Swarna Goenka took the boxes she was holding, put them on her mother-in-law's bed and sat next to her as they both opened the boxes and took out the hundreds of pictures. It had become a routine for the two ladies over the years at least once a month go through these pictures and remember those precious moments.
Pictures of Naira and Karthik at Naira's baby shower. Oh how much Naira, Karthik and the family wished for that moment. For years after Kairav was born, they prayed and prayed for another baby. All the mannats they made. All the pujas that were done. Naira's baby shower was a grand event.
Pictures from the day Akshu was born. Everyone smiling with tears in their eyes holding their tiny sleeping bundle of joy. Karthik not letting Akshu out of his sight even for a second. "Remember Maa-ji, how Karthik would fight with anyone who wanted to hold Akshu?" Swarna laughed holding a picture of Karthik looking lovingly at his daughter. "Haan. He kept saying that only he could hold his princess and nobody else." Mimi recalled. Akshu's birth meant all of Karthik and Naira's wishes were granted. All of their dreams come true. Karthik told everyone how his daughter was the best of him and Naira.
Then pictures of baby Akshu coming home. Their ghar ki Lakshmi. And Akshu really was their Lakshmi. She not only brought so much joy with her but her coming also healed her Bade Papa from his illness. The Goenka's businesses reached new heights. Karthik called her his lucky charm. Pictures from her naam-karan and from her Annaprashan and how she picked the tape recorder. Karthik had announced then that his princess will become a singer and how everyone laughed.
Then....pictures from that fateful day they lost Naira. Pictures of Naira, Karthik, Kairav and Akshu happily posing not knowing what was to come. A last picture of a mother tenderly looking at her sleeping baby. Akshu wasn't even 6 months old. Swarna wiped her tears. They didn't have the heart to show this last picture of her and Naira to Akshu.
"Swarna! Look!" Mimi said holding a picture of baby Akshu in a white dress from the day she crawled for the first time. Swarna was holding her and they were both laughing.
"Alllley mera pyara bacha, meri jaan." Swarna said taking the picture and kissing it. "Kitni cute thi na hamari Akshu?"
"Sach mein. Kabhi kabhi toh darti thi usse dekh ke ke meri nazar na lag jaye meri bachi ko. Look at her smile toh? This is the smile that brought Kittu back to us." Swarna nodded. After losing Naira, Karthik went into such deep depression that the family was scared of losing him too. But it was Akshu's laughter and smile that finally made Karthik snap back. Karthik always used to say how could anyone be sad after listening to Akshu's laughter. The sound of her laughter made him feel alive again and her smile brought him the most joy.
Then pictures from Sirat and Karthik's wedding. Pictures of Sirat with Akshu. Akshu with a pigtail. Mimi laughed. "What did Kittu call Akshu when her hair was like this?"
"Pebbles Flintstone." Laughed Swarna.
Mimi pulled up another picture and looked at it sadly. It was of Akshu with her Pebbles hair, barely 18 months old, sitting next to a new born Aarohi. Akshu had a big smile on her face and her hand was resting on Aarohi's head. "I sometimes forget how little Akshu was when Aarohi was born."
"Haan Maa-ji. Akshu was always so sweet and loving to her sister that it makes us forget they are almost the same age."
There were many more pictures over the years. From Akshu's birthday parties and school functions. From Diwali to holidays. But there was always one thing that stayed the same in all the pictures no matter when they were taken and that was the smile on Akshu's face. "Kitni khush rehti thi na hamari Akshu?? Saara din she either was singing, dancing or laughing. The sound of her laughter not only made Kittu alive but also gave life to our house. She was so full of joy. Her eyes always full of love. She would go around the house giving hugs to everyone." Mimi said trying not to cry.
