The warm Rajasthan sun shone brightly over the dusty courtyard. A little girl named Saumya was sitting on the ground, happily making tiny mud houses with her small, messy hands. Her sweet laughter mixed with the soft sound of the wind.
Just then, a boy walked into the yard. His shadow fell over her.
Shaurya: "Oh, Saumya… you're playing in the mud again?"
Saumya looked up at him with a bright smile. Her eyes were sparkling with happiness.
Saumya: "What, Shaurya? You don't like it? But I love playing in the mud!"
Shaurya crossed his arms, trying to act more grown-up than he really was.
Shaurya: "Well, I've grown up now. I'm not a little kid like you anymore."
Saumya frowned and wiped her dirty hands on her dress.
Saumya: "Then why did you come here?"
Shaurya's voice became softer.
Shaurya: "I came… to say goodbye."
Saumya stopped moving. Her hands froze in the air.
Saumya: "Goodbye? Are you going somewhere?"
Shaurya looked down and lightly kicked the dirt.
Shaurya: "Yes… We are moving to Mumbai. Forever."
Saumya's eyes filled with tears. Her little heart felt tight and heavy.
Saumya: "So you won't come back? What about our promise?"
Shaurya took a deep breath. He was sad too.
Shaurya: "I remember our promise… We said that when we grow up, we will stay together."
Saumya stepped closer to him and held out her pinky finger, just like they always did when they made a promise.
Saumya: "A sure-sure promise?"
Shaurya gently wrapped his pinky around hers.
Shaurya: "Yes. A sure-sure promise."
The wind blew softly around them, lifting the dust into the air. In that quiet moment, two little hearts made a promise they believed would last forever.