legs propelling him forward.

"Haan mera baccha, kya hua?" his mother asked, bending down to meet his eager gaze.

"Mumma, ab mai bara ho gaya hu! I became a big boy! Toh kya ab mai Chanda ko godi le sakta hu?" Sankalp threw his hands up in the air, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Arey, she's little. What if you hurt her?" his mother replied, smiling at his enthusiasm.

"I'll never! Please, just for once?" he pleaded, his lips forming a perfect pout.

"Arey Di, I know my Sankalp very well," another woman entered the hall, carrying a tiny child in her arms. "Ye lo, Chanda tumhari hi to hai. Jitna der man kare, khelo," she said, gently passing the baby to the eager little boy.

Sankalp cradled the child carefully in his arms, his face lit with joy.

"Kirti, ziddi baccha hai vo. Abhi sambhal nahi payega," his mother cautioned, her hands hovering protectively over her son and the baby. "Sankalp, don't be stubborn. She's too small. Give her to me," she said, a hint of sternness in her eyes.

"Ughh, ek din mai Chanda ko apne ghar leke bhag jaunga," Sankalp grumbled, stomping his feet in frustration, his pout deepening.

The room erupted in laughter at his adorable determination.

---

"Mom, her eyes seem like stars," he said, brushing his fingers over the baby's eyelashes in awe.

"Sankalp, don't do this," his mother said, gently holding his fingers back.

He pouted, a hint of defiance in his expression.

"Unknowingly, if your fingers hurt her then?" she continued, concern in her eyes.

"I already told you, Mom, I'll never hurt her," he groaned, his determination unwavering.

---

"Mom, he's always crying like this. He should be a girl," little Sankalp groaned, pushing his fingers into his ears to block out the sound.

"Who told you only girls cry?" his mother asked, raising her eyebrows.

"In my school, the teacher told me big boys never cry," he said, pouting.

"Tell your teacher she's wrong. Even big boys need to cry; it's a basic emotional way to express your happiness and sadness," his mother said, brushing her palm through his hair.

"Kirti, why is he crying?" his mom called out.

"Dii, he's crying because you didn't buy an anklet for him," Kirti shouted back, making little Sankalp and his mom burst into laughter.

"Beta, come here," she said softly.

A little boy with a red-tipped nose came toward her.

"I'll bring an anklet for you next time I come here," she said, smiling.

He smiled back, his eyes glossy.
"Promise?" he asked, holding out his pinky finger.

"Promise," she smiled, pinching his cheeks.

He crawled into her arms.

"You are the best Badi Maa."

"Awww, mera cute Adduu," she said, brushing his hair and hugging him back.

Little Sankalp watched them with an irritated expression and then marched toward the little girl lying in the baby cradle.

"Look at your brother—he's crying because he didn't get an anklet like you," he said, brushing the balls on her anklet, creating a soothing sound.