Falling from Grace

The Calm Before the Storm

The first rays of the morning sun filtered gently through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Sharma residence, bathing the elegant living room in a golden hue. Ritika, dressed in a casual yet chic floral dress, moved around the room with effortless grace, humming softly to herself as she made the final preparations for the day. Today was Samaira's birthday—her little girl was turning four, and everything had to be perfect.

The house smelled of fresh flowers and the tantalizing aroma of baked goods that Ritika had spent hours preparing. Colorful balloons floated near the ceiling, and a large table in the garden was set up with party favors and games, ready to entertain Samaira and her friends. It was going to be a day of laughter, love, and celebration. A day where everything would go right, Ritika thought to herself.

In the kitchen, Rohit sat at the breakfast table, watching his wife from across the room. He had his coffee cup in hand, the steam curling lazily in the air. His lips curved into a soft smile as he watched Ritika flutter about, ensuring every tiny detail was in place. She had always had an eye for perfection, balancing elegance with warmth.

"You've really outdone yourself, Ritika," Rohit said, setting his cup down and walking over to her.

Ritika flashed him a radiant smile, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "It's her special day, Rohit. I want everything to be perfect."

Rohit placed a hand on her shoulder, leaning in to kiss her temple. "It already is. Samaira's going to love it."

As if on cue, Samaira's tiny voice called out from the top of the stairs, "Baba, Mama! Look at me!"

They both turned to see their daughter standing proudly at the top of the staircase, dressed in her new pink party dress. Her hair was tied up in two neat pigtails, and she was beaming from ear to ear.

Rohit's heart swelled with affection. "Wow, look at you, my little princess!" He opened his arms, and Samaira came running down the stairs as fast as her tiny legs could carry her, laughing all the way.

Ritika caught her midway, scooping her up and spinning her around. "Do you like your dress, Samaira?"

Samaira nodded enthusiastically, her giggles filling the room. "I love it, Mama! I'm a princess today!"

"Yes, you are," Rohit chimed in, ruffling her hair playfully. "And we're going to have the best birthday party ever."

Outside, the garden was already prepped for the festivities. There was a small inflatable bounce house set up near the pool, brightly colored decorations lining the edges, and a large picnic table stacked with games, food, and party hats. A team of caterers was busy setting up the buffet with all of Samaira's favorite foods—mini pizzas, cupcakes, and a towering birthday cake decorated with pink icing and rainbow sprinkles.

By noon, the house was filled with the cheerful sounds of children laughing and playing, their squeals of excitement mingling with the chatter of adults. Samaira's closest friends from preschool were running around the garden, while the parents mingled in groups, sipping cool drinks and exchanging pleasantries.

Rohit, dressed in a casual polo and jeans, manned the grill, flipping burgers while chatting with a few of his old cricket teammates who had come to celebrate. The sun was shining, the atmosphere was light, and for once, everything felt normal. No cameras, no media frenzy—just the warmth of family and friends.

"Hey, buddy!" a familiar voice called from the entrance to the garden. Rohit turned to see Virat Kohli strolling in with his wife Anushka by his side, their daughter Vamika in tow. Samaira spotted them immediately and ran toward Vamika, her best friend since birth.