𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞'𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

Chapter 08

<<<Flashback

It was serene Sunday morning, with birds chirping and the sun casting just the right amount of warmth. Adhya sat quietly in their garden, while her brothers enjoyed a game of basketball nearby. Surya, her father, came over and settled beside her, tenderly patting her head.

"Good morning, princess," he greeted her.

Adhya returned his warm smile. "Good morning, baba," she replied. Her brows furrowed as she looked at him, her hazel eyes filled with curiosity. "Baba, I read a book, but there are some things I didn't quite understand," she confessed, her adorable nose scrunching in thought.

Surya chuckled affectionately and asked, "What's troubling my princess? Tell me, and I'll help you understand."

To that, Adhya further inquired, "Baba, what are people like in the outside world? Are they scary?"

Surya was a bit surprised by her question, but he responded with wisdom, "People are like books, beta. Most people only see our cover, and a minority read only the introduction. Many people believe the critics, and only a few will truly know our content."

Adhya nodded, trying to grasp the metaphor. She looked a bit perplexed but ultimately just smiled and continued, "Then, baba, what is love?"

Surya found himself taken aback by this question. He wasn't sure how to explain the complex concept of love to a 13-year-old. In fact, he realized that even if Adhya were 20 years old, it might still be a difficult topic to tackle.

But he knew he had to try. With a soft smile, he began, "Beta, love is a very complex concept, but in simpler terms, love is a deep and caring feeling you have for someone or something. It's like a warm and happy glow inside your heart when you're around them or think about them. Love makes you want to make them happy and feel good. It can be for family, friends, or someone special, and it's a beautiful and powerful emotion that connects people in a special way."

Adhya listened attentively, her hazel eyes absorbing her father's words. Although she nodded in understanding, there remained a lingering sense of curiosity in her young heart, a longing to explore the depths of this mysterious and wonderful emotion called love.

Adhya's innocent and curious questions tugged at Surya's heartstrings. He contemplated how to provide the right answers to a young and impressionable mind. Gently, he replied, "Beta, I love you, your mother, and your brothers because you are my family. I love Prem chachu because he is not just my friend; he's like a brother to me."

Adhya continued to listen attentively, her hazel eyes reflecting her innocence. But then she posed another question, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty, "But who is that someone special, and why should we love them?"

Surya felt a pang of emotion as he thought about how to explain the concept of "someone special" to his daughter. He spoke softly, "Your mother is someone special. Before you all came into this world, she was part of another family. I loved her, married her, and brought her into our home. She became a part of our family because she's someone very dear to me."

Adhya pondered his words, her young mind absorbing the information. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she asked with a hint of sadness, "So if I have someone special, does that mean I have to leave all of you and go away?"

Surya's heart ached at the thought of his daughter feeling torn between her love for her family and the possibility of a future with someone special. He quickly reassured her, "No, beta, having someone special doesn't mean you have to leave us. It means that person becomes a cherished part of your life, just like your family. Your love for them doesn't take away your love for us; it adds more love to your heart."