Continue 👏🏻...
As the group walked back from the stunning hilltop view, the fresh air cooling their faces, they finally reached the parking lot.
Mahek stretched her arms and yawned, "That was beautiful! But now, I’m exhausted."
Shanaya nodded, catching her breath, "Yeah, it’s a shame we couldn’t stay longer. But walking all that way was worth it, right?"
Om unlocked the car, shaking his head with a teasing smile. "I’m never taking you all on a hike again.
It took forever to get here, and now everyone’s ready to collapse."
He opened the car door, looking at them dramatically. "All aboard the ‘Om express!’ Time to head back!"
Aditi, still full of energy despite the long walk, nudged Rewa, “Chalo, chalo, seat pakdo! I want to sleep on the way home.”
Rewa chuckled. "You? Sleep? You were the loudest one during the walk."
"Yes, because I'm always in the spotlight," Aditi winked.
Everyone piled into the car, settling into their seats, their earlier excitement fading into exhaustion. Om climbed into the driver’s seat, Aadi sitting beside him in the passenger seat, while the girls squeezed into the back.
Om glanced into the rearview mirror just before starting the car and caught a glimpse of Shanaya leaning her head against the window, her eyes slowly closing.
For a second, his gaze lingered on her, and he shook his head slightly, turning his attention back to the road. "Yeh ladkiya bhi na... they get all tired and quiet when the fun is over."
Aadi grinned and looked back at the girls, most of whom were already half-asleep. “I’m wide awake, bhai, so I’ll keep you company.
But seriously, Om, you’re stuck with this sleepy gang.”
Om sighed, starting the car and pulling out of the parking area. “Great, a bunch of sleepyheads. And here I thought this trip was supposed to be fun.”
---
As the car moved along the winding roads, the soft hum of the engine mixed with the sound of light snoring from the back seats. The air felt heavy with relaxation, but Om couldn’t help stealing one more glance at Shanaya, now fast asleep. He couldn’t deny that there was something about her that caught his attention, but he quickly focused on the road ahead.
As the car rolled into the driveway, Om parked it smoothly, but when he looked around, he realized everyone in the back was fast asleep.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeh sab toh gaye," he muttered to himself, eyeing the group slouched over in their seats.
Aditi was snuggled against the window, her head leaning awkwardly. Rewa had her head tilted back, slightly snoring, and Mahek was resting against Shanaya’s shoulder. Even Aadi, who was sitting beside him, had dozed off with his head hanging forward, occasionally jerking up in reflex before falling back asleep.
"Main kya karoon ab?" Om groaned, shaking his head. He lightly nudged Aadi. "Oye, uth na. Tu hi help kar le inko uthane mein."
Aadi barely stirred. "Mmm... five more minutes..." he mumbled, completely out of it.
Om rolled his eyes. "Great. Mujhe hi karna padega sab kuch." He opened his door, stepping out, then peered through the window at his family, still lost in dreamland.
He knocked on the window softly, hoping to wake at least one of them. No response.....
He tried again, louder this time. "Guys, ghar aa gaye!"
Nothing. Not a single person stirred.
Om sighed dramatically, leaning back against the car for a moment, plotting his next move. "Ek kaam karta hoon. Sab ko alag-alag uthane ka koi fayda nahi. Sabko ek hi baar mein utha deta hoon."
