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Mumbai
Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra, is India’s financial and entertainment hub. Known as the "City of Dreams," it houses the Bollywood film industry and major corporate headquarters. A vibrant mix of cultures, history, and modernity, Mumbai is home to iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India and Marine Drive. It's a bustling metropolis with a fast-paced lifestyle, yet deeply rooted in tradition.
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Aarya's POV:
Aarya's family has been living in Mumbai for the past three decades. Her roots trace back to Udupi, Coastal Karnataka.
Coastal Karnataka is a picturesque region along the Arabian Sea, known for its serene beaches, lush greenery, and rich cultural heritage. It includes districts like Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada, blending natural beauty with vibrant traditions and coastal cuisine.
Udupi is a renowned temple town in Karnataka, famous for the historic Sri Krishna Temple and its unique style of vegetarian cuisine. It is a center of Dvaita philosophy founded by Madhvacharya and attracts pilgrims from across India.
Udupi is also known for its educational institutions and cultural festivals. The town is close to beautiful beaches like Malpe and St. Mary’s Island, offering a mix of spirituality and natural charm. The rich traditions, Yakshagana performances, and warm hospitality make Udupi a memorable destination.
Balakrishna (Aarya's Ajja) was a navy merchant and moved to Mumbai in his youth for work. Later, he married Saraswati (Aarya's Ajji) in an arranged marriage and settled permanently in Mumbai. Their sons, Vasudev(Aarya's Mhantu) and Narayan (Aarya's Papa), were born and raised in Mumbai.
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Mahamaya (Pai House):
The Pai family is deeply rooted in tradition, yet holds modern values. Mornings at the Pai mansion are usually peaceful. The elders begin their day early with freshening up, followed by yoga or walking in the backyard, depending on their mood. Rohit and Aarya usually go for a run, unless their study schedule is tight. After morning routines and prayers, everyone gathers for breakfast before heading out for school or work.
This morning began just like any other. Saraswati, Swetha, and Amrutha were busy preparing breakfast and packing lunchboxes. Around 7:45 a.m., everyone began arriving at the dining table.
Aarya came down the stairs along with Rohit and Ishani. Rohit and Aarya were deep in conversation about Aarya's computer project for an inter-school competition. Rohit was giving her advice on how to present it, and Aarya was nodding attentively. Ishani, completely clueless but excited, rushed to the dining table seeing everyone already present.
Being the youngest in the house and the apple of everyone’s eye, Ishani cheerfully said, "Good morning everyone!" and sat next to Narayan. She began enthusiastically telling her Papa about her swimming class and shared that she would be representing her school in the junior-level swimming championship.
Suddenly, Swetha broke the flow with a sarcastic remark, "Oh wow, look at this TED Talk happening near the stairs! Should we all grab chairs and take notes?"
Amrutha chimed in, "I mean, who cares about breakfast when we can have a full-blown panel discussion right here, right now?"
"Aarya and Rohit, who were still standing near the stairs with their bags in hand, froze. They noticed their moms glaring at them—the kind of look that made Aarya whisper to Rohit, 'We have exactly 20 seconds before our scolding is served along with breakfast.'"
Swetha, while serving their plates, continued, "It’s only been 20 minutes since everyone else sat at the table. But please—don’t let a silly thing like food interrupt this world-changing debate. Now, unless you're solving world peace or inventing a teleportation machine, how about we move this conference to the dining table?"
Amrutha added, "These two hardly feel hungry when they’re talking about technology. They think breakfast, lunch, and dinner just get in the way of their groundbreaking inventions... Am I right, Rohit and Aarya?" She said this with a look filled with both concern and affection.
Knowing how the siblings could talk endlessly about tech without a care in the world, the whole family nodded in agreement. Ishani, observing her siblings being gently scolded, covered her mouth and giggled.
Rohit, realizing their mistake, softly said, "Sorry, Ma.. Paachi, Aarya was updating me on her project and needed a little help."
Aarya added, "It’s my fault, Ma... Mhaave. Anna is not to blame. I got stuck last night while working on my project and didn’t want to disturb him then. Since we didn’t go for a run this morning, I thought I’d ask him before breakfast."
Everyone nodded, understanding the situation. Swetha and Amrutha responded together, "We don’t mind you helping each other, but skipping meals and neglecting your health is not okay. We are so proud of all three of you. Whether it's sports, cultural activities, or studies, you give your heart to everything you do. Winning isn’t everything—giving your best is what counts, and that’s what makes you stand out."
Vasudev lightened the moment, knowing the mothers were getting emotional. "It’s okay, Aarya and Rohit. We understand you were discussing something important. Rohit, help Aarya with her project. And if you still need help, your Mhantu is always here."
Rohit and Aarya nodded. Everyone then enjoyed breakfast, took blessings from the elders, and left for college, school, and work.
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Maya's POV:
Maya's family originally hails from Karkala, a historic town in Udupi district.
Karkala is known for its rich Jain heritage and scenic beauty. It is home to the famous 42-foot monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali (Gomateshwara), a significant pilgrimage site. The town features ancient temples like the Chaturmukha Basadi and intricate stone carvings. Set at the foothills of the Western Ghats, Karkala offers lush greenery, small lakes, and a tranquil environment steeped in tradition.
Maya and her brother Vaibhav recently moved to Mumbai, as Vaibhav is starting his architecture course at Sir J. J. College of Architecture. Their parents, both Army officers, were recently posted to Uri. To avoid leaving Maya alone in Delhi, the family decided to move to Mumbai with their grandmother, Lakshmi Ajji.
Devaki Krishna Nilaya (Prabhu's House):
The mornings at Maya's home are quite similar to Aarya’s. A traditionally rooted yet modern household, the day begins early. Maya and Vaibhav were on a video call with their parents posted in Uri. After the call, they joined their cheerful and loving Ajji for breakfast.
"Maya, all set for school?" Vaibhav asked.
"Yes, Anna. I’m finally settling in. It already feels like I’ve been in this school forever. The students and teachers are so welcoming," Maya replied.
"That’s good to hear. Now finish your breakfast, I’ll drop you to school before heading to college," said Vaibhav.
Lakshmi interrupted warmly, "Okay, enough chit-chat. Finish your breakfast. Your lunch boxes are on the table. Don’t forget to pack them. And Vaibhav, all the best for your first day at college."
"Thanks, Ajji. I’ll be back by 3 p.m. Let’s go for a walk in the evening and buy vegetables, fruits, and groceries on the way back," Vaibhav suggested.
Maya chimed in, "Ajji, can we have Pav Bhaji for dinner tomorrow?" she asked with puppy eyes. Vaibhav chuckled.
"Okay, Maya. I’ll make Pav Bhaji with lots of veggies—just how you like it," Lakshmi said with a smile. Maya did a little happy dance.
All three finished their breakfast, took Ajji's blessings, and left for college and school.
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Sana's POV:
Sana’s family hails from Delhi, but her parents completed their law degrees in Mumbai and now practice in the Mumbai High Court.
Raisinghani House:
Usually, Sana and her brother Amith have breakfast together, as their parents often leave early for court, depending on their schedule.
This morning, like usual, Amith was discussing a case study with Sana that aligned with her academic curriculum.
"Bhai, can you please help me prepare for the debate competition today evening?" Sana asked.
"Yes, of course. Just tell me what time you want me free," Amith replied.
"Sure, Bhai," she said, smiling.
They continued eating together, packed their bags, and left for school and college.
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