Part 1: The Night of the Festival

Bro, should I wear this or that? Indian look or fancy?” Ishaan held up two outfits like a man on trial.

Aaron smirked while buttoning his kurta. “Never seen you panic over clothes before. Estella must’ve really shaken you up.”

“You’re one to talk,” Ishaan fired back. “What happened to the guy who’d hide indoors on Diwali instead of celebrating?”

Aaron stiffened slightly. “It’s… different this time.”

Ishaan leaned closer, grin widening. “Right. Different because you’re hoping a certain someone asks you to dance—”

*Smack.*

“Just get ready before I use my slipper next,” Aaron snapped, flustered.

Both of them took a whole 20 minutes to get ready, and before they were about to leave, a knock came on their door.

“Boys, I see you are all ready, and OH MY! MY! Is it Aaron? My God, I didn't know it was such a good stylist,” claimed their Mrs.Sen, who looked much better than the first day.

“And look at you, Ishaan, huh, so well prepared, never thought I would see you in anything expect of flashy shirts and shorts," commented Mr.Sen

“Come on, guys, we can obviously dress when needed,” both of them said the same thing, being flustered.

“Maybe we should call the girls for some tea, what do you say?” suggested Mr. Sen

“Ya, true we should thank them for bringing our outfashioned sons into fashion, only if we could go today, sadly we are still in need of some recovery, anyways do bring those girls sometime”, with a tint of teasing, suggested their mother.

“Oh god, please help us” Both of them looked worried, knowing their parents really meant every word, even though it came as a tease.

Escaping their parents’ relentless teasing, the brothers hurried out before another “marriage joke” could land, stepping straight into the pulsing heart of the festival. The street was already alive with music and lantern light, crowds spilling into every corner, the air rich with the scent of roasted spices and sweet jaggery.

Aaron adjusted his kurta, still flustered from Ishaan’s earlier taunts, while Ishaan craned his neck impatiently above the sea of people, scanning for the sisters with the barely contained excitement of a firework about to spark.

“ Damn, it's really crowded normally, the streets are so empty like it feels almost quiet and comfortable and huge today. It looks like there is no walking space,” Aaron spoke, seeing the crowd leaning against a pole, the spot they were supposed to meet.

“ Should I call them once, like I doubt they'll be able to find us…ahhhh,” shrieked Ishaan as Estella was grinning successfully pranking him.

“Got you”, laughingly said Estella.

“You and your pranks,” from behind came Isebella.

The festival lanterns painted them in light as they approached, and for the first time, the difference between the two worlds they came from was stark and beautiful.

Estella danced through the crowd like a wild spark, her deep crimson festival dress swirling around her knees. The snug bodice, adorned with golden lacing, was playful and daring, urging her to move. Her loose curls, threaded with ribbons the colour of autumn leaves, framed her lively face, while a delicate ankle chain chimed softly with each step.

In contrast stood Isebella, embodying the calm of an evening sky in her flowing midnight blue gown. The fabric shimmered with torchlight, and silver embroidery formed delicate constellations along the neckline. A satin ribbon accentuated her grace, and her elegant twist of hair, crowned with white blossoms, glowed under the lanterns. A striking pendant rested subtly against her collarbone.

Together, the sisters represented the spirit of Eldoria—Estella, vibrant and untamed, Isebella, steady and timeless. Their gowns highlighted the contrast between their home and the bright Indian kurtas of the brothers.

“So let's get going, then we have a lot to see” Estella grabbed Ishaan’s hand and pulled him towards the crowd.

“I just don't get it, from where does she get such energy, but on another note, you look quite handsome, never knew you had a side like this”, Isabella complimented Aaron.

“Well, couldn't have been outdone today, so shall we, my lady?” Aaron is reaching his hand out today with a strange composure

“Seems like a gentleman like you does exist, take me away, my prince” Isabella, playing her part, extended her hand.

They all walked the streets full of joy, and well, something else was also beginning to form, like unspoken in words yet transient, no idea what awaits these kids, yet right now looking at them, it felt like they wouldn't trade this moment to go to heaven.

Yet in this comfort and cosiness, Aaron and even Ishaan picked up something that was odd, like how Estella was acting so clingy with Ishaan and was dragging him all around, which was not new, yet it felt like she wanted to experience it all as if it might not ever happen.

And Isebella, although not so expressively, was lingering near Aaron, and although not like her, was trying to keep up conversation. It was strange as she, during her initial times, gave the impression of a quiet listener, so it felt odd, but the brother wondered if it was just their insecurities popping out.

The four of them split into the river of festival-goers. Lanterns bobbed overhead, music clashed with laughter, and every street corner carried the scent of roasted spices and candied fruit.

For a while, they moved together, but the festival had a will of its own. A tug here, a distraction there—and soon the pairs began to drift apart like boats in a current.

Aaron, who was now walking around the streets enjoying the festival, happened to notice Estella, who appeared to be trying to win something in a shooting contest.

