In The Hands Of Fate

Prologue

The morning sun streamed through the large windows of the Birla mansion, casting a warm glow on the bustling household. It was rare for all the siblings to gather in one place, but today was special. Ruhi Birla, the powerhouse behind A.N Fashion, had finally taken a day off to spend with her family. The house was alive with laughter and teasing, the kind that only siblings who had been through everything together could share.

"Radhi Di, are you seriously going to wear that?" Ruhi called out as Aradhya, known affectionately as Radhi, walked into the living room. She was dressed in a simple, elegant saree, her hair tied up in a neat bun.

"What's wrong with it?" Aradhya replied, raising an eyebrow. "Not all of us have to be fashion icons, Ruhi."

Shivansh, or Shivu Bhaiya as Ruhi and the others called him, chuckled from his seat by the window. "Don't worry, Ruhi. Radhi is just being modest. She knows she could rock any outfit, but she's too busy being a supermom."

"Oh, please!" Pari Di, or Parinidhi, chimed in, entering the room with a cup of tea in hand. "Radhi  been using the 'supermom' excuse for ages now. She just doesn't want to admit that she's a closet fashionista."

Aradhya rolled her eyes, a playful smile on her lips. "Well, excuse me for not having the time to play dress-up. Some of us have actual jobs, you know."

"Right, because being a kindergarten teacher is so demanding," Ruhi teased, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "I'm sure those five-year-olds are just exhausting."

"They are, actually," Aradhya shot back, a twinkle in her eye. "More exhausting than running a fashion empire, I bet."

Before Ruhi could respond, Shivu Bhaiya intervened. "Okay, okay, before this turns into a full-blown sibling war, how about we focus on why we're all here?"

"Yes, please!" Pari said, clapping her hands. "Let's talk about the real issue here—Ruhi's terrible work-life balance. When was the last time you went on a date, Ruhi?"

Ruhi groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Not you too, Pari Di! I get enough of this from Radhi Di and Shivu Bhaiya. And for your information, I'm perfectly happy without a man complicating my life."

"Right, because men are so complicated," Aradhya said, her tone light but with an underlying hint of something more. She had been through her own share of heartbreak, having lost her husband in a tragic accident a few years back. But Radhi wasn't one to dwell on the past; she had always been the resilient one, the glue that held them all together.

"Actually, Radhi has a point," Shivu Bhaiya added, trying to keep a straight face. "You could use some excitement in your life, Ruhi. Maybe a little romance?"

"Enough!" Ruhi exclaimed, throwing a cushion at Shivu Bhaiya, who caught it with a laugh. "I'm done talking about my non-existent love life. Let's talk about something else. Like how Shivu Bhaiya is still single despite being the most eligible bachelor in town."

"Touché," Pari Di said, smirking at their brother. "Maybe you should set an example for your little sisters, Shivu Bhaiya."

Shivu Bhaiya shrugged, a grin on his face. "I'm waiting for the right girl, that's all. Besides, someone has to keep an eye on you three. Who else is going to protect my sisters from the big, bad world?"

"We don't need protecting," Ruhi shot back, crossing her arms. "We can take care of ourselves, thank you very much."

"Sure you can," Aradhya said, patting Ruhi's head affectionately. "But it's nice to know that Shivu Bhaiya has our backs, isn't it?"

Ruhi smiled, her defenses lowering for a moment. "Yeah, it is."

The banter continued, filled with the kind of love and teasing that only siblings who had faced the world together could share. They had all been through so much—losing their parents, navigating their careers, and dealing with the expectations that came with the Birla name. But through it all, they had each other. And that was more than enough.

As the day went on, the siblings shared stories, reminisced about their childhood, and made plans for the future. There was laughter, a few arguments, and plenty of teasing, but underneath it all was a deep, unbreakable bond.

Later that evening, as the sun set and the house grew quiet, Ruhi found herself alone in the garden, reflecting on the day. She thought about her journey, the struggles, the triumphs, and the sacrifices that had brought her here. She thought about her siblings, the love they shared, and the promise they had made to always stand by each other.

Ruhi knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she could face them with her family by her side. And in that moment, she felt a deep sense of peace, knowing that she was exactly where she was meant to be.