Love in simple things

Love and serenity

"What is serenity, Daddy?"

"I don't know. Check the dictionary."

My daughter asks me the most random questions. I am so dumb. I barely passed my diploma. Her mother was smart. She was beautiful, kind and intelligent. So she is spending some time in heaven. Heartbreaking, Isn't it? It was breaking me down for a few years. I grew up as the best dad in the world only after her best mom in the world passed away. I am learning, and unlearning a lot of things. She is growing up. Almost nine years old now. My sweet child asks for her mother all the time. She knows that one daddy replaces her two parents—one boring daddy. 

"Where is the dictionary?"

"I can't search it for you now. I am working."

"You can raise that laptop from now on. Not me."

"Arha, please don't complain. Just search for the dictionary and find it yourself."

"You have internet and a laptop. You also have a mobile phone. Why can't you just type it and find it?"

"Don't talk back. There is a reason I suggest a dictionary. You will learn a lot of words. Improve vocabulary. I am short of words all the time because the internet makes it easy for me."

"You can make it easy for me too. Daddy, this is boring."

"You're boring."

We got the sarcasm from each other. She is kind but also funny. They both don't go hand in hand in this household. You are either kind or funny. You can't be kind in humor. We are proud dark humor people. Arha and I are hyperactive for no reason. Arha listens to me when in need. She makes fun of everyone in our house - that is me. She is street-smart and funny. I know that she will survive this world already. Two main ingredients to successfully safeguard themselves from all bullies. 

"Daddy, I got my dictionary."

"Now, it feels complete."

"What?"

"I was talking about my work. You continue."

"S. S. Got it. Se. Se. Got it. Ser. Woah. Serenity."

"What does that mean?"

"Get your own dictionary, young man."

"Ugh. Who raised you?"

"Damaged yourself right there."

"Yup."

"Serenity means a state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. No wonder we didn't know the meaning."

"Haha. Smart."

"I want to write about serenity. Like 200 words. What shall I write?"

"You can write on your own. You know the meaning."

"Daddy, it is Arha. Remember. She doesn't know calm, peaceful activities."

"What do you want me to do now?"

"Please come and write this for me. I want to go watch the cartoon. It is already up."

"Wait for a while. I will finish this meeting."

"No, Daddy. As much as you prioritize this meeting, my homework is important to me. Come now."

"Don't be a brat."

"Alright. I will go watch the cartoon."

She is understanding. Just a child wanting my attention. I try to manage work, household chores, and her studies. I get a little help from my mother-in-law frequently. She lives next door. I am so proud of Arha. I am so proud of myself. I give myself an 11 on 10 as a dad. She is basically surviving along with me, learning life. Sometimes, I wonder if we will stop missing her mother. Then I turn around and Arha is an exact replica of her mother. The beautiful and kind eyes. Only eyes are kind. 

I finished my meeting and turned around. She was watching her favorite cartoon and laughing loudly. The room is filled with so much happiness. I sighed a relief and thought about serenity. Serenity was there when Arha was a child. About 10 months old. Her mom and I enjoyed being parents. We would take her everywhere. Show off her beautiful chubby cheeks to almost everyone in our apartments. She became an extrovert by seeing everyone. My wife and I loved silence and peace. We both grew up in big homes with a lot of people so we loved our quiet. After Arha came, we replaced all the silence in our home with small little sounds. 

Arha didn't disrupt the peace. She enhanced the experience. Love and Serenity is a life experience for us, in this house. 

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About the story

Welcome to "100 Days of Short Love Stories," where love comes alive! Each day, for the next 100 days, I will share a unique, heartwarming short story that explores the many dimensions of love. From sweet first encounters to bittersweet goodbyes, from fantasies to adventures, these stories will take you on an emotional journey through the highs and lows of love.

Whether you're a hopeless romantic, a daydreamer, or simply someone who enjoys a good story, there's something here for everyone. Join me on this adventure, and let's celebrate love! Love through my eyes.

About the author

📚 Fiction, YA, Romance, Fantasy, & Thriller Writer ✨ | Storyteller at heart ❤️ | Sharing my worlds, one tale at a time ✍️ | Follow for your next adventure!

Disclaimer

© Saranya G. All rights reserved. This story and its content are the intellectual property of the author. No part of this story may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author, except for brief quotations in reviews. Unauthorized use is prohibited.

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