Ashburn woke up earlier than usual. The room felt different now — brighter because of the new curtains he installed, cleaner because he finally organized everything, and somehow more comfortable thanks to the new ventilation and small décor changes.
He stretched, groaning a little from yesterday's gym session.
"That trainer is not human," he muttered, rubbing his shoulders.
His phone buzzed with a message.
Aisha: You better be awake. Breakfast today? Don't ditch me.
He smiled faintly.
Ashburn: I'm awake, I'm awake.
Another message arrived instantly.
Kainat: If he ditches you, call me. We'll drag him out.
Ashburn chuckled. "These two…"
He pocketed the phone and stepped out of his room.
---
The house felt alive now in a way it never had before.
His mother was in the kitchen humming softly, preparing parathas. The new fridge hummed quietly in the corner. His father was outside, checking the small car Ashburn bought for him.
Sami came running in, his schoolbag half-open.
"Bhai, where's my math notebook? I swear it was here!"
Ashburn checked quickly, found it under the sofa, and handed it over.
"You threw it there yesterday when you lost a game."
Sami clicked his tongue. "Math still sucks though."
Amina hopped in behind him, holding her new tab.
"Bhai! Look! I learned a poem!"
Ashburn crouched down. "Show me after school, okay?"
She nodded eagerly.
Their father entered the house, wiping his hands.
"Everything is ready. I'll drop them and pick them myself. This car really makes life easier."
Ashburn felt warmth fill his chest.
His mother glanced at him with a soft smile.
"You look healthier these days. Less stress. More light in your face."
"Life's getting stable," he said quietly. "I just want everyone to enjoy it."
"And we are," she replied.
---
After breakfast with Aisha at a small café near her college, he headed to Bahawal Nagar to inspect the new locations.
Faraz walked with him through the almost-completed sixth shop.
"The fifth one is doing good. The sixth should open in three days if we finish the shelving."
Ashburn inspected each aisle, mentally noting what needed adjustment.
"These racks need to be shifted a bit. And milk products should be closer to the entrance; it attracts more customers."
Faraz nodded rapidly. "I'll tell the workers."
They continued toward the back storage area. Cold units hummed steadily, deliveries were being arranged, and the team moved around with practiced rhythm.
"Everything's smoother than last month," Faraz said proudly.
"That's how it should be," Ashburn replied.
---
Later, they arrived at the supermarket chain's office. The manager greeted them with a firm handshake and a stack of papers.
"We're satisfied with the consistency," the manager said. "Your snacks especially sell fast."
Ashburn leaned forward slightly. "Good to hear."
"We'd like a long-term contract," the manager continued. "A steady monthly supply to multiple branches."
Ashburn exchanged a subtle look with Faraz — both knew how big this was.
"Let's finalize it," Ashburn said.
They signed the agreement.
The manager smiled. "This partnership will last long."
"Insha'Allah," Ashburn replied.
---
Driving back, Faraz couldn't hide his excitement.
"This will stabilize the entire expansion. Regular income. Regular orders."
Ashburn rested his head against the seat. "We worked hard for it. Everyone did."
"And this is only the third month," Faraz added. "We're moving fast."
Ashburn smiled. "Faster than I expected."
---
Back home, the house buzzed with activity.
Amina sat on the sofa watching a colorful educational video on her new tablet. Sami was absorbed in a science book.
"Bhai, did you know about underwater volcanoes?" Sami asked. "They can make islands."
Ashburn laughed. "You're becoming a scientist."
"Maybe," Sami said shyly.
His mother entered with tea. "He reads more now, since you bought him those books."
Ashburn sat beside his father, who was relaxing on the sofa.
"You went to the doctor today?" Ashburn asked.
"Yes, and Alhamdulillah, my blood pressure is much better," his father said. "This relaxed routine is helping."
Ashburn felt relieved. Upgrading the house and improving everyone's lifestyle had been worth every effort.
A knock came at the gate.
Aisha and Kainat entered together — not unusual now since the three had begun spending more time together.
"You didn't forget we're going out, right?" Aisha asked with a grin.
"I was about to get ready," Ashburn said.
Kainat folded her arms. "Good. Last time you were one minute late."
"One minute," Ashburn repeated, shaking his head. "You two are too strict."
Aisha nudged him lightly. "You like it."
He smiled. "Maybe."
They sat in the living room for a while, chatting with his family. His mother liked both girls, and their easy, respectful behavior made the atmosphere warm.
Aisha whispered, "You've changed so much these past months."
"How?" he asked.
"You look… free," she replied.
Kainat added, "And more confident."
Ashburn glanced around his home — the new sofas, the clean walls, the new appliances, his siblings smiling, his father stress-free.
He exhaled softly. "Maybe life is finally opening up."
---
At night, after dropping both girls home, Ashburn returned to his room, switching on his new PC. A soft glow filled the room.
He checked the status of the seventh shop, reviewed Faraz's tweaks, and read the draft reports for deliveries. Everything was aligning.
His phone buzzed again.
Aisha: Thanks for today. And eat something before sleeping.
Kainat: Don't overthink work. You're doing great.
He smiled at both messages.
"Tomorrow," he said to himself softly, "we keep building."
He turned off the lights, the quiet of the night settling gently around him.
A new month was coming. New shops. New deliveries. New milestones.
And life… finally felt stable, warm, and full of movement.