A PROMISE IN DISGUISE

She took a deep breath and knocked on the door and all ready to face her brother and only best friend.....
As soon as Shraddha knocked on the door, the maid at Advait’s house opened it, then went inside to call Advait.

She said, “Shraddha has come.” Hearing this, Advait was shocked — why had Shraddha come so early in the morning? Was there some problem?

Along with that worry, he was also scared that if "that matter" came to light, Shraddha would create a huge scene, get upset, and even his beloved mother would side with her, blaming him completely.

Yes, Shraddha is known by his parents, and both their families share a good relationship because Advait had accepted Shraddha as his younger sister from the heart. And she had also...

Flashback

When Shraddha was in 4th grade, Advait met her for the first time. Some senior boys (5th graders), who were his juniors, were troubling her. Advait stopped them and told her, “If anyone bothers you again, come to me and tell me.”

Then she said just one small word—just one tiny thing—she said, “Thank you, bhaiya (brother).” That word, bhaiya... until then, he didn’t even know such a word could feel so beautiful. Yes, you might be thinking, who gets happy being called bhaiya? But that’s not the case. His story is a little different.

He was an only child—not because his parents didn’t want more children, but because his mother’s pregnancy had been complicated.His father did not want to see his mother in so much trouble and pain. . So they had just one son—him.

When Shraddha called him bhaiya, it felt like he had found a sister. Since then, he had told her, “aab jab tumne bhaiya kaha hai to ye baat manni bhi padegi.” From that day to today, she had become close to everyone in his family—his father adored her like a daughter, and she was his little sister.
(Now that you've called me bhaiya, you'll have to accept it.)

But today, if she finds out the truth, she’ll be furious.

Anyway, keeping that aside, he went to her.

As Advait was walking to the hall, his mother arrived too—and then the very thing he was afraid of happened. When he reached the hall, he saw all his bags were there—he didn’t know who had put them out like that.

Now how would he answer Shraddha’s questions? She wouldn’t let him go easily.

While thinking all this, he said to Shraddha, "tum itni subh yaha. Koi problem hai kya baccha?
(You're here so early in the morning. Is something wrong baccha?)
She shook her head.

"Come sit here". Said advait.

His mother also said, “ Aree, bachaa, tu yaha tini subh kaise aa gaii? Kya kuch hua? Kya tumhare papa ne fir kuch kaha?"
(Arre, bachaa, how come you’re here so early? Did something happen? Did your dad say something again?)

Shraddha replied, “No aunty, nothing like that, I just—” and her face fell mid-sentence.

Advait’s mom said, “Come, sit, I’ll bring something to eat,” and went to the kitchen.

Then Advait and Shraddha were sitting together. Shraddha’s eyes landed on the bags. She asked, “Koi kahi jaa rha hai kya? Itne saare bag kyu bhare hai?"
(Is someone going somewhere? Why are so many bags packed?)

Advait thought, Oh no, the thing I feared has happened. Now how will I tell her that I’m going abroad in a few days for higher studies, and won’t be able to meet her for years?

Still, he had to tell her—he just hoped she wouldn’t be upset.

Trying to deflect, he said, “Leave that, I’ll tell you later. You tell me—why are you here so early in the morning?”