Hours later.
Morning
Remington Mansion
Morning sunlight made its way through the tall French windows of Remington Mansion, spilling
golden warmth across soft white sheets and lace curtains that danced in the breeze. The birds outside chirped cheerfully, as if the world had already begun its day, but one particular soul inside the grand mansion is still in the world of dreams, sleeping peacefully.
Dr. Zaria Remington, youngest and brightest surgeon of the RN Hospital chain, lay curled
beneath her blanket, fast asleep. Her stethoscope sat abandoned on her bedside table, beside a cup of untouched tea and a notebook filled with midnight scribbles, signs of another long night at the hospital.
The clock struck nine.
From the corridor came the familiar click clack of heels on marble. Adeline Remington, former A-list actress and lady of the house, approached with the kind of elegance only years under camera lights could perfect. Her silk robe shimmered faintly as she stopped outside Zaria's door, sighing dramatically, the kind of sigh that could have won her another award if someone were filming.
"Zaria Remington!" she called sweetly but firmly. "Do you intend to sleep through your father's speech today? It's the 50 year anniversary of RN Hospital, not a national holiday for tired doctors!"
No answer. Only the faint rustle of sheets.
Just then, a deep, amused voice joined in. Zachary Remington, the formidable head of the Remington family and director of the hospital chain.
"Let her rest, Adeline," he said from behind her, dotingly. "She came home past dawn. That surgery last night ran for six hours. She earned a little extra sleep."
Adeline turned, placing her hands on her hips, though the corner of her lips twitched. "Ah, of course. The youngest surgeon in the country, too busy saving lives to join her poor parents for breakfast." She tilted her head dramatically. "And after I made pakkoras and pani puris with my own hands… who will eat them now, I wonder?"
Inside the room, beneath her blanket, one eye opened..
Pakkoras!!!
The word alone seemed to chase away every trace of sleep.
A soft groan escaped Zaria, followed by a muffled voice. "Wait… pakkora?"
The next moment, the blanket flew off. Zaria sat upright, her hair adorably tangled, her eyes wide with innocent panic.
Her parents burst into laughter.
Zachary leaned against the doorframe, shaking his head with amusement. "And that, my dear wife, is how you wake a Remington."
Adeline laughed, her once-famous smile lighting up her face. "A doctor by night," she said fondly, "but still my sweet little girl by morning."
Zaria pouted, cheeks pink from embarrassment, but couldn't suppress her own smile.
The warmth of her parents' laughter filled the room, soft and familiar, the happiness that
belonged only to mornings like these.
"Good morning mamma good morning dadda!!" she said rubbing her eyes cutely.
"Good morning sweetie." Zachary said ruffling her still tangled hair.
"Good morning baby. Come on get up and get ready." Adeline said sweetly.
Zaria began to whine in her soft, childish voice. "But Mamma, it's still so early! The function is in the evening."
Adeline chuckled, "I know, sweetie. Just finish your breakfast and get some rest, alright? Your father and I will leave early, but your brother will be here to accompany you."
Zaria reached out and playfully pinched her mother's cheeks. "Thank you, Mamma. You're the best."
Before Adeline could respond, Zachary chimed in, pretending to be offended. "Hey, then what about me?"
Zaria giggled and threw her arms around him in a side hug. "You're the bestest, Daddy."
For a moment, the morning felt golden, wrapped in the warmth of family.
Beyond the tall windows, sunlight spread across the sprawling gardens of the Remington estate. The day of the grand celebration had begun.