The first rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, slowly illuminating the warm and welcoming home of the Patel family. As the clock struck 6:00 AM, the house began to hum with activity.

Aniket Patel a man of discipline and routine, was the first to rise, as he had been doing for years. His dedication to his role as a government school teacher was unwavering, and every morning he would quietly slip out of bed, making sure not to disturb Nitya his wife. He made his way to the small home office he had set up in the corner of their bedroom. With a cup of tea in hand, he sat at his desk and spent the first half hour grading papers or preparing lessons for the day. His methodical nature was evident in the way he organized his day. After finishing his work, he would step into the kitchen to assist Nitya with breakfast.

Nitya, who had woken up shortly after Aniket, busied herself in the kitchen, her calm and kind demeanor setting the tone for the household. She believed in starting the day with a hot, hearty meal, which was especially important with so many family members under one roof. With deft hands, she prepared parathas, idlis, and chai, her thoughts always on her family. Nitya had a way of making everyone feel loved, whether it was through her cooking or her words of encouragement. Her bond with her daughter Kiansha was particularly strong, and she often found herself thinking of ways to make the morning brighter for her.

By 7:00 AM, the house had started to wake up. Sahil Aniket and Nitya's eldest son, would make his way downstairs, still slightly groggy from his late shift at the hospital. Being a doctor was no easy feat, and Sahil took his responsibilities seriously. He greeted his parents with a sleepy smile and headed straight to the dining table, waiting for his morning chai to wake him up. Despite his fatigue, Sahil was always ready with a joke or a kind word for his parents.

His wife Swati followed shortly after, carrying their two-year-old daughter Anaya who was just starting to wake up. Swati, a C.A. by profession, was already mentally preparing for her workday. She loved her job, but it often came with its own set of challenges. Even so, Swati never let the stress of her job affect her family time. She always made sure to sit down for breakfast with everyone, a habit she and Sahil both valued. Anaya, on the other hand, was still rubbing her eyes, clinging to her mother as she slowly woke up, babbling a few sleepy words.

Jaydeep and Dhara Patel Kiansha's Bade Papa and Maa, were already in the middle of their morning routine. Jaydeep, a former Army officer and now a bank manager, still held onto the disciplined habits from his service days. He was up before dawn and had already completed his morning workout. Dhara, always the industrious one, had joined Nitya in the kitchen, where the two women coordinated their daily routine of preparing meals for the family. Dhara and Nitya also ran a small catering business from home, so their mornings were a flurry of activity as they prepared meals for both the family and their staff will prepare meals for their clients.

Their eldest son, Yugant the owner of a successful restaurant's in Ahmedabad, was the next to wake. His mornings were slightly less hectic as his restaurant staff handled the early hours. Yugant often joined his parents and his wife, Aashika at the breakfast table for a leisurely meal. Aashika, a dedicated teacher in a government school, liked to discuss her lesson plans over breakfast, often bouncing ideas off of her husband and in-laws. Their seven-year-old son, Yug was a ball of energy, excited for another day of school. His chatter filled the dining room as he asked endless questions about the world around him, much to the amusement of the adults.

As the clock neared 8:00 AM, Jay the second son of Jaydeep and Dhara, emerged from his room. Jay, who had just completed his MBBS and was about to start working as a doctor, was more laid-back than his elder brother. He greeted everyone with his usual calm smile and grabbed a cup of coffee before joining the others for breakfast. Jay enjoyed the calm of the mornings, knowing that once his day at the hospital started, it would be anything but peaceful.

Kiansha the youngest in the family, was often one of the last to wake up, but she always made sure to be up in time for breakfast

The soft glow of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting delicate patterns on the walls of Kiansha's cozy bedroom. The gentle chirping of birds outside served as a natural alarm, coaxing her out of slumber. She stretched, feeling the warmth of her blanket envelop her, and reluctantly peeled it away. A soft purr drew her attention, and she smiled as her two cats, Cinnamon Roll and Cappuccino curled up at the foot of her bed, their soft fur shimmering in the morning light.

"Good morning, you two," Kiansha whispered, gently stroking their heads. Cinnamon Roll, her playful Scottish fold, stretched lazily, while Cappuccino, her more reserved but affectionate munchkin , blinked up at her with sleepy eyes.

