A few weeks later,
At Vikram house:
.
(Vikram climbed the staircase, a plate of snacks balanced carefully in each hand.
In one hand, he carried a plate stacked with sandwiches, fries, and a few cookies, which were Kiaan's favorites.
In the other, a plate with a neatly cut slice of chocolate cake, fresh fruit, and a handful of nuts, just the way Kiara liked.
As he reached the top of the stairs, he paused for a moment, glancing down at the plates to make sure nothing would topple over.
Vikram turned to the left first, and approached Kiaan first.)
.
.
Kiaan's room:
(Vikram nudged Kiaan's door open gently with his foot. He noticed Kiaan sitting at his desk, scribbling away in his notebook, with a candle burning steadily in front of him.)
(Without a word, Vikram walked over to the side table, set down the plate, and straightened up.
Kiaan, looked up and gave him an appreciative smile.)
Kiaan: thank you, papa.... I'll have it as soon as my study session gets over.... waise bhi, candle bhi bas khatam hone wala hai.
Vikram: (glances at the almost melted candle, confused) main kuch samjha nahi? candle khatam hone waali hai, matlab?
Kiaan: (leans back in his chair) Papa, yeh 'candle method' hai. it is a method to focus on studies. Maine YouTube pe dekha tha...... Idea yeh hai ki, jab tak candle jalti hai, tab tak pura focus study pe rakhna hota hai. Jab candle khatam, toh session bhi khatam.... And then you take a break.
Vikram: (raises an eyebrow, intrigued) wow.... Quite interesting. Lekin candle kyun? Phone pe time hi set kar lo.
Kiaan: (shakes his head) Wahi toh. Agar alarm lagaate ho, toh mind pe pressure hota hai ki itne ghante baithna hai.... Candle ke saath yeh hota hai ki, time ka andaaza nahi hota. Candle jal rahi hai toh bas focus rehna hota hai. Aur jaise- jaise candle chhoti hoti hai, toh lagta hai ki ab bas, thoda aur padhna hai.
Vikram: (chuckles, clearly impressed by the thought process) Smart technique, beta. Tum toh scientifically approach le rahe ho.
Kiaan: (grins) also with the phone... there is a chance of getting distracted... toh I try to keep my phone away.
(Vikram smiled, feeling a deep sense of pride in Kiaan's maturity.)
Vikram: Yeh technique kaam toh kar rahi hai...... Tumhara focus bhi bahut achha lag raha tha. (smiles) chalo.... I'll leave abhi. Tumhe aur zyaada disturb nahi karunga!!!!
(Vikram patted him on the back, his voice warm with affection.)
Kiaan: thank you for the snacks papa!!!!
Vikram: (smiles) anytime, beta!!!! main chalta hoon. I'll be in my room, if you need anything.
(With that, he left the room, silently proud of how Kiaan was not only working hard but doing it in his own thoughtful, focused way.)
.
.
In the corridor:
(Vikram walked down the hall, Balancing the second plate, leaving Kiaan to his quiet study session.
He quietly made his way to Kiara's room. when he approached ne noticed that the door was already slightly open.)
.
Kiara's room:
(As he approached Kiara's room, he noticed her sitting at her desk, a candle placed in front of her.
It wasn't lit yet, but the setup looked familiar. He knocked softly on the doorframe and stepped in.)
Vikram: (raises an eyebrow) Oh, tum bhi candle method follow kar rahi ho?
Kiara: (looks up with a smirk) Haan, Papa... Kiaan ne bataaya tha. Socha try karti hoon.
Vikram: (chuckles, nodding in approval) Wah, lagta hai tum dono serious ho padhai ko leke.
(Without saying much, he quietly placed a plate of snacks, beside her.
His eyes followed her as she carefully lit the candle, her face illuminated by the soft glow of the flame.
Kiara glanced at the flickering light, nodding in satisfaction.
Then, with a swift motion, she opened her textbook, ready to dive into her study session.
But as she flipped the page with enthusiasm, the motion accidentally blew out the candle.
The small flame extinguished instantly, leaving them in silence.
Both of them froze for a moment, realizing what had just happened. Kiara's study session hadn't even begun.
Kiara slowly looked at Vikram, trying to keep a straight face, but the moment was too ridiculous. Their eyes met, and in an instant, they both burst out laughing.)
Vikram: (holds his stomach as he laughs) Session khatam, before it even started!!!
Kiara: (wipes away a tear from laughing so hard) Seriously, Papa! Yeh technique thoda zyada hi advanced lagta hai mere liye.... Chalo, ab snacks aa hi gaye hain, toh I'll have them first and wait for the next session!!!
Vikram: (shakes his head, places a hand on her shoulder) haan.... and I think you need a new technique to focus on your studies.... (jokingly) This one's too complicated for you!!!!
Kiara: haan papa... I am going to stick to my regular— study till you fall asleep!!!
Vikram: (laughs) haan.... do things at your own pace, in your own style!!!! (pats her back) Chalo, have your snacks.... I'll go to my room now....
(he walks towards the door but suddenly remembered something. He turned back to Kiara again)
Vikram: and haan.... kal, Saturday ko I have plans... okay? Mere friend Akshat ki anniversary party hai.... Toh mujhe late ho jaayega. Agar tum dono chaaho toh dinner ke liye kuch order kar lena. Koi issue nahi.
Kiara: okay papa... cool!!!! Kitne baje tak waapas aaoge?
Vikram: (smiles sheepishly) Keh nahi sakta, beta.... kaafi late ho jaayega. Lekin tum log chinta mat karna, okay?? and apart from the main door, keep the main gate locked too. I'll take the keys with me. Jab main aaunga, toh khol doonga.
Kiara: theek hai, papa!!!! (smiles)
(Straightening up, Vikram turned to leave. He smiled seeing Kiara dig into the chocolate cake while carefully opening her books to begin her session.)
.
.
In the corridor:
(Back in the corridor, Vikram exhaled softly, as though shaking off a weight. Glancing once at both closed doors, he couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of love for his children—one so focused, the other so carefree yet sharp in her own way.
In moments like these, he felt grounded, grateful for the little routines that kept their world turning.)
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Just a heads-up: This idea isn’t entirely mine. I saw an Instagram reel about the expectation vs. reality concept using the candle study method, and it really stuck with me. I thought it fit perfectly with the characters, so I decided to run with it.
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