The first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains and fell gently across Pragya's face.
She stirred.
For a few seconds, she remained still, her eyes closed, enjoying the warmth of the morning.
Then she remembered.
Today.
Today was the day.
Pragya slowly opened her eyes.
Her room looked exactly the same, yet somehow everything felt different.
Her books were still scattered across the study table. Her favourite cushions were still piled carelessly against the headboard. A sketch she had abandoned halfway through still rested near the window.
Everything was familiar.
Everything was home.
But today, she would be leaving it.
Pragya sat up slowly.
Her luggage was already packed.
Two suitcases stood neatly near the door, waiting to be carried downstairs. Her backpack rested beside them, filled with everything she would need for the journey.
She stared at the luggage for a long moment.
A strange mixture of excitement and sadness settled over her.
She was going to Chennai.
She was going to IIT Madras.
She was going to begin the next chapter of her life.
The dream that had once seemed impossibly distant was now only a flight away.
Pragya walked toward her bookshelf.
Her fingers gently brushed over the spines of her favourite books.
“I'm going to miss you,” she whispered, almost laughing at herself.
She picked up one particular book, held it against her chest for a moment, and then carefully placed it inside her backpack.
Of course she was taking a book.
Leaving home without one would have been completely unnatural.
She glanced at the clock.
There was still some time before they had to leave.
Yet her heart was already racing.
She walked toward the mirror.
The girl looking back at her was the same Pragya who had entered the final semester with a hundred uncertainties.
But today she looked different.
A little older.
A little braver.
And perhaps a little more frightened.
She thought of her father.
His tired smile.
The way he had held her the previous night.
Go chase your dream.
She thought of Anubhab.
His teasing.
His protective nature.
The way he had squeezed her hand when she was too nervous to tell their father.
And then she thought of her friends.
Niharika's chaos.
Aarohi's endless drama.
Archismita's quiet strength.
She smiled.
She was going to miss them terribly.
But she wasn't leaving them behind.
She was simply going somewhere else to build something new.
Pragya took a deep breath.
Then another.
“Okay,” she whispered to herself.
“Let's do this.”
She picked up her backpack and looked around her room one last time.
Not goodbye.
Never goodbye.
Just...
See you soon.
With that thought, Pragya opened the door.
Today, she wasn't merely boarding a flight to Chennai.
She was stepping into a future she had fought hard to earn.
A future that frightened her.
A future that excited her.
A future that was finally hers.
And so began the next chapter of Pragya Paromita Banerjee's life.
Her flight was scheduled for 10 a.m.
Tomorrow, her new classes would begin.
A new campus.
A new city.
A completely different chapter of her life.
Pragya checked her luggage for what felt like the hundredth time.
Clothes—packed.
Documents—packed.
Laptop—packed.
Books—packed.
Chargers—packed.
She opened one suitcase again.
Then closed it.
Opened the other.
Checked it again.
She sighed.
“Okay. Everything's there.”
She paused.
“Probably.”
Then, because she didn't trust the word probably, she opened the first suitcase again.
After one final inspection, she finally picked up her backpack and walked downstairs.
The house was unusually quiet.
As she reached the living room, she stopped.
Her father and brother were already there.
Anirban sat on the sofa with a cup of tea in his hands, while Anubhab stood near the window, staring outside.
Pragya didn't need to ask.
She knew.
Neither of them had slept properly.
The tiredness was written plainly across their faces.
Dark circles beneath their eyes.
Quiet expressions.
The kind of silence that only appeared when people had too many thoughts and nowhere to put them.
Pragya stood there for a moment.
Then she smiled softly.
“Good morning.”
Both men looked toward her.
Anubhab immediately tried to brighten his expression.
“Morning, Angel.”
Pragya narrowed her eyes.
“You didn't sleep.”
“I slept.”
“When?”
“Eventually.”
“That's not an answer.”
Anubhab shrugged.
“Neither is your luggage inspection schedule.”
Pragya frowned.
“I was making sure I didn't forget anything.”
“You checked the same suitcase four times.”
“Five.”
Anubhab stared at her.
“You admit it?”
“Of course.”
Anirban chuckled quietly.
For a moment, the heaviness in the room lifted.
