50-The Brilliance of Small Things

Nexha kept swimming in circles around his nest, his chest heaving with frustration. He didn’t understand why he was so furious. It was just a pearl. He didn’t even like it… right?

Then why did something inside him feel so restless?

He ran a hand over his face, pulling his hair back, trying to calm himself. His body was tense, his muscles ached. His mind swirled in a whirlpool of unanswered questions.

— Enough. I won’t look for it anymore.

He headed home and ran into Nalu along the way.

— Are you okay, Nexha?

— I am… I just lost something, but I couldn’t find it.

— That’s alright. We all lose things sometimes. Whenever I migrated with my family, lots of things would get lost along the way.

She ran a hand over Nexha’s head before resting it on the child's shoulder.

— Want to see something cool to cheer you up?

— I do!

Nexha didn’t hesitate. He really wanted to see something new. Excited, Nalu spun with him in the water before taking his hand and leading him to her home. The place was so well-lit it almost seemed magical. Lucky crab skeletons decorated the walls, glowing faintly, giving everything a cozy atmosphere.

— Come, look right here.

Nalu led Nexha to the back of her home, where an open space revealed a small improvised workshop. Unlike most nests at the bottom of the sea, this place was full of life and soft, welcoming colors. Strings of shells hung from the ceiling like mobiles, swaying gently with the water’s movement.

Nexha blinked a few times, impressed.

— Wow… — he murmured, slowly turning to take in everything around him.

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— Hehe, thanks! I like making things feel… alive. — Nalu smiled shyly, rummaging through a bag made of woven moray eel leaves.

She seemed nervous about showing him something, but also excited. Her slender fingers moved quickly as she pulled out a small object covered by a piece of coral.

— Here! Look at this! — she said enthusiastically.

She revealed a small device made of shells and reinforced fish bones. It was rounded, with tiny holes along the sides.

— What is it? — Nexha asked, leaning in to get a better look.

Nalu smiled and blew into the side of the object. Instantly, a soft melody began to play, and tiny bubbles started to emerge from it. But instead of floating quickly to the surface, they drifted around like fireflies in the ocean. Some glowed faintly, creating an almost magical effect.

Nexha’s eyes widened.

— That’s amazing! How did you make this?!

— I… well… — Nalu laughed softly, looking away, embarrassed by the praise. — I like to observe… so I noticed that this type of coral releases different kinds of bubbles, and I made this.

Nexha took the little artifact in his hands, examining it. It was light but felt sturdy. It reminded him of a small ocarina.

— This is so beautiful… Lilay will fall asleep much faster if he hears this sound near him.

— Yes! I actually made it for you kids! — Nalu grew even more excited.

She made a small gesture with her hand, and the bubbles scattered through the space. Some floated toward the entrance of the house, where Lilay saw them and, curious, started playing among them. Nexha let out a quiet chuckle, watching his little brother so happy.

For the first time that day, he felt his tension ease.

The warm atmosphere of the place and Nalu’s enthusiasm distracted him from the frustration he had been carrying.

— You’re really smart, Nalu. — he said, without thinking.

The girl turned red, looking away again.

— Ah… I just like making things, that’s all.

— No! Really! You make incredible things! — Nexha insisted, crossing his arms. — I bet your inventions could help so many people out there!

Nalu nervously played with her hair, clearly unsure how to react to so much praise.

— Well… maybe one day… I’ll stop making silly things… and create something that actually helps. — she said softly.

Nexha smiled, but soon sighed. Even though he felt calmer, the unsettling feeling of losing the pearl was still there, like a tiny splinter in his mind.

Nalu noticed the change in his expression.

— Still thinking about what you lost?

Nexha hesitated but nodded.

— Yeah… I know it’s just a silly thing, but… I feel like it was important. I just don’t know why.

Nalu tilted her head, thoughtful.

— Sometimes, when we lose something, we end up finding something even more special instead.

— Thanks, Nalu.

Her shy gaze softened into a gentle smile.

— You’re welcome, Nexha. I hope you find what you’re looking for.

For some reason, at that moment, he felt that no matter what was happening, he wasn’t completely alone.

And for now, that was enough.