In the silent hospital room, the sharp smell of antiseptic clouded my senses. The lifeless beep of the machines was a constant reminder that time was slipping through my fingers. My mother y on the white bed, a mere shadow of herself, her life slowly fading.

  Her pale face, sunken eyes, and the faint smile resting on her lips said more than words ever could. The tears spilling from her eyes pierced my soul, drawing me into a quiet sorrow. Her trembling hands gently touched my cheeks—soft, light, and full of everything she couldn’t express.

  I leaned closer. Her breaths were short, struggling to hold on just a moment longer. But even in the midst of her pain, there was a strange sparkle in her eyes—a dream left unfinished. Her lips parted slightly, and a weak whisper reached my ears:“Son… take care of your sister…”For a fleeting moment, a gentle smile pyed on her lips—a smile that said everything. Then, as if time itself exhaled, everything came to a halt.

  My lips parted, but no words came. My heart sank under the weight of an unfamiliar sorrow. Only one word escaped: “Ma…”

  And then… silence.

  Suddenly, my eyes snapped open.

  My breathing was heavy, sweat clung to my forehead, and my heart pounded in my chest. The room was still dark, but the soft yellow light creeping through the window signaled that morning was near.

  I whispered something—anything—to push the feeling of dread away. Reaching for my phone... 5:30 AM. I had almost forgotten what waking up this early felt like.

  I dragged myself out of bed, hoping to lift the weight pressing down on my chest.

  The house was still. The usual silence greeted me. Everything sat as it always had, but today, the air felt different—like the night had left behind a story, still hidden in the walls. I moved through my routine—cleaning a bit, then freshening up. The sound of tea boiling and the warm scent of toast brought an odd sense of peace to the morning.

  Everything is set. I'm ready, but Anya is still asleep.

  "Anya, wake up, breakfast is ready," I call out, a bit louder. Last night, she had been completely lost in her books.

  No response.

  A flicker of worry tightens my chest. I walk toward her room, my steps slow, cautious. As I gently push the door open, the scene inside unfolds—Anya slumped over her study table, fast asleep. Books scattered around her, a pen dangling from the edge of the table, almost touching the floor. Her hand still rested on an open page—as if sleep had stolen her away in the middle of writing.

  I just stand there for a moment, watching her.

  I don’t want to wake her, but if she keeps sleeping like this, she’ll miss her tuition—and she has a test today.

  I take a deep breath and gently, but firmly, wake her up.

  Ayaan is only 21, but the weight of responsibility on his shoulders feels far heavier than his age should bear. He lives in a small rented house, with a sister who means more to him than the entire world. Their story has been written in shadows of pain and loneliness since childhood. There was a day, long ago, when their father left without a word, vanishing like mist into thin air. Their mother was there, but sick—so sick that one day, death took away her suffering... leaving Ayaan and Anya with nothing but each other.

  Now, Ayaan works as non-technical staff in a hospital. In that sterile building of white walls, he’s known only as a clinical sample delivery boy. From b to ward, from ward to the operation theatre—he runs all day, carrying files and test samples. He earns just 17,000 rupees a month, but every rupee has a purpose: paying rent and covering Anya’s tuition fees.

  Anya is a cheerful, confident 17-year-old with a small scar on her face—a lingering reminder of a wound given by their father in childhood. At just 5’1, her dream-filled eyes and ever-smiling face paint a picture of innocence. It’s as though she’s built her own little world in the middle of a sea of sorrow. She loves long skirts and simple salwar suits, wearing them with an innocent charm. But that innocence is only skin-deep. Beneath it, she’s fighting a battle of her own.

  Anya dreams of becoming a doctor. She’s preparing for NEET, hoping to make life easier for Ayaan.

  For Ayaan, the world is a pce where living is a compulsion.

  For Anya, it’s a dream she’s determined to fulfill—no matter what.

  Ayaan stands at 5'9", slender with long, messy bck hair—so tangled it gives him the look of a lost Tarzan among the city crowd. He doesn’t care much for fashion, but he seems oddly attached to bck—bck shirts, bck pants, bck shoes. A monotone, perhaps an attempt to mask the emptiness within.

  As he walks through the sterile, white corridors of the hospital, a wave of loneliness washes over him. He reaches his department and sits in front of an old computer. The soft clicking of the keyboard breaks the silence. Patient files and new data entries pop up on the screen, but today, his mind is elsewhere."Man, when is Priyanshi ma’am going to show up?"

