Hey, I'm Jugnu Khurana, but Papa calls me Jugs. It's our special nickname, just between us. Whenever anyone asks why he chose this name, his eyes sparkle, and he says, 'Jugnu means fireflies, and she illuminated my darkest nights.' His words make me feel special, like I'm the sunshine in his life.

Papa's love is unconditional, and I adore him for it. His strong arms, gentle smile, and kind heart make me feel safe. Sometimes, I catch him staring at me, his eyes filled with a deep sadness and longing. I don't understand it, but I know it's connected to my mother, Pranati. Papa never talks about her, but I sense the depth of his love.

I've heard whispers among our staff, hushed conversations about Papa's past. They say he was different before I was born, that something changed him. I don't know what, but I'm grateful for the love he showers me with.

As I grow older, I realize Papa's sacrifices. He never drinks, despite our family's alcohol business. It's because of my mother. His love for her is unwavering, even after all these years. Sometimes, I wonder what she was like, what they were like together.

Papa's stories about us – about how I changed his life – make me feel proud. I'm his light, his firefly. He tells me how I giggled as a baby, how I took my first steps, and how I always made him smile. His eyes light up, and for a moment, the sadness disappears.

I promise to make Papa proud, to be the light he sees in me. I'll support him, love him, and be his Jugs forever. But sometimes, in the quiet moments, I wish I knew more about my mother. What was she like? Why did she leave? Did she love Papa as much as he loved her?

I glance at Papa, and he smiles, unaware of my thoughts. I push the questions aside, focusing on the love we share. For now, that's enough.

But As I grow older, my curiosity about my mother intensifies. Papa's silence only fuels my desire to know more. I begin sneaking glances at old family albums, searching for clues.

One afternoon, while exploring the attic, I stumble upon a dusty trunk. Inside, I find a beautiful silver locket with two photos: Papa and a woman with piercing eyes, a bright smile, and long, dark hair.

My heart skips a beat. This must be her. I study the photo, noticing the way Papa looks at her – adoration, love, and a hint of sadness.

Suddenly, I hear footsteps. Papa enters the attic, his expression a mix of surprise and concern.

"Jugnu, what are you doing here?"

"I found this," I say, holding up the locket.

Papa's eyes widen, and he takes a deep breath. "That's your mother, Pranati."

"Tell me about her, Papa," I plead, my voice barely above a whisper.

He hesitates, then begins to speak, his words painting a vivid picture of their love story...

REYANSH KHURANA

"Jugnu, your mother... she was a force of nature. In college, I was the life of the party, always up for a good time, and basketball was my passion. But then Pranati entered my life, and everything shifted. She was intelligent, witty, and had these piercing eyes that saw right through me. We collided like two stars, our love blazing bright.

We'd spend hours exploring the city, laughing, and dreaming together. I'd never felt that depth of connection before. Your mother had this spark, this energy that drew me in. We'd talk about our future, building a life together.

Then, we found out you were on the way. I was ecstatic, yet scared. My family's business expectations and my own fears overwhelmed me. I made mistakes, said things I regret, and slowly, we drifted apart. My stupidity and immaturity tore us apart, Jugnu.

I remember the day she left, feeling like my world had shattered. I tried reaching out, but pride and fear kept us apart. Years passed, and I became a shadow of myself. The business consumed me, but the fire within dwindled.

But, Jugnu, your mother loved you so much, even before you were born. She wanted the best for you, and I promise, I'll always strive to be the best father for you. Forgiveness will take time, but I hope you understand that love can be complicated.

Look at you, my little firefly, you're the sparkle of our love. Your smile reminds me of your mother's, and my heart swells with gratitude. I wish I could turn back time, do things differently, but life doesn't offer reruns.

All I can do is cherish the memories and ensure you know how much you're loved. Your mother may not be here, but her love for you remains, and I'll make sure you always feel it.

Sometimes, I wonder what could've been if we'd stayed together. Would we have conquered the world, side by side? Would our love have overcome the obstacles? The what-ifs still haunt me.

But then I look at you, Jugnu, and I know our love created something extraordinary. You're the light of my life, my reason for being. And I promise to always be here for you, to support and guide you through life's ups and downs.

Your mother would want that too. She'd want us to be happy, to thrive. And I'll make sure you know her story, her laughter, and her love.

Jugnu, I want you to know that I've kept all the letters your mother wrote to me, and to you, before you were born. They're filled with love, hope, and dreams for our future. I'll give them to you when the time is right.

You deserve to know your mother's love, her strength, and her resilience. And I'll be here, always, to help you navigate life's journey.

"You loved her so much don't you?" She asked me and I looked at her as she cleaned my tears.