The warm golden glow of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft light across the room. Four-year-old Roshni lay curled up on her small bed, her dark curls spread over her pillow. A gentle hand caressed her head, and a soft voice broke the serene silence.

"Meri gudiya, meri bachi, uth jao. Dekho, good morning ho gayi," Ashwini Singhania cooed, her tone dripping with maternal affection.

Roshni whimpered, her tiny body burrowing deeper into the blanket as she mumbled in a sleepy voice, "Mumma… oo sweppy."

Ashwini chuckled, shaking her head at her little one’s antics. "Acha, sweppy ho? Abhi uthati hoon tumhe," she teased, lowering her face to Roshni's tummy. She gently rubbed her nose against it, causing a burst of giggles to escape from the little girl.

"Mumma! Tickly!" Roshni squealed, trying to wiggle away but laughing uncontrollably.

Her giggles filled the room, and Ashwini couldn’t help but laugh along. She pulled her daughter upright, planting a kiss on her cheeks and forehead. "Ab chalo, hani hani (bath) kar le," she said, scooping Roshni up into her arms.

A while later, Ashwini carried a freshly bathed Roshni downstairs. The scent of lavender soap clung to her soft skin, and her damp curls bounced as she clung to her mother’s neck. The living room was already alive with laughter. Aman, Roshni’s ten-year-old brother, and Kaira, her six-year-old sister, were playfully chasing each other around the sofa.

The moment they spotted their little sister, they broke into delighted squeals.

"Roshni!" Aman exclaimed, rushing toward her.

Kaira wasn’t far behind. "No, Aman Bhaiya! Mummy, let her down! I want to play with her!"

Before Ashwini could even respond, Aman had snatched Roshni from her arms and spun her around. "Meri Roshni hai! Tum baad mein khelna," he teased, making the little girl laugh with joy.

kaira, not one to back down, started tugging on Roshni’s hand. "Nai! Bhaiya, meri turn hai! Tum hamesha le lete ho!"

The playful bickering filled the house with warmth, as Roshni squealed in delight, caught in the middle of her siblings’ tug-of-war.

Ashwini watched the scene with a soft smile, her heart swelling with pride and joy. Her husband, Aditya, entered the room, pausing to take in the sight. His children’s laughter was music to his ears, and his gaze shifted to Ashwini, who stood beside him.

Reaching out, he took her hand in his and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Main tumhare bina kuch nahi hoon, Ashwini. Tumne mujhe sab kuch diya hai. I am so blessed to have you in my life. I love you."

Ashwini closed her eyes, letting the warmth of his words wrap around her like a comforting embrace. A smile played on her lips as she leaned into him, her eyes still fixed on their children.

The Singhania family was living a dream. Their home was filled with love, laughter, and warmth—a perfect fairytale. Unbeknownst to them, a storm was looming on the horizon, waiting to shatter their blissful bubble.

Roshni, now six years old, was as lively as ever. Her elder sister, Kaira, was eight, and her brother, Aman, had stepped into his teenage years at twelve. The children were growing up surrounded by love, their mother, Ashwini, being the epitome of care, and their father, Aditya, ensuring they wanted for nothing.

It was a sunny day, one meant for laughter and joy. Aditya was away on a business trip, so Ashwini decided to spend the day at the amusement park with her children. They piled into the car, the kids bubbling with excitement. Roshni sat in the backseat with Kaira, giggling over a silly song they had made up, while Aman occupied the passenger seat, feeling slightly more grown-up.

The car was filled with their laughter and Ashwini’s occasional chuckles as she joined in on the singing. The day was perfect, almost too perfect.

As they reached the amusement park, Roshni’s excitement reached its peak. Her tiny hands clapped, and she bounced on her feet, practically dragging Kaira toward the entrance. Aman teased her about being too eager, but he couldn’t hide his own excitement.

Inside, they rode every ride they could, played games, and shared cotton candy. Ashwini’s heart swelled as she watched her children’s joy. Hours passed like minutes, and the sun started to dip low in the sky.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the amusement park in warm hues, the Singhania family stood near the exit. It had been a day filled with laughter and endless rides, but now it was time to head home.

Roshni, however, had other plans. She planted herself firmly on the ground, her tiny legs thumping against the pavement as she wailed loudly. "Mujhe ice cream chahiye, Mumma! Mujhe abhi chahiye!"

Ashwini crouched down, trying to reason with her youngest. "Roshni, gudiya, ghar chalenge tab khayenge, abhi late ho raha hai," she said, her voice soothing yet firm.

But Roshni wasn’t having any of it. She scrunched up her face, fat tears rolling down her cheeks as she cried even louder. "Mujhe abhi chahiye, Mumma! Nahi toh main nahi chalungi!" she declared, crossing her little arms in defiance.

Ashwini looked at her stubborn little girl, who was now sitting on the ground, refusing to budge. She let out an exasperated sigh before giving in with a small smile.

"Theek hai, theek hai! Mumma la rahi hai ice cream," she said, shaking her head. "Par ek shart hai—rona bandh karna padega."

Roshni’s tears stopped almost instantly, and she sniffled dramatically before nodding. "Maine nahi roungi, Mumma," she promised, her big eyes filled with hope.

Ashwini chuckled and kissed her on the forehead. "Good girl. Didi aur Bhaiya ke saath yahan ruko. Mumma abhi ice cream leke aati hai. Aur haan, jab tak Mumma na aaye, tab tak rona bilkul nahi, samjhi?"

Roshni nodded, her tiny face lighting up at the promise of her favorite vanilla ice cream.

Ashwini straightened up and walked toward the ice cream stall, her heart warmed by her daughter’s antics despite the exhaustion of the day. She carefully selected their favorites—vanilla for Roshni, chocolate for Kaira, and butterscotch for Aman.

She turned to glance back at her children, a soft smile spreading across her face as she watched Aman and Kaira playfully bicker near the bench. Her heart swelled with pride and love as she raised the cones triumphantly, ready to bring smiles to their faces again.

But in that split second, Ashwini didn’t notice the speeding truck veering off the road, its driver struggling to regain control. By the time she realized, it was too late.

Her children’s laughter turned into screams as the world shifted, their mother lying motionless on the asphalt, surrounded by a pool of blood.