  His thoughts are more consumed by Priyanshi than by his work. She’s a 24-year-old independent woman, carrying quiet grace and unshakable confidence. Her self-assurance, her smile, the way she commands respect—it’s all made her the object of admiration from everyone at the hospital. Ayaan, too, is just one among the many, hopelessly drawn to her.

  He’s always liked Priyanshi—maybe even loved her—but as an introvert, he’s never had the courage to say it. Every time he sees her, his heart races, his palms sweat, but his lips remain silent."I wish I could tell her how special she is to me…" But time is running out.

  Two days ago, a message had popped up on the hospital’s WhatsApp group:"Priyanshi ma’am is resigning today. She’s joining another company."

  Since then, a storm has been brewing inside Ayaan. If he doesn’t speak up today, he might never get the chance.

  Today, he’s made up his mind—he will confess his feelings to Priyanshi, no matter what.

  Ayaan was typing away at the keyboard, his eyes on the screen but his mind far from it. No matter how much he tried to focus, one thought kept circling in his head—Priyanshi.

  Suddenly—Thud!A sharp smack nded on his back.

  “Ahh!” Ayaan winced, jerking upright. “What the hell, you idiot?!”

  Behind him stood Roshit, grinning wide. His long upright hair looked like it had been electrocuted on purpose. Varun stood beside him, arms crossed, trying to hold back ughter.

  “What were you thinking about?” Roshit teased with a wink. “Don’t tell me Priyanshi ma’am broke your heart already.”

  Ayaan managed a faint smile, but his eyes told a different story. “Nah... Just not in the mood to work.”

  Varun perked up. “Then let’s go party after shift!”

  Ayaan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Can’t. Laundry, cooking, helping Anya study—she’s got a test tomorrow.”

  “Bro, you’ve gone full family man,” Roshit ughed, dragging over a chair.

  “We haven’t chilled in ages,” he added. “Come on, we’ll make a pn.”

  “I would,” Ayaan said, “but I’m broke right now. Maybe next month.”

  Varun cpped a hand on his shoulder. “Forget money. Just show up—we’ve got you.”

  Ayaan chuckled. “Nah, I can’t come empty-handed. Seriously, next month.”

  “Alright, alright,” Roshit said, hands up in surrender.

  As the two turned to leave, Ayaan suddenly called out, “Wait.”

  They paused and looked back.

  Ayaan took a breath. “You guys know Priyanshi ma’am’s leaving today, right?”

  “Yeah, everyone knows,” Varun said casually.

  Ayaan nodded, staring at the floor. “I’ve been thinking... maybe I should tell her. You know—how I feel.”

  “WHAT?” both of them blurted out in sync.

  Varun stepped forward, raising an eyebrow. “You serious? Priyanshi? Bro, she’s smart, cssy, confident... You really think she’d say yes?”

  Ayaan’s eyes narrowed, but he stayed quiet.

  Roshit stepped in, voice steady. “Hey, this is your moment. You miss this, you might never get another. Who knows—maybe she feels the same.”

  Something shifted in Ayaan. He clenched his fist softly, a bit of color rising in his cheeks. “Yeah… I’ll do it. I have to.”

  Then he shot Varun a sharp look. “Didn’t expect you to try and pull me down like that.”

  Roshit grinned. “What does he know about love? He’s just horny 24/7.”

  “Hey!” Varun snapped, lunging at Roshit with mock outrage, grabbing him by the neck. “Watch your mouth!”

  “Okay, okay, cool it,” Ayaan said, trying to hold in a ugh. “Stop acting like kids.”

  Roshit suddenly turned serious. “By the way, Priyanshi’s already here. So... when are you going to do it?”

  “I thought maybe on my way home.”

  “Nope,” Varun cut in. “She’s leaving after the farewell party—half-day. Better say it before that.”

  Ayaan looked nervous. He twirled the pen in his fingers. “But how? She’s always surrounded by people…”

  Varun exchanged a gnce with Roshit, then leaned in.

  “Go to the storeroom. Nobody’s ever there. Pretend you’re looking for something. I’ll send Priyanshi to help you. You’ll have a minute alone.”

  Ayaan’s heart pounded. His throat was dry. But a shy smile crept onto his face.

  “You think I can actually do this?”

