Author's pov:
Maira's eyes felt heavy as she mechanically cracked eggs into a bowl, the clang of the pan echoing the exhaustion pounding in her head. Night duty at the call center had left her drained, but she couldn't afford to slow down - her siblings were counting on her to get them off to college. She stirred the scrambled eggs with a practiced hand, her mind numb to the sizzle and aroma of cooking food. Three years of working multiple jobs to support her family had taken their toll, and the exhaustion was starting to seep into her bones. She had done it all - finished her graduation, worked tirelessly, but the struggle seemed never-ending .
Her thoughts wandered back to the day she had to make the toughest decision of her life - quitting her studies. Her uncle's refusal to fund her education still stung, but she knew she had no choice. With her parents gone, she was the only one who could provide for her siblings. The 2 BHK rented apartment was a constant reminder of her responsibilities - rent, bills, grocery, fees, and her siblings' endless wants. She was the backbone of the family, but sometimes she wondered how much longer she could keep going .
Her eyes clouded over as she mechanically did the dishes, the suds and water swirling around her numb fingers. Love, pampering... words she'd almost forgotten the sound of. Growing up, she'd learned to rely only on herself, shouldering responsibilities no teenager should bear. And now, as a young woman, she was the rock for her siblings. Sometimes, in the dead of night, she'd let herself imagine... what if? What if someone swept in, wrapped her in warmth and care? But it was a fleeting thought, swiftly snuffed out by reality. That life wasn't hers to dream of .
Maira's heart swelled as Soham's words and actions melted her worries away. She let herself be shepherded into a chair, the warm aloo paratha pushed gently into her hands. "Eat, didi," he said with a grin, his eyes cr crling at the corners, so like their mother's. For a moment, the weight of the world lifted, and she was just a big sister, being looked after by her little brother . The simple gesture, the food, the love... it filled a tiny crack in her armor, reminding her why she did it all.
Both started having their breakfast when soham asked her ' where is zubia isn't she already late for her lectures '. And also said that she stays awake till late night engrossed in her phone rather than studying. "didi why don't you sleep in zubia's room" to which Maira replied "soham don't you knew your sister she never allows anyone in her room as she doesn't want anyone to invade her privacy.
Maira's pov:
The sofa in the living room had become my spot, really. It wasn't the comfiest, but it was mine - a tiny space in the 2BHK we called home. Soham's room was his domain, Zubiya's was hers... and mine was... well, the sofa . I'd lost count of the nights I'd drifted off here, listening to the sounds of the city outside. At least here, I wasn't disturbing anyone, and I could keep an ear out for the kids. It wasn't ideal, but it was ours - this tiny little flat, with all our quirks and love squeezed in.
Ugh, Zubiya's drama queen moment. She swoops in, clearly running late, and the first thing she does is lay into me about the aloo paratha. "Oily food, didi, really?" Like I'm trying to clog her arteries on purpose. I sighed, trying to keep my cool. "You know you love my aloo paratha, Zubiya. Just eat it and go, beta." But she'd have none of it, ranting about healthy eating and whatever diet she's on now. I just shook my head, passing her the paratha. Some things never change, and Zubiya being Zubiya is one of them.
The door slammed shut behind Zubiya, leaving me with the uneaten aloo paratha and a sinking feeling in my chest. She was angry, but what could I do? We were scraping by, and that was all I could manage with the ration we'd managed to stretch. I'd hoped she'd just eat it and not make a fuss, but no such luck. I glanced at Soham, who was watching me with worried eyes. I shook my head slightly, trying to brush it off. "Don't mind her, didi," he said softly, "she's just stressed about lectures." I smiled, gathering the plates, "I know, beta. I'll talk to her." No need to tell them about the ration struggles; they'd just worry .
As I turned to head into the kitchen, Soham hot on my heels, I knew that look. "Didi, I need some money for books," he said, his eyes hopeful. A bitter smile twisted my lips; I'd been had. He wasn't being sweet because he cared about my breakfast or my day – he needed cash. I pulled out what I could, handing it over with a soft "Don't tell Zubiya, okay?" He grinned, pocketing the money, and as he headed out, I turned to find Sara standing at the door, beaming like she'd caught the whole exchange. "Hey, bestie!" she said, wiping the smile off my face.