Anubhab walked toward her and picked up her backpack.
“Give me that.”
“I can carry it.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you taking it?”
“Because I'm your brother.”
Pragya smiled.
“That logic makes absolutely no sense.”
“It doesn't need to.”
Anirban watched the two of them with a faint smile.
This was how they had always been.
Anubhab teasing her.
Pragya arguing back.
Their little arguments filling the house with life.
But today, there was something different beneath it all.
Anirban looked at the luggage.
“Everything ready?”
Pragya nodded.
“Yes, Papa.”
“Documents?”
“Yes.”
“Admission papers?”
“Yes.”
“ID?”
“Yes.”
“Tickets?”
“Yes.”
Anubhab raised his hand.
“Emergency medicines?”
Pragya stared at him.
“Bhai, I'm going to Chennai, not Antarctica.”
“Answer the question.”
“Yes.”
“Power bank?”
“Yes.”
“Phone charger?”
“Yes.”
“Laptop charger?”
“Yes.”
“Your books?”
Pragya smiled.
“Obviously.”
Anubhab nodded approvingly.
“Good. At least something is more important to you than your brother.”
“You're not more important than my books.”
He looked at Anirban.
“Papa, did you hear that?”
Anirban smiled.
“She has always been like this.”
Pragya laughed.
But the laughter faded when she looked at her father again.
He was trying to smile.
Trying very hard.
And suddenly she noticed how tired he looked.
“Papa…”
He looked at her.
“You didn't sleep either.”
Anirban shook his head gently.
“I slept.”
Anubhab immediately interrupted.
“That's a lie.”
Anirban looked at his son.
“You weren't exactly asleep yourself.”
“I was resting.”
“On the sofa at three in the morning?”
Anubhab shrugged.
“I was thinking.”
Pragya looked between them.
“You two are hopeless.”
Anubhab smiled.
“Maybe.”
Then he reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
“Come here.”
Pragya stepped closer.
He pulled her into a hug.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The morning suddenly felt much too real.
In a few hours, she would be at the airport.
And then she would be gone.
Anirban quietly watched them, his eyes shining with emotions he was trying desperately to conceal.
Pragya noticed.
She walked over and hugged him too.
“Papa…”
He held her tightly.
“I'm going to miss you.”
“I know.”
“Very much.”
“I know, my child.”
She closed her eyes.
For one brief moment, she allowed herself to forget the flight, the university, the new city, the new life.
She was simply her father's little girl again.
But outside, the morning sun continued to rise.
And the clock continued to move.
10 a.m. was getting closer.
And with every passing minute, Pragya's departure became more real.
For a while, the house remained unusually quiet.
The morning sun had climbed higher, spilling golden light through the windows of the Banerjee household. The luggage was already packed and waiting near the entrance. Pragya's boarding pass and documents had been checked several times. Her father had checked them once. Anubhab had checked them twice.
Pragya herself had checked them at least five times.
Yet somehow, nobody was convinced that everything was actually ready.
Anirban sat in the living room, trying to finish his tea while pretending he wasn't constantly looking at the clock.
Anubhab stood near the luggage, checking the bags one last time.
“Passport?”
“Papa, it's a domestic flight,” Pragya replied.
Anirban paused.
“Oh.”
Anubhab immediately laughed.
“Excellent start.”
“Don't laugh at me,” Anirban warned.
Pragya smiled.
“Bhai, Papa is nervous.”
“I know.”
“I am not nervous.”
Anubhab and Pragya exchanged a look.
Neither believed him.
Then—
Ding-dong!
Everyone turned toward the door.
Before anyone could move—
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
Anubhab sighed.
“I know exactly who that is.”
Pragya smiled.
“They've arrived.”
Then came a loud voice from outside.
“PRAGYAAAA! OPEN THE DOOR!”
A second voice immediately followed.
“Why are you screaming? Everyone can hear you!”
“That is the point, Niharika!”
A third voice calmly added,
“Can both of you please behave normally for thirty seconds?”
Aarohi shouted back,
“ARCHI, YOU KNOW THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!”
Anubhab closed his eyes.
“Why did I know this was going to happen?”
Pragya giggled.
