Fly High

"Stop playing cricket like boys, do you understand? And what sorts of clothes are these, huh? Look at your elder sister, she already does more than half of the housework and dresses appropriately. You are a girl. Act like one. Your father has just pampered you too much, but, I will not tolerate these things. Learn household chores and help your sister and me. Playing cricket won't land you up with a good husband.", Naina was used to such long lectures from her mom, but today, it just hurt massively. All of it.

She has just returned from a qualifier for the state level and was selected. She was so ecstatic and wanted to share the news with her family, only to return home to an 'all the same' long fruitless lecture from her mom. 

She was exasperated and extremely upset. She decided to go to her and her dad's favourite place, the pond nearby to cool down. All of her mom's and relative's taunts started whirling around in her mind and she broke down.

After a while, she heard a familiar and her favourite voice.

"Where is my dearest princess?"

Looking at her tear-struck face pained her dad too much and he got a hint of what might have happened.

"What happened my dear? Why are you so upset? How was my dear's match today? I know, my dearest daughter has been selected for the state, isn't it?"

Hearing her dad's words immediately brought a smile to her lips.

"Yes, papa. I did it. I wanted to share with y'all, but mom, why can't she be happy? All because I am a girl. Can't she appreciate me just for once? Sometimes, I feel, she just wants me to turn into a replica of her other beloved daughter.", Naina muttered bitterly.

Her dad sighed. Of course, he understood his daughter. He was extremely proud of her talent and knew she would achieve massive success one day, just the way she wanted.

"My dear, that's the way your mom thinks. We cannot interfere with what and how she thinks is right. But, we can certainly continue doing what is right for us, isn't it?", he tried to explain. Naina nodded understandingly.

"Naina, dear, remember one thing. Spread your wings, higher and higher and fly high in the sky. No matter what, your papa is always with you. Hmm?", he assured her.

Naina's eyes prickled with tears. She hugged her beloved papa, thankful for him, in her life and vowed to make him even more proud one day. Her papa wasn't really a stereotypical superhero with sturdy armour and suits and shields. But he was most definitely her superhero who shielded her from every evil and malice in this world. And he definitely did possess the superpower to make his princess feel at the top of the world. She was so grateful to have her papa with her all the time.