THE CENTRAL JAIL, LUCKNOW.

The heavy iron gates of the Central Jail groaned open under the grey morning sky. Two women constables emerged from the inner corridor, their uniforms crisp but their faces tired, hardened by years of watching other people's miseries walk through these same corridors.

Between them, they dragged a girl.

Each constable held one of the girl's arms, gripping just above the elbow.  The girl's feet scraped against the concrete floor not walking, exactly, but being moved. Her body hung limp between them, head bowed so low that her hair curtained her face completely.

It looked like they are dragging a lifeless body. The corridor leading to the women's wing was narrow and poorly lit.

The cell block came into view.

It was a long, rectangular hall lined with iron bars, divided into four cells of varying sizes. The women inside had already heard the approaching footsteps.

By the time the constables and their charge came into view, the women who were in cell stood up , fingers wrapped around rusted iron, faces pressed between gaps and  the murmuring began like wind through dry leaves.

Ye kon hai?"

A middle-aged woman said , squinted through the bars of Cell Number 3. Her voice was low but carried easily in the silence.

"Isne kisko maar diya, ya kaha daaka daal diya isne?" asked another voice, younger, almost excited.

"Shakal se to nahi lagta, khooni, chor ya daaku hogi," muttered a third, an old woman with grey hair, her eyes were sharp and assessing.

"Ye to padhi likhi lagti hai," the nervous woman continued, " phir bhi yaha aa gayi".

The girl was closer now, passing directly in front of Cell Number 2. The tube light caught her face for just a moment pale, young, impossibly young, with high cheekbones and dark lashes that rested against her cheeks . Her lips were bloodless amd Expressions, Blank.

"Ye to badi sohni hai, yaar," breathed the middle-aged woman , sitting cross legged in her cell ,"Gudiya jaisi."She completed.

Gudiya, doll.

But dolls do not bleed, they do not arrive at the Central Jail, people don't drag them like this. Dolls don't die from inside, like her.

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☆☆☆

Evening had come to the park in Sunshine Complex in lucknow . This was the time when children filled the park with fun and happy memories. You could hear laughter everywhere as small groups of kids played their own games.

On one side, children were on the swings. The swings moved back and forth in the cool air, and the chains made soft sounds. The see-saw went up and down, squeaking as it moved. Near the benches, a boy threw an old tennis ball for his dog. The dog ran after it happily. A girl nearby was playing with her cute kitten.

A cool, slow breeze blew through the park. It smelled of fresh grass and flowers like marigolds, jasmine, and roses growing by the fence. The garden was full of joy and bright colours. Everything looked happy and cheerful.

In one corner, under a neem tree, five kids sat on the green grass. They were tired from playing too much . Their knees were up, and their hair was wet with sweat.

The games were done. Now, they were talking quietly and sharing secrets. They spoke with a cute, local accent. One child copied their PE teacher. The others laughed, and their shoulders shook.

'Tm lodo to pata h kal vihaan shcool se shecond peliod me hi ghal chala gaya tha'

Aryan said in his cute voice, grabbing everyone's attention.

(Do you guys know that yesterday vihan left to his home from 2nd period)

'Kyu, kyu?? Itti jaldi kyu chala gaya'. Priyanka inquired curiously.

(Why? Why did he leave so early)?.

"Ha kyu gaya wo , hame to jaldi chutti ni milti, or mujhe to bidday wale din bhi ni mili thi,". Arohi said, sadness evident from her tone.

(Yes, why did he leave? We did not get early leave, and I did not even get a day off on my birthday.)"

'Are usne potty kardi thi na apni dresh me' veer enlighten them with whole thing. "

(He did potty in his dress)

" Ol agal tum logo ko bhi jaldi chutti chahiye to tum log bhi dresh me potty kardena ' he continued mischievously to girls, making Aryan laugh loudly.

( and if you also want halfday from school, then you also do potty in your dress)".

'Chii, Ewwww, Yuckkk' the trio (Samara, Arohi, and priyanka) said in unison, making disgusting faces.

"Ale shuno meli baat ek impotant shuno, shuno," samara said in her jumble words  grabbing boys' attention.

"(Listen to me everyone)".

"Ha bolo na kya impoltant h" , veer asked curiously.

(Yes, tell what's important).

" Tum dono to pata hai nahi ab aayengi  mish raina". She enlightened the boys with the latest news.

(Miss raina will not come to school now).

"Magal kyu?"(But why)

"Ale unki na shadi hone wali hai, aaj unhone hamale classh me btaya ki wo kal she nahi aayengi". Arohi explains to them the whole situation.

(She is going to get married soon , she told us today in class)".

"Ale yaal wo to bahot acchi teachel thi , maalti nahi thi biltul bhi". Aryan said sadly.

(Oh no, she was a very good teacher. She didn't even scold us)

They all nodded in unison, agreeing to what aryan said.

A voice from behind grabbed their attention. Arohi's father calls them from afar with all the other's elder.

