Sakshi Age 6 Utkarsh age 11

A little girl who looked around six years old with two adorable ponytails walked into the school, her tiny hand tightly gripping her father's. Her eyes darted around the bustling campus, a mix of excitement and nervousness swirling within her. It was her first day at a new school, and while the thought of meeting new people and unfamiliar teachers made her stomach flutter with anxiety, the idea of making new friends filled her with joy.

As they approached her new classroom, already buzzing with the chatter of children, Sakshi's grip on her father's hand tightened just a little more. Her father, Arjun Kapoor, knelt down in front of her, smoothing down her hair with a gentle smile.

"Sakshi, baba, listen." His voice was warm and comforting. "This is your first day at a new school, so behave well, listen to your teacher, and try to make lots of new friends, okay?"

Sakshi's face lit up with a wide grin, her earlier nerves momentarily forgotten. "Don't worry, Papa! I'll behave and make lots of friends!" she promised enthusiastically.

Arjun chuckled softly and kissed her forehead. "That's my girl. We'll talk to your teacher, then we'll leave, okay? But don't worry, we'll be back in the afternoon to pick you up."

Her mother, Mona Kapoor, crouched beside her and wrapped Sakshi in a tight hug. "Good luck, baby. Be good, finish all your food and water, okay?" she whispered, kissing her on the cheek before pulling away. Just then, Sakshi's new teacher approached them, recognizing the family from the earlier admission meeting.

"Mr and Mrs. Kapoor, Good morning." the teacher greeted warmly before turning her attention to Sakshi, her smile kind and inviting."Good morning Sakshi."

"Good morning Miss," Sakshi replied, her voice small but cheerful.

"Sakshi why don't you go into the class I will be right behind you." The teacher said, Sakshi nodded and nervously made her way into the class. As soon as she walked in all the students stopped what they were doing and looked at the new student. They nudge each other pointing at her.

Sakshi fidgeted standing in front of the class with an anxious smile. No one returned her smile which made her smile falter. Her heart sank as no one as no one smiled at her. She glanced over her shoulder, hoping for a reassuring look from her parents. They were still talking to the teacher, but as they finished, they waved at her, their smiles full of encouragement. Sakshi tried to steady her nerves as the teacher walked into the class, drawing the students' attention.

The teacher walked up to her and walked her to the middle of the classroom. "Children she is Sakshi Kapoor she is a new student. So I hope you all befriend and treat her well. Alright?" The kids nodded. "Now Sakshi go and sit on the third bench." She nodded and made her way to her assigned place.

She took a seat and took out the books the teacher asked them for. Sakshi being the extroverted kid, called the girl sitting at the front desk. "Hey, I'm Sakshi. Do you want to be my friend?" She smiled forwarding her hand. The girl turned to her and looked at Sakshi briefly before turning away. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away, trying to stay composed. The class began, and she forced herself to focus on the lesson, though her heart felt heavy.

Halfway through the lesson, there was a commotion at the door. A girl stood at the door with an older boy holding her hand. The girl looked the same age as Sakshi while the boy looked around 11-12. The teacher glanced at the door and sighed clearly frustrated. "Anika, you are late again." Sakshi, curious raised her head from her book and looked at the boy and girl standing in the doorway.

The girl Anika looked down and the boy was defiantly glaring at the teacher and the students snickering at her. "Utkarsh, you go back to your class now," the teacher instructed her voice stern.

Utkarsh, the boy, shot one last warning look at the students before leaning down to whisper something in Anika's ear. He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder before turning to leave. Sakshi watched him the entire time, intrigued by his behavior.

Something about the way he carried himself, the fierce protectiveness in his eyes, captured her attention. As he walked away, disappearing down the hall, she wondered who he was and why he seemed so angry.

"Anika, come inside," the teacher said, motioning for the girl to take her seat. Anika shuffled in quietly, head down, while the other students continued to watch her as she made her way and sat beside Sakshi. Sakshi was thrilled that someone was sitting beside her.

"Hi, I'm Sakshi." She whispered leaning towards Anika. Startled Anika turned towards Sakshi who was smiling hard. Looking at her infectious smile a small reluctant smile broke out on Anika's face.

"I'm Anika. Are you new?" She mumbled her voice barely above a whisper. Sakshi nodded grinning from ear to ear.

"Anika, do you want to be my friend?" Sakshi chimed. She hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her eyes, but something about Sakshi's boundless energy and sincerity made her feel comfortable. Slowly, she nodded.

"Yes, I will be your friend." Sakshi squealed which caught the teacher's attention.

"Sakshi, Anika, settle down," the teacher scolded, her gaze sharp.