Junaid's pov:
The sun was already blasting, wasn't it? I squinted, throwing off the covers and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. Another day, another dollar, or so they say. As a businessman, my schedule was chaos, but one thing I made time for was my gym sessions. Literally – I'd built a gym in my mansion just so I could squeeze in a workout whenever. No excuses, no crowds, just me, the weights, and the music. I grabbed my gear and headed down, ready to grind .
The shower was just what I needed – hot water pounding away the tension, clearing my head. Managing the company, the work schedule... it was all secondary. My priority was Ayan, my nephew, the kid I'd taken on after my brother and sister-in-law's accident. He was my world now, and I'd do anything for him. As I got dressed, a quick glance in the mirror – sharp suit, composed expression – and I was ready. Time to tackle the day, for Ayan's sake. I headed downstairs, the smell of breakfast wafting up, hoping Ayan was eating something decent .
The dining hall was like a replay of my childhood – Ayan making the same faces at the glass of milk Bhai used to make. I couldn't help but chuckle; the kid was a mini version of my brother. "Not a fan, huh?" I said, ruffling Ayan's hair as I sat down beside him. He looked up, those big eyes pleading, "Uncle, do I have to?" I smiled, taking the glass, "Tell you what, how about we make a deal?".
The milk deal did the trick – Ayan's face lit up like it was Christmas, and he practically inhaled the milk, faces and all. I laughed, grabbing his bag, "Alright, champ, let's roll. Don't want you late for school." He was bouncing out the door, already listing off the games he wanted as I followed, keys in hand. Dropping him off at school, then off to the company – it was gonna be a long day, but with Ayan happy, I was set.
I stepped into the office, and Asim was on it, greeting me with a crisp "Good morning, sir" as he launched into my schedule. "Hectic" was an understatement – meetings, calls, deadlines... I cut him off, "Black coffee, Asim. Now." He nodded, knowing the drill, and I headed for my office, mentally gearing up for the chaos. The coffee arrived just as I settled in – perfect timing.
I took a sip, and my face screwed up – whoa, this was sweet. I looked up to give Asim a heads-up, but it was Maya standing there, grinning like she'd pulled off the ultimate prank, another mug in hand. "Thought you might need a rescue, Junaid," she said, chuckling, swapping the mugs. Guess I wasn't the only one who knew I take my coffee black.
Author's pov:
Maira handed Sara a steaming cup, and they settled in, catching up like no time had passed. "So, how's the call center gig?" Sara asked, blowing on her coffee. Maira's expression turned sheepish. "I resigned last week." Sara's eyes widened. "What? Why? How are you gonna manage without a salary?" Maira's shrug was a mix of uncertainty and relief.
Her words hung in the air, "20k for 12 hours of grunt work wasn't cutting it anymore." Sara's eyes lit up as she popped up from the couch, a plan brewing. "I've got an idea, hear me out..." she said, a sly grin spreading across her face.
Maira's face was a mix of panic and hesitation, "No, no, pls Sara." But Sara was undeterred. "Arey yaar, trust me, it's a sweet deal! You need a job, and this way you'll have one pronto. You can work on my behalf," she said, eyes sparkling. Maira hesitated, thinking it through. "But... that's not possible, Sara. Why would they allow me to work on your behalf?" she asked, skepticism etched on her face.
Sara's face lit up with excitement, "It's true, I've got selected for airhostess training! I'll be gone for at least 3 months, and I need someone to cover my job at the convent. They said I could arrange a replacement, and Maira, you're perfect! Plus, they'll pay you 45k a month – it's a sweet deal, right? Please say yes, only you can help me out."
Maira's doubts lingered, "But will it be alright? I mean, how can I manage so many kids?" Sara beamed confidence, "Trust me, Maira, you'll be the best teacher they've seen! And who knows, you might just snatch the job permanently." Maira's face softened, and she nodded, "Okay, I'll do it. Thanks, Sara, you always stand by me. You're the best thing that's happened to me." With that, they wrapped each other in a tight hug.
Author's pov:
Maya's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned back in her chair, "Oh my God, Junaid, I just pranked on you... atleast give a smile, man!" She chuckled, clearly pleased with herself, and Junaid couldn't help but shake his head, a hint of a smile creeping onto his face .
