Planning the vacation

Summer vacations had just begun, and the excitement was at its peak. Khushi, a bright-eyed and curious 8-year-old, was playing hide and seek with her sister Kashish, 10, in their garden.

Arnav, their 10-year-old neighbor burst into the garden, holding a colorful box. "I brought some awesome chocolates!" He held out the box, revealing an assortment of chocolates with vibrant wrappers.

Kashish's eyes widened as she grabbed a chocolate and began munching on it. "Mmm, these look delicious!" She forgot all about guiding Khushi, who was still seeking her with her eyes blindfolded.

Just as Khushi was about to step into a pit dug by the servant to plant a sapling, Arnav rushed to her side. "Careful Khushi!" He gently helped her avoid the pit and untied her blindfold. "I got chocolates!" he exclaimed, holding out the box.

Khushi's eyes sparkled as she saw the chocolates. "Wow, Arnav! Where did you get these?" she asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

Kashish, still munching on the chocolates, looked up with a hint of guilt in her eyes. "Arnav, thanks for the chocolates," she said, trying to sound casual.

Arnav smiled and handed Khushi a chocolate. "My dad brought them from the London. I thought you guys would like them."

Khushi's face lit up as she took a bite of the chocolate. "Mmm, this is so yummy!" she exclaimed.

Kashish, still looking guilty, tried to change the subject. "Hey, let's play something else. I'm bored with hide and seek."

Arnav looked at Khushi, who was still enjoying her chocolate. "What do you want to play, Khushi?" he asked.

Khushi's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Let's play cricket!"

Kashish rolled her eyes. "Cricket is boring, Khushi. And only three people can't play cricket."

Khushi's face fell, but Arnav quickly intervened. "That's okay, Kashish. We can play a modified version of cricket. I'll bat, and Khushi can be the bowler. You can be the fielder."

Kashish raised an eyebrow. "Fine, but if I get bored, I'm leaving."

Khushi's face lit up again. "Yay! Let's start playing!"

As they began to play, Arnav couldn't help but notice the contrast between the two sisters. Khushi was carefree and enthusiastic, while Kashish seemed sulky and disinterested.

After a while, Kashish called out, "I'm no more interested. I need to select dresses for the vacation" She walked away, leaving Khushi and Arnav to continue playing.

Khushi's face fell as Kashish walked away. Arnav noticed Khushi's disappointment and tried to reassure her. "Hey, don't worry, Khushi. We can play again when we get back from vacation."

Khushi's face brightened slightly. "Yeah... and we'll have lots of fun on vacation!"

Arnav smiled. "Definitely. I'm looking forward to it."

As they packed up the cricket gear, Khushi couldn't help but feel a little left out. Kashish always seemed to get her way, and Khushi often felt like she was living in her sister's shadow.

Khushi sat on the floor, surrounded by suitcases, bags, and travel gear. Her mother, Nalini, was busy packing clothes and accessories, while Khushi was in charge of packing snacks and essentials.

Khushi's eyes sparkled with excitement as she carefully placed packets of chips, cookies, and dried fruits into the suitcase. She couldn't wait to embark on their 2-week adventure.

"Ma, can I ask you something?" Khushi looked up at her mother with a mischievous grin.

Nalini smiled and put down the clothes. "Of course, What's on your mind?"

Khushi's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Do you think we'll have lots of fun on this trip?"

Nalini's face lit up with a warm smile. "I'm sure we will, Khushi. We'll spend quality time together as a family, and make lots of wonderful memories."

Khushi nodded enthusiastically. "I'm so excited, Ma! I just know this is going to be the best vacation ever!"

Kashish lay on the couch, flipping through the pages of Tinkle kids magzine. She was surrounded by piles of clothes, shoes, and accessories, but she seemed completely uninterested in helping with the packing.

Her mother, Nalini, entered the room with a suitcase and began packing Kashish's clothes. "Kashish, beta, please help me pack your things," Nalini said, trying to encourage Kashish to participate.