  “Stop overthinking,” Roshit said. “Just go. We’ll handle the rest.”

  Taking a deep breath, Ayaan nodded and walked toward the storeroom. With every step, his heartbeat grew louder.

  Once he disappeared, Varun gnced at Roshit.

  “You think he’ll actually say it?”

  Roshit snorted. “Please. I’d bet money he chickens out.”

  Still ughing, they returned to their desks, sample tubes waiting in front of them. But the grins on their faces didn’t fade.

  (20 minutes ter)

  Feeling bored, Ayaan pulled out his phone and dialed Varun’s number.Tring-tring… tring-tring… The phone kept ringing, but no one picked up.He hung up in frustration. “Why isn’t Varun answering? Did something happen in the department?”His heartbeat quickened. “If the manager finds out, this could turn into a big problem. I need to get back—now.”

  He hurried toward the storeroom door, his footsteps echoing in the narrow space. But just then…A faint noise—footsteps, maybe—reached his ears. He froze. The storeroom was dimly lit, shadows stretching across the racks and boxes. Someone was definitely approaching.

  Ayaan didn’t pay much attention at first, but as the person passed by him, a sweet fragrance lingered in the air.This scent… it’s hers…Without thinking, Ayaan turned around.

  “Ayaan, you're here?”

  For a moment, time stood still. His heart skipped a beat, and his breath caught in his throat.Her flowing bck hair, deep brown eyes, and a glow that could shame the moon—Priyanshi stood there, effortlessly perfect. Just like always.

  Ayaan stood frozen, lost in her eyes.

  “Were you looking for something?” she asked gently.

  Ayaan, slightly hesitant, replied, “Yeah… a technician was asking for a medium-sized b coat. I was looking for one but couldn’t find it.”

  Priyanshi smiled. “Oh, is that so? Come on, I’ll help you look for it.”

  Ayaan's heart skipped again. ‘She wants to help me? Does that mean… maybe…’

  They both started searching on different shelves—Ayaan crouching to check the lower racks while Priyanshi stood on tiptoe, reaching for the higher ones. But despite the task at hand, Ayaan’s mind was a whirlwind. ‘How do I tell her? Is this the right moment?’

  Every time he looked at Priyanshi, his heart tightened, and the question that had been tormenting him for days kept repeating—if he didn’t say it today, he might never get the chance again. She looked so effortlessly beautiful that it only deepened his nervousness. ‘Just say it, Ayaan. Say it now!’

  His breath hitched as he gathered his courage, his voice soft yet shaky. “Umm, ma’am…”

  Priyanshi turned from the shelf with a surprised smile. “You called me?”

  Ayaan froze for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. Nervously, he blurted out, “Uh, umm… today you looked re… really beautiful.” His cheeks flushed bright red, and he quickly lowered his gaze, embarrassed by his sudden slip.

  Priyanshi’s lips curved into a soft smile, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Aww, thank you! Actually, today’s my st day here, so I thought I’d dress up a little.”

  The words hit Ayaan like a sudden storm. Her st day. The finality of it all made him feel small and helpless. He tried to push past the wave of sadness building inside him, forcing a smile onto his face. “Oh, yeah, I heard you’re leaving this pce. We’re all going to miss you.”

  Priyanshi ughed softly, though there was an underlying sadness in her voice. “I’ll miss you guys too. But for my career, I have to keep moving forward, Ayaan.”

  Ayaan’s heart sank at the words. She was moving on—out of his reach. “By the way, where did you get the new job?”

  “I was called to Gurgaon for the interview,” she expined. “After that, the online training started. Right now, I’m working from home, but once the training is over, they’ll call me to the office. The location hasn’t been confirmed yet.”

  Ayaan nodded, his throat tight. ‘Gurgaon... She’s leaving.’ The distance between them suddenly felt so much wider.

  Priyanshi, with a soft sigh, turned back to the shelf. Moments ter, she pulled out the b coat. “Here it is. Found it!”

  Ayaan stared at her in awe. “Wow, ma’am! You’re amazing! I couldn’t find it even after searching so much, and you found it instantly!”

  She smiled again, the warmth of her gaze making Ayaan’s heart skip. “Oh, I’m not that special,” she said, handing him the coat. Her touch lingered for just a moment longer than necessary, but Ayaan couldn’t bring himself to meet her eyes.

