Vanya Ki Kahani

Kindergarden

In this story, Vanya is going to kindergarten for the first time.

The morning sun streamed through the windows as Vansh helped Vanya get ready for her first day of kindergarten. Dressed in a tiny uniform with her backpack almost bigger than her, she looked up at her father with big, expectant eyes.

"Papa, will you stay with me?" she asked, gripping his finger.

Vansh knelt beside her, adjusting her tiny ponytail. "You'll make lots of new friends, sweetheart. And Mama and I will be right here when school is over."

Riddhima, sitting cross-legged on the bed, watched them with wide, curious eyes. She was still adjusting to her own routine, and now, Vanya had one too. "Can I also go? School sounds fun!" she said excitedly.

Vansh chuckled, pulling her into a side hug. "Your school is right here with me," he teased.

Riddhima pouted. "Not fair."

As they arrived at the kindergarten, Vanya clutched Riddhima's hand tightly. The schoolyard was filled with excited children and emotional parents. Vansh saw the hesitation in Vanya's eyes and bent down. "Vanya, remember how we practiced your 'big girl smile'?"

Vanya nodded and gave a wobbly but determined smile.

A teacher approached, crouching to Vanya's level. "Hello, sweetheart. Ready for a fun day?"

Vanya looked at Vansh, then at Riddhima, who was on the verge of tears herself. "Mama, you won't forget me, right?"

Riddhima gasped dramatically, pulling her into a hug. "Never! You're my baby!"

Vansh sighed, shaking his head with amusement. "We'll be right here when you're done."

With one last glance, Vanya finally let go and followed her teacher inside. Riddhima sniffled, looking at Vansh. "Our baby is all grown up!"

Vansh wrapped an arm around her. "She'll do great."

But deep down, he, too, felt a pang—his little girl was taking her first steps into a world beyond their home.

As Vanya disappeared into the school building, Riddhima clutched Vansh's arm. "Vansh, what if she gets scared? Or hungry? What if she wants to come back?"

Vansh sighed, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then she'll learn to be strong, sweetheart."

Riddhima blinked at him. "You're not even a little worried?"

He hesitated for a fraction of a second before letting out a breath. "Of course, I am. But we have to let her grow."

Riddhima pouted. "You sound like an adult. I don't like it."

Vansh chuckled and pulled her into a warm hug. "That's because I am an adult. And so are you, at least on paper."

She gasped, lightly smacking his chest. "Vansh Raisinghania! I am very mature."

"Of course you are," he teased, guiding her back toward the car. "Now, let's go home."

But as they drove back, the house felt... empty. There was no tiny voice demanding snacks, no little feet running around, no Vanya climbing into Riddhima's lap.

Riddhima flopped onto the couch with a deep sigh. "I don't like this."

Vansh smirked. "You lasted five minutes."

She threw a pillow at him. "That's five minutes too long! What do we do now?"

Vansh sat beside her, pulling her close. "Well, we could enjoy a peaceful breakfast, read a book, maybe even—"