# THE ROBOT HELPERS
## By Vijay Sharma Erry
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# Chapter 1: The Day Everything Changed
The mansion on Riverside Drive had never felt so empty. Sixteen-year-old Arjun Malhotra stood at the tall windows of his father's study, watching the rain streak down the glass like tears. Behind him, the mahogany desk sat untouched, papers still scattered exactly as his father had left them three weeks ago. The leather chair still held the faint impression of where he used to sit.
Three weeks. It had been three weeks since the private jet carrying his parents from Mumbai to New York had disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean. Three weeks since the coast guard had called off the search. Three weeks since Arjun's world had shattered into a million irreparable pieces.
"Arjun beta, you need to eat something," his grandmother's voice called from downstairs, weak and trembling. Dadi had aged ten years in these three weeks. Her once-bright eyes were now perpetually red from crying, and she moved through the house like a ghost, touching things that belonged to her son as if they might bring him back.
"Coming, Dadi," Arjun replied, though he didn't move. He couldn't. Every step felt like walking through cement.
His grandfather, Dada, wasn't doing much better. The retired army colonel who had always stood straight as a ramrod now walked with a stoop, as if the weight of grief had physically bent him. He spent most of his time in the garden, tending to the roses his daughter-in-law had planted, tears rolling down his weathered cheeks.
Arjun was supposed to be the strong one now. At sixteen, he was the man of the house, the heir to the Malhotra Industries empire, the only one left to take care of his aging grandparents. But how could he be strong when he felt so broken inside?
The doorbell rang, echoing through the cavernous house. Arjun heard the housekeeper, Mrs. D'Souza, shuffle to answer it. Moments later, she appeared at the study door.
"Master Arjun, Dr. Kapoor is here to see you."
Dr. Rajesh Kapoor. His father's closest friend and the head of robotics at Malhotra Industries. Arjun had been avoiding everyone, but Dr. Kapoor had been persistently calling, saying he needed to speak with him urgently.
"Send him in," Arjun said quietly.
Dr. Kapoor entered, his kind face creased with concern. He was a tall man in his fifties, with graying hair and gentle eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses. He had known Arjun since birth, had been at every birthday party, every school function when Arjun's parents couldn't make it due to business obligations.
"Arjun," Dr. Kapoor said softly, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I'm so sorry. Your father was like a brother to me."
Arjun nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
"I know this is a difficult time," Dr. Kapoor continued, "but I wanted to talk to you about something important. Your father and I were working on a project together. Something he wanted to create for your grandparents."
This caught Arjun's attention. "What kind of project?"
Dr. Kapoor pulled out a tablet and showed Arjun a series of blueprints and designs. "A robotic assistant. Your father was concerned about how your grandparents were managing as they got older. He wanted to create something that could help them with daily tasks, remind them to take their medicines, provide companionship. We called the project Akash."
Arjun stared at the designs. They were incredibly detailed, showing a humanoid robot with advanced AI capabilities, designed to learn and adapt to the needs of elderly people.
"Your father invested a lot of time and resources into this," Dr. Kapoor said. "The prototype is nearly complete. I thought... perhaps you'd like to finish it. It might help your grandparents, and it might help you feel closer to your father."
For the first time in three weeks, Arjun felt a spark of something other than grief. Purpose. A way to honor his father's memory while actually helping Dada and Dadi.
"Yes," Arjun said firmly. "Yes, I want to finish it."
Dr. Kapoor smiled, the first genuine smile Arjun had seen from anyone in weeks. "Your father always said you had inherited his brilliant mind. He would be proud. Why don't you come to the lab tomorrow? I'll show you what we've built so far, and we can work on it together."
That night, for the first time since the accident, Arjun slept without nightmares. Instead, he dreamed of circuits and code, of bringing his father's vision to life.
The next morning, Arjun woke early and dressed quickly. He found his grandparents in the breakfast room, picking at their food. Dadi was trying to get Dada to take his blood pressure medication, but he kept waving her away irritably.
"I don't need those pills," Dada grumbled. "I'm fine."
"You're not fine, and you know it," Dadi said, her voice cracking. "Please, just take them."
Arjun watched this exchange and thought of Akash. A robot that could remind them gently, that could help them without the frustration and emotion that came with their grief. It would be perfect.
"Dadi, Dada, I need to tell you something," Arjun said, sitting down at the table. "I'm going to Dr. Kapoor's lab today. Papa was working on a project before... before the accident. A special robot to help take care of you both. I'm going to finish it."
His grandparents looked at each other, then at him. Dada's eyes misted over. "Your father mentioned it once. He was so excited about it."
"Then let's make him proud," Arjun said, squeezing his grandfather's hand.
At the Malhotra Industries robotics lab, Dr. Kapoor led Arjun through the state-of-the-art facility. The walls were lined with various robotic prototypes, from simple mechanical arms to more complex humanoid figures. But none of them compared to what awaited in the private development room.
There, on a specialized platform, stood Akash. Or at least, most of Akash. The robot's frame was complete, standing about five and a half feet tall with a sleek silver exterior and a face designed to be friendly and non-threatening. Its features were simple but expressive, with large optical sensors that would serve as eyes and a flexible panel that could form various expressions.
"We've completed about seventy percent of the build," Dr. Kapoor explained, pulling up screens showing the robot's systems. "The physical structure is done, the basic motor functions are programmed, and the AI core is installed. What we need to do now is refine the learning algorithms, program the specific tasks for elderly care, and fine-tune the personality matrix."
Arjun approached Akash slowly, reaching out to touch the cool metal surface. "Did my father work on this himself?"
"Every day after regular work hours," Dr. Kapoor confirmed. "He programmed the core personality traits himself. He wanted Akash to be patient, kind, and understanding. All the qualities your grandparents would need."
Over the following weeks, Arjun threw himself into the project. He spent every day at the lab, learning from Dr. Kapoor, studying his father's notes, and adding his own innovations. The work became a lifeline, something to focus on besides his grief.
He programmed Akash to recognize medical emergencies, to provide reminders for medications and appointments, to assist with mobility, and even to engage in conversation to combat loneliness. He added sensors that could detect falls or signs of distress. He created a database of his grandparents' favorite songs, stories, and memories that Akash could access to provide comfort and companionship.
Late one night, two months after starting the project, Arjun typed in the final lines of code. His fingers trembled as he hovered over the enter key.
"Ready?" Dr. Kapoor asked, standing beside him.
Arjun thought of his father, of how proud he would be. He thought of his grandparents, struggling alone in that big house. He thought of turning grief into something good, something helpful, something that could make a difference.
"Ready," Arjun said, and pressed enter.
Akash's optical sensors flickered once, twice, then glowed with a soft blue light. The robot's head turned slowly, surveying the room, before focusing on Arjun and Dr. Kapoor.
"Hello," Akash said, its voice warm and gentle. "I am Akash. I am here to help."
Arjun felt tears streaming down his face, but for the first time since the accident, they weren't tears of sorrow. They were tears of accomplishment, of hope, of connection to his father's dream.
"Hello, Akash," Arjun said, his voice thick with emotion. "Welcome to the family."
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**End of Chapter 1**
*Word Count: 1,497 words*
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**THE ROBOT HELPERS - Chapter 1**
**By Vijay Sharma Erry**
**Next Chapter:** Akash Comes Home
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