SILENT CONFESSIONS ♡

5.

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"Test or Scam"

Vanika woke up at 9 AM, her mind still foggy from a late night of studying. Today was Sunday, which usually meant tests at the coaching center, but with no rush to get to school, she felt a bit more relaxed. She stretched, let out a lazy yawn, and glanced at the clock—she had overslept but didn't feel guilty about it.

After a quick shower, she pulled on her coaching t-shirt and made her way to the dining room, her stomach growling in anticipation of breakfast. As she walked in, she was surprised to see her cousin, Saurabh, already at the table, casually munching on toast with a mischievous grin on his face.

"Tum kab aaye?" Vanika asked, raising an eyebrow as she poured herself a glass of juice, her tone half-curious, half-amused.

Saurabh smirked, glancing up from his plate, his eyes twinkling with humor. "Just half an hour ago, jab tum apni kumbhkaran ki neend poori kar rahi thi," he teased, chuckling as he continued eating.

As Vanika poured her juice, her father, who had been quietly reading the newspaper, looked up with a smile. Her mother joined them, taking the newspaper from his hands, folding it neatly, and setting it aside on the dining table before beginning to serve breakfast.

Her father cleared his throat, looking at Vanika with a warm but serious expression. "Vanika, beta, Saurabh will be staying with us for a while," he began, glancing at Saurabh, who was still grinning. "Your chacha and chachi have gone to New York. Your chacha received an offer to work at an MNC there, and it looks like they might be staying for quite some time."

Vanika's eyes widened in surprise as she looked between her father and Saurabh. "Really? That's amazing!" she said, both happy for her uncle and curious about the new family dynamics.

"Yes," her father nodded, "Saurabh will be continuing his college studies from here. Since he's studying business, this is the perfect chance for him to gain some real-world experience in our family business. He'll get to see how things work beyond the classroom—like understanding the intricacies of dealing with shareholders, attending board meetings, managing client relationships, and handling business gatherings. There's a lot he can learn—working with our team, strategizing with department heads, and meeting with our core investors. Getting involved now will give him a head start and a solid foundation for the future."

Saurabh listened carefully to every word his bade papa spoke, absorbing each point with focused attention. His eyes shone with sincerity and determination, reflecting a newfound sense of responsibility. He nodded slowly, as if silently acknowledging the weight of what his uncle had said, understanding the significance of this opportunity.

Living here wasn't new for Saurabh. In fact, it felt almost familiar, like coming back home. When he was in 6th grade, his parents had moved to Bangalore for work, leaving him behind to live here with bade papa, badi ma, Vanika, and their grandmother in Lucknow. Those four years had been a big part of his life, filled with love, laughter, and the warmth of family. His grandmother, in particular, had played a crucial role in shaping him, offering wisdom and affection that stayed with him even after she was gone.