Life is not a single color; it is a canvas of countless shades, each telling its own tale. "Shades of Her Story" unfolds the journey of a girl, starting from her days in 8th class to the person she is today-a reflection of resilience, strength, and...
So this chapter will make you sad as well as will make you smile
October 1, 2020. It should have been a day of celebration, laughter, and love. But for Ananya Sharma, her 13th birthday felt like just another day. No, worse than that—it felt hollow. The usual excitement she felt on her birthday was nowhere to be found. Instead, there was a weight on her chest, a dull ache that refused to go away.
Her grandfather, her beloved Dadu, was still in the hospital, fighting an invisible enemy. The thought of him lying alone in a sterile, unfamiliar room filled her with a sadness that even the idea of cake and candles couldn't erase.
The day passed quietly. Ananya spent most of her time in her room, flipping absentmindedly through her books or scrolling through old pictures on her phone. Outside, her parents and elder brother Arjun tried to keep things normal, but the tension in the house was palpable.
As lunchtime approached, there was a knock at her door. It was her brother, peeking in with his usual mischievous grin.
"Lunch time," he said, trying to sound cheerful.
"I'm not hungry," Ananya replied, her voice flat.
"Too bad," he said, stepping inside. "Because Mom and I ordered KFC, and you're not allowed to ignore KFC."
Ananya blinked, momentarily surprised. "KFC? Are you serious?"
Arjun nodded. "It's your favorite, isn't it? You can't sulk through your birthday. Dadu wouldn't want that."
The mention of her grandfather made her throat tighten, but she couldn't deny the small flicker of warmth his words brought.
At the dining table, a bucket of fried chicken sat in the center, flanked by sides of fries and coleslaw. Her mother, Priya, was already seated, a small smile on her face as she gestured for Ananya to sit.
"It's not much," Priya said gently, "but we wanted to make today a little special for you."
Ananya felt a lump in her throat as she sat down. She wasn't hungry, but she picked up a piece of chicken anyway, more for their sake than her own. As she took a bite, she couldn't help but feel a little comforted by the familiar taste.
Arjun cracked a few jokes, and for the first time that day, Ananya found herself smiling. The heaviness in her chest didn't go away, but it felt a little lighter in that moment.
Ananya's Thoughts
This isn't how I imagined my birthday. No cake, no friends, no Dadu. But maybe that's okay. Maybe it's enough that they're trying to make me smile. And maybe Dadu feels my love, even from far away.
As the afternoon wore on, Ananya returned to her room, her mood slightly lifted. She sat by the window, gazing at the cloudy sky. For the first time in days, she allowed herself a small hope: Maybe next year will be better.
And though her birthday was far from perfect, it reminded her of one simple truth—love and care, even in the smallest gestures, could brighten even the darkest of days.
To be continued.................
Do follow me on Instagram For Spoilers and Glimpse
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
