The Desai house was quiet yet grand, filled with the soft hum of a city estate. Mukul followed Shreya into the living room, still adjusting to the overwhelming feeling of finally being with his family. Shreya's eyes sparkled as she pulled out her phone.
"First things first, little brother," she said teasingly, "let's take a selfie." Mukul blinked, slightly embarrassed, but allowed her to pull him close. The camera clicked, capturing their first moment together in years.
Shreya grinned at the photo and then tapped on her phone. "Now, I have to show you the rest of the family," she said, holding the phone like a deck of cards. "I'll introduce them one by one. You'll meet them all eventually, but this way you'll know who's who."
Mukul watched quietly, fascinated. Shreya first showed him a photo of their eldest sister, Aarohi Desai, a tall woman in her early thirties, her posture disciplined, her uniform crisp. "This is Aarohi," Shreya said. "She's in the army, Special Forces. Absolute perfection in combat, strategy, and martial arts. You'll learn not to mess with her."
Next came a picture of Sanya Desai, wearing a surgical coat and mask, standing in an operating room. "Sanya is our second sister. The best surgeon in all medical fields. If it's humanly possible to save someone, she can."
Shreya then pointed to herself in the photo, smiling confidently. "And I'm the third — Shreya Desai. CEO of the Desai Group, good at stock trading, finance, and business management. One day, I'll be the chairperson of the group. But don't worry, I'm also trained in martial arts. I'll protect you, Mukul."
Mukul nodded, a mix of awe and relief in his chest. Shreya continued flipping through the pictures.
"This is Ishita Desai — our fourth sister. She's a singer, dancer, and actor. Performs on stage and in movies and travels all over the world. Beautiful, graceful, and fierce in martial arts. Don't let her charm fool you; she can fight too."
The next photo showed a girl in a chef's uniform, surrounded by computer screens. "That's Ritika Desai, fifth sister. Raw chef and… the second-best hacker in the world. Don't even try to sneak anything past her; she'll know before you even blink."
Shreya scrolled further. "Then there's Ananya Desai — sixth sister. Designer of everything you can imagine — architecture, weapons, clothes, jewellery, vehicles, even aeroplanes. Brilliant mind and expert in combat skills."
The last sister was shown in a marine setting, surrounded by aquatic equipment. "And this is Kiara Desai, seventh sister. Marine biologist, environmentalist, and chief of staff in the Navy. Martial arts trained, and she can navigate both land and sea better than anyone."
Mukul listened, absorbing every detail. His sisters were remarkably strong, intelligent, and skilled in multiple fields. Each had their own path, yet all shared the family's dedication to martial arts and excellence.
Shreya smiled at him. "Oh, and before you forget, our parents and grandparents." She showed him a family picture. "Father, Raghav Desai, is a high-ranking government officer. Mother, Nandni Desai, is a businesswoman with an iron mind and a kind heart. Grandfather, Dinesh Desai, was a strategist in the army. Grandmother, Kamini Desai, is retired but an expert in traditional medicine and cultivation. Together, they raised us to be strong and capable in everything — business, combat, knowledge."
Mukul's mind was spinning. These were not ordinary people; this was a family that could rival kingdoms. But despite the awe, he felt warmth. For the first time, he wasn't alone.
Shreya reached out and ruffled his hair, teasingly like she did when he was a child. "Mukul, you don't have to be afraid. I will protect you. Always. No matter what comes, you have me on your side."
Mukul smiled faintly, his chest tightening with emotion. "I… I'm glad," he said quietly. "I've waited for this moment for so long."
Shreya laughed softly. "Of course you have. And now, you have all of us. But remember, Mukul, you're still my little brother. I may tease you, but I will always keep you safe."
For a while, Mukul simply watched Shreya and the photos of his sisters, feeling the warmth of a family he had never known. Each sister was extraordinary in her own way, but together, they formed a force — a network of strength, intelligence, and care that made Mukul feel secure for the first time.
The city outside hummed with life, but inside the Desai house, Mukul finally felt at home. He had ambition, cultivation, and knowledge, yes. But now, with his family around him, he realised that the true power was the bond he shared with them — a bond that would guide him as he prepared for the challenges ahead.
Shreya stood beside him, smiling, a protective hand on his shoulder. "Come on, little brother. Let's get you settled in. The house is big enough for you to start building your path."
Mukul turned to look at the sprawling estate once more. Marble floors gleamed under chandeliers, large windows opened to landscaped gardens, and the interiors radiated elegance mixed with warmth. His heart swelled. This was more than a home — it was a foundation for everything he had dreamed of.
For the first time in ten years, Mukul felt complete. Not just with knowledge, power, or cultivation, but with family.