Utsav
Age Four
The mansion had always been a symbol of extravagance and warmth, a place so vast that even after four years of living there, I had lost count of the rooms. Every inch of it radiated opulence-from the grand chandeliers that bathed the halls in golden light to the plush velvet curtains that swayed gently with the breeze. The furniture, each piece carefully chosen, added an air of elegance and comfort. The personal gym gleamed with high-end equipment, the private pool shimmered under the sun, and the sprawling yard stretched out like a lush green paradise. The garage, filled with an expensive collection of cars, was a dream for any automobile enthusiast.
But today, everything felt different. The mansion, once filled with life, now stood eerily empty. The grand halls that used to echo with laughter were silent, stripped of their once-luxurious decor. The towering bookshelves stood bare, their books packed away in towering boxes. The sofas, the tables, the intricate carpets-everything had been wrapped and packed, leaving behind only a hollow shell of what was once my home.
Laborers moved through the mansion, carrying heavy boxes to the waiting transport vehicles outside. Their hurried movements and muffled conversations filled the air, but none of it distracted me from the crushing weight in my chest.
I stood there, my hands clenched into small fists, my heart pounding as I looked up at the familiar figure before me. My father stood beside my uncle, his face unusually serious. I had never seen him this solemn before. He was a man of warmth, always smiling, always making everything seem fine. But today, he looked... different. Sad, even.
"But, Papa, I don't want to leave India," I pleaded, my voice laced with desperation. My throat tightened as I fought back the sting of tears. "I have so many friends here. I love going to school, meeting them, playing with them..."
My father remained silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. I searched his face for some sign of reassurance, something to tell me this was all just a bad dream. But deep down, I knew-it wasn't.
The mansion, my home, was no longer mine. And soon, neither would this life I had always known.
"But we have to leave this country, little one," Papa said gently as he crouched down to my level. His voice was calm and soothing, just like always. He had called me "little one" for as long as I could remember-after all, I was only four years old.
"Sometimes, we have to make choices we don't like," he continued, his warm eyes searching mine. "But those choices are always for the greater good." He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, his touch steady and reassuring.
"You want to be a doctor, right?" he asked with a small smile. "In the U.S., you'll have the most intelligent teachers to help you achieve your dream."
I sniffled, wiping my teary eyes with my sleeve. Papa gently cupped my face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear.
"Don't cry, baccha," he whispered. "You'll love that country."
But at that moment, I didn't care about America, smart teachers, or dreams of becoming a doctor. All I cared about was that I didn't want to leave home.
With those words, Papa took me in his arms and carried me toward the car. I felt sad and lost. I didn't care about becoming a doctor or having good teachers-all I could think about was how much I would miss my friends and my school. My thoughts were a mess until a sudden sound pulled me out of them.
I turned toward the direction of the noise and saw my five-month-old sister crying in my uncle's arms. Her cries echoed through the empty mansion as he gently tried to soothe her. By the time we reached the car, her wails had softened into small coos. Uncle must have done a great job calming her.
As we sat in the car, I looked out the window one last time at the mansion I had called home. Tears filled my eyes as memories flooded my mind. I was going to miss everything about this place.
"Goodbye, India," I whispered, and with that, we left for the airport.
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Note : If u are thinking that u can understand the character from just prologue or some starting chapters then I am sorry it's not going to happen.. U need to be patient and trust the process. Believe me there is much going to reveal ahead so please don't judge any character from some starting chapters. I won't disappoint u I promise!!
Next update soon.
Till then take care!
Lots of love 🥀✨
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