***
Scene: Meher's Room – Morning, the Day After Her Birthday
The blinds rattled as Inaya yanked them open, letting a wash of late-morning sunlight spill into the room.
"Meher, get up!" she said, half-exasperated, half-amused. "It's already nine. Don't you have work today?"
A groggy voice mumbled from under the covers. "Five more minutes..."
Inaya crossed her arms, smirking. "Who would believe a picture-perfect woman like you is actually a total lazy mess in real life?"
A sleepy smile pulled at Meher's lips. "Nobody's perfect."
"Yeah, but you fake it well. Now get up."
With a long stretch and a quiet yawn, Meher finally sat up. Her hair was a mess, mascara faintly smudged under her eyes from the night before.
"I was thinking…" she said slowly, rubbing her face, "maybe I'll skip today. Spend the day with you, since you're here."
Inaya hesitated. Just a flicker in her expression.
"You don't need to. I already have plans."
Meher's tone shifted, subtle but sharp. "With Nabeel?"
"Yeah. We're going shopping—just the mall."
Meher didn't answer right away. She stood, walked toward her mirror, and adjusted the strap of her tank top. "Right. Then I guess I'll go to work."
Inaya gave a small nod. "Yeah. You probably should."
Meher looked over her shoulder. "Did you eat?"
"Not yet. I'll grab something later."
Meher's voice softened. "Wait—give me twenty minutes. We'll eat together."
"It's fine, Meher—really.""Please?" she asked, quieter this time.
Inaya sighed. "Okay. But hurry up. I'll wait in the living room."
Meher smiled. "Deal."
***
Thirty Minutes Later…
Meher jogged down the stairs, her sneakers thudding lightly on the wood. Hair tied up in a loose ponytail, fresh-faced but slightly rushed.
"So... this is your twenty minutes?" Inaya called from the couch, phone in hand.
Meher grinned. "Time is a suggestion."
Inaya laughed, pushing herself up. "Come on. Let's eat."
They headed to the kitchen island, grabbing plates and coffee like muscle memory. Just as they sat down, Asad entered, already frowning.
"Why are you late, Meher?"
Meher took a bite of toast. "Good morning to you too."
"Don't dodge the question."
"Not dodging. Just practicing basic human politeness."
"You—"
"Good morning, Uncle," Inaya interrupted with a practiced smile.
Asad glanced at her, posture relaxing just slightly. "Morning."
"Join us?" she offered.
"I've already eaten."
Asad's gaze shifted back to Meher. "Eat fast. And don't drag your feet getting out the door."
"She's leaving soon," Inaya said lightly, sipping her coffee.
Meher rolled her eyes behind her mug.
***
Later…
"I should get going," Inaya said, grabbing her jacket from the back of the chair.
"I'll come too. I'll drop you—it's on the way."
"I'll drive."
Meher raised a brow. "Yeah, no thanks. I still have things I want to live for."
Inaya burst out laughing. "You've never even seen me drive.""And I'd like to keep it that way."
They walked toward the front door, still teasing each other, the sound of their laughter trailing behind them as they stepped out into the bright September morning.
***
Scene: Zayn's Office – Early Morning
The office was still, filtered sunlight pouring in through floor-to-ceiling windows. Zayn clicked his pen shut and set it down with precision, the last file in the stack neatly completed. He straightened his blazer, ran a hand through his hair, and stepped out into the hallway.
Directly across from his own, Faqair's office door was ajar.
Leaning casually against the doorframe, Zayn watched silently. His hands were in his pockets, expression unreadable.
Inside, Faqair was beaming at his phone. His cheeks tinged pink, his smile unguarded, eyes glued to the screen. He looked up—once, then twice—and froze when he spotted Zayn standing there.
Panic flickered across his face. He locked the screen instantly, bolting upright.
"S-Sir," he stammered. "Do you need anything?"
"What were you looking at?" Zayn asked, his tone cool.
"N-Nothing. Just—nothing important."
"Show me."
Faqair clutched the phone tighter. "Sir, it's nothing serious."
Zayn took a step forward, gaze sharpening.
Faqair cracked. "It was just a web novel, sir. New chapter dropped this morning."
Zayn said nothing.
Just then, a familiar voice called out from the corridor.
"Romance novels before noon? Bold move."Both men turned.
Zayn's face shifted—just slightly—as Hamad appeared, suitcase in hand, a grin on his face.
"Mr. Hamad," Zayn greeted, voice instantly warmer.
Faqair straightened even more. "Good morning, HR Manager"
"Morning," Hamad replied, reaching out to shake Zayn's hand, then pulled him into a quick, familiar hug. "Just landed. Thanks again for the time off—if I'd skipped the trip, my wife might've buried me alive."
Zayn chuckled. "Glad it was worth it."
Faqair, unable to resist, piped up, "Where did you go, sir?"
Zayn gave him a hard glance. Faqair shrank back.
"Sorry! I'll go get the files—"
Hamad laughed. "Cut the kid some slack."
"I went to Scotland," he added, more for Faqair's benefit than Zayn's. "Beautiful weather. Great coffee."
Zayn nodded, smiling faintly. "You should've taken today off."
"I'm good," Hamad replied, waving off the concern. "Besides—I brought gifts."
Zayn raised an eyebrow. "That wasn't necessary."
"Don't argue," Hamad said, handing him a sleek black gift bag. "Think of it as a bribe from your older brother. If you don't take it, I'll feel bad."
Zayn accepted it with a small nod. "Thank you."
"There's another one—for your grandfather."
Zayn started to speak, but Hamad cut in before he could.
"He's basically my grandfather too, you know."
Zayn's smile was brief but genuine. "He'll appreciate it."
Faqair returned with a stack of files—and wide eyes locked on the bag in Zayn's hands.
Hamad noticed."This one's for you," he said, pulling out a smaller package and holding it out to Faqair.
Faqair looked at Zayn first.
"Take it," Zayn said sharply. "Or should I keep it for myself?"
Faqair stepped forward quickly, grinning. "Thank you, sir—really!"
"Anytime," Hamad said. "Alright, I'll get out of your way. Meetings to crash, people to annoy."
"See you," Zayn said.
"Bye, sir!" Faqair echoed.
As Hamad disappeared down the hall, Zayn turned back to Faqair.
"No more novels during work hours."
Faqair clutched the gift to his chest like a trophy. "Yes, sir."
To be continued....
{ Relising date 12/9/25}
***
> "Some mornings begin with sunshine, others with silence—but the right people can make either feel like home."
Thank you for joining Meher, Inaya, Zayn, and the rest of the characters in their quiet, complicated moments. Life moves fast—but don't forget to pause, breathe, and enjoy the little things: a shared breakfast, a laugh at the wrong time.
Stay kind. Stay curious.
Stay happy—and take care of your heart.
With all the stars,
– Galaxy's Eyes