A U T H O R   P O V

Hyderabad 

The morning sun peeked through the small window of the room, falling soflty on the bed. Birds on the tree branch nearby began chirping loudly, as if trying there best to wake the owner of the room.

Amidst all that noise, a not-so-petite figure lay on the bed, unmoved, unconcerned. It wasn't too early in the morning, yet the room remained still.

And the door of the room creaked open slowly.

Two big curious doe eyes  peeked inside.

Those eyes belonged to someone whose entire world lay on that bed. She watched her favourite person sleep peacefully, her gaze filled with pure love.

Maintaining complete silence, she tiptoed inside. Carefully, she climbed onto the bed, opened her tiny arms and hugged the sleeping figure tightly. And followed by soft kisses on cheeks, nose and chin.

The petite woman smiled , and slowly her hazel-brown eyes fluttered open.

"Akhi.." she murmured, her voice heavy with sleep.

Yes the curious doe-eyes are of Akhira, the 4 year little toddler of Madira.

Akhira pouted.

"Akhi no want Mumma wake" Akhira complained in her tiny voice.

Madira smiled for softly, adoring her those imperfect words.

"But Mumma can't resist Akhi's touch ever", she whispered kissing her nose.

Akhira smiled but again her face masked with a tiny frown .

"Why Mumma no sleep in my rr...loom"

Madira pulled her closely and , " Mumma came home late last night and didn't want to disturb Mumma's princess sleep, so slept here"

Akhira's eyes glistened and her soft cheeks reddened, "Akhi missed you all night"

Madira's face softened , " Mumma too missed Akhi"

"Ok now bathing time" , Madira took Akhira in her arms and moved towards bathroom.

Madira made Akhira brush her teeth, and then prepared Akhira's little bathtub with warm water and filled with some fresh Eucalyptus leaves, and let Akhira to take in the vapor for a minute .

As Akhira has Eosinophilia since birth, Madira opted for Ayurvedic way to treat her daily along with the medical one.

After fifteen minutes of Akhira's playful bath , she came out and Madira dried her with her towel and wrapped it around her little body and took another for her hair.

"Akhi..Mellaga..!" Madira said her tone concerned as Akhira ran out to the room.

(Slow..!)

Madira dressed her and tied her hair neatly.

"Hmm..go down to Nani now" Madira said soflty. "Mumma..ready ayyi vasthundi, Ok"

(Mumma will get ready and come)

"Ok Mumma", Akhira chirped and ran out.

The smile on Madira's face slowly faded out and a emotion less expression etched in place.

And she slowly whispered ,

"Naa jeevitam lo jarigina andamaina adbutham Akhi nuvvu"

(You are the beautiful miracle that happened in my life Akhi)

With a deep sigh she began arranging the room that was messy with Akhira's toys and clothes, and went to get freshen up.

Back in the main hall, a man in his late fifties sat on the sofa, newspaper in hand, spectacles resting on his nose. Vishwanath read with full attention.

The soft clink of glass broke his focus.

He looked up to see a hand holding a cup of tea.

"Thank you, thalli," he said with a small smile.

(Dear)

The woman smiled back and turned only to bump into a small body.

A tiny shriek followed.

"Aksh, yenni sarlu cheppali thinnaga undamani" the woman scolded gently.

(Aksh, how many times should I tell you to be careful?)

"Sorry, Amma", 

The six-year-old replied.

He was Aksh Nandan.

She was Aditi.

Vishwanath chuckled. "Arey, leave it, daughter."

"Mavayya, come for breakfast" , Aditi said with a  smile before walking away.

(Father- in-law)

"Hey Thaatha...yenduku me Amma ni yeppudu ibbandi pedathav..hmm?" Vishwanath said, holding Aksh's little hands.

(Hey grandpa...why do you always trouble your mother)

"Me not grandpa", Aksh said seriously. "You only grandpa. See, white hair."

Vishwanath chuckled again, and before he could reply , a small smack landed on Aksh's back.

"Aksh..Thatayya tho ala maatladuthaara !...bad manners" , Arjun said in stern tone .

(Is this a way to talk with Grandfather )

Arjun looked around for a minute and frowned , "Akhi , yekkadara"

(Where is Akhi?)

"Keera, Nani tho undi ,Daddy", Aksh said and ran towards the garden.

