The first rays of sunlight peeked through the thin curtains, filling the small room with a soft glow. Ayaan stirred awake on the couch, his back aching slightly from the awkward position he had fallen asleep in. His little sister, Aanya, was still curled up in his arms, her small, warm frame pressed against him. Her head rested lightly on his shoulder, her tiny hand gripping the fabric of his shirt.

As he glanced down at her, he noticed the faint twitch of her eyelashes. She was waking up. Slowly, Aanya opened her eyes, her innocent gaze meeting his. She didn't say anything at first, just gave him a small, shy smile that barely revealed her teeth.

"Good morning, Aanya," Ayaan said softly, his voice still heavy with sleep.

"Good morning bhaiya"
she replied in a quiet tone, her voice almost a whisper as she blinked the sleep away.

Ayaan gently shifted, trying not to disturb her too much as he sat upright. Aanya instinctively held onto his arm, her small hand clutching his as if to keep him close. She wasn't one to talk a lot in the mornings, but her presence alone was enough to warm his heart.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, brushing a strand of her hair out of her face.

She nodded, her smile growing just a little. "Yes. You?"

"Of course," Ayaan replied, ruffling her hair lightly. "Because you didn't kick me in your sleep this time."

Aanya giggled softly, the sound delicate and sweet, like a chime in the quiet room. "I don't kick."

"Oh, really?" Ayaan teased, raising an eyebrow. "Want me to record it next time?"

Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink, and she buried her face in his arm to hide her shy smile.

Chuckling, Ayaan gently picked her up as he stood. "Come on, let's get you some breakfast. Pancakes today?"

At the mention of pancakes, Aanya's eyes lit up, though her excitement was muted as always. She nodded quickly but didn't say much, her quiet nature shining through. she followed him like a shadow as he carried her to the kitchen.

In the small but tidy kitchen, Ayaan set Aanya down on a chair near the counter. He tied on his well-used apron and rolled up his sleeves. Despite working long hours at local cafés and restaurants, cooking for Aanya was something he genuinely loved and enjoyed.

Aanya was watching him with quiet curiosity as he worked. He moved effortlessly, flipping pancakes in the pan with practiced skill. The sweet smell of batter filled the air, and her tiny smile grew as she watched him add a touch of syrup to each pancake.

"You're the best chef, Ayaan bhaiya" she said softly, her voice sincere.

Ayaan smiled, placing a perfectly golden pancake on her plate. "Only because you're my best customer,my cute little princess"

She giggled again, taking her fork and nibbling on a piece of the pancake. Her wide eyes sparkled with delight as the sweetness hit her taste buds.

Ayaan couldn't help but feel a wave of contentment. For him, every moment with her was precious. Her happiness made all his hard work worth it.

💖✨️

Ayaan adjusted Aanya's backpack straps gently, making sure they didn't dig into her small shoulders. She stood quietly beside him, her big, innocent eyes watching his every move.

"All set?" he asked, crouching down to her level.

Aanya gave a small nod, her lips curving into a shy smile. She rarely spoke much in the mornings, still easing into her day, but her quiet presence was always enough to brighten Ayaan's mood.

As the school van approached, she instinctively clutched his hand tighter. Ayaan felt her little fingers wrap around his own, and his chest tightened.

"You'll pick me up, right, bhaiya?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ayaan smiled and nodded. "Always. And hey, remember what we talked about?"

She tilted her head curiously.

"Smile a little more. Make some friends," he said, tapping her nose lightly.

Aanya giggled a soft, musical sound that warmed Ayaan's heart. "Okay," she whispered, nodding obediently.

When the van stopped in front of them, Ayaan walked her to the door, helping her climb in.

"Bye, bhaiya," she said, giving him a small wave as the door closed.

"Bye baccha " he replied, waving until the van disappeared around the corner.

After dropping Aanya off at school, Ayaan walked home, his mind occupied with the usual thoughts of managing his shifts and Aanya's needs.

As he reached the lane leading to his house, he noticed Lata, his neighbor arranging flowers by her gate.

"Ayaan beta!" she called out, noticing him. "Come here, I need to talk to you."

He approached her hesitantly. "Yes, aunty? Is everything okay?"

"Of course, everything's fine." She straightened up and gave him a knowing look. "I wanted to talk to you about a job opportunity."

"A job?" Ayaan blinked in surprise.

"Yes," Lata said, brushing her hands together. "You know I am at work in Ishita madam's house, right?"

Ayaan nodded slowly. He had heard about the big house and its owner, but he didn't know much beyond that.

"Well, she wants me to take rest and retire and she's looking for a full-time cook now and asked me to select one so I thought of you immediately," Lata continued. "You're a wonderful cook, beta. And hardworking. I've seen how you manage everything for Aanya. This could be a good chance for you. And the salary is also very good and you will get a place to live there too."

Ayaan shifted uncomfortably. "But... aunty, I've only worked in small cafés and restaurants. I'm not sure I'd fit into such a big household."

Lata chuckled softly. "Don't underestimate yourself, beta. She needs someone sincere, and that's exactly what you are. But..."

Her tone changed slightly, and Ayaan looked up, catching the hesitation in her voice. "But what, aunty?"

"She's... a bit different," Lata admitted. "Strict, very particular about her work. She doesn't show her emotions much, so people think she's cold."

"Cold?" Ayaan repeated, his wide eyes betraying his nervousness. "Aunty, are you sure I should even consider this? What if she doesn't like me? Or worse, what if I upset her?"

"Relax, beta," Lata said, trying to soothe his fears. "She's not heartless. I worked with her for years. She's demanding, yes, but fair. As long as you do your work properly, she won't bother you unnecessarily. Just don't give her a reason to lose her temper."

Ayaan's fingers fidgeted with the strap of his bag, his unease growing. "I'm not sure, aunty... And what about Aanya? I can't leave her behind. She's too young to stay alone."

"That's something you'll have to discuss with Ishita ji directly," Lata said, her tone softening. "But she's not unreasonable. If you explain your situation, she'll understand."

Ayaan hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. "I wouldn't even think about it if Aanya couldn't stay with me, I can't leave her. She's... everything to me."

Lata smiled warmly, placing a reassuring hand on his arm.
"Just talk to her, she may seem intimidating, but she's human too. If anyone can win her over, it's you."

Ayaan remained quiet, his thoughts swirling. He had never considered working in such a high-profile household. But for Aanya, he knew he had to at least try. After a long pause, he finally nodded, though his voice was uncertain. "I'll think about it, aunty."

Lata smiled warmly,
"I understand, beta. Just take your time and think it through. But, do let me know your decision soon, okay? Ishita ji will need an answer soon, and I'd like to help you if you choose to go for it."

Ayaan nodded again, feeling the weight of the decision. "I will, aunty. Thank you."
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