February 14, 2019

The winter afternoon sun streamed through the latticed windows of the Hooda household, casting warm golden patterns across the polished wooden floors. The air was filled with the lingering aroma of fresh cardamom tea and the gentle whisper of curtains swaying in the breeze.

"Sidharthhhhhh!" The excited cry echoed through the corridors as Sana Aggarwal Hooda ran through the house, her phone clutched like a precious trophy in her hands. Her face was radiant with joy, amber eyes twinkling like stars in the afternoon light, and a soft pink blush dusted her cheeks. Her dupatta fluttered behind her as she made her way to her brother-in-law's study.

Rajveer looked up from his desk, where his laptop screen cast a soft blue glow on his features. A knowing smile played on his lips as he watched his sister-in-law's enthusiasm.

"What's the secret behind this brilliant smile of yours?" he asked, closing his laptop to give her his full attention.

Sana tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, her silver earrings catching the light.

"He... he called," she said softly, referring to her husband, her voice filled with barely contained happiness.

"Didn't I tell you?" Sidharth grinned, standing up with the enthusiasm of a much younger man despite his thirty-one years. Though he was three years older than Sana, he had always insisted she address him simply as Rajveer rather than the more formal 'bhaiya' (brother). Meanwhile, he had respectfully called her 'bhabhi' (sister-in-law) since she first entered their household six years ago.

"I really wasn't expecting it," she admitted, sinking into the plush chair behind his desk, her red suit rustling softly.

"It's Valentine's Day, bhabhi. There was no way my brother would forget to call his beloved," he teased, earning a shy smile from her.

"Now, about that bet – I believe you owe me 500 rupees," he added with a playful grin, extending his palm.

"Oh my! Here I am sharing my happiness, and you're asking for money? Very bad!" she exclaimed in mock outrage, crossing her arms across her chest.

"A bet is a bet, and the winner deserves their prize," he shrugged, maintaining his stance.

"Fine, I'll get your precious money," she huffed, rising from her seat with exaggerated annoyance. Her anklets jingled softly as she walked out of the room.

Sidharth settled back in his chair, a contented smile playing on his lips. His brother and sister-in-law were relationship goals, especially in their private moments. Their love story was one for the ages.

Moments later, Sana returned, practically throwing the money at him.

"Here's your money, and order dinner from outside today," she declared before turning to leave.

"Bhabhi—" he called after her, but she had already shut the door with a dramatic flourish.

The following scene unfolded in the dining area, where sunlight painted geometric patterns on the marble floor through the large French windows. Sana sat there, scrolling through her phone with an adorable pout on her face.

"Bhabhii," Sidharth called out, mimicking her tone as he took the seat beside her. She responded by getting up to leave, her bangles creating a soft symphony with her movement.

"Why are you running away?" he asked, matching her pace as she walked away.

"Because I don't like money-minded people," she declared, maintaining her mock anger.

"Bhabhi, please," he pleaded, putting on his best puppy-dog expression.

"Here, takes this back," he said, offering her the 500-rupee note.

"I don't want it," she replied curtly.

"Then let's put it to good use," he suggested.

"Let's go out for dinner. We'll pick up Aarav on the way."

"I don't want to go," she pouted.

"Should I call my brother and tell him that Aarav wants to go out but Bhabhi is refusing?" he threatened playfully.

"You wouldn't dare!" she exclaimed.

"Try me," he challenged with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Fine, we'll go," she conceded, though her eyes sparkled with hidden amusement.

"But tell me something," she added thoughtfully.

"It's Valentine's Day. My valentine is at the border serving the nation, but why aren't you spending it with Akansha?"

Akansha was Sidharth Hooda's girlfriend of five years. Throughout their relationship, Sana had played cupid during their fights, offering advice and perspective that Sidharth valued deeply. She had become his confidante, friend, guide, and family all rolled into one.

In fact, Sana's husband, Pradeep Hooda, often joked that she was more of a wife to Sidharth than to him, given how much time they spent together. With Pradeep serving in the army, Sidharth, who managed their agricultural lands and implemented new farming techniques, stayed in the city and kept his sister-in-law and nephew company.

"She's busy," he lied, avoiding her gaze.

"Lying is a sin, and I can catch your lies from a mile away," she sang teasingly.

"Alright, fine," he surrendered, holding his hands up.

