Nicha sat at the kitchen table with the last slice of watermelon, her small hands holding the green rind. She took a big bite, then pressed her palm against her belly while giggling. She swore a warm golden star glowed inside her ribs. She felt its quiet hum against her skin and smiled wide.
The next morning, Nicha pulled open the fridge with a soft click. Inside, there was no watermelon — only an empty plate on the middle shelf. Her shoulders dropped. She stood staring at the clean dish while the kitchen clock ticked loudly. She thought: Where did my star go?
Nicha rummaged through every drawer and cupboard. She tiptoed into the garden, her fingers brushing dust on the windowsill and dry soil near the rosemary bush. Nothing sparkled. Nothing hummed. Her mouth pressed into a thin flat line. She kicked at a pebble and sighed.
Nicha trudged to the garden fence, ready to turn away. Then a voice called out. Mrs. Lin stood beyond the pickets, holding up a paper cup overflowing with plump purple berries. They looked like tiny dark stars. Nicha's nose wrinkled at the sight. She did not recognize them.
Nicha reached through the fence and took one berry. She offered the cup back, and Mrs. Lin smiled. Nicha popped the berry into her mouth. It burst sweet and tart. Mrs. Lin chewed slowly and her eyes crinkled. Nicha kept her hand pressed to her belly — the gentle warm hum returned.
That evening, Nicha sat cross-legged on the kitchen tiles. She traced glowing patterns in the puddle left by her glass. A single drop caught the sunset and shimmered like a tiny star. She grinned. The star was still inside her — she had carried it all along.
Nicha leaned closer to the puddle. She dragged her finger through the water, drawing swirling lines. Each curve caught the fading light and made it dance. She hummed the same quiet note she had felt all afternoon. It matched the hum inside her perfectly.
The last sunbeam touched the puddle one final time. It made every droplet sparkle like a scattered constellation across the kitchen floor. Nicha laughed and sat back on her heels. She patted her belly gently. The star was safe. It would glow again tomorrow.