Unbinding Tradition

117. Lit the spark ✨

Everyone do vote and comment a lot and share your views about the story!!!!

The golden rays of the morning sun filtered through the white lace curtains, casting soft patterns across the wooden breakfast table. The aroma of ghee-laced parathas wafted through the room, mixing with the mellow clinks of cutlery and occasional murmurs of sleepy yawns.

Tae, dressed in a soft pastel lehenga with her pallu neatly pinned over her shoulder, moved around the table with practiced grace. Her bangles chimed as she served another buttery paratha onto Jungkook's plate.

Tae- Here, Sa... one more paratha. You didn't even finish yesterday's dinner properly. (she said softly, half-scolding, half-mothering)

Jungkook, sitting at the head of the table with his usual stern composure, merely nodded and accepted it. He looked fresh from his morning shave, hair slicked back neatly, his kurta crisp and white.

But his eyes-those eyes that scanned everything-betrayed his affection as he watched Tae scoop a bite of sabzi and feed it to the pouting boy beside her.

Hyun- No school today! My stomach hurts! (he groaned, squirming in his seat)

Tae raised a brow.

Tae- Your stomach hurts only on school days, beta? Yesterday you were jumping off walls.

Hyun- But Amma, Jiminee didi also doesn't go to school every day! (he protested, pushing his plate aside with a dramatic sigh)

Jiminee, sitting opposite him in a casual salwar kameez, nearly choked on her bite as she giggled.

Jm- I go to college, not school, chhotu. And I have lectures from tomorrow. That's why I'll be leaving for the city.

Tae looked up, surprised.

Tae- So soon, Jiminee? Stay for a few more days. Hyunnie will miss you.

Jungkook wiped his hands with a napkin and glanced at her.

Jk- Stay a while longer. There's no rush.

But Jiminee shook her head politely.

Jm- Mama-sa, I came especially for the school inauguration. My project submissions are piling up, and the professors are strict. But I promise... once vacations start, I'll be back.

Jungkook gave a slight nod, then turned to Tae.

Jk- Take her to the market today. Let her buy whatever she wants.

Tae smiled warmly.

Tae- Of course, Sa. We'll go after breakfast.

Hyunnie's ears perked up.

Hyun- Waaait a minute! So Jiminee didi gets anything she wants just because she lives in the city?

He turned dramatically to Jungkook and pointed a stubby finger.

Hyun- I also want to go to the city then! I'll study there. But only if I get toys every week!

Jungkook's brows lifted.

Jk- You can't even sit with a book for five minutes unless your Amma's threatening you with the wooden stick! What will you do in the city-teach your teacher how to skip homework?

The table burst into chuckles. Tae tried to hide her smile behind her hand, but her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Hyunnie scrunched up his nose, folded his tiny arms across his chest and muttered,