Krithika's POV

Today is my birthday. A normal teenage girl might be buzzing with excitement to celebrate, but not me. Not when I know the true cost of celebrations-the extra hours of overtime both Mamma and Papa would have to pull. They try their best to shield me from their financial struggles, yet I am painfully aware of the "money hassle" that hums in the background of our home.

Our relatives are always ready with unsolicited advice for my parents: "Rishtedar to tarah tarah ke salaah dete hai mumma papa ko-shaadi karwado betiyon ki. Padane ki kya zaroorat hai." (Relatives give all sorts of advice to Mamma and Papa-get the daughters married. What is the need to educate them?) But my parents have never entertained those thoughts, even though it would be the easier path for them.

While I was lost in these thoughts, Mannu came barging into the room. "Kittu! Happiee birthday my dear sissy. I love you to the moon and back!"

"Mannu aaram se bhi aasakti, darwaja itna jor se marne ki kya zaroorat, toot jata tho!" (Mannu, you could have come in quietly; what was the need to hit the door so hard? It could have broken!) I shouted.

"Oho Kittu, itna kya sochna? Jo hona hota hai hoke rehta, tum zyada tension na lo. Mamma aur papa bularahe hai tuje." (Oho Kittu, why think so much? Whatever is meant to happen will happen, don't take too much tension. Mamma and Papa are calling you.) She chirped, unfazed.

"Maine bola tha na kuch karne ki zaroorat nahi hai, phir bhi..." (I told them there was no need to do anything, and yet...) I muttered. But Mannu grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the hall. "Ye sab chodo aur aajao mere saath!" (Leave all that and just come with me!)

In the hall, Mamma and Papa were waiting. The moment I stepped in, they cheered, "Happy Birthday, Kittu! God bless you!"

Mom had baked a cake. They do this every year, even though they know I'm not particularly interested. Still, they make it a special day. I decided to just cut the cake; I didn't want to disappoint their excitement.

Once the cake was finished, Mamma told us to get some rest. Tomorrow is the entrance exam for a prestigious new school. Mamma has unwavering faith that her daughters can crack it and secure a scholarship. "Agar kismat meherban hui toh hum us school mein jayenge, nahi toh koi aur sahi." (If fate is kind, we will join that school; if not, then some other one.)

Next Morning I woke up early, frantically revising every bit of content I could. Mannu, being Mannu, didn't feel a shred of stress. She stayed in bed, moving at her own pace. Her philosophy is simple: don't overthink, just trust your instincts.

After studying for a while, I nudged her. "Mannu utjao, warna der hojayegi! Tayar bhi to hona hai na exam ke liye." (Mannu wake up, otherwise we'll be late! We have to get ready for the exam too, right?) She woke up slowly, and once she finally gathered her senses, she went to get dressed.

Mamma made breakfast for us. Honestly, I don't know how she manages everything so gracefully. I have only one role-to study. But Mamma wears many hats; she manages the house and her tailoring work simultaneously. Even when I try to help, she only allows it on holidays. She feels our time would be wasted because of it.

Manvi's POV

I have to stay calm and composed. I can't let even an ounce of my excitement show, because if Kittu finds out I bought her a guitar, she'll be furious. She'll start with the usual, "Kya zaroorat Mannu in sab ki?" (What was the need for all this, Mannu?) But I'm going to do it anyway. "Par mein to karungi, meri di hai kyun na karu. Ye choti choti khushiya hi to yaad aani hai baad mein." (But I will do it; she's my sister, why shouldn't I? These little joys are what we will remember later.)

For now, I need to stay silent. "Abhi to kittu exam tension mein hogi, guitar dekhegi bhi nahi ." (Right now she will be in exam tension; she won'teven see guitar now.) Once the test is over, she will be relieved, and then I'll surprise her. "God, I know mein to deit hoon, muje apne exam ka tension hai bhi nahi, bas kittu ka acha kardo warna meri overthinker sissy aur deep thoughts mein ghum hojayegi." (God, I know I'm shameless, I'm not even worried about my own exam, just make sure hers goes well or my overthinker sister will get lost in deep thoughts again.)

"Mannu aajao, abhi nikalna hai exam keliye!" (Mannu come on, we have to leave for the exam now!) Kittu called out.

I acknowledged her and we headed to the testing center. You might be wondering why we're taking the same entrance test. Well, Kittu is only a year and a half older than me, and I skipped a grade just so I could stay with her.

What, you think I'm a "chipku" (clingy) sister? No, I just want to be near her because I know she'll suffer in silence rather than let us know she's in trouble. "Woh humesha tyaag karne keliye tayaar rehti hai." (She is always ready to make sacrifices.)

I still remember how she supported me when Mamma and Papa wouldn't let me go out for friends meet. I've never seen her fight for herself, but for me, she became a rebel. If she can be a rebel for me, then why can't I do my part? While Mamma preaches to her always being serious in life and following the rulebook, I support the things she actually loves.

"Kaun samjayega mere papa mumma ko yeh sab. Aur jab thoda mein mumma papa ko track par lati hoon, tabi koi na koi society ke doot aakar kaam begaadte hain." (Who will explain all this to my parents? And just when I get them on the right track, some "messenger of society" comes along and spoils the work.)

Oh well. "Koi nahi, jab debates happen tabi to friction se life evolve hogi... soch badlegi." (No matter, it's only when debates happen that life evolves through friction... perspectives will change.)

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