Junaid raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair, "What are you doing here? Anything important to discuss?" His tone was casual, but curious, expecting Maya to get to the point. Maya leaned forward, a sly grin still playing on her lips, "Just checking in on my partner in crime. And, actually, there is something I wanted to run by you...".
Maya rolled her eyes playfully, "Oh come on, Junaid, is it only work-related talks I need to have with you? I mean, you're my childhood friend, not just my business partner." She smiled, a nostalgic glare in her eyes, "I've got gossip to share, and you've got to catch up, buddy ". Her tone turned teasing, "Junaid sahab inviting me to his home? Okay, just tell me, do you even have time at home? Because you work there too ." She chuckled, knowing Junaid's notorious workaholic ways, "Or are you gonna have your assistant bring me coffee and we discuss life through screens?"
Junaid's voice turned soft, "You didn't come home since long, Ayan was asking for his Maya aunty." Maya's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the little boy, and a wistful smile played on her lips. She thought to herself, I wish I could settle there permanently... as your wife. But she kept the thought locked away, saying nothing aloud .
Maya's eyes lingered on Junaid's profile, a mix of affection and resignation swirling inside her. She had always loved him, and wanted to marry him, but Junaid was adamant about not getting tied down – marriage wasn't his thing, and he wasn't keen on changing his mind. The knowledge was a quiet ache, one she learned to live with, hoping someday he'd see things differently . Her thoughts were a tangled web, but one truth stood out: Junaid's disinterest in marriage meant he'd likely never let anyone in. A bittersweet relief washed over her – if it couldn't be her, she was okay with no woman being in his life. It was a selfish thought, maybe, but she couldn't help how she felt .
In the cozy living room, Maira had whipped up a mini celebration – ice cream party for her siblings! She beamed as she shared the news about her new job, and their faces lit up in excitement. The room erupted in cheers and chatter, with little ones vying for the biggest scoop .
Maira's face radiated joy as she soaked in her siblings' happiness – their excitement over her new job was the best reward. She thought to herself, my problems will be solved, and a wave of relief washed over her. The weight of uncertainty lifting, she savored the moment, her smile genuine and bright .
Maira's pov:
Ugh, waking up early on the first day back to school . I jumped out of bed and started getting things done, you know, new day, new vibes, right? I picked out this cute pink corset to wear – I was feeling confident, but, let's be real, I was also stressing about the whole first-day thing. Guess it's normal to be nervous, though .
Just as I was about to head out the door, a nagging worry hit me – the rent was due today, and i was running horribly late. Panic started to set in, how would I manage it now? Before i could spiral, Zubia walked in, saving the day as usual – uni was off today, and she'd pay the landlord for her. With a grateful smile, i handed over the cash .
As we walked into the school, Sara stuck by my side, taking me to the head department like a total boss . I met the crew – I mean, my new colleagues, and vibed okay-ish. After the whole approval thing, Sara dipped, leaving me to get the lowdown on my schedule. Turns out it wasn't as ghardaan-breaker as I thought, phew! It's a convent school, though – like, huuuuge staff and students, feels kinda intimidating but... "Come on, Maira, you can do it," I pep-talked myself.
As the passed smoothly PP2 was the last class, and I was hyped to wrap up – teaching them EVS, and it was going kinda smooth... till I spotted Ayaan, the little distraction master . He was more into annoying his friends than listening to me, and I was like, "Okay, gotta check on this one." Guess it's time to put on my "teacher voice".
I dragged myself home, exhausted from the first day, and boom – landlady's voice on a megaphone level . "You didn't pay rent!" Umm, didn't Zubia handle it? I asked her, and she was like, "Nope, no one gave me anything." My mind went, "Waaaat?!" Guess I gotta sort this mess now .
I cornered Zubia, "What happened to the rent money?" And she's like, "Oh, I spent it on refreshments with my friends..." I was, like, speechless . When I asked about the leftover cash, she casually says, "Nothing's left."ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! 15k on refreshments?! Like, what even is that?! The rent money, Zubia... I mean, spend your own cash like that, but that was for rent!