Kashish sighed and rolled her eyes. "Ma, do I have to? Can't you just do it yourself? I am still a small girl"

Nalini smiled patiently. "Kashish, you need to learn how to pack and take care of yourself. Besides, it's fun to help with the preparations."

Kashish raised an eyebrow. "Fun? You think packing is fun?" She shook her head and went back to flipping through the magazine.

Nalini chuckled and continued packing Kashish's clothes. "Well, maybe not fun, but it's necessary. Khushi is younger than you and see, she is helping me."

Kashish's eyes narrowed as she looked at Khushi, who was quietly helping Nalini pack. "Khushi's always trying to please everyone," Kashish muttered under her breath, shrugged and continued to flip through the magazine, clearly uninterested in helping with the packing.

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Raj sat at the dining table, his eyes scanning the maps and brochures spread out before him. He was determined to make this vacation perfect for his family.

As he pored over the travel documents, he made notes and checked off items on his to-do list. He had already booked their flights, accommodations, and tickets to Disneyland.

Nalini entered the room, a cup of coffee in hand. "Raj, how's the planning going?" she asked, setting the coffee down in front of him.

Raj looked up, a smile on his face. "It's going great. I've planned a whole day at Disneyland, and we'll also visit some nearby places like Universal Studios and the beach."

As they chatted, Khushi and Kashish wandered into the room, curious about the maps and brochures. "Daddy, can we see the list of places?" Khushi asked, her eyes shining with excitement.

Raj smiled and handed her a copy of the itinerary. "Here you go, beta. Take a look."

Kashish raised an eyebrow as she scanned the itinerary. "Daddy, do we have to go to so many kiddie places?"

Raj chuckled. "Kiddie places? Do you think you're all grown up?" He teased Kashish, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Kashish rolled her eyes. "Daddy, I'm 10 years old! and I dont like Disneyland"

Raj laughed. "Well, in that case, Miss 10 year old, you'll just have to tolerate the 'Disneyland' for the sake of your little sister."

Kashish show her disappointment "Yeah, she is priority"

Raj's expression turned serious as he saw the disappointment on Kashish's face. "Kashish, beta, that's not fair. You know Khushi looks up to you, and it's nice of you to consider her feelings."

Kashish crossed her arms, her expression unyielding. "Why should I always adjust for her? Why can't she adjust for me for once?"

Nalini stepped in, placing a gentle hand on Kashish's arm. "Kashish, sweetie, it's not about always adjusting for Khushi. It's about being considerate of each other's feelings. You're the elder sister, and it's nice of you to set a good example."

Kashish sighed, looking unconvinced. "I guess so."

Khushi, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. "Didi, you choose any place. I am all ok."

Kashish looked at Khushi, a scowl on her face. "Why would I want to choose a place just because you're willing to go along with it, Khushi?"

Khushi's face fell, but she tried to sound cheerful. "I just thought it would be nice, didi. We could have fun together."

Kashish snorted. "Fun together? You're always so annoying, Khushi. I don't want to spend my vacation with you."

Raj and Nalini exchanged a concerned glance. "Kashish, that's not very nice," Nalini said gently. "We're all going on this vacation together, and we should try to have fun as a family."

Kashish crossed her arms, looking sulky. "I don't care. I'm only going on this vacation because I have to."

Khushi looked down, trying to hide her hurt feelings. Raj and Nalini exchanged a worried glance, knowing that Kashish's behavior towards Khushi was a problem that needed to be addressed.

Arnav would often drop by the house with his parents, Arvind and Ratna. Arvind, a close friend of Raj's, would often discuss the vacation plans with Raj, while Ratna would chat with Nalini about the latest gossip and recipes.

Arnav would often hang out with Kashish, who was his age, but their interactions were limited to casual conversations about school and friends. Kashish didn't seem too enthusiastic about Arnav's company, but Arnav didn't seem to mind.

Meanwhile, Khushi, who was two years younger, would often follow Arnav around the house, looking up to him with wide eyes. Arnav would patiently answer her questions and play with her, making sure she felt included.