2nd Week of July – Thursday
Morning – 5:00 AM, Nandanpur
The alarm buzzed like a nagging fly.
Sunita stirred from her bed and called out, "Ishanvi, wake everyone up. It's already five."
In the other room, Ishanvi sat up groggily, brushing her hair back. "Raghav, Vivaan, up!"
From the kitchen, Rajesh yelled, "Breakfast will be ready in ten! Don't forget your tiffins."
In the Sharma household next door, Vikram was already ironing Abhay's shirt.
"Beta, don't forget your ID today," Vikram reminded, while Neha zipped up Aariv's bag.
"Already packed, Mumma!" Aariv beamed.
"Already packed, Mumma!" Aariv beamed.
Abhay filled a flask with chai for Neha. "You barely slept last night. At least take this."
Neha looked at him and smiled. "You're becoming just like your dad."
Outside, the scooters stood ready — lined up like early warriors. Ishanvi took her usual seat, checking the helmets. "Vivaan, raincoat!"
"I'm not a baby!"
"You'll be a soaked one if you don't listen," Raghav mumbled, yawning.
"Helmet, Aariv," Abhay reminded, handing him one. "If you break your head, I'm not buying a new one."
They all burst out laughing. The engines roared to life, and off they rode — twenty kilometers from Nandanpur to Devgarh.
Devgarh School – 6:00 AM
The campus smelled of wet leaves and sleepy books.
Inside the classroom, Simran was already seated, flipping pages. Meera stumbled in, slightly out of breath.
"You okay?" Simran asked, softer now.
"Yeah, didn't fall this time," Meera replied, brushing her wet fringe aside.
"I brought an extra pen," Simran said, placing it on Meera's desk casually.
Meera blinked. "Thanks…"
Simran just nodded.
As the class began, a few sleepy heads drooped onto notebooks. But the eight kids kept alert — this was the scholarship path, and they were all sprinting toward it.
Afternoon – At Home
Back in Nandanpur, both families shared lunch.
"I got full marks in maths," Vivaan chirped.
"Beta, that's great!" Sunita said, pinching his cheeks.
"Meera got praised by her teacher," Neha added, kissing her daughter's head.
Rajesh leaned back. "Abhay, how's history prep going?"
"Good… I'm revising everyday."
Vikram nodded proudly. "Discipline and consistency — you're doing fine."
Evening – Devgarh Temple Visit (Post School)
Their Thursday routine remained sacred.
At 5:30 PM, they reached the foot of Devgarh Hill. Even though it had rained earlier, the air now held the smell of wet stone and incense. The eight removed their shoes and climbed barefoot.
Simran had tagged along this time. "I wanted to see this place you all talk about."
"It's peaceful," Vaidehi said, smiling.
Inside the temple, flickering oil lamps painted golden halos on the stone walls. Bells chimed gently in the breeze.
Abhay lit a diya, and Ishanvi gently shielded the flame with her hand, their fingers brushing.
Vivaan whispered, "Firefly and Ripple again."
Raghav grinned. "Drama episode 79: temple edition."
"Bhaiya," Meera said with a smirk, leaning toward Abhay, "stop staring — your future biwi's right there."
Abhay choked, "W-What— I wasn't— M-Meera!"
Ishanvi turned, blinking hard. "You all really want your homework lost in flames, huh?"
Simran added, amused, "Should we start calling them Mr. Ripple and Miss Firefly officially?"
The whole group laughed.
As they exited the temple, Abhay noticed a girl — a tourist — struggling with a bag of offerings.
Without thinking, he stepped forward. "I can help you."
"Thank you, bhaiya," she smiled gratefully.
Behind them, Ishanvi crossed her arms.
"Uh-oh," whispered Vaidehi to Vrinda. "Our firefly's about to become wildfire."
Return to Nandanpur – Nightfall
As the sky deepened to indigo, stars twinkling above the road, the kids mounted their scooters.
Simran waved goodbye from Devgarh. "See you at class tomorrow!"
When only Abhay and Ishanvi were left, he asked, "You okay?"
"I'm always okay," she said, avoiding his eyes.
"You were… a little off when I helped that girl."
"You were being all gentleman."
"She needed help."
"She had arms."
Abhay looked at her, gently. "You don't like it?"
"I didn't say that."
He smiled faintly. "Then maybe you're a little stupid too."
She finally smiled back. "Fine. But you're still my Ripple."
"And you're my Firefly."
They drove through the quiet road home — the fire and water that somehow kept each other burning steady.