  As Priyanshi started to leave, Ayaan felt an ache deep inside his chest. He couldn’t let her go like this. If he didn’t say it now, he might never get the chance again.

  ‘Just say it, Ayaan. Speak your heart.’

  He hesitated, his throat dry, and then—“Ma’am, wait a minute!”

  Priyanshi stopped, her expression shifting to one of mild surprise, then curiosity. “What happened, Ayaan?”

  Ayaan’s voice faltered. His chest tightened, and the words felt heavier than he imagined. ‘This is it. This is the moment.’ But when the words finally left his mouth, they weren’t what he’d pnned. “I… um… I’ll miss you.”

  The simplicity of it, the weight of unspoken feelings left unsaid, hung in the air. Priyanshi stared at him for a moment, her eyes searching his face as if she could read the unspoken words.

  Then, she smiled—a soft, gentle smile—and tapped Ayaan’s forehead with her finger. “Aww, Ayaan, you’re just like a kid. I’ll miss you too.”

  Ayaan stood frozen, a strange emptiness settling in his stomach. The smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. There was something else there—an understanding, a quiet disappointment. As if she’d been waiting for him to say more.

  "If fate allows, we’ll surely meet again, Ayaan."

  Her words echoed in his ears as she turned away and walked toward the door. The moment felt surreal, like he was watching from a distance, as if his body couldn’t keep up with his emotions. He watched her leave without looking back.

  His heart pounded painfully in his chest, his hand still holding the b coat, which had slipped from his fingers. It hit the floor with a soft thud, but Ayaan didn’t move. He was paralyzed by the weight of what he hadn’t said.

  ‘I should have confessed… I should have told her how I feel.’

  But instead, he stood there, his mind a blur, his tongue frozen in pce.

  Priyanshi’s footsteps faded as she disappeared into the corridor, and with it, the chance he’d let slip through his fingers.

  As she walked away, Priyanshi felt a tinge of sadness in her chest. ‘I thought Ayaan would confess his feelings…’ She had expected something, but the silence between them had said everything. ‘Maybe I was wrong about him.’

  Ayaan slowly collected himself, cursing his own hesitation. Disappointment washed over him like a wave, his shoulders slumping. He’d wanted to say so much, but in the end, all he could do was watch her walk away.

  The party was in full swing—ughter echoed from every corner, music bred through the speakers, and joy filled the air. Both my friends sat beside me, chatting freely with Priyanshi. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, carried on light waves of ughter. I just sat there quietly, staring at my gss, like a stranger in my own circle.With every passing moment, a new question would rise in my heart—only to fade away just as quickly, as if someone had muted me in my own story.

  The party was coming to an end. Priyanshi walked outside with a few of her friends—everyone had gathered to say goodbye to her. I stayed behind, standing by the window, feeling the breeze brush against my face.Somewhere deep inside, a quiet ache stirred—an emotion that couldn’t be seen, but sat heavy on my chest like a stone.

  From the balcony, I watched as Priyanshi said goodbye to everyone, hugging her female colleagues one by one, leaving behind the soft warmth of her smile on their faces. Then, for a moment, she looked around—like she was searching for something. My heart suddenly began to race. Maybe… just maybe… was she looking for me?

  But no..... Without a pause, she hailed a taxi, opened the door, and left—without looking back. The headlights fshed across my eyes for a brief moment, and by the time everything settled… she was gone.

  My fingers clenched tighter around the railing. My heart swelled with a strange ache—deep, dull, and final. It was just one moment. Just one breath in time where everything could’ve changed… But today, my silence stole that moment from me. And now, it’s gone—just like her.

  On my way home from the hospital, that one thought kept echoing in my mind—“Do I even deserve to live?”“Why am I like this?”

  I haven’t told my friends about any of it yet… and I know.I know they’ll be disappointed in me.

  As soon as Ayaan reached home, he got straight to work. He cleaned the house, then took a bath and started preparing dinner. He stood at the kitchen counter, silently chopping vegetables. With every slice, he was cutting through the regret that had piled up inside him all day.

  Anya quietly walked into the kitchen and stood there for a moment, just watching her brother. Then, with a gentle smile, she said, “So… how was your day today?”

  Ayaan looked at her for a moment, then went back to chopping vegetables. “It was… just okay,” he said softly, his eyes fixed on the cutting board.