“Damn, it's why it's so hard to hit the target”, Estella cried out in frustration, not being able to hit the target.

“It's because you're aiming incorrectly”, Aaron replied from behind.

“Then help me, please”, Estella cried for help.

With a patient sigh, he adjusted her grip, drew the string halfway, then stepped aside. The arrow sailed straight into the outer ring. Not perfect, but far better than before.

“Just look at my skills, huh, I could become a sniper” Estella grinned as if she had won the Olympics or something.

“Ya, sure, a sniper who snipes everything except their target”, Aaron mocked her.

“Hey!!!” Estella punches him on his back like a kid does when their father taunts or embarrasses them.

After getting the bracelet she was trying to win, they both set out to find the other two.

“Anyways, why are you here? I thought you were with sis?” Estella asked curiously

“Well, I thought I couldn't live with my little sister here alone or else the festival would be in wreck” Aaron's sarcastic grin returned.

“Seriously!”

“Na, she just said she wanted to use the restroom, what about you?” asked Aaron.

“Well, the same reason as you, he had to rush to the washroom, he was screaming all the way that if he didn't use it, he might just explode” Estella chuckles.

“Well, that's Ishaan for you”, Aaron replied with a satisfactory smile.

“You're a great brother, you know”, Estella replied after studying his face.

“What makes you say that?” Aaron now curiously asked.

“Well, for starters, you always look after your brother, be it hiking or anything, even though it always seems you guys are at each other's throats”

“Well, you are not wrong”

“You also have a lot of trust, even though you cannot stop panicking, like while fighting with thugs or goons”

“Well, just can't leave that wanna be hero alone”, Aaron’s smile being prominent.

“ Even taking care of your parents, like calling them once a day to remind and check on them, while enjoying, and that day too in the hut, you remembered I had allergies to mustard, so you prepared a separate sandwich for me”

“Well, what kind of a brother figure I would be if I didn't care for a little sister figure like you”, Aaron was talking as if reminiscing.

“You know i had lost all hope and was just hoping that things were just as it is and was ready to give up, but that damn idiot brother of mine never budged and well tried to make me remember what kind of a man i am”, eventhough everything around was loud yet his voice felt to clear and sound that Estella could hear his true intentions.

“Also, it was thanks to you both as well, that I feel it was worth it coming here”

“Oh, really, how pretell? Asked Estella with a usual grin.

“Well, I only thought it was because Ishaan was family that I could talk to only him, but coming here and meeting you guys helped me understand that it's not only him, but there are people out there I can trust, too, who will not lie to me, so thank you,” said Aaron with a smile.

Suddenly, Estella’s face was flushed with your usual grin as if the words meant a great deal to her.

For a while, they walked in silence. Then Estella mumbled under her breath,” It's unfair, now I know why she wanted to continue with this so bad, well, let's live like this while we can”

“You said something, can hear you in this chaos”, said Aaron.

Estella sprang up and then, with her mysterious grin, said, “ Oh, nothing that someone dressed up especially for a certain someone, hoping he would notice” Estella said this while darting her eyes towards Aaron.

Aaron now couldn't speak a word, just flustered, and walked away.

“Looks like somebody is embarrassed”, Esetella mockingly called him out.

“NO, ahhhh.. Let's just move” Aaron moving in front of her as he is desperately trying to make his face.

“Hey, you guys, over here!” Ishaan screaming over the top of his voice, Isabella standing beside her, also all flustered.

Aaron and Estella rejoined them, still catching their breath from the noisy crowd. But the moment the four of them stood together again, Ishaan tilted his head, squinting at his brother with a mischievous grin.

“Wait, hold on—why’s your face all red? Did someone just propose to you or something?” Ishaan jabbed Aaron in the ribs.

Aaron immediately looked away, tugging at his collar. “It’s hot. Too many lanterns, too much smoke in the air.”

“Uh-huh, sure,” Ishaan replied, clearly not buying it.

At the same time, Estella had locked her sharp eyes on Isabella, who stood unusually still, fingers brushing at the ribbon of her gown. “Well, well,” Estella sang teasingly, “someone looks like they’ve seen a ghost—or maybe a prince?”

Isabella’s calm composure cracked for only a second before she smoothed it back into place. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s just the crowd, that’s all. Let’s keep moving before we miss the lantern ceremony.”

Her quick dismissal mirrored Aaron’s almost too perfectly, and for a moment the air between the four of them tightened, as though secrets hung unspoken just above the festival noise.

“Fine, fine,” Estella said with an exaggerated shrug, looping her arm through Ishaan’s to pull him along. “But don’t think you’re escaping me later.”

With that, the group pushed forward into the glowing heart of the festival, swept up once more by the music, the laughter, and the promise of the night to come. Yet beneath it all, the unanswered questions simmered quietly, waiting for the right moment to surface.

A few moments ago.

