The young man front of also did the same
"Anand…Anand Patil."
For Aryan, the world seemed to crash down around him. He had been sent on a high-stakes mission for a powerful man, a "golden asset," but he never expected the man to be named after the founder himself. The name was a sacred, almost forbidden word within the family. His family had served the Patil clan for three generations, and not one of the six generations of Patils since the founder's death had ever named their child Anand. To do so would have been an act of ultimate disrespect, a claim to a legacy that no one could ever truly live up to.
Now, a young man who looked only a few years older than himself was claiming that very name.
His thoughts raced, a whirlwind of fear and confusion. He finally understood the gravity of his mission, and the reason for the Family Head's secretive warnings. If the council elders, if the family knew about this, who knew what they would do? Would they see him as a symbol of hope or a blasphemous lie?
"Just who is he? "Aryan's mind screamed. "He can't be... a son. A secret child of the Family Head? But that's forbidden without the consent of the Missus..."
The questions were endless, and the answers were terrifying.
Aryan's thoughts were a chaotic maelstrom of confusion and fear, but they were silenced by a voice in front of him.
"Yes?" The man repeated.
Aryan blinked, his gaze snapping back to the figure across the table. He was still lost, but he forced himself to focus. "So, what are we going to do now?" the man asked.
Before Aryan could answer, the silence of the garden was broken by the soft hum of wheels. A maid entered, pushing a mobile cart laden with four or five different dishes, a bottle of juice, and gleaming cutlery. She moved with practiced grace, placing a few dishes on the table before quietly pouring a glass of juice.
As she worked, Aryan found his voice. "It's entirely at your discretion, sir," he said, his voice a little strained. "Whatever you would like to do. I'm here just to guide you."
The maid placed the bottle on the table and, with a silent bow, started to exit.