: Her First Hero

A Daughter’s Visit

It was a warm afternoon when Poornima decided to visit her father. She wore a soft pastel saree with light jewellery, her hair tied in a low bun. Simplicity reflected in her smile, but her eyes held something more — peace.

She entered her father's estate, one that once carried fear and power in its walls. Now it felt... lighter.

Zain Singh was seated on the verandah, reading the newspaper, a slight breeze ruffling his salt-and-pepper hair.

When he saw her—

> “Poornima,” he said, smiling in a way only a father could. “You look happy.”

She walked to him and touched his feet. He blessed her, placing his hand on her head longer than usual.

> “Appa,” she asked as she sat beside him, “Are you happy now?”

Zain chuckled, a rare, genuine sound.

> “Much happier than I have been in decades,” he said. “You’re smiling again. You’re safe. And that boy Veeresh…”

“He might not say it much, but I know he watches over you like I once did.”

Poornima blushed faintly.

> “He does, Appa. And I… I’ve started feeling peace again.”

They ate lunch together — just the two of them, like the old days. She served him his favourite bhindi sabzi with roti. He poured water for her like he always used to.

There was no discussion of mafia, politics, power or property.

Only family.

And then, as she stood to leave, he held her hand briefly and looked at her with soft, fatherly eyes.

> “You made me proud, Poornima. For choosing your own way to be strong.”

She smiled.

> “Because you taught me strength, Appa.”

She hugged him gently, and he held her like she was still that little girl in school uniform coming home with muddy shoes.

As She Walked Away…

Poornima got into the car, looked back once. Zain Singh waved lightly, a rare peace settling in his eyes.

She didn’t need the mansion, nor the empire.

Her Appa’s happiness… was enough.

And her heart whispered:

> "Veeresh, if you ever ask me why I smile… it's because I'm loved from both ends of my world."

---