She snaps back, "You were counting on my friends' snacks?!" and storms out . Like, what even is that defense?! I was counting on HER paying the rent, not her treating her squad to a buffet . Guess we're not discussing this anymore... for now.
I begged the landlady for some time, promised to pay with interest, and... thank God, she agreed . Guess beggers can't be choosers, right? At least I got some breathing room – now gotta hustle to scrape that cash together.
Author's pov:
The unpaid rent hung heavy on Maira's shoulders, but she pushed it aside – she'd adjust, now that her pay was sorted. The next day flew by in a blur of lessons and staff meetings, but one thing stuck out: Ayaan's antics had taken a turn for the worse . Guess she'd have to tackle that little challenge next.
She couldn't brush it off – Ayaan wasn't just mischievous, he was downright rude to other teachers too. Guess you could say he was a mini-adult in bad behavior . She wondered what'd gone wrong at home to make him so... unfiltered. Definitely a job for the parents, not just the kid.
Maira turned to her colleague-turned-friend, seeking some backup on the Ayaan situation, but she shut it down fast . "Look, Maira, don't touch that with a bargepole – he's the head trustee's son. And trust me, dad's the one who enabled him." Guess that explained the mini-tyrant vibes; didn't wanna be the one to cross that 'feared' dad .
Ayaan spilled the beans to his dad, Junaid, painting Maira as some sort of overzealous teacher "constantly" trying to interact with him. Junaid's interest was piqued – this "new teacher" needed to be checked . Guess Ayaan's version of "nagging" just got Maira a one-way ticket to trouble .
Next day Maira got summoned to the principal's office by Junaid – not exactly how she wanted to start the day . She politely asked him to wait, though; couldn't ditch her class mid-lesson. Guess we'll see how this "chit chat" goes down .
Junaid's face darkened – Maira asking him to wait? Unacceptable . As a busy man, he wasn't used to being told no, let alone by some teacher who didn't even know who he was. Guess Maira just jumped into the deep end.
She pushed open the principal's office door. She collided with a hard chest, grey eyes locking onto hers. Junaid's gaze was ice-cold, scanning her like she was some pesky issue to resolve. Maira quickly stepped back, putting space between them .
The principal's introduction did not help – Junaid's glace turned glacial, clearly expecting someone... different . Maira let out a silent sigh, bracing herself. As they sat down, it was clear: this convo was gonna be fun.
Her fingers twisted in her lap – how to tackle this mess? Junaid's gaze, though, didn't help; his eyes drilled into her like she was a puzzle he was determined to solve. Guess someone's not here for small talk .
Maira took a breath and dove in, "Mr. Junaid Khan, I wanted to discuss Ayaan – sir, his behavior's been really rude, and he doesn't listen to anyone." Junaid's fists tightened, his expression still icy, but Maira saw something flicker in those grey eyes . Guess she wasn't mincing words.
"Miss...?" Junaid prompted, eyebrows raised, clearly expecting her to fill in the blanks . "Miss Maira," she replied, getting a dismissive "Yeah, whatever" in response. Her thoughts simmered – arrogant much? Like father, like son .
Junaid waved the principal off, his tone implying "this doesn't concern you" . Left alone with Maira, his anger simmered visibly – controlled, but just barely. "He's just a kid," he repeated, like that explained everything . Guess Ayaan wasn't the only one with attitude.
The principal's exit left Junaid towering over Maira, his arms bracketing her chair – faces inches apart, breaths tangled . Guess this convo just turned super intense .Junaid's warning hung in the air – "Stay away from Ayaan, or else" – before he straightened and walked out . The fire in his eyes told Maira one thing: he’d do anything for his kid.
With that Junaid stormed out, thoughts racing – who was this Maira chick, questioning Ayaan's behavior? Yet he wasn't exactly playing fair; he'd already pulled strings to get her out of Ayaan's class. Guess he's got a double standard .
Maira's shock lingered – Ayaan's dad? Pulling strings to get her out of his son's class? Changed her schedule, too. Guess Mr. Khan thinks he can call the shots. Not on her watch, but... Junaid wasn't a man to mess with . Time to back off Ayaan's case, for her own sanity.
Phewwww it was quite lengthy chapter but next chapters won't be that long.
Stay tuned....
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