Akansha, a bright-eyed first-year fashion design student, had just stepped into the world of college life, new friends, new dreams, new beginnings. Every day felt like a fresh page in her story.
But she had no idea one that notebook would change everything.
One busy morning, rushing to her design class, Akansha accidentally dropped her sketch notebook. The college security guard, known by everyone as Security Uncle, picked it up, noticed her name on the cover, and called out:
“Akansha! You dropped your book!”
She smiled gratefully, took it back, and hurried away.
From that day, he began greeting her daily with a warm smile and a gentle wave.
A week later, Akansha ordered a burger at the canteen. Only when she reached the counter did she realise:
She didn’t have her wallet.
Before she could panic, the canteen guy said, “Already paid.”
Confused, she turned and saw Security Uncle smiling shyly from the gate.
Her friends burst into laughter. “Ohooo… Security Uncle has a crush on you!”
She brushed it off embarrassed.
One evening, after a long lab session, Akansha stayed back to finish her assignment. By the time she stepped out, the campus was nearly empty. Heavy rain poured down, and her friends had already left.
She stood alone outside the lab, worried. Suddenly, she heard footsteps.
Security Uncle was walking towards her with an umbrella.
Akansha stiffened for a moment. “Uncle… your duty is over, right? Why are you still here?”
He didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he took out his wallet, opened it, and showed her a small, faded photograph.
A little girl. Smiling beautifully. With the same eyes as Akansha.
His voice trembled. “Her name was A…AAk...Akansha my daughter. She died of fever when she was just ten years old."
Akansha froze.
He continued softly:
“If she were alive today… she would be exactly your age. You look just like her. When I see you, I feel like… like my daughter is still around me.”
Akansha felt her chest tighten.
Her eyes filled with tears, hidden by the rain.
She had misunderstood him.
He wasn’t obsessed.
He wasn’t inappropriate.
He was a father… looking at a reflection of the child he lost forever.
Without saying a word, she stepped under the umbrella beside him.
Together, they walked towards the gate.
For the first time, she noticed the softness in his eyes, not admiration, but pain, memory, and love that never got a chance to grow.
From that day onward, Akansha always made it a point to smile, wave, and ask, “How are you, Uncle?”
Not out of obligation.
But out of respect for a father whose heart still waited for a daughter whose laughter echoes only in memories.
A quiet, emotional story that teaches us:
Sometimes the people we see every day hold the deepest untold stories.
And a simple smile… can heal more than we think.
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