Parivara: Story of a Family

1 : The Return

A/N: PLEASE EXCUSE ANY HISTORICAL/LANGUAGE ERRORS. Keep in mind, this is historical FICTION, so please focus more on the story and less on the nit-picky things. That being said, I also want to emphasize that I fully respect the Indian history and culture and the Hindi language, and do apologize for any mistakes. Thanks, and enjoy!!

Ancient India

Aditi twirled the end of her braid around her thin finger, lounging in the warm sun against some cushions. She breathed in the warm scents of the summer, letting the spices and sweetness fill her nostrils. She closed her eyes and let her body relax against the cushions supporting her. Just as she found the right, most comfortable position, she felt water droplets sprinkle onto her face. Her eyes flashed open to see Vishu with a pot of water, dunking his hand back in to get more to splash onto her.

"Vishu!" She shrieked, jumping up off the cushions and chasing him around the outdoor lounging area. Vishu jumped and pranced around, avoiding her smacking hands. She gathered up the skirts of her sari and tried harder to catch up to him as he ran in circles. Her mother laughed quietly at their innocent games, and Aditi's older sister Payal rolled her eyes as she lounged in the hot sun.

As Vishu jumped over Payal, Aditi quickly following suit, the older sister cried out, "Oy! Watch where you're going!"

"Don't shout, Payal. It isn't like a princess to shout." The Queen reprimanded.

"But Maa, is running around anymore princess-like than shouting?" Payal, always one to argue, pointed out.

"This is true. Aditi, you know better." Her mother stared Aditi down for a moment before her face broke into a smile and she said, "But you're only playing."

"Thank you, Aunty!" Vishu called before splashing more water down Aditi's back and sprinting away. Aditi hopped after him, yelling curses that were definitely not princess-like.

Payal lay back down against the pillows and sighed haughtily. Aditi never got into trouble, and with Vishu always by her side, those two were always up to mischief. Vishu was not their brother, but he had grown up alongside them and he was closest with the baby of the family, Aditi. Payal could still remember the day he came into their lives; she had been twelve years of age at the time, Aditi eight.

"We have to keep him, bring him up." Payal remembered her father saying. "He's Sushant's son."

"Just because your friend can't take care of his bastard son, it doesn't mean you have to take the burden." The Queen had argued, her whispers still understandable. Vishu had been a tall and awkward boy of ten years, standing quietly with his head down as the King and Queen argued about what to do with him. Sushant Parulekar had been a governor under the King, and one of his best friends. He had been a jolly uncle to the girls as well, always playing with them and bringing them gifts. But Sushant Uncle had his bad habits as well. He loved to drink, gamble, and lie with different women. The day Vishu had come to the palace, Sushant Uncle had passed away from over-drinking, leaving behind a letter to his friend the King, detailing the story of his bastard son who had no one left in the world. The King ultimately decided to raise Vishu as a lower prince in his palace, and he'd been with them since. Even the Queen, who had been object to his staying, grew to love the always smiling and charming boy.

But Payal thought he was a pest. Aditi, as well. They were just so immature. While Payal thought of important things, like politics and their province, they only thought of running around and playing games. And her parents only spoiled them.

"Rani-sa (Queen)," a page ran up to the Queen Mother. He bowed and handed her a rolled up letter. Payal's mother took the scroll and dismissed the page. She unrolled it and read carefully. After a few seconds, her face instantly brightened and she stood up out of her lounging seat.