“Few all done, now let's move out before that demon eats me up”, said Ishaan while standing in front of the washroom, stretching as if just completing some sort of exercise.

“Ishaan, what are you doing here?” Isabella called out from behind

He spun around with a lopsided grin. “Same reason as you. Nature calls, can’t ignore it, right?” His smirk was enough to earn him one of Isabella’s subtle, eye-roll-like smiles.

The night thrummed with life—lanterns swayed like fireflies, vendors called over the drums, and laughter arose from fire-juggling performers. The crowd surged around them, yet amidst the chaos, there was a calm in their shared stride.

Isabella paused, her eyes caught by a small stall between two towering poles. On the vendor’s crooked table lay a black-yet sleek drawing glove, its outline was outlined with shimmering azure stones. Drawn as if by gravity, she lifted it gently. “How much?”

The vendor, a heavyset man with a calculating gaze, leaned closer. “For you, noble lady? Two hundred crowns.”

Isabella’s brows shot up. “Two hundred? That’s robbery. I’ll give you fifty.”

The man snorted, folding his arms. “Fifty? This piece is worth more than your necklace. One seventy-five, and you’re lucky I’m so generous.”

She tried again, voice steady but unpracticed in the art of bargaining. Each attempt slid off him like water off stone. Her confidence wavered; here, her careful poise wasn’t enough.

That was when Ishaan stepped forward, slipping between them with the easy swagger of someone who lived for moments like this.

“Two hundred, huh?” he said, tilting his head at the trinket. “Uncle, come on. At that price, this thing should cook dinner and sing lullabies.”

The vendor scowled. “It’s hand-crafted silver—”

“Hand-crafted? Looks like it was made by your cousin’s cousin who failed arts/tailor class.” Ishaan turned the pin over in his hands, clicking his tongue.

“And these stones? Pretty sure, but half of them aren’t even set straight. Tell you what, I’ll be generous. Forty.”

“Forty?!” the man roared. “You’re stealing from me!”

“Stealing? No, I’m saving your dignity. Imagine the shame of charging a beautiful lady like her two hundred crowns for something worth less than a street snack.” Ishaan winked at Isabella, then leaned in, lowering his voice. “If you sell it to her for a fair price, everyone will think you’re an honest, kind merchant. Good reputation means good business. Everyone wins. ”The vendor blinked, caught off guard by the torrent of words. His scowl faltered.

“Sixty,” he muttered.

“Fifty,” Ishaan shot back immediately, grinning. “You said it yourself—it’s about dignity, not coins.”

The man hesitated, sighed through his nose, then slapped the table. “Fine. Fifty. But only because the festival spirit moves me.”

“Festival spirit, huh?” Ishaan chuckled.

Ishaan straightened, smug as ever. “There. Easy. You just need to know how to speak their language.”

They started walking again, the crowd swallowing them back into its swirl of music and firelight.

“Gezz, never knew you were such a shrewd negotiator”, Isabella complimented him.

“Well, I had to be Aaron, well, let's say his soft personality has the biggest sin that he gets scammed easily, so ya I sometimes need to be a negotiator for him or else he might as well see our house”, Ishaan said all this with the most dramatic expression.

“Really, I always thought he was always composed and well, quite as much of an intelligent/kind soul person," claimed Isebella.

Ishaan looked at her as if someone had told him that magic existed on earth since dinosaurs, “Out of everything you said, I confirm he is a kind soul, but intelligent and composed, HA, na never,” Ishaan commented with expression.

“If anything, he has always been the silent type, as he has trust issues and was always manipulated for being kind, so, ya, that persona is to protect himself”

“Really, that makes me a bit curious”, Isabella commented

“Anyways”, Ishaan's smile remained, yet something softened, “Thank you, Isabella, you have helped him come out of his bubble, a thing I wasn't able to, I have never seen him so happy, like he has found someone outside he can trust, so thanks you”

“Only if he knew”, Isabella said under her breath

“You said something?” asked Ishaan, seeing her suddenly drawn expression

“Nothing, was just wondering, that's how much you care for him, a supportive brother indeed”, complimented Isebella with a tint of taunt

“Oh, don't think I noticed, you both that thing for Aaron, like why else would you buy a glove like that, only if he knew, you know, he prepared for 20 minutes just so that he could dance with you today”, Ishaan replied strongly.

Isabella’s lips parted, as if to answer, but instead she quickened her pace, slipping into the crowd ahead of him.

“Wait, bhen, wait, we still do have to meet them”, Ishaan chasing her, “I swear you both are birds of a feather, flock together”.

When he caught up, her face was carefully composed again, unreadable beneath the lantern light. But Ishaan couldn’t shake the feeling he’d brushed against something fragile—something she wasn’t ready to let slip.

Presently

“Well, more or less the same here”, added Estella.

“Nevertheless, while their romance blooms, why don't we enjoy ourselves?” said Ishaan, grabbing her hand and chasing the other two.

The night was still young, and the festival, just about to start.