"You had a fight," she stated more than asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Bhabhi, please, I don't want to talk about it right now," he said, his expression turning somber. She nodded understandingly.

"I'll go get ready," she said softly, and he nodded in response.

The afternoon sun hung high in the sky as they pulled up to Aarav Hooda's school at two o'clock. Sana stepped out of the car, her red suit catching the sunlight, making her look like a vision of traditional beauty. Her vermilion gleamed crimson in her hairline, complemented by a matching bindi and jhumkas that swayed gently with each step. Her lips, painted a deep red, curved into a smile as she spotted her four-year-old son.

"Mommy looks so pretty!" Aarav exclaimed, his innocent eyes taking in his mother's appearance as she held him in her arms, his school uniform still crisp despite the day's activities.

"Thank you, my love," she smiled, adjusting his little backpack.

"Why are you so dressed up today? You usually don't dress like this," he observed with the directness only a child could muster.

"Children these days," she mumbled to herself, amused. "Because we're going out, sweetheart."

"Yayyyyy!" he cheered; his excitement infectious.

"Chote papaaaaaa!" he called out as they approached the SUV where Sidharth sat in the driver's seat.

"Hi, champ!" Sid responded enthusiastically.

"Not sitting in front, Bhabhi?" Sidharth asked Sana with a disappointed look.

"Aarav is sitting there," she replied, using her standard excuse.

"Yeah, yeah, stop using that logic and sit down," he rolled his eyes as she, like always, chose to sit in the back with her son.

The drive took them to a cozy café – the very place where Sana had first met Pradeep. The afternoon light filtered through the café's vintage windows, casting a warm glow over their table as they enjoyed their lunch. Stories flowed freely as Sana reminisced about her first meeting with Pradeep in this very spot. Sidharth couldn't help but feel his respect for her growing even more. In a world where couples struggled with long-distance relationships and often gave up, here she was, having spent only one year out of their four-year marriage with her husband, yet maintaining unwavering loyalty and love without a single complaint. His brother was truly fortunate to have found such a life partner.

*

The evening settled over their home like a gentle blanket, bringing with it the warm glow of indoor lights and the promise of family time. The aroma of fresh cooking wafted through the house as Aarav's cheerful voice rang out from Sidharth's study doorway.

"Dinney is eeady!" he announced, bouncing on his toes.

Sid's fingers flew across his laptop keyboard.

"Just five minutes, little one," he promised, trying to wrap up his work.

"No, come now!" Aarav insisted with the determination only a four-year-old could muster.

"Come here, my love," he said, quickly shutting his laptop and extending his arms toward his nephew.

From being the first to hold this precious bundle to dropping him off at nursery, Sidharth had earned his title of 'chote papa' through years of devoted care.

"What's the hurry, buddy?" Sidharth asked, running his fingers through Aarav's soft hair.

"Hungy!" Aarav pointed to his tiny stomach.

"Oh, hungry, are we?" Sid teased, tickling the little boy's stomach, filling the room with peals of innocent laughter.

"Son, I sent you to call them, not to settle down there," Sana's voice carried from the doorway as she watched her son and brother-in-law's playful interaction with fond exasperation.

"Come on," she said, turning to head back to the dining area, and they followed like obedient children.

"Wash your hands, both of you, while I serve the food," she instructed, heading toward the kitchen.

The peaceful domestic scene was interrupted by the sharp ring of her phone, drawing everyone's attention. Checking the caller ID, she saw it was her father-in-law calling from the village. Concern flickered across her features – a call at this hour must be important.

Sid watched as she answered the phone, his heart stopping as he saw her collapse to the floor, her face draining of all color as if life itself had been sucked out of her. He didn't need any explanation to know that something terrible had happened.

"Hello," he spoke into the phone, his voice steady despite his racing heart.

"Papa, what happened? Please tell me, Bhabhi looks very distressed," he said, his eyes fixed on Sana's frozen form.

"Son, our Pradeep... his... his name has appeared in the list of martyred soldiers in the Pulwama attack," Mr. Hooda's voice quivered through the phone. The device slipped from Sid's nerveless fingers as his face matched the paleness of Barkha's.

At the dining table, little Aarav sat wiping his hands with a tissue, blissfully unaware of the storm that was about to shake their entire world.

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