  “Just okay? Doesn’t look like it from your face.”

  Ayaan put the knife down and, in a very quiet voice, told Anya everything. “I wanted to tell Priyanshi…” he said softly, “I wanted to tell her that I love her.”

  "And you couldn't say it?" Anya asked gently.

  "I couldn't say it. Today, I’m filled with regret. I wanted to tell her how I feel… but I just couldn’t."

  Silence filled the kitchen—only the soft whir of the fan could be heard. Ayaan’s voice grew even softer, as if confessing a secret. “I kept waiting… and now, all I’m left with is the regret of missing my chance.”

  Anya stepped closer and gently pced her hand on his shoulder. “Bhaiya,” she said softly but with conviction, “feelings like these don’t just disappear. Maybe today wasn’t the right moment, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end. If not today, maybe tomorrow… maybe God will give you another chance.”

  Ayaan looked at his sister for a moment after hearing her words, and then a faint smile slowly appeared on his lips.

  "And anyway, you're so smart," Anya said with a pyful wink, "if not her, then someone else. You're an expert after all—you'll win someone over, right?"

  Ayaan stared at her for a moment, then suddenly burst out ughing. He pulled Anya toward him with a pyful tug and gave her a tight hug.

  "Yeah, absolutely, you little devil!"

  "Hey bhaiya, let me go! Don’t hug me so tight, you crazy brother!" Anya shouted, but her ughter was louder than her words.

  Ayaan burst into ughter and gently let go of her hand.

  “Honestly, having a sister in your life is nothing less than a blessing.The peace I felt in that moment… I doubt anything else could ever compare.Every day was filled with ughter and teasing between us—even the smallest things, when shared with her, brought a strange sense of comfort.I believe—no matter what happens—our future will be filled with light.”

  But this morning… something truly unexpected happened.

  My eyes slowly opened to the soft light of the morning. A lingering drowsiness still clung to my body. I reached out over the bed, picked up the phone lying beside me, and unlocked the screen. As I scrolled through the notification bar, one particur email caught my attention.

  My eyes snapped wide open. For a moment, my heartbeat quickened.

  "Congratutions! Your interview is scheduled at our Gurgaon branch. Please arrive on time for further information regarding the job."

  I stared at the screen for a moment, as if trying to confirm this wasn’t a dream. It was real—this was actually happening!

  Job Offer?

  The words on the screen fshed in front of Ayaan’s eyes again and again—“Congratutions! Your interview is scheduled…”

  His heartbeat surged. Whatever heavy veil of sleep still lingered vanished in an instant. Is this real? Am I really getting a chance like this? His fingers slowly slid across the phone screen, as if seeking confirmation— needing to be sure it wasn’t just a dream.

  Taking a deep breath, Ayaan walked over to the window and stood there. Outside, the soft light of morning was beginning to spread. A gentle breeze brushed against his face, stirring a wave of new hope within him. “I won’t let this chance slip away,” he whispered to himself— as if making a silent promise.

  Just then, a sleepy voice came from behind— “Bhaiya, you’re up already?”

  Ayaan turned around. Anya was still rubbing her eyes, a lock of her hair stuck to one side of her face but the moment her gaze nded on Ayaan’s beaming face, her sleep vanished instantly.

  “Hey, what happened? Why do you look so happy?”

  Ayaan suddenly picked Anya up by the waist and spun her around in the air.

  “Bhaiyaa! Stop it! I’m scared!” Anya squealed, though her words were ced with ughter.

  Ayaan ughed out loud. “I’ve been called for an interview, Anya!”

  Anya’s face lit up instantly. “What? An interview?”

  Ayaan nodded with a smile.

  “That means you’ll finally earn more than this pce pays you!” Anya teased with a grin.

  “Yes, you little nut, yes!” Ayaan said, ughing.

  Anya jumped excitedly and said,“Yaayy! Bhaiya, you’re seriously lucky! Yesterday your heart broke, and today you got a new job!”

  Ayaan’s face suddenly went stiff. The smile vanished from his lips. For a moment, everything just… stopped. His expression slowly faded, as if someone had taken a tiny bde and scraped open an old wound in his heart. His eyes lowered, his feet quietly stepped back, and without saying a word, he walked over to a corner and sat down. “My luck is just awful…” he murmured, staring quietly at the wall.

