BEYOND WEALTH : The Empire of Hearts

Chapter 4 : The Doorbell

Sunday morning greeted Rahman with the soft glow of sunlight streaming through his window, warming his room with a golden hue. After yesterday's ride through the city, today was meant to be a quiet one-a day to relax and take things slow. He stretched lazily, feeling the soreness from the ride, but in a good way. No plans, no rush, just a day to himself.

He headed downstairs, deciding to make himself a hearty breakfast. Cooking had always been a source of comfort for Rahman, a way to unwind and reflect. As he moved about the kitchen, flipping pancakes and frying eggs, the familiar sounds and smells of breakfast filled the air, making his home feel warm and inviting.

Just as he was stirring the pancake batter, the doorbell rang, breaking the tranquility of his Sunday morning. Rahman glanced toward the door, curious. He wasn't expecting anyone. Wiping his hands on a towel, he walked over and opened the door to find a woman standing there, smiling warmly.

"Hello!" she greeted with a friendly tone. "I'm Miss Aisha, your new neighbor. I just moved in next door and wanted to stop by and say hello."

Rahman blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her cheerful demeanor. Miss Aisha looked youthful, like someone in her early twenties, despite the fact she was likely older given that she had mentioned moving in with her family. In her hands, she held a small gift wrapped in colorful paper, which she extended toward him.

"Oh, hi!" Rahman managed, returning her smile. "I'm Rahman. Thank you for the gift."

As he accepted the present, Miss Aisha's eyes wandered briefly over the interior of his house, taking in the spacious living room and open kitchen behind him. Her gaze lingered for a second on a set of riding gear he had left draped over the back of the couch-his helmet, jacket, and gloves, still lying where he'd dropped them after his ride yesterday.

"Do you ride a motorcycle?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity as she gestured toward the gear.

Rahman chuckled. "Yeah, I do. Actually, would you like to see it?"

"Absolutely!" she said, her curiosity piqued. There was something playful in her tone, a subtle tease that made Rahman feel a bit more at ease.

He led her through the house to the garage, which opened to reveal his prized Kawasaki H2R superbike, parked neatly next to his Honda Civic. The sleek, aggressive lines of the bike gleamed under the garage lights, an unmistakable testament to speed and power.

Miss Aisha's eyes widened as she took in the sight. "Wow... now *that* is impressive," she said, her tone a mix of admiration and fascination. "I don't know much about bikes, but this looks like something from a movie!"

Rahman smiled, feeling a small sense of pride. "Yeah, it's a Kawasaki H2R-one of the fastest bikes in the world. I don't ride it every day, though. It's more of a weekend thing."

She stepped closer, giving the bike a more detailed look, though she made no attempt to touch it. "I can see why. It looks like something you'd take on an adventure, not just to run errands," she teased, flashing him a grin. "I bet it turns heads."

He laughed softly. "Yeah, it does. People always ask about it when they see me on the road."

Miss Aisha glanced at the Honda Civic parked beside the bike. "And this is your backup, I assume?"

Rahman nodded. "Yeah, that's my daily driver. It's more practical for, well, everything else."

She gave him a knowing look. "I'd say so! It's good to have options."

After admiring the bike for a bit longer, Rahman led Miss Aisha back into the house and toward the kitchen. The smell of the pancakes he had been making still lingered in the air. "Sorry, I was in the middle of breakfast when you knocked," he said, gesturing toward the stove.