“Because you've known them for years.”
“Unfortunately.”
He opened the door.
And the house was immediately attacked.
Aarohi marched inside first, carrying a huge handbag.
“GOOD MORNING, BANERJEE FAMILY!”
Anirban stared at her.
“Good morning, Aarohi.”
Niharika entered behind her.
“Sorry for the noise.”
Anubhab looked at her.
“You were shouting too.”
“I was trying to stop her.”
Archismita entered last, shaking her head.
“I apologize on behalf of all three of us.”
Aarohi turned around.
“Why are you apologizing for me?”
“Because somebody has to.”
Pragya came running toward them.
“You guys!”
Niharika immediately hugged her.
“Don't cry.”
Pragya laughed.
“I haven't even cried!”
“Yet.”
Aarohi joined the hug.
“Come here, future IITian!”
“Stop squeezing me!”
“No.”
“I'm serious!”
“You're leaving us!”
“I am going to Chennai, not Mars!”
“Same emotional impact.”
Archismita laughed and finally joined them.
Anubhab watched the four girls hugging and shook his head.
“You've been here for thirty seconds and already caused a traffic jam.”
Aarohi released Pragya and looked at him.
“Bhai, we're here to support your sister.”
“Support?”
“Yes.”
“You nearly broke my doorbell.”
“It survived.”
“Barely.”
Pragya laughed.
“Come on. Everyone have breakfast.”
Aarohi immediately raised her hand.
“I vote for breakfast.”
Niharika looked at her.
“You vote for food every time.”
“Because I am a woman of priorities.”
The dining table soon became crowded.
Anirban insisted everyone eat properly before leaving.
“Pragya, eat more.”
“I am eating.”
“That is barely anything.”
“Papa, I'm not hungry.”
“You have a flight.”
“I know.”
“Then eat.”
Anubhab quietly pushed another piece of food toward her.
“Listen to Papa.”
Pragya stared at him.
“You're both teaming up against me.”
“Yes,” Anubhab said calmly.
Aarohi immediately pointed at him.
“See? This is why I like you.”
Anubhab looked at her.
“That's unfortunate.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't remember approving the friendship.”
Aarohi looked at Pragya.
“Your brother is becoming increasingly rude.”
“He was always like this.”
“Then why did you never warn me?”
“I assumed you would figure it out.”
Niharika burst out laughing.
Aarohi looked betrayed.
“I'm surrounded by traitors.”
Archismita quietly continued eating.
Aarohi pointed at her.
“And you!”
Archismita looked up.
“What?”
“You're not defending me.”
“I've learned that defending you only encourages you.”
“Unbelievable.”
Anirban smiled as he watched them.
The house was noisy again.
The way it always used to be when Pragya's friends were around.
And perhaps that was exactly what he needed.
Because every time he looked at the packed luggage near the door, reality hit him again.
His daughter was leaving.
Not forever.
He knew that.
But still, the thought of her waking up in another city, studying in a hostel or accommodation far from home, eating meals without him reminding her to eat properly...
It hurt.
He tried not to let it show.
But Pragya noticed.
She always noticed.
She reached across the table and quietly held his hand.
Anirban looked at her.
She smiled.
“I'll be fine, Papa.”
He squeezed her fingers.
“I know.”
Aarohi suddenly looked between them.
“Why are you two being emotional?”
Pragya immediately withdrew her hand.
“We aren't.”
“You definitely were.”
Niharika leaned toward Aarohi.
“Let them have their moment.”
Aarohi nodded.
“Fine.”
A beat passed.
Then she added,
“But if anyone starts crying, I want warning.”
Everyone laughed.
After breakfast, everyone moved toward the entrance.
And then began the final luggage inspection.
Pragya stood beside her suitcases.
“Okay. Let's check everything once.”
Anubhab stared at her.
“Again?”
“Yes.”
“You checked everything upstairs.”
“I know.”
“Then why are we checking again?”
“Because what if I forgot something?”
Aarohi immediately opened one suitcase.
“Let's see.”
Pragya gasped.
“Don't open that!”
Aarohi froze.
“Why?”
“Because it's packed!”
“That's not an answer.”
“Just don't touch it.”
Niharika laughed.
