The next morning, I woke up unusually early, almost as if the anticipation of my first day at the new company had magically turned me into an early bird. Even though we didn't have to leave until 10, the clock only read 6:00.

My plan for the morning was to stick to my usual routine, get some exercise in, and wait for my dad to wake up. But as I got dressed and ventured out of my room, I was in for a pleasant surprise. There was my dad, wide awake and busy in the kitchen, creating a tantalizing aroma with the food he was preparing.

I couldn't help but ask, "Why are you up so early? It's only 6 o'clock," as I made my way toward him in the kitchen.

He seemed taken aback by my question and replied with a smile, "You're the early riser today, dear. Good morning."

I had been yearning for this moment for years, longing to reconnect with my father, to have him talk to me as he used to before everything changed. But he had never once reached out or inquired about our well-being.

As the ugly memories rushed back into my mind, I no longer felt like engaging in conversation with him.

"I'm going out for a walk," I announced, and with that, I turned and left him in a state of bewilderment.

Something about this situation felt off. What had transpired between mom and dad? How had they suddenly become so cooperative towards each other?

They had both told me about their work plans, but no one had given me the inside scoop on why they were suddenly getting along so well.

I headed to the nearby park that I had noticed last night when we arrived.

In the years since the incident at college, I have become more conscious of my health and lifestyle. I wouldn't claim to be a workout fanatic, but I made sure I didn't compromise my health anymore. I might not be super slim, but I was no longer overweight. My mom used to be quite concerned about my weight, but now, with our plans to move out of India, she seemed preoccupied with other matters.

________***________

Rahul's eyes widened, and his jaw practically dropped as he exclaimed, "Are you seriously telling me that all this time, you had absolutely no clue about your dad's business? I mean, that's just beyond belief!"

His voice was tinged with shock and incredulity as he leaned in, eagerly awaiting an explanation. It was as though a bombshell had just been dropped in the middle of their conversation, and he couldn't fathom how such a significant detail had eluded their knowledge for so long.

"I know, right," I replied, my tone carrying a mix of embarrassment and disbelief. It must have sounded utterly absurd to admit that I had been oblivious to the fact that my own father was, in reality, a billionaire.

I couldn't help but chuckle nervously as I continued, "I mean, it does sound ridiculous, doesn't it? All these years, and I had no idea about his true financial status." The realization that I had been living in the dark about such a fundamental aspect of my father's life made me feel like I had just stumbled into a parallel universe where everything was flipped upside down.

A torrent of questions cascaded through my mind like a relentless storm. Did Mom know about this colossal secret too? Could it be that both of them had been perpetuating this incredible lie right under our noses all these years?

The notion seemed preposterous at first glance. After all, they were currently separated, not divorced. But that detail only deepened the mystery. It was as though a dense fog had settled over my understanding of my family, casting doubt on the authenticity of everything I had ever known.

The realization dawned on me that perhaps our family matters were far more enigmatic and complex than they appeared. It was as if there was a hidden layer of secrets and concealed truths lurking beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered. It was a disconcerting thought, and I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this story than met the eye.

Rahul seemed to sense the weight of my thoughts, and with an empathetic smile, he gently interjected, "Alright, let's not delve too deep into this right now. Penny for your thoughts, Mahira."

His words were like a lifeline, a bridge back to the present moment, and they carried a reassuring undertone. It was as if he was extending a comforting hand, silently conveying that he understood the complexity of the situation and was there to support me.

In that instant, his understanding and willingness to change the topic were a balm to my racing mind. It was a reminder that sometimes, in the midst of life's intricate mysteries, having a friend who could simply be present and offer solace was the most valuable gift of all.

Rahul leaned in a little closer, a mischievous glint in his eye, and playfully remarked, "So since this is your first day, did you invite me here for a good luck kiss?"

His tone carried a flirty and teasing vibe, one that was hard to resist. I couldn't hold back any longer, and I burst into laughter. His sense of humor was a refreshing break from the seriousness of the earlier conversation.

Our laughter filled the air, lightening the mood and dissolving the tension that had been hanging over us.

We spent nearly an hour together, chatting and laughing before I reluctantly decided it was time to head back to my dad's house. I had my own preparations to make for the office, and the clock was ticking.

As I stepped into my dad's house, there was an eerie silence. Dad wasn't in sight. I assumed he must be getting ready for the day, given that I could see breakfast prepared and laid out neatly on the dining table.

With a sense of urgency, I made my way to my room. Last night, in a fit of nervousness about my first day at the new job, I had carefully laid out my clothes on the bed, knowing that it would save me precious time in the morning.

Without wasting a moment, I hurriedly grabbed my clothes and rushed to take a refreshing shower. The hot water cascading over me was a welcome wake-up call, chasing away the remnants of sleep and nerves. As I dressed, I couldn't help but think about the day ahead and the mysteries that seemed to be unraveling within my family. But for now, I needed to focus on the task at hand – my first day in my dad's company.

____***____

 Sitting alone at the dining table, I patiently waited for my dad to join me. But as minutes ticked by, there was still no sign of him. I decided to pass the time by scrolling through my phone, hoping to find a distraction from the growing sense of unease.

That's when I stumbled upon a message that had arrived almost half an hour ago. It was from my dad. As I opened it, my heart sank a little, and a mixture of emotions washed over me.

Dad: "Hi baccha, I know that it is your first day, and you should not be going alone. But I had a meeting, so I had to leave before you returned from your walk. You left so early this morning that we couldn't have our proper talk, and I couldn't tell you face to face. I've informed the driver, and he will take you to the office. I'll join you there soon. Have a nice day. Good luck."

Reading his message, I felt a strange blend of relief and a pang of guilt. His words reminded me that, despite the upsetting morning conversation, my dad had my best interests at heart. It had been years since we had those difficult discussions that led to his absence in our lives, and this morning had stirred up painful memories I had tried to bury.

But now, as I prepared to start this new job, it seemed like there might be a chance for reconciliation, a chance to rebuild what had been broken. The message was a glimmer of hope, a tiny bridge that hinted at the possibility of a fresh start, even though it couldn't erase the years of distance and pain that had come before.

____***____

Following my dad's instructions, I made my way to the garage where the driver was waiting for me. He promptly opened the car door as soon as he spotted me. With a polite smile, he greeted me, "Good morning ma'am, Sir has asked me to send you to the office safely. Hope you have a wonderful day."

I returned his smile and responded, "Thanks. I appreciate it. By the way, what's your name?"

A hint of nervousness crossed his face, and he admitted, "Sorry ma'am, I almost forgot to introduce myself in my nervousness. My name is Mohan."

His response left me a bit puzzled, but before I could inquire further, my phone buzzed, drawing my attention downward. I quickly glanced at the message, and at that moment, Mohan closed the car door and started driving. The message disrupted our conversation, leaving me with unanswered questions and a sense of intrigue about why the driver seemed so nervous and hesitant.

I couldn't help but chuckle as I read the silly and flirty message from Rahul, wishing me luck for the day. His message was like a playful breeze amidst the morning's mysteries, and it brought a smile to my face.

Rahul: "Hey there, Miss First Day at the New Job! 🍀 Wishing you all the luck in the world today. Don't forget to dazzle them with that amazing smile of yours. And, who knows, maybe your day will be filled with pleasant surprises. 😉"

His words carried a delightful mix of encouragement and flirtatiousness, and they added a touch of warmth and anticipation to my already eventful morning.

__________________________***___________________________

Thanks for reading.

xxx