The kids quickly got up from the ground and ran to that direction and saw that the elders were having ice cream party.

"Papa mujhe bhi ish cleam chahhiye." Arohi said, grabbing her father's trousers.

(Papa, I also want ice cream)

"Mujhe bhi, mudhe bhi, ol mujhe bhi , ale mujhe bhi chahiye". The other kids also demand ice cream.

"Are bacho isiliye to bulaya h tum logo ko , aa jao sab jaldi se apni apni favourite ice cream le lo". Mr. Dixit said, making children happy.

(That's why I called you all, now come and grab your favourite ice cream). "

The kids happily choose their favourite ice cream and are now enjoying the fullest while walking. But suddenly, because of stone in arohi's path , her leg twisted suddenly, and she collapsed on priyanka, and both of their's ice cream fell on the ground making them gasps.

" Veeeel !! Alohi ne meli ish cream gila di". Priyanka complained to her best friend crying loudly.

(Veer, Arohi dropped my ice cream)

Veer came to her immediately embracing her in his arms and tried to console her, wiping her tears.

"Are koi baat nahi pliyanka,Tum meli ish cleam le lo,  dekho Arohi ki bhi to ish cleam gir gayi h , ol uska pail bhi mul gaya". Veer tried to console her making her look at arohi who is crying holding her twisted leg.

(Dont worry priyanka you can take my ice cream, and see  arohi's ice cream also fell and her leg also got twisted).

The elders hurriedly came to her and Mr. Saxena pick arohi up in his arms and check her foot, wiping her tears.

" Are koi nahi meri princess , sab theek h " her father said stroking her hair .

(Nothing to qorry my princess, everything is fine).

"Mene pliyanka ki ish cleam gila di, ol wo meli wajah she lo rahi h ". Arohi cried loudly only for her friend.

(I dropped priyanka's ice cream and she is crying because of me)

" Are koi baat  nahi hum dono dooshli ish cleam le lenge". Priyanka said getting out of veer's embrace , wiping her tears.

(Never mind, We will both get another ice cream).

The elders laugh lightly seeing their cute interaction.

" Acha ab ghar chalo bacho bahot der ho gyi h or aap logo ko apna home work bhi karna ha". Veer's father said clapping his hands to get their attention.

(Comeon kids,  lets go home now, its getting late  and you all have to complete your homework also)".

They all nodded and went to their respective flats.

Arohi, priyanka , samara and veer they all knew each other since their birth as there parents are friends to each other and were living in Sunshine complex since long and they all grew up together. Their parents also got them admitted to the same school . When they were 3 years old and veer was 4 . Veer's admission was delayed because his leg was fractured when he was 3 and he was not able to get admission.

Later, after one year Aryan also shifts in Sunshine complex with his bua and sister , after his parents died on an accident. Aryan was 4 at that time her sister was 7 years old. Aryan was very mischievous and naughty and as his flat is just next to veer they became good friends and aryan and his sister got admitted to same school as other kids. The school was also nearby. Veer introduced Aryan to his other friends also.

Aryan and veer are in same section while the girls are in another section.

Arohi's mother died of heart attack when she was born. Her father took care of her while her grandmother hate her because she wanted a grandson and she thought because of her her daughter in law died. Her father is working in a company as HR.

Priyanka's father is am architect and her mother owns an orphanage. She is their only daughter.

Samara's  father is a manager in hotel and her mother is a house wife. She lives with her big family , chacha-chachi, tau-tai ,Dada and her 5 cousins .

Veer's parents are Professors in a well known university. His mother is expecting so she is on leave nowadays.

After Aryan's parents died,  his bua took care of Aryan and his sister .she works in a well known company and because of them she didn't marry yet. In starting it was tought for her as she was only 23 that time and persuing her studies.but because of his brother's and father's saving she managed some how.

They all lived on the same floor, doors just a few steps apart. That was the secret to their bond compare to the other kids,  the kind of closeness that couldn't be forced or faked.

                         ☆♡☆

"Aryan Anaya didi kaha h" Priyanka asks Aryan about his sister .

(Aryan, where is Anaya sister).

"Ale unki fliend ka bilthday to wo palty me gayi h". Aryan replied playing with her ball .

(Today is her friend's birthday so she went to party).

"Tum log ne padhayi ki tayyari exams ki karli". Samara asked making them confused at first with her jumble words.

(Have you guys prepared for the exams)?

"Ha , mujhe to shab yaad ho gaya , shab plepale hai mera to". Veer said proudly lifting his chin.

"Palhai ki baat mat kiya kalo yaal, khelna ka time hai ye to". Aryan groaned to which priyanka nodded while other chuckle.

"Comeon kids say by to each other". Elders came and now they all parted their ways to their flats after bumping their fist.

                            ☆♡☆

So, how's the first chapter?

Do you like their bond?

How do  you find these 5?

I will upload their journey from childhood, to show their bond🫶