The morning started like any other — brisk, orderly, and filled with the low hum of office work. The Khan Enterprises board gleamed faintly outside the window as Ashburn walked in with his usual calm stride, files tucked under his arm.
Inside, Aisha was already at her desk, sorting out the week's sales summaries. "Good morning," she greeted without looking up.
Ashburn gave a light nod, setting his cup of tea on the table. "Morning. Any updates from the factory?"
"Production's stable. Kainat said she'll visit the packaging section later today," Aisha replied, tapping a few lines on her tablet. "Oh, and the shop reports are ready for review."
Ashburn smiled faintly, lowering himself into the chair. "Efficient as always."
She glanced up at him then — and frowned. "You look pale."
He waved it off with a small chuckle. "Just didn't sleep much last night. Nothing serious."
Aisha tilted her head. "You've been saying that for a week."
Before he could reply, Kainat entered, holding two cups of coffee. "One for you, one for your stubbornness," she said teasingly, placing the mug in front of him.
Ashburn smirked. "That's a lot of effort for someone who keeps nagging me to rest."
She crossed her arms playfully. "And you never listen anyway. Maybe the caffeine will listen for you."
The banter drew a small smile from Aisha, but her eyes still lingered on Ashburn's face — the faint shadows under his eyes, the tightness in his jaw whenever he shifted his head.
He turned to the computer, scrolling through sales figures, unaware of the two women exchanging a silent, worried look.
---
By noon, Ashburn was at the factory. The air smelled of roasted lentils and peanut oil. Machines clattered rhythmically, and the workers moved with practiced precision.
"Sir, the second batch is ready for dispatch," a supervisor called out.
"Good. Make sure the packaging seals are tight this time," Ashburn replied, rubbing his temple slightly.
The supervisor nodded and moved off.
Kainat, standing beside him, caught the small motion. "Headache again?" she asked softly.
"It's just the noise," he said. "I'll be fine."
But even as he said it, his vision blurred faintly for a second before clearing again. He steadied himself, forcing a small smile.
They spent the next hour inspecting quality reports and delivery plans, yet by the time they returned to the office, Ashburn's steps had slowed slightly.
---
At Home — Evening
Miss Khan noticed immediately when he entered the house. Her motherly instinct never failed.
"You're late again," she said, handing him a glass of water. "And look at you — your face has no color left."
Ashburn gave her a tired smile. "Just a long day, Amma."
"Every day is a long day for you," she sighed, sitting down beside him. "At this rate, you'll fall ill before your next project even starts."
He chuckled lightly. "You worry too much."
"I'm your mother. It's my job to worry," she replied firmly. "And don't think I don't notice you skipping meals."
He looked away sheepishly. "Sometimes it just slips my mind."
She clicked her tongue. "You and your 'sometimes'. Listen to me — go see a doctor tomorrow. There's that small clinic two streets from here. Dr. Sara,I think her name is. Everyone says she's very good."
Ashburn hesitated, sipping the water slowly. "I'll think about it."
"You always think about it but never do it," she muttered. "Promise me this time you'll go."
He gave her a tired grin. "Fine. I promise… eventually."
Miss Khan sighed but smiled faintly. "You're impossible."
---
The next morning started slow. The dull ache in his temples hadn't left. Even coffee felt weaker than usual.
At the office, Aisha noticed it again.
"Still not better?" she asked.
"Same as before," he murmured.
"Then you're going to the clinic today," she declared.
"I have meetings—"
"No excuses," she interrupted, her tone unusually firm. "You can't keep pushing your body like this."
Before Ashburn could argue, Kainat joined in. "She's right. You've been working fourteen hours a day. Even the strongest man would fall sick."
He sighed, massaging his temple. "I just need a day or two of rest. Nothing more."
Aisha folded her arms. "And you'll rest after the doctor confirms it."
Kainat added with a teasing smile, "If you don't go, we'll drag you there ourselves."
Ashburn chuckled despite himself. "Now that would make headlines — CEO kidnapped by his employees."
Aisha smirked. "Call it preventive management."
He leaned back, surrendering. "Fine. I'll go tomorrow morning."
Kainat grinned. "We'll hold you to that."
---
That night, Ashburn sat in his study, flipping through some old notes. His focus drifted between the papers and the dull pressure behind his eyes. His reflection in the window looked different — worn, maybe. Not weak, but slower.
He remembered his mother's words, Aisha's insistence, Kainat's teasing tone — all woven with genuine concern.
The city outside was quiet, a faint hum of life carrying through the cool air.
He thought about the small clinic near the market. He had passed it countless times — a modest building with a clean blue signboard: Dr. Sara— General Physician.
He'd heard of her through a few shopkeepers. They said she was calm, professional, and never rushed her patients.
A small smile touched his lips. "Maybe it's time," he murmured.
The next morning, he planned to visit her — not as the CEO of Khan Enterprises, not as the man who always carried a dozen plans at once — but simply as someone who needed to slow down, just for a while.
For the first time in months, Ashburn turned off his phone early that night. The world could wait one morning.