10:00 AM — Outside Aditya’s CompanySaniya’s car stopped in front of the tall glass building.
Anamika was just about to step out when Saniya hesitated and asked softly, “Anu… can I ask you something?”
Anamika turned back with the innocence of a child.
“Yes, ask me! What is it?”
Looking into her eyes only made Saniya more hesitant. She averted her gaze and asked, “Do you like rivers? Or seas? Or lakes? Or mountains? What do you like?”
Anamika looked at her, completely puzzled.
Then, like a cute little bunny, she slowly sat back inside the car and said, “Is this question really that important?”
Saniya tilted her head. “Why… what do you mean, why am I asking?”
Anamika folded her arms, smiling faintly.
“Because I’m standing right outside my office, and just when I’m about to go in, you suddenly ask me this!
You probably don’t want me to ask you too many questions about your question so you chose this time—am I right?”
Saniya took a deep breath, and with it, every trace of expression vanished from her face — as if she had just put on a mask.
In a calm, emotionless tone, she said, “Anu… do you really think I’d be that cunning with you? Besides, it’s just a simple question, isn’t it?”
Anamika stepped out of the car with a soft smile.
“Yes… and no. If it’s a simple question about what I like, then it’s easy.
But asking it so suddenly, without any context — that definitely means there’s something more behind it.”
Saniya pouted. “You think I’m hiding something from you?”
Anamika hesitated, lowering her gaze slightly.
After thinking for a moment, like a child trying to find the right answer, she said, “Not really… okay then, I like rivers.”
Saniya raised a brow. “Rivers? Alright then, go!”
Anamika turned to leave, but Saniya called out again, “Anu… one more question!”
“What?” Anamika asked, half laughing.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“The question I asked… Does it have any other meaning?”
Anamika froze, confused.
Her expression said it all — What am I supposed to say to that?
With a faint, awkward smile, she replied, “Well, that’s something you should know, right? I mean… if you’re the one asking, then you should know your reason behind it.”
Saniya started the car and said quietly, “Yeah… I know. I do.”
With that, she drove away, leaving Anamika staring after her in confusion.
Just then, a cheerful voice came from behind. It was Ira.
She ran toward Anamika, who smiled seeing her.
Ira grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the building.
At the elevator, they ran into Aditya, who had just parked his car.
Aditya smiled warmly. “Good morning.”
Anamika returned a soft smile. The three stepped into the elevator together.
Aditya got off at his floor — and to Anamika’s surprise, Ira followed him.
She frowned slightly, wondering why. Ira usually stayed in her cabin whenever she came to the office.
Aditya noticed and said teasingly, “Ira… at least don’t follow me here!”
Anamika was just about to ask Ira why she was getting off there when the elevator doors closed again.
She pressed the button — the doors opened — but both Aditya and Ira were gone.
With a sigh, she muttered to herself, “Is everyone behaving weirdly today, or is it just my imagination?”
The doors closed once again, swallowing her confusion with them.
MeanwhileIra, however, was roaming around like a curious cat, inspecting every corner of the room.
Aditya sighed, opening his laptop. Why on earth is she following me today? he thought.
Ira finally turned to him.
“Brother, why is your cabin so boring?
Anamika’s cabin has books, games, and decorations!
Yours looks… lifeless!”
Without looking up from his screen, Aditya replied, “That’s because this is a boss’s cabin, not an artist’s.
Artists need creativity, so their rooms are made to inspire them.
I need peace and focus. The fewer distractions I have, the better I can work.”
Ira pouted. “Well, it’s still boring. Just like you!”
Aditya looked up, amused.
“I told you before — you won’t enjoy being with me here!
You’d have more fun staying with Anamika — talking, playing games…”
Ira crossed her arms.
“Oh, so you want her to spend time with me?
You think your work is important and hers isn’t?
You’re my brother — it’s your job to look after me!
Why are you trying to escape your responsibility, huh?!”
Aditya was left speechless for a moment.
Then, with a smile, he said, “You’ve gotten really clever! I think your cleverness is growing faster than your height!”
Ira narrowed her eyes. “You’re insulting me, brother!”
Aditya chuckled and joined his hands dramatically.
“Alright, alright, I’m sorry! My mistake — I accidentally told the truth. I promise I won’t say it again, okay?”
Ira stayed silent, but her eyes looked straight into his soul.
Aditya held his ears playfully.
“Sorry! Don’t be mad, my wild little kitten! If you stay angry, how will I focus on work?”
That finally made Ira smile.
“Now that’s better! Keep talking to your sister like that!”
Aditya forced a smile. “Got it! Now can I start working?”
Ira blinked adorably. “Yes!”
Aditya smiled faintly and began typing again.
Silence filled the cabin — something Ira could never handle for too long.
She turned to the window, gazing at the bright sky.
Memories of her childhood flashed before her eyes…
A little Ira would stomp her feet, run up to Aditya, and say right in front of his friends, “Brother, come on! Let’s play house!”
All his friends would burst into laughter, teasing him — but Aditya would always ignore them, take Ira’s hand, and play with her anyway.
And always joining them was Aniket, who would bring his remote-control cars and seat Ira’s dolls inside, driving them around the garden.
With both her brothers around, Ira never felt alone.
But the moment their vacations ended and they left for hostel, she would suddenly find herself lonely again — even in a park full of children.
Now, sitting in Aditya’s silent office, she oddly felt at peace.
This quietness, shared with her brother, felt warmer than any noise.
She smiled softly, watching him work.
Meanwhile, at Aniket’s office, To him, the words in the files felt like tiny missiles, attacking him one after another.
Today, he was supposed to attend his first Board of Directors meeting with his father — and he was completely drained already.
Leaning back, eyes closed, he muttered, “Why is this stuff so hard?!
How do Dad and Aditya handle all this so easily?! God knows how I’ll survive!”
He truly looked like a scolded little boy at that moment.