Both girls sat up straight, trying to hide their smiles as the class resumed. Sakshi couldn't stop glancing over at Anika, her new friend, feeling like the day had suddenly become a whole lot better.

*******

The bell rang signalling the end of the school. The kids ran out eager to get their parents. Sakshi and Anika walked together. Throughout the day they became really good friends. Though hesitant at first Anika opened up fairly quickly. As they made their way towards the pickup points for the primary kids Sakshi quickly saw her parents waiting for her.

Sakshi ran towards them excited to tell them about her first day and new friends. "Mama, Papa." She squealed as she jumped into her father's arm.

"How's my Baby?" Arjun asked.

"Good, I made a new friend" She beamed.

"Oh my really. Tell me all about this friend." Arjun smiled looking at his daughter's delighted expression. He was happy she made a friend. He was worried that it would be hard for her to make friends in the middle of the school year.

"Oh, she is right there." Sakshi turned pointing at where she left Anika but Anika was nowhere to be found. "But she was right there." She pouted getting down from her father's arms and looked around. As she was looking around she saw Anika. "Papa look there come on." She started dragging her father and mother towards Anika.

"Anika," She called. Anika turned and looked at Sakshi with a smile. But soon her smile faltered looking at the two adults. "Anika look these are my Mama Papa." Anika looked at the adults and took two steps back as if scared. Sakshi frowned and looked at her parents who looked confused. Before they could say anything they heard someone call her.

"Anika." all eyes turned to the boy who held the hand of the little boy. Sakshi saw Utkarsh and another little boy. They made their way towards them. "Gudiya, what are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay near your classroom?" She nodded.

"Hi, I'm Sakshi, I'm Anika's friend" Sakshi spoke gaining the boy's attention. Utkarsh looked at her tilting his head and pulled Anika closer to him protectively as he looked at the adults standing behind Sakshi. Utkasrsh then looked at Anika who nodded. He released a breath.

"I'm Utkarsh and this is our little brother Kshitij we are Anika's brothers." Utkarsh introduced himself. Arjun and Mona smiled and looked at the siblings.

"Hi kids it was nice to meet you. Are your parents here? Maybe we could introduce ourselves," Arjun noticed Utkarsh's face immediately hardened. He frowned and looked at Mona who also noticed how Anika looked sad.

"Mama and Papa are angels now, they went to god." Kshitij the five year old spoke.

The words hung in the air like a heavyweight.

"Kshitij," Utkarsh snapped, his voice sharp. His sudden tone startled Kshitij, who looked up at his brother with wide, frightened eyes before bursting into tears. Utkarsh's expression softened immediately, guilt flashing across his face. He knelt down, pulling Kshitij into his arms. "I'm sorry, Kshi... I didn't mean to yell," he whispered, stroking his little brother's hair as he cried softly.

Sakshi's parents looked on, their hearts aching for the children. Mona stepped forward, her voice soft and kind. "It's alright, Utkarsh. You're doing such a good job looking after them." Utkarsh stood up, still holding Kshitij's hand, and nodded, though his eyes remained guarded. He had grown up too fast, carrying a burden far too heavy for someone his age. He was reluctant to trust anyone with his siblings after what was happening to them every day.

Sensing all the tension Sakshi immediately pulled out three chocolates from her bag and offered them to the siblings. "Kshitij here." She offered it to the little boy, he raised his tear-stained face as soon as he saw the candy his face brightened whipping away his tears he accepted the chocolate.

Thank you," he mumbled softly, unwrapping it eagerly.

"Anika here." Anika hesitated for a moment, glancing at Utkarsh as if asking for permission. Utkarsh, still holding Kshitij's hand, gave her a slight nod. With a smile, she accepted the chocolate thanking her new friend.

Finally, Sakshi offered the last one to Utkarsh, who looked down at the tiny hand offering him chocolate. "Take it we are friends and Papa says sharing is caring." She remarked grinning. 

Why was she so happy? Utkarsh frowned internally.

"Take it beta." Mona urged when he hesitated. Reluctant he accepted the chocolate thanking her.

"Now we are all friends," Sakshi declared with delight, wrapping her arms around Anika in a tight hug. Anika, who had rarely smiled since her parents' passing, now had a big, genuine smile lighting up her face.

Utkarsh watched the scene unfold, his gaze shifting from Anika's rare smile to Kshitij, who was giggling happily as he nibbled on his chocolate. The sight of his siblings' happiness made his heart clench in a way he hadn't felt in months. It was as if the invisible weight that had been suffocating him, the constant pressure to protect them and fill the void left by their parents, had loosened—if only for a moment.

And it was all thanks to this little girl, Sakshi, who was now giggling with Anika, her infectious joy spreading to everyone around her.

That day marked the beginning of a special bond between them, one that would last a lifetime.