"Mamu," Naksh saw his niece's beautiful brown orbs poke out of his files, quiet enough not to disturb the others but cute enough to get his attention. Naksh loved all his nieces and nephews equally, but Akshu was special. Not because she was Naira's kid, for so was Kairav. But because she was the perfect blend of his late mother and sister.
Like her namesake, Akshu was a gentle soul with a smile that could make anyone's heart melt. Even at ten years old, her maternal instincts shine through as she caresses Aaru's hair while the latter sleeps.
At first glance, many might not guess that Akshu is Naira's daughter because she lacks Naira's deviant streak. Naksh, who arguably knew Naira the best, contradicted on that matter. Naira was a free spirit; she wanted to travel the world and absorb all the beauty it offers. Akshu is the same. In ten years, he could see her going on a solo trip and returning as a flourishing butterfly. She'd thrive travelling, just like her mother.
When Akshu's near, he feels like his family's complete as her presence fills the void left by his mother and sister's demise.
"Ji Akshu," Naksh said, patting the seat on the couch next to him.
"Mamu, main Mumma ki tarah kyun nahi hoon?" With her head held low, he could feel a sense of shame radiating off of her and he couldn't understand what for or tolerate it.
"Kya hua, Akshu? Kyun aap asi baatein kar rahi hoon," Naksh turned his body to face Akshu and gave her all his attention. His heart wept at the sight of his little angel looking so down.
"Mamu, mujhe Mumma ki tarah sherni bana hai, but my hands tremble, and my voice turns meek in front of others. The other day at school, when this boy was bullying me for my height, I tried to speak up, but he laughed when my voice stuttered." Naksh's blood boiled at the thought of someone teasing Akshu.
Before he could find the kid's name and hunt him down, Akshu added, "Aarohi had to intervene and shut him up. Bahot pyaari lagi mujhe Aaru jab usne kaha 'tumhari himmat kaisi hui, Princess Aarohi ki behan ka mazak udane ki'. Aap ko toh pata hai, Aaru ek asa toofan hai jo kisi ko bhi chup kara sakta hai."
He chuckled at her words. The family's running joke was that Aaru was a "toofan." Sirat always said that even kidnappers would return Aaru as she'd talk their ears off.
"Par unhe chup to mujhe karna chahiya tha, na? Main kya karo Mamu? Himat kaise jagao, Mumma aur Aaru ki tarah?"
Aaru Akshu ki jaan hai, and it's beautiful to see how Akshu cares for her, but Naksh wishes she cared for herself the same way. Akshu has that spirit too, but she doesn't see it because she's too busy looking at other people like they're the sun. But that's not true. They're all suns of different solar systems and galaxies.
"Akshu, meri Jaan," Naksh sighed as he brought his niece into a side hug. "You don't need to change yourself to be courageous. To be brave, you have to speak from the heart. Kya hua agar aapki voice buland nahi hai? Kairav ki awaaz buland nahi par Kairav apni courage apni paintings se dikhata hai, jin se uski dil ki baat zahir ho jaati hai."
"Par Mamu, mujhe darr lagta hai."
"Toh kya hua? Courage isn't the absence of fear; it's the ability to persevere despite it."
"Lekin-", Akshu whined.
"Koi lekin nahi, Akshu. Your message must be clear, and your will must be fierce to withstand any storm. You have what it takes. Your style might not be the same as your mom but your will is just as strong. Mere saath bolo, main Naira Mumma ki choti sherni hoon."
"Main Naira Mumma ki choti sherni hoon," Akshu repeated.
"Yeh hui na baat!" Naksh cheered. "Phir se."
With each repetition, Akshu's confidence grew, and her smile widened.
I had a lot of fun writing this one so I hope you all enjoy it - a few tags this time based on @beanstalk04's insistence lol
Cricket
Mahadev And Sons
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