"Good Morning everyone," Sasha said as she walked into the dining room and sat down.

"Good Morning," Alisha and Mihir, who were already seated, replied.

"Ab tabiyat kaisi hai, Sasha?" Mihir asked. Sasha had caught a cold a few days ago, and was just starting to recover.

"Abhi better hai, Bhai," Sasha replied, looking at something on her phone while the maid served her. Mihir nodded, happy to know she was feeling better.

Alisha looked behind her daughter. "Ayaan kahaan hai, Sasha?"

"Aata hi hoga, Mom. You know na, uske liye uthna kitna mushkil hai," Sasha said.

Alisha was disappointed. She did not like Ayaan's lazy attitude. If that boy was going to run the Sehgal Industries one day, he would have to be much more active and disciplined.

Mihir noticed Alisha's anger, and said, "Don't worry Mom, main use utha deta hoon."

Alisha was about to stop him when Ayaan himself walked in.

"Morning everyone!" Ayaan said. Not noticing his mother's anger, he shot Mihir a grin and sat down. Mihir shook his head, suppressing his smile. This kid would never change.

"Ho gayi subah tumhari, Ayaan?" Alisha said coldly. Ayaan gulped and looked down, not meeting his mother's eyes. Alisha shook her head. "Now finish your breakfast quickly. Driver tum dono ko college drop kardega. Aur Kal se alarm clock use karliya karo. You have to be more punctual, Ayaan. Na time ki fikar hai, na padhai mai interest. Marks dekhe he apne last exam ke? Learn how to work hard, Ayaan. Ab tum bacche nahi ho. Padhai pe focus karo."

"Yes, Mom." Ayaan said, looking down. Subah subah phir lecture mil gaya padhai pe. Ayaan hated studies, and had no interest in them. So he often got lectured by Alisha on that topic.

Mihir saw how sad Ayaan was on getting scolded. Not wanting his brother to go to college upset, he said, "Main chod doon college? Raaste main chaat khaate chalenge."

Ayaan's face lit up. It had been so long since he'd eaten out with his bhaiya-

"No," Alisha said firmly. "Ayaan late ho jaega. He will go straight to college."

"Actually college main fest ki preparation chal rahi hai to mujhe aaj first hour free hai," Ayaan said quickly. "It's fine, I'll go with bhaiya."

He smiled at Mihir, and Mihir was glad to see that his mood had imrpoved. He had never been able to see Ayaan sad or upset.

Alisha glared down at her breakfast, but said nothing. She had no good excuse to not allow Arush to go with Mihir. Meanwhile Sasha watched her brothers with interest. When her mother had told her about her twin brother's attachment with Mihir, she had said it wouldn't be a problem. But since then she had started to observe the two of them closely. And maybe Sasha had been wrong. Ayaan really was very close to Mihir. Too close, in Sasha's opinion. Her mom was right-they would have to fix that.

*

"This is so good, bhaiya!" Ayaan exclaimed, stuffing his mouth with more chat. "Oof, I missed these roadside adventures."

Mihir laughed at his little brother's excitement. "Zyada mat kha, warna beemar padh jaega," he warned.

But Ayaan waved off his concerns. "Kuch nahi hoga, bhaiya, main itni aasani se beemar nahi hota."

Mihir raised an eyebrow. "Acha? Isliye last week thoda theeka zyada khane par tera pet do din ke liye kharab tha?"

Ayaan made a face. "Kya bhiaya," he said, sulking, "mood kharab karna to koi aap se sekhe."

Mihir smiled. "Thanks," he said. Ayaan stuck out his tongue.

Ignoring his brother, Mihir turned around and paid the vendor and started to walk away, gesturing Ayaan to follow him. "Chal, nahi to tu sachme-"

Mihir had been looking at Ayaan, so he ended up colliding with someone. "Oof, I'm sor-"

"Oye! Dekh ke nahi chal sakte kya?"

Mihir stopped and looked up. It was a girl. A very beautiful girl, with gorgeous long hair and matching amber eyes.

Who had a water bottle in one hand, water dripping from her clothes and looked very angry.

"Oh hello!" She snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Aapse baat kar rahi hoon mai!"

Mihir blinked. Had he gotten lost looking at her? "Uh, I'm so sorry, maine dekha nahi-"

"Kyu? Sadak ke maalik ho kya, jo apni marzi se chaloge?" she asked, glaring at Mihir. "Dekho tumne kya kiya!" She gestured down at her wet shirt. "Ab iska kya karoon main, huh?"

Before Mihir could reply, another voice jumped in.

"Oh, hello," Ayaan said, coming to stand beside Mihir. "Galti to aapki bhi thi, madam. Aap kaunse sapne dekh ke chal rahi thi?"

"Excuse me? Pehle to aapke is dost ne mujh pe paani Gira diya, air ab aap mujhe hi blame kar rahe ho?"

"Bhaiya ki koi galti nahi thi isme! It was just an accident, it was no big deal, okay? Itna kyun chilla rahin ho aap?"

The girl narrowed her eyes. "Oh please! Tum amir log apne aap ko samjh te kya ho? Kuch bhi karonge, aur koi kuch nahi Bolega?"