  Anya’s face turned serious in an instant. She rushed over to Ayaan and gently pced her hand on his shoulder. “Hey Bhaiya! I was just joking!”

  Ayaan took a deep breath, as if trying to push down the ache inside him. After a moment of silence, he pulled himself together. His expression shifted—calm, steady… strong once again.

  He suddenly stood up, clenching his fist. “No matter what, I won’t let this job slip away. If the sary’s good, I’ll quit my old job and with a better income, the two of us can finally live a good life, Anya.”

  Anya cpped her hands excitedly. “Yes, Bhaiya! And I truly believe you’ll succeed! All your hard work won’t go to waste.” Then she pyfully clenched her tiny fist and added with a grin, “I’ll become a doctor too—a really big one! And then all three of our lives will be set!”

  Ayaan squinted slightly in confusion. “Us three?”

  Anya replied with a mischievous smile, “I mean me, you, and your future wife—my bhabhi, Bhaiya!”

  Ayaan pyfully smacked her on the head. “Hehe, you little nut! You just say whatever comes to your mind!”

  “Alright, now go freshen up and get ready. I’ll make breakfast!”

  After finishing the household chores, Ayaan opened his wardrobe. A white shirt and bck trousers—his best clothes—were carefully lifted from the hanger. He smoothed out the shirt with his hands, almost as if brushing off his hesitation. Standing in front of the mirror, he adjusted his colr and looked at his reflection.

  “Ufff… It’s been years since I went for an interview,” he said, looking at his own reflection.“No idea what they’re going to ask me.”

  Just then, a teasing voice called out from behind— “Oh please, Bhaiya, I already know what they’re going to ask you— ‘When are you getting married?’”

  Ayaan squinted at her. “Yeah, right—like you’re the CEO of that company or something!”

  Anya pced her hands on her hips and said with full drama, “If I were the boss, I’d make you do all the sweeping and mopping—and I’d demand paneer tikka for dinner every day!”

  Ayaan folded his hands dramatically. “Oh yeah, like I’d love to do all that with joy!”

  The two of them burst into ughter for a moment.

  Ayaan slipped on his bck shoes, took a deep breath, and dropped a message in his department’s WhatsApp group asking for a day off. He gnced at Anya, who was still standing there, waiting to see him off.

  “Alright, I’m heading out,” Ayaan said.

  Anya raised her hand with a pyful, fake-serious salute and smiled. “Best of luck, Bhaiya!”

  As soon as the door closed behind him, Ayaan took a deep breath. A cool breeze brushed against his face, as if hinting at the beginning of a new journey. With every step he took down the road, a fresh surge of energy coursed through him.

  “This is a new opportunity,” he thought to himself. “And I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”

  Amidst the soft hum of the metro compartment and the quiet murmur of passengers, Ayaan sat on his seat, scrolling through his phone. “Hmm… so the company’s name is ‘Trinity Foundation.’” He read the email again. The screen’s glow lit up his face, but his thoughts were elsewhere—on the new opportunity, on the journey ahead.

  As soon as he stepped out of the metro station, the tall gss buildings of Gurgaon, the fast-moving cars, and the bustling crowd made him feel a little overwhelmed. A city that felt unfamiliar—where every person seemed lost in their own little world.

  Ayaan checked the GPS and stopped in front of a small, three-story building. He looked up—no fshy boards, no bright lights—just a pin and quiet pce. Taking a deep breath, he adjusted his clothes slightly and stepped inside.

  Reception Area

  At the reception sat a formally dressed woman, focused on her computer screen. As soon as Ayaan told her his name, she looked up briefly, offered a polite smile, and said, "You’ll have to wait a little while, sir. You can take a seat over there."

  Ayaan pulled out a chair and sat down. He looked around—a simple office space, a few people quietly working, the atmosphere calm and composed.Next to him, a man was reading a newspaper while munching on a samosa.

  White hair, a long bck beard, dark sungsses over his eyes, and his outfit? Totally chill—just shorts and a T-shirt.

  Ayaan gnced from the corner of his eye, and just then his stomach let out a soft growl. He was hungry, but couldn’t say anything. Just then, the man lowered his newspaper and looked directly at Ayaan.

  "You want some too?"

  Ayaan hesitated for a moment. “Oh no, no, uncle ji, please go ahead.”

  “Come on now, don’t be shy—eat!” the man said, pressing the samosa into his hand without a hint of formality.

