Chapter 18: A Gift of Ambition

At the Singh residence, Sneha leaned back on the sofa, sipping her tea as she recounted her earlier conversation with Rudra to Vikram. Her tone was a mix of amusement and admiration, her words carefully chosen to highlight the young boy's extraordinary maturity.

"So, Rudra wants stocks as a birthday gift," she said, watching Vikram's reaction closely.

Vikram froze mid-sip, lowering his cup slowly. "Stocks?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow. "For a four-year-old?"

Sneha nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Surprising, isn't it? But honestly, I find it intriguing. He spoke so earnestly about it, like he'd been thinking about this for a long time."

Vikram leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "That's… very interesting."

"Right," Sneha interjected, finishing his thought with a grin. "It's not every day a kid asks for investments instead of toys or games. But there's something about Rudra. He's different—thoughtful, focused."

Vikram sat back, shaking his head in disbelief. "Indeed, it's unconventional. But what are your thoughts? There's nothing inherently wrong with the idea… aside from the fact that he's just four years old!" He laughed, the sound echoing through the room.

Sneha laughed along but soon grew serious. "Yes, it's unconventional, but I think we should do it. It's not just about the stocks; it's about encouraging his ambitions. He's showing interest in something most kids his age wouldn't even think about. It's worth supporting."

Vikram stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So, did he mention any specific stocks?"

Sneha nodded. "He did. He mentioned Symphony for now. He said he's trying to test his understanding of the market and that having it in his portfolio would give him a sense of responsibility."

Vikram chuckled again, impressed despite himself. "Symphony, huh? That's not a bad pick for a beginner. It's stable, has potential for growth, and doesn't require much capital to start with. Did he mention anything else?"

"He also talked about Tipro and Intosys but said he wasn't ready to focus on those yet. He wants to start small and build from there."

Vikram leaned back, clearly impressed. "This boy is something else. At four years old, he's talking about portfolios and market understanding. I've met grown men who don't think as strategically."

Sneha smiled, her admiration evident. "Exactly. That's why I think we should go ahead with it. It's not just a gift—it's an investment in his dreams."

Vikram nodded slowly. "You know, Sneha, this has got me thinking about Aarav. He's bright, but he's been more focused on immediate rewards—games, toys, things like that. Maybe we could use this to encourage him to think out of the box too."

Sneha's face lit up. "You're absolutely right. Aarav could benefit from this kind of perspective. Why don't we buy the same stocks for him as well? It'll be a way to introduce him to the idea of long-term thinking."

Vikram grinned. "Perfect. Let's do it. We'll gift both Rudra and Aarav their first shares on Rudra's birthday. We can even make it a little lesson for them—talk about what these companies do and how the market works."

Sneha clapped her hands together, clearly pleased. "I love it! This could be the start of something great for both of them."

---

Later that night, as they prepared for bed, Vikram's thoughts lingered on the conversation. He changed into his nightwear, glancing over at Sneha, who was flipping through a book.

"You know," he began, breaking the comfortable silence, "I've never really thought much about the stock market myself. I mean, I've read about it here and there, but I've never felt the urge to invest."

Sneha closed her book and looked up at him with a thoughtful expression. "It's not too late to start, you know. It could be a learning experience for all of us. Why don't we do a bit of research together? We could make small investments—just enough to get our feet wet."

Vikram smiled at her suggestion. "That's not a bad idea. If Rudra and Aarav can explore this, so can we. It'll give us a chance to understand what we're getting the kids into."

Sneha nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly. And who knows? We might even find it interesting."

As they settled into bed, Vikram found his thoughts wandering back to Rudra. He couldn't help but marvel at the boy's precociousness. What kind of four-year-old asked for stocks as a gift? Rudra's determination and focus were far beyond his years, and Vikram found himself both impressed and curious.

He turned to Sneha, who was already drifting off to sleep. "Do you think Rudra will stay this focused as he grows older?"

Sneha, her voice drowsy but warm, replied, "If he has the right guidance, I think he will. He's special, Vikram. We're lucky to have him in our lives."

Vikram smiled, her words settling over him like a comforting blanket. Yes, Rudra was special. And perhaps, this small gesture of support—the gift of stocks—would be the start of something extraordinary, not just for Rudra, but for Aarav as well.

As Vikram lay there, staring at the ceiling, a thought struck him. "Maybe," he murmured to himself, "this isn't just about Rudra or Aarav. Maybe it's about all of us learning to think differently."

With that thought, he resolved to dive into the world of stocks himself. It wasn't just about the kids anymore—it was about setting an example, embracing the unfamiliar, and fostering a mindset of growth and curiosity.

The night was quiet, but Vikram's mind buzzed with possibilities. Tomorrow, he would start his research. A small step, perhaps, but one that carried the promise of change—for Rudra, for Aarav, and for himself.

And as the house settled into stillness, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. The seeds of ambition had been sown, and Vikram knew, deep down, that the journey ahead would be nothing short of remarkable.