She was their "almost" daughter. They visited her until she knew the sound of their footsteps and the scent of their clothes. They gave her their word, painting a vivid picture of a room that was waiting for her and a dinner table where her chair was already set. But when the day arrived for her to finally belong, the doors remained closed. Instead of a home, they gave her a uniform. Instead of a mother's hug, they gave her a scholarship to the same prestigious school their biological children attend. Now, she spends her days in the same hallways as the siblings she was supposed to have, watching them live the life she was promised. Every day, they send a tiffin packed with the food she once told them she loved. Every day, she leaves it untouched. To them, the meal is an act of love; to her, it is a box of pity. She is close enough to see them, but far enough to be a stranger. As the silence grows, she is left to wonder: why keep her in their sight if they won't keep her in their hearts? She doesn't want their charity or their carefully packed lunches-she wants the truth behind the love that turned out to be a lie.

In the Dhairya household, life is a loud, beautiful mess of constant banter, protective glares, and the kind of support only family can provide. At the center of it all is Akash-the stern, protective older brother whose word is law, but whose heart is entirely devoted to his chaotic clan of younger siblings and cousins. As the younger generation navigates the sharp edges of adulthood-from academic pressures and college secrets to the thrill of newfound freedom-they find themselves constantly clashing with the rules designed to keep them safe. But behind every stern lecture and every strict "Bhaiya" rule lies a deeper truth: they are each other's greatest strength. Join the Dhairya family on a journey of growing up together, where mistakes are forgiven, secrets are eventually bared, and every homecoming is a reminder that no matter how far you stray, your siblings will always be the ones to lead you home. A story of mischief, discipline, and the unbreakable bonds that define us. Images in story are not owned by author.