Ep 1-Birthday
Niva (Fl)
20 feels strange.
Like I’m standing on the edge of something… big.
But I don’t know what.
Jim(fl father)
You’ve always stood tall, Niva.
Even when you were little and scared of thunderstorms.
Now? You’re a force.
Niva (Fl)
You remember that? The way I used to hide under your desk?
Jim(fl father)
Of course.
I remember everything.
You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
Reyansh(fl 1 uncle)
And to all of us.
You were our little sunrise. Now you’re fire itself.
Happy birthday, sunshine.
Niva (Fl)
Haha, thanks Rey.
You always know how to make me blush.
Augustus (fl 3 uncle)
She does blush easy. It’s adorable.
Did you open my gift?
Niva (Fl)
Not yet. I’m saving yours and Dad’s for last.
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
What about mine?
Tell me you looked in the envelope.
Niva (Fl)
The plane tickets??
You’re serious? Just the two of us?
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
Always.
Mountains. Waterfalls. No phones.
Just you and me, like old times.
Augstya(fl 2 uncle)
She has responsibilities, Aiden.
The board meeting is in three hours. You’re taking my seat today, Niva.
Niva (Fl)
I know. I’ve read the reports five times.
But still—what if I mess up?
Augstya(fl 2 uncle)
You won’t.
You’re smarter than most men twice your age.
And you carry our name. That means something.
Niva (Fl)
No pressure or anything…
Jim(fl father)
He’s right, though.
You’ve got this.
And we’ll all be right there, behind you.
Reyansh(fl 1 uncle)
Well, slightly to the side. I want a good view.
You’re going to look stunning in that dress I had sent over.
Niva (Fl)
So it was you! I thought Augustus picked it.
Augustus (fl 3 uncle)
I wanted to, but Mr. Showoff beat me to it.
Still… I did write the poem that’s embroidered inside the hem.
Niva (Fl)
Wait, what? There’s a poem??
Augustus (fl 3 uncle)
“Gold is not born.
It’s made—
In fire,
In silence,
And in a girl with eyes like the storm.”
That’s you.
Niva (Fl)
...
You guys are going to make me cry before brunch.
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
We’ll cry together later.
For now, eat your cake and enjoy being spoiled.
Jim(fl father)
Just not too spoiled.
She still has to address the guests tonight.
Niva (Fl)
Right. The gala.
Jim(fl father)
Everyone wants to meet the woman you’ve become.
Our future.
Niva (Fl)
It’s a lot.
Sometimes I wonder… what if I just stayed in the greenhouse with Augustus forever?
Augustus (fl 3 uncle)
Tempting offer.
Augstya(fl 2 uncle)
That’s not leadership, Niva.
You don’t get to hide.
Niva (Fl)
{They all speak with such certainty.
Like they’ve known me forever.
And they have. But they don’t see it—
How my heart skips when Dad brushes my hair from my face.
Or when Reyansh kisses my hand like I’m a queen.
Or when Augustus lingers a second too long with those poetic eyes.
Or how Aiden holds me like I’ll break.
Or how Augstya stares, like he sees more than he lets on.
They love me. I know.
But lately… I’ve started loving them differently.
And I don’t know if that makes me broken…
Or just honest.}
Niva (Fl)
Thank you.
All of you.
For everything.
For never making me feel alone.
Jim(fl father)
You never will be.
You are ours, Niva.
Reyansh(fl 1 uncle)
Always.
Augstya(fl 2 uncle)
Even if the world turns against you.
Augustus (fl 3 uncle)
Even if you fall.
Aiden (fl 4 uncle
We’ll catch you. Every time.
Niva (Fl)
{My birthday wasn’t about cake, or the gala.
It was about them.
And the part of me that wonders…
What if love doesn’t always follow the rules?}
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