Ashburn hadn't taken a real break in months. Not a short pause, not a quiet evening, not even a lazy breakfast. Every day felt like a continuous stretch of work—branches, shop openings, the factory expansion, hiring, planning, and now Bhawal Nagar's new operations. But after returning late last night and reviewing the progress one last time, he finally allowed himself something he rarely granted: a day off.
Aisha was the one who insisted gently, as always. Kainat supported her immediately, claiming that even machines needed rest and Ashburn looked more tired than their office computers. They planned a small family picnic, not something fancy or expensive—just a simple day at the nearest zoo, a place they had all visited once in childhood but never together. The idea felt refreshing, almost nostalgic.
The next morning, the air was crisp and the sky clear. Ashburn stepped outside feeling strangely lighter. Aisha and Kainat were already by the car, dressed casually, both smiling in a way he hadn't seen for weeks. It was a comfortable change, a reminder that despite the overwhelming pace of business life, there were still quiet human moments worth holding onto.
The road to the zoo wasn't long. Trees lined both sides, casting soft shadows across the early sunlight. Ashburn leaned back in the seat, letting the movement of the car soothe him. He noticed Aisha looking at him from the passenger seat mirror, a small relieved smile forming on her lips as she saw him relax. Kainat, sitting beside him, kept pointing at roadside stalls and small kids running around, making random comments just to shift the mood away from work. It worked easily.
When they reached the zoo, a light breeze carried the mixed scent of trees, earth, and distant animal enclosures. Children were laughing near the entrance, families lined up with snacks and water bottles. It felt like stepping into a pocket of the world where deadlines didn't exist.
They bought tickets and stepped inside slowly, letting the environment settle around them. The first enclosure had deer moving gracefully under patches of sunlight. Aisha leaned against the fence, watching them calmly while Kainat took a few pictures on her phone. Ashburn just observed them both, realizing how long it had been since they had stood together without discussing supply chains or budgets.
They moved further in, where the lions rested lazily under the shade of their artificial cave. The sound of their low growls traveled faintly across the enclosure. A group of kids near them gasped excitedly, and Kainat whispered, "They're bigger than I remember… I swear they were smaller when we were little."
Ashburn smiled. "You just got bigger."
She laughed, nudging him lightly.
They walked through the reptile house next, the air cooler and quieter. Snakes coiled under heat lamps, turtles drifted slowly in their tanks, and a massive python lay motionless in a glass chamber. Aisha held Ashburn's arm in that section, muttering that reptiles made her uncomfortable. He chuckled softly but kept her close as they passed through.
Parrots, peacocks, wolves, monkeys—they moved through the enclosures at a calm, unhurried pace. Sometimes they talked, sometimes they simply watched. Not a single business-related thought entered Ashburn's head, and even when it tried, he brushed it away instantly. Today wasn't for that.
After an hour or two, they reached the boating lake at the center of the zoo. The water shimmered beneath the sunlight, small rental boats floating gently at the edges. Aisha pointed toward them immediately. "Boat ride. No debate."
Ashburn raised an eyebrow, amused. "You both still remember how to row?"
Kainat smirked. "We'll find out."
They climbed into a small boat—Aisha settling in the middle, Ashburn and Kainat taking the oars. The moment they pushed off, the boat rocked slightly, making Aisha gasp and then laugh. The lake was calm but wide, surrounded by green trees that cast soft reflections across the water's surface. Ashburn rowed steadily, feeling the resistance of the water strengthening his arms. Kainat, on the other side, rowed with surprising coordination, teasing him every time their strokes fell out of sync.
A cool breeze brushed past them. Birds flew overhead, some dipping low near the water. A couple in another boat waved, drifting past slowly. The sunlight felt warm but not harsh, the kind of warmth that eased itself across the skin.
Ashburn found himself speaking without thinking, "I missed this. A simple day… I almost forgot how it feels."
Aisha looked at him with gentle eyes. "That's why we brought you here. You work too hard."
Kainat added with a grin, "If we didn't drag you, you would start expanding into another three cities before noon."
They all laughed, the moment soft and unforced.
After the ride, they walked toward the food court for lunch. The smell of barbecue, shawarma, biryani, and fries floated in the air. They chose a shaded table under a large umbrella. Ashburn ordered three plates of grilled chicken with naan and a large serving of fries. It wasn't anything fancy, but the shared meal had a comforting warmth. Aisha kept stealing fries from his plate, pretending she didn't want her own. Kainat told random stories about her childhood school trips, most of which ended with her getting scolded for feeding the animals.
"Don't even think about feeding the animals today," Ashburn warned jokingly.
Kainat raised both hands dramatically. "I'm reformed. Maybe."
After lunch, they strolled through the quieter back section of the zoo. The sun dipped slightly, and the paths felt peaceful. Aisha bought ice cream cones for all three of them from a small stall. Ashburn hadn't eaten one in ages, but the cold sweetness melted smoothly on his tongue, bringing a surprising sense of nostalgia.
They found a bench under a large tree and rested. The breeze grew cooler, rustling the leaves around them. Families passed by occasionally, but the spot still felt private. Aisha leaned her head on Ashburn's shoulder, eyes half closed. Kainat sat cross-legged on the bench, scrolling through the pictures she had taken.
"You look good today," she said suddenly.
Ashburn blinked. "Today? What about the other days?"
"Other days you look tired," she said without hesitation. "Today you look alive."
He didn't have an answer for that. Aisha squeezed his arm gently, as if silently agreeing.
They stayed there for some time, talking about random memories, teasing each other, laughing lightly. The world outside, with all its responsibilities and complexities, felt paused.
As the evening approached, the sky took on a soft orange hue. They left the zoo slowly, stopping to grab dinner from a nearby restaurant—a simple mix of karahi, naan, and cold drinks. The meal wasn't extravagant, just warm and fulfilling. Ashburn didn't rush, didn't check his phone, didn't think about orders or inventory. For the first time in months, he felt like a normal person having a normal meal with his family.
When they finally returned home, the day had settled into a gentle calm. Ashburn showered, changed into comfortable clothes, and lay down with a relaxed sigh. Aisha and Kainat joined him after a while, sitting near him, chatting softly about the pictures they took.
For once, he didn't feel the weight of the system, the evaluations, or the endless pressure to grow. He only felt contentment—a rare, precious pause in the middle of the storm he called ambition.
And as he closed his eyes, he thought quietly that maybe… just maybe… these moments were as important as the empire he was building.