"Dekhiye aap-"

"Okay, enough," Mihir cut in. He turned to the girl. "Listen, ma'am, I'm sorry meri wajah se aap par pani padh gaya. Hum dono ki galti thi. Hum dono ko dhyaan dena chahiye tha. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

There was silence. The girl glared at them both, then eventually turned around and walked off with a huff.

"Kya bhaiya, itni aasani se kaise chod diya aapne use? Kitna sunaya usne aapko!"

"Jaane de, Ayaan," Mihir said. "Didn't you see? Woh pehle se hi bohot tensed lag rahi thi, what's the point of adding to someone's troubles?"

Ayaan shook his head as they made their way back to Mihir's car. "Aap is duniya ke liye kuch zyada hi ache ho bhaiya." He sighed dramatically as he flopped down on his seat. "Pata nahi main nahi hota to aapka kya hota!"

"Well then, thank God for Ayaan Sehgal, haina?" Mihir said as they started to drive away.

Ayaan grinned at him. "Yes, thank God for me."

*

"Sir, the new candidate for the secretary's job is here."

Mihir sighed. He was sick now of interviewing different people for the job of his secretary. No one seemed to be good enough, or quick enough.

"Send her in," Mihir said into his telecom. He put aside his file and waited. He hoped it was someone actually good this time.

He looked up as the door opened and froze in surprise. So did the girl who had just entered. It was the girl from this morning-the one who'd yelled at Mihir.

The girl blinked. "I, uh...you are Mr. Sehgal?" She asked the question like she was afraid of the answer.

Mihir nodded. "I am," he said. He gestured to her. "And you are?"

The girl seemed to deflate like a pricked balloon. "Annie," she said. "I...you know what, main abhi chali jaati hoon, I won't waste both of our time."

"Annie-"

"I know-aap mujhe ye job nahi denge, and it's fine, main bhi koi ese ko job nahi deti jo-"

"Annie," Mihir said firmly and she finally stopped talking. "Come in. Have a seat."

Annie looked suspicious, but she came in and sat down. She stared at him, not saying anything.

Mihir had to bite back a smile. For some reason, he found her behavior almost cute.

"So, Annie," Mihir said, "Do you think you can manage this job?"

Annie was silent for another moment before she answered, "I...yes, of course! I know bohot zyada work hoga, but I can do it." She straightened up in her chair. "I'll be honest, I don't have much experience, but I'm very good at overseeing and managing things. Agar aap mujhe ek chance donge, you won't be disappointed." She stopped, then added, "Sir."

Mihir could see that she meant what she said. And well, there was no harm in giving her a chance, was there?

Also, if Mihir was being honest, he liked her fiery attitude. Not that he would say that to her.

"Okay, then," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Tum mere liye ek hafte ke liye kaam karogi. Then, based on your performance, we'll talk about further employment. Okay?"

An exited smile spread across Annie's face, giving Mihir all the answer he needed. She had a nice smile, he noted absent-mindedly.

She also looked very relieved. She must've really wanted this job.

"Thank you, thank you so much!" she said, "you won't be disappointed, I promise."

Mihir nodded. "Ayesha will explain everything to you. You may begin tomorrow."

Annie thanked him again, then left, practically bouncing with excitement.

Mihir watched her go, then finally let himself smile. That girl was definitely something.

*

"Seriously bhaiya? Aapne us khadoos ko jab de di?"

"Ayaan," Mihir said sternly, "Badon ke baare main aisa bolte hai? Izzat se baat kar."

Ayaan huffed. "Aap kahon to bhabhi hi bula doon?"

Mihir wacked the back of his head. "Ouch, bhaiya! Maarte kyun ho?"

The two of them were seated on the upstairs balcony, having some "post-dinner" snacks as they talked about their day.

"Tu bata," Mihir said, "tera din kaisa tha?"

"Same as always, boring, boring, boring."

Mihir-"Hmm. Assignments hogae tere saare?"

"Assignments to hote rahenge bhaiya," Ayaan said, "aap wo sab chodo, hamare college mai next week art competition hai. Sheher ke saare colleges participate karnge. I'm going to enter. It's going to be so much fun!"

Mihir smiled at his excitement. "That's nice, Ayaan. Have fun. But remember, do mahine main tere exams bhi hai. Don't forget about them, okay?"

Mihir made a sour face. "Kaise bhool sakta hoon bhaiya, Jab is ghar mai mujhe koi do pal nahi rehne deta padhai ko chod ke." He sighed dramatically. "Bacchi pe kitna pressure daalte hai sab milke."

Mihir whacked him again. "Aaj kal kuch zyada hi nautanki nahi karne laga hai tu, huh?" Ayaan just glared at him.

"Chal, bohot raat ho gayi hai. Jaake soja. Subah jaldi uthna hai na?"

"Okay, fine, chalo," Ayaan said. He got up and stretched, and the brothers went inside.

*

What did you think of this chapter?

What do you think of Annie?

How do you think Annie and Ayaan's bond will be?

Let me know!