(Keera is with Nani )

keera - Yes Aksh calls Akhira as Keera, when Aksh was two right when Akhira was brought home, and he couldn't pronounce her name fully and with little words like Akhh...khira, finally made her name into Keera.

Though he could pronounce it better now but he refused call her with her name and continued with his little given name.

"Arjun, go get ready. Aditi called for breakfast", Vishwanath said, finishing his tea.

"Yes, Nanna," Arjun replied and walked away.

(Dad)

Soon, everyone gathered in the dining hall.

Everyone except one, Madira.

The dining table filled with usual chatters, and cluttering of utensils and the women, Vaidehi and Janaki rushed from kitchen to dining back and forth .

"Ey , potti daana , donga la night time na room loki vachi chips ni kottetayatam aapu!"

(You shorty, stop coming to my room like a theif and stealing my chips!)

The twins started, as usual.

"Inkosari nannu potti ani pilu nee pirra meeda peddamma atlakaada tho vaaya godathanu chepthunna", Vaahi the usual chirpy twin of Vedanth shot back.

(Call me potti again and I'll spank your ass with peddamma's spatula, I am telling you)

"Choodu Peddamma, how she talks to elders!" Vedanth complained.

(Elder aunt)

"Excuse me. Elder? Who? You? You're just and just three minutes older", Vaahi scoffed.

"Three minutes and three seconds", Vedanth corrected proudly.

Arjun glared at the duo and there banter ended .

Vaidehi and Janaki came out with dish bowls in hands. Mithra followed, carefully holding a bowl of Payasam.

Vedanth tried sneaking a spoon.

A sharp tap landed on his hand.

"This is for Madu akka. Don't touch", Mithra warned him strong.

(Sister)

"Peddammaaa!" Vedanth whined dramatically.

Vaahi rolled her eyes.

"We won't eat until Madira akka comes Ved", Vaahi added.

Vedanth sighed and silence followed.

A few seconds later footsteps echoed from upstairs and Madira stood at stairs ready to climb down.

Vedanth smiled in satisfaction.

Mithra's eyes softened and the elders everyone except Vishwanath looked at her with warmth.

Vishwanath kept his head down.

Madira descended the stairs, her face calm, unreadable. She was dressed in a white cotton kurta set, with her medium length dark brown wavy hair parted in center and  was clipped either sides leaving the remaining hair flow freely.

Her face glowed in a soft tone with little kajal in eyes and a little bindi between them . She wore less than little jewellery which is probably a bangle , a watch, and a small chain.

"Mummaa!" Akhira shouted exciting.

A tiny smile bloomed on Madira's face instantly.

She lifted Akhira, kissed her cheek, and sat down.

Vaidehi looked at her from the dining side, wiping her hands on her saree pallu.

"How was the trip, Madu?"

Madira didn't say much. She just nodded once and said,

"Good."

That was all.

Aditi smiled softly and came closer.

"We missed you a lot" 

Madira looked at her for a second and gave a small smile . 

"Madu Akka,  I made Paayasam" Mithra said, holding the bowl and passed it towards Madira.

Madira took the bowl.

"Thank you, Mithu" she said quietly.

She fed a spoon to Akhira first. The child smiled, messy and happy. Only then did Madira take a spoon herself.

From his chair, Raghunath cleared his throat.

"So... how did the deal go?" he asked. "That trust matter you went for."

Madira kept the bowl aside.

"It went fine," she said. "They agreed. Papers will be done next week."

After everyone talked lightly regarding her trip yesterday that went for one full day , everyone continued the breakfast including Madira who first made Akhira to eat . Akhira finished her breakfast quickly and left with Aksh to play in the garden.

Madira then served for herself and was ready to take the first bite when another voice boomed in almost silent dining hall.

"Madi.."

It was Vishwanath - her father

Madira stiffened.

Without looking at him, she said coldly,

"My name is Madira. Call me by my full name. Or don't call me at all."

Without waiting for another word , she left the spoon and  stood up , turned to leave.

The room fell silent.

"Madu..." Vaidehi called her tone filled with worry.

Madira stopped.

She turned slightly, her voice calm but deadly.

"Madi died nine years ago. She died that day."

She looked straight at her father.

"She will never come back. Especially when the one calling her name...is the one who killed her."

___________

First chapter , hope you liked

How is Madira?