Dreams Unfold

CHAPTER 1

"Sanvi, get up! How are you going to be a doctor if you're this lazy?" Siddharth's voice echoed in the hallway as he threw open her bedroom door and yanked the curtains wide open, letting a flood of sunlight into the room.

Sanvi groaned from beneath her blanket. "Ugh, bhaiya, it's too early!"

"Early?" Siddharth crossed his arms, a look of mock disbelief on his face. "It's 8:30! At this rate, you'll sleep through your entire medical career. How are you going to save lives if you can't even wake up on time?"

Peeking out from under the blanket, Sanvi squinted at her brother. "I still have time before college starts. Can't I enjoy a few more days of peace?"

Siddharth, shaking his head, tugged the blanket completely off her. "Well, you can enjoy your peace *after* breakfast. I made your favorite."

Sanvi's grumpy mood quickly lifted as she perked up. "Pancakes?" she asked hopefully, her eyes suddenly wide open.

Siddharth smirked. "Yes. Now get out of bed before I eat them all."

Grumbling, she sat up, pushing her messy hair out of her face. "Fine, but you better have saved some for me."

As she slowly made her way to the kitchen, Sanvi watched her brother move about the house, already dressed for work. Ever since their parents passed away when she was just a little girl, Siddharth had taken on the role of both brother and parent. He had been just 18, barely out of high school, when their world turned upside down. Their parents had been their entire universe, but after the accident, it was just the two of them.

Siddharth had given up a lot to ensure she had everything she needed-working part-time jobs while balancing his own education. It wasn't easy, but he never let her see his struggles. He became her protector, her provider, and her biggest supporter, pushing her to follow her dreams. And now, with her NEET results out and her path to medical school clear, she felt like she was finally on her way to repaying his sacrifices.

She loved him deeply, not just because he was her brother, but because he had become so much more than that. He was the one who wiped her tears, made her laugh, and scolded her when she got off track. And even though he could be a bit overbearing at times, she knew it all came from love.

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Later, after Siddharth had left for work, Sanvi found herself alone in the quiet house. She settled in with her sketchbook, humming along to her favorite playlist. Drawing and singing had become her comfort, especially when she was alone. It was her way of filling the silence that sometimes felt too heavy without their parents around. The sketches in her book were varied-some were of nature, while others were portraits. She had even drawn Siddharth a few times, capturing his serious yet kind expression.

She was deep into her latest drawing when her phone rang. Right on schedule. It was Siddharth.

"Hello, Doctor Saheb," his teasing voice came through the phone. "Have you had lunch yet?"

Sanvi rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but smile. "Not yet. I was going to have it soon."

"Sanvi..." Siddharth's tone turned mock-stern, like a parent chiding a child. "I made that lunch for you! You better not skip it."

"I won't, I won't!" she laughed, still adding details to her drawing. "I just got caught up in something."

"What now? Drawing? Singing?"

"A bit of both," she admitted. "You know me too well."

"I do," he said. "Which is why I know if I don't call, you'll either forget to eat or snack on chips all day."