“She has become protective of her luggage.”
Archismita nodded.
“She has checked those bags more times than I've checked my own life decisions.”
Pragya ignored them.
“Documents?”
Anirban answered, “Yes.”
“Admission letter?”
“Yes.”
“Laptop?”
Anubhab said, “Yes.”
“Chargers?”
“Yes.”
“Books?”
Aarohi immediately answered, “Of course.”
Pragya looked at her.
“How do you know?”
“Because you're Pragya.”
Everyone laughed.
Aarohi then pulled out a tiny notebook from her handbag.
“I brought this for you.”
Pragya looked surprised.
“What is it?”
“A survival manual.”
Pragya opened it.
The first page read:
RULES FOR SURVIVING IIT MADRAS WITHOUT US
Pragya burst out laughing.
“You actually made this?”
“Obviously.”
She turned the page.
Rule number one:
Never forget us.
Rule number two:
Call regularly.
Rule number three:
Don't become too intelligent and start ignoring us.
Rule number four:
If you become famous, remember who bullied you first.
Pragya laughed so hard that tears appeared in her eyes.
“You're ridiculous.”
Aarohi smiled.
“You'll miss me.”
“I already do.”
Aarohi's smile softened.
For a second, neither of them said anything.
Then Niharika ruined the moment.
“Okay, enough emotional nonsense. Someone help with this suitcase.”
Everyone laughed again.
Anubhab picked up one suitcase.
“I'll take this.”
Niharika grabbed another.
“I've got this.”
Aarohi grabbed the smallest one.
“I'll take this.”
Pragya frowned.
“I can carry my own luggage.”
All three immediately replied,
“No.”
She looked at them.
“Why?”
Aarohi smiled.
“Because today you're the VIP.”
Anubhab added,
“And because if you carry everything yourself, Papa will blame me.”
Anirban nodded.
“Correct.”
Pragya threw her hands up.
“Fine!”
Finally, the bags were loaded into the cars.
Anirban stood at the entrance for a moment, looking at his home.
Pragya noticed.
“Papa?”
He looked at her.
“Ready?”
He gave a small smile.
“As ready as a father can be.”
Pragya walked toward him and hugged him.
Anirban wrapped his arms around her.
“Take care of yourself.”
“I will.”
“Eat properly.”
“I will.”
“Don't skip meals because you're studying.”
“Okay.”
“Don't stay awake all night reading.”
Pragya looked guilty.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because I know you.”
Aarohi called from behind them.
“Uncle, please add one more rule!”
Anirban looked over.
“What?”
“Tell her not to read until three in the morning!”
Pragya glared at her.
“Traitor!”
Niharika laughed.
“She's right.”
Archismita nodded.
“Absolutely.”
Anubhab picked up Pragya's backpack.
“Don't worry, Angel. I'll make sure she doesn't become nocturnal.”
Pragya looked at him.
“You're enjoying this.”
“Very much.”
Anirban smiled.
The laughter made the departure a little easier.
Finally, everyone got into the cars.
Pragya sat beside Anubhab.
Her father sat beside her in the back.
Her friends followed in the other car.
As the car began moving, Pragya turned around.
Her house slowly disappeared behind them.
She watched it through the window until it was no longer visible.
Her heart tightened.
This was real.
She was actually leaving.
But then Anubhab's voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Angel?”
“Hmm?”
“You're crying.”
“No, I'm not.”
“You are.”
“It's the sunlight.”
Anirban smiled.
“Of course.”
From the other car, Aarohi called through the open window,
“PRAGYA! DON'T CRY WITHOUT ME!”
Pragya laughed through her tears.
“YOU'RE SO DRAMATIC!”
“AND YOU LOVE ME!”
“I KNOW!”
The cars continued toward the airport.
For once, nobody complained about the traffic.
Nobody complained about the early morning.
Nobody cared about the distance.
They were simply together.
One family.
Four friends.
One girl chasing a dream.
And a journey that would take her far from home—but never truly away from it.
As the airport slowly came into view, Pragya took a deep breath.
Tomorrow, her classes would begin.
Today, she was saying goodbye.
Not forever.
Just for now.
Her next chapter had finally begun.
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