They followed her as she got up, weaving between her feet as if reminding her that their breakfast was just as important as hers. Kiansha chuckled, shaking her head. "Okay, okay, breakfast time for you two first."

She quickly dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a bright yellow hoodie, then headed downstairs with Cinnamon Roll and Cappuccino padding closely behind her. After making sure her furry companions were fed, she sat down to her own breakfast, smiling as they purred contentedly nearby.

Kiansha, a college student in her final year, balanced her studies with her passion for running a small coffee shop, Latte Coffee & Cakes.The mornings were a chance for her to relax before heading to college or her shop, where her love for baking shone.

By 8:30 AM, the Patel household was in full swing. The adults were gathered around the dining table, enjoying their breakfast and discussing the plans for the day. Aniket and Jaydeep often talked about their work, while Sahil and Jay shared stories from the hospital. The women, Nitya, Dhara, and Swati, discussed household matters and their catering business. The younger ones, like Kiansha and Yug, kept the atmosphere light, with Kiansha sharing anecdotes from her coffee shop, and Yug excitedly talking about his school day ahead.

In the midst of all this, there was laughter, warmth, and the feeling of togetherness that made the Patel family so strong. Each member, despite their busy lives and individual responsibilities, made time for one another in the mornings, setting the tone for the rest of the day.

As breakfast came to an end, everyone dispersed to their respective routines. Sahil and Swati rushed to get Anaya ready for the day, while Swati prepared to leave for work. Nitya and Dhara returned to their catering business, with Aniket heading off to school and Jaydeep to bank. Yugant left for his restaurant, and Jay prepared for another day at the hospital. Nitya, always the last to leave the kitchen, smiled as she watched her family head out for the day, knowing they would all gather again in the evening, just like every other day.

It was a bright winter morning when Kiansha made her way to college. The crisp air nipped at her cheeks as she wrapped her scarf a little tighter around her neck. Ahmedabad was bustling, but there was something peaceful about the routine of it all.

Kiansha arrived at her college and spotted her best friends, Shriya and Tanvi, waiting by the entrance. Both waved excitedly as they saw her approaching. Dhey, Tanvi's older brother, stood nearby, scrolling through his phone, trying to look aloof but secretly listening to their chatter.

"Kiansha, over here!" Shriya called out, beaming.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," teased Tanvi as she hugged her. "You took your sweet time today."

Kiansha laughed softly. "I needed that extra ten minutes of sleep after last night's study session. You guys are lucky I even made it here."

"Good thing you did. We're supposed to meet with the professor for that project proposal," Dhey reminded them, finally looking up from his phone, a grin pulling at his lips.

"Yeah, yeah, Mr. Responsible," Tanvi joked, nudging her brother playfully. "Always the overachiever."

The four of them walked together to their class, their conversation light and full of inside jokes. They were like a small, inseparable family, and despite the typical stresses of college life, Kiansha always felt at ease with them.

In class, the group settled into their usual spot at the back, near the window where they could occasionally glance outside for some fresh air. The lecture began, but within minutes, Shriya and Tanvi were already whispering back and forth about plans for the upcoming weekend.

"Should we go to the cafe after class? I've been craving something sweet," Shriya whispered to Kiansha.

Kiansha smiled, nodding. "How about Latte Coffee & Cakes? I might even bake something special for you two."

"Now you're speaking my language!" Tanvi grinned, already imagining the pastries.

Dhey, overhearing the conversation, leaned in. "Count me in. If there's cake involved, you know I'm there."

After the class ended, the group lingered in the hallway, discussing their weekend plans and catching up on the latest gossip from their classmates. It was moments like these that made Kiansha feel grounded — the simplicity of friendship and laughter, far removed from the responsibilities she had at home with her family.

"Alright, enough fun," Dhey announced as they gathered their things. "We still have that group project to discuss with the professor."

"Ugh, don't remind me," Shriya groaned, rolling her eyes playfully. "But fine, let's get this over with so we can focus on more important things like cake."

As they made their way to the professor's office, Kiansha couldn't help but feel grateful for the small joys in life. The warmth of her friends, the lighthearted banter, and the routine of college provided her with the kind of balance she needed even though deep down, she knew her life was about to change in ways she couldn't yet imagine.

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Hope you all have enjoyed the chapter ❣️🌷