  "Oh! Umm, thank you, uncle ji!" Ayaan gave a small smile. At first, he thought about refusing, but then ended up taking the samosa anyway.

  Just then, the receptionist’s voice called out—"Ayaan, come on in."

  Ayaan shot a quick gnce at the samosa, then looked over at the man.

  "Yes ma’am, coming!" Ayaan quickly tried to hand the samosa back. "Uncle ji, I’m sorry—I have to go. I couldn’t eat the samosa you gave me!"

  The uncle took the samosa back with a smile, flipped through the pages of his newspaper, and said in a soft voice—“Ayaan… hmm, this boy has a nice name.”

  At home

  It was around 8 at night. Anya and I were sitting at the dining table, having dinner. There was matar paneer on the pte, but the moment I tasted it, I realized it was a little low on salt.

  Just as I reach for the salt, Anya gives a quiet little smile and says, “So tell me, bhaiya—how did your interview go?”

  Ayaan paused for a moment, thought a little, then said with a faint smile, “It was really interesting, Anya. But this isn’t some ordinary job.”

  Anya’s excitement grew. She left a piece of roti on her pte and looked at him with curious eyes. “Really? Come on, tell me—I want all the details!”

  Ayaan took a deep breath, gnced at his pte, then broke off a piece of roti and began to speak, “There was only one man in the room. He looked really serious and confident. I thought he’d ask for my resume, but he straight-up said the background check was already done.”

  “Background check?” Anya asked, a hint of confusion in her voice.

  “Yeah, I mean—they didn’t think it was necessary to check my degree or experience. All they cared about was whether I could do the job they were offering.”

  Anya grew even more curious. “Work? What kind of work?”

  Ayaan paused for a moment, then said quietly, “I’ll be given a specific location, where I have to go and collect samples.”

  “Samples? What kind of samples?”

  Ayaan smiled. “It could be anything—not just human body fluids, but animals’ too. Hair, blood… sometimes even bits of soil or grass.”

  Anya froze for a moment. “Sounds like a really strange—and kinda gross—job.”

  Ayaan chuckled softly and said, “Come on, Anya—no job is big or small. And anyway, they told me I could bring two more people with me. I’m thinking of bringing along my two friends.”

  Anya fell into thought. She took a sip of water and asked, “And the sary?”

  Ayaan smiled faintly. “Whatever I ask for, I’ll get. They told me to speak directly with the accounts department.”

  Anya let out a small breath and said, “Field jobs are dangerous, bhaiya… if the work is risky, then maybe don’t do it?”

  Ayaan picked up another bite from his pte, “No, Anya. I just have to collect samples—that’s all. What risk could there possibly be? And if I ever feel something’s off, I’ll leave the job.”

  Anya still didn’t look convinced, but she nodded slowly. “Hmm… alright.” She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger.

  “So, when are you starting?”

  Ayaan smiled as he gave an unexpected answer.

  “Actually, I’ve already joined. They’ve added me to their WhatsApp group—through it, I’ll keep getting the sample types and their locations. I just have to go there, collect the samples, keep them with me, and their vehicle will come pick them up. The payment will be made instantly, on the spot.”

  Anya went quiet for a second, then said with a small ugh, “That’s it? Sounds pretty easy to me. In that case, bhaiya, you’re going to be making money blindfolded, huh?”

  Ayaan let out a soft ugh and nodded.

  “See how awesome your brother is? Found a high-paying job just like that—and now I can even start saving up for your NEET college fees.”

  A sweet smile spread across Anya’s face. She pced her hand over Ayaan’s and said, “Thank you, bhaiya. You’re supporting me so much… I promise, your hard work won’t go to waste. This year, I’ll crack NEET and become a good doctor. I promise.”

  Ayaan smiled with pride. “I believe in you, Anya.”

  Then, slipping into a teasing mood, he said, “Now come on, finish your dinner and get to bed. You’ve got to wake up early tomorrow!”

  Anya giggled like a child and said, “Okay, bhaiya, as you say!”

  The conversations between the two never seem to end—that's what makes their bond so special. Now, thanks to Ayaan’s new job, both of them can live a better life and build a brighter future together. Even though Ayaan didn’t get a chance to speak about his love… who knows, maybe someone out there is already waiting for him? Let’s see what lies ahead in their journey.

  -End of chapter 1