"The people who love you don't just ask if you've eaten—they make sure you do."

Sunday mornings at Rathore Mansion were unlike any other day of the week.

There were no hurried breakfasts.

No rushing to school.

No office meetings before sunrise.

The entire mansion seemed to wake up a little slower.

The gardens glistened with fresh dew.

Birds chirped outside the windows.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the hallways.

Aadhya woke up earlier than everyone else.

Old habits still hadn't completely left her.

She quietly folded her blanket, made her bed, and stepped out of her room.

As she walked downstairs, she expected the kitchen to be empty.

Instead...

She heard the soft sizzle of butter on a pan.

Curious, she peeked inside.

Rudransh stood at the kitchen counter wearing a simple grey T-shirt and an apron that read—

"Trust Me, I'm a Doctor."

Aadhya smiled.

"You cook?"

He turned around and chuckled.

"Sometimes."

"When I get Sundays off."

She stepped inside.

"It smells really nice."

"Thank you."

On the counter lay neatly arranged ingredients.

Flour.

Eggs.

Fresh fruits.

Bread.

Cheese.

Butter.

Vegetables.

A bowl of pancake batter.

Several cups waiting for tea.

Everything was perfectly organized.

"You planned all this?"

Rudransh nodded.

"Family breakfast."

"My favorite Sunday tradition."

Aadhya hesitated for a moment before asking softly,

"...Can I help?"

He smiled immediately.

"I was hoping you'd ask."

Her face brightened.

"What should I do?"

He pointed toward the vegetables.

"You can help me prepare the sandwiches."

She nodded enthusiastically.

"I can do that."

Soon...

The kitchen became filled with cheerful conversation.

Rudransh poured pancake batter onto the hot pan.

Aadhya carefully spread butter over slices of bread.

She chopped tomatoes and cucumbers with surprising precision.

Rudransh noticed.

"You're good at this."

She smiled faintly.

"I've cooked since I was little."

The words slipped out before she realized what she'd said.

For a brief second...

Silence settled between them.

Rudransh understood.

Not because she'd wanted to.

Because she'd had to.

He didn't ask any questions.

Instead, he gently changed the topic.

"So..."

"Which subject do you enjoy the most?"

Aadhya relaxed again.

"English."

"And Art."

"I like stories."

He smiled.

"I should've guessed."

"What about you?"

She asked while arranging sandwiches on a plate.

"Medicine?"

Rudransh laughed softly.

"I do love being a doctor."

"But..."

He carefully flipped another pancake.

"...I also love cooking."

She looked surprised.

"Really?"

He nodded.

"Cooking and medicine have something in common."

"How?"

"They both take care of people."

Aadhya thought about that for a moment.

Then smiled.

"I never looked at it that way."

By the time the pancakes were ready...

The tea had finished brewing.

Fresh fruit had been sliced.

The sandwiches looked perfectly arranged.

The dining table smelled wonderful.

One by one...

The family began wandering downstairs.

Vihaan yawned loudly.

"Something smells amazing."

Advik dramatically sniffed the air.

"I detect pancakes."

Vivaan rushed straight into the kitchen.

"Are they ready?"

Rudransh laughed.

"Almost."

Aadhya automatically picked up the serving tray.

"I'll serve everyone."

It happened naturally.

Without thinking.

Just as she had done for years.

She placed pancakes onto Aryaveer's plate.

Then Vikram's.

Then Vihaan's.

Then Advik's.

Then Vivaan's.

She reached for another plate—

Only to feel someone gently stop her.

She looked up.

It was Rudransh.

He smiled warmly.

Then quietly took a fresh plate.

He placed two pancakes on it.

Added fresh fruit.

A sandwich.

And a cup of tea.

Finally...

He handed the plate to her.

"No."

She looked confused.

"Hm?"

"You eat first today."

She immediately shook her head.

"I'll eat after everyone finishes."

Rudransh gently shook his head.

"Not in this house."

She looked uncertain.

"But..."

He smiled.

"Breakfast tastes better when it's warm."

"And my little sister deserves warm breakfast too."

The dining room became completely quiet.

Everyone watched.

Not because of the food.

But because they knew exactly what this small moment meant.

For years...

She had always eaten last.

Today...

Someone had placed her plate first.

Aadhya slowly accepted it.

"...Thank you."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

She sat down.

Still feeling a little awkward.

Vikram smiled proudly.

"That's better."

Aryaveer nodded approvingly.

"This is exactly how it should be."

Vihaan grinned.

"If anyone eats last today..."

"It's Advik."

"What?"

Advik looked horrified.

"I object."

Vivaan laughed.

"I support the motion."

Everyone laughed together.

Even Veeransh quietly hid a smile behind his tea cup.

After breakfast...

Most of the family wandered into the garden.

But Aadhya stayed behind to help clear the kitchen.

Rudransh joined her.

"You don't have to."

"I know."

She smiled.

"But I want to."

Together...

They washed dishes while continuing their conversation.

"So..."

Rudransh asked,

"What do you want to become?"

Aadhya rinsed a plate thoughtfully.

"I don't know yet."

"I love drawing."

"I love reading."

"And..."

She smiled shyly.

"I think I'd like to help children someday."

He looked at her with quiet admiration.

"Why children?"

She paused.

Then answered honestly,

"Because every child deserves someone who believes in them."

Rudransh didn't speak immediately.

Instead...

He smiled.

"I think you'd be wonderful."

"What about you?"

She asked.

"Did you always want to become a doctor?"

He nodded.

"Ever since Mom got sick."

"I couldn't help her."

"But maybe..."

He dried another plate.

"...I could help someone else's family."

Aadhya looked at him with new understanding.

"I'm sure you've helped many."

He smiled softly.

"I hope so."

After the dishes were finished...

The two siblings stepped out into the garden.

The morning breeze felt cool against their faces.

The rest of the family was already laughing over a game of cricket.

Vivaan waved excitedly.

"Munchkin!"

"No..."

He corrected himself dramatically.

"I mean Twinny!"

Advik shouted from the other side of the lawn.

"She's Munchkin first!"

The two immediately began arguing.

Aadhya laughed.

Rudransh looked at her.

"You know..."

"What?"

"I haven't seen you smile this much before."

She looked toward the family playing together.

Then quietly admitted,

"I never knew mornings could feel like this."

He gently patted her head.

"Get used to it."

"This is every Sunday."

She smiled.

"I think..."

"I'll like Sundays."

As the siblings walked toward the rest of the family...

Neither of them realized how much their bond had grown that morning.

It hadn't happened through grand promises.

Or dramatic moments.

It had happened over pancakes.

Tea.

Simple conversations.

And one plate served with love.

Sometimes...

The strongest relationships were built in the quietest moments.

To Be Continued...