Part 18: Mischievous Cousin

RAYAAN

Meera looked fine, her eyes looked a bit tired. But she didn't complain of any pain.

She anyways doesn't complain about anything. Till now, from food to her health, everything is fine with her.

I told her I was planning to take a leave today but she protested against it. "No need for it. See, I look fine. "

And before I could retaliate, she spoke, " I will call you if there is an emergency. I am fine. I have medicine. There is house help. So everything looks good. You should head back to the office " Probably I heard her speak that much in a single breath for the first time.

"Are you Su.. "

"More than sure" She stood there telling me how fit she was.

I had no choice but to agree with her.

We came downstairs to have our breakfast. It was usual chitter-chatter in the air.

I had picked up orange juice to take a sip when I suddenly heard a voice that I never intended to hear, not this morning at least, "Bhai" I choked on my drink. Meera started rubbing my back and the owner of the voice joined too, "Are you bhai? "

"What are you doing here, Aryan? " I asked him faking a smile when Mom glared at me.

"You missed me right? " He kissed my cheek, making me cringe inwardly.

He then proceeded to take blessings from my parents and Meera.

"Aunt, finally Dad has allowed me to work with Rayaan Bhai. I am here to learn some business techniques from him" He cheekily smiled at my mother filling his plate.

"But you never asked me if I wanted to work with you" I raised my brows at him and the spoon dropped off his hand.

"Of course, he wants to work with his little brother. Aryan, you eat your breakfast. He is just joking" Mom said, dismissing my irritation.

Really Mom? No, I wasn't. He is irritating. He will not work and won't let me work peacefully.

I groaned knowing well that my peaceful hours at work are going to be ruined.

Glancing at Meera, I noticed she was smiling, seemingly amused by Aryan's antics. Her smile, so precious and heartwarming, made me forget my annoyance.

I assumed Aryan would forget about the office by the time I left, but to my surprise, he was already waiting in the car.

Great! I got a new driver.

After bidding goodbye to my parents, I side-hugged Meera, She was as startled as yesterday. Her fragrance lifted up my mood. It made me feel like my day was going to be good. My arm perfectly wraps around her.

As her cousin said, she perfectly fits in my arm.

I could see her cheeks flushing, her face glowing with red-yellow sweetness. It was a beautiful sight, and my heart warmed at the thought of having a wife now.

With a happy heart, I walked to my car where Aryan was already giving me teasing looks. I thrust my laptop bag into his face, and he groaned in response.

I asked him to let me take the driver's seat. Though he learned to drive a car but I love my life.

Aryan was following me like my tail. As soon as I reached my cabin, Mrs. Swati Saxsena briefed me about my schedule. Without wasting a single minute I opened my laptop and started analyzing the reports that had been recorded during my leave.

"What do I have to do, bhai?" Aryan asked.

I had forgotten about him for a moment. "You will assist Mrs. Saxsena," I replied.

Mrs. Saxsena looked cluelessly between us, and I explained, "He's my cousin and will be working under you for some time."

Aryan nudged again, asking, "What's the job title, bhai?"

"It's called A. A. - short for Assistant's Assistant," I said with a smile, and Aryan seemed to believe it.

"Wow! I have never heard of it " He chimed excited.

Same

"Wow! I have never heard of it," he chimed excitedly.

Mrs. Saxsena managed to control her smile, and then she took him to get started on his new role. I was sure he would learn a thing or two from her, she was an experienced lady with a humble nature.

I was doing my work with concentration but a series of notifications was disturbing me. With files, I also handed over my phone to Mrs. Saxsexa to reply to all my professional messages.

The workload was comparatively higher because of the leaves I had taken for marriage. I had to look at reports and review our marketing strategies. The reports had taken quite a little time. Though I liked a few suggestions, I will want a meeting to finalize the ideas.

"Enough! Bhai let's GO" A tired Aryan barged into my cabin, "Half of the staff has already left half an hour ago " He sounded irritated but my one glare was enough to shut him up.

I noticed his supposed tired form. How the hell was he sweating in the freaking air-conditioned room?

And it required no brainer to know that he actually sprinkled water on his face to make his acting look quite natural.

Now, I am pretty sure he would have troubled Mrs. Saxsena by acting like a king.

She came behind him, submitting a few documents.

"Mrs. Saxsena, please treat him like an intern and if he troubles you, all you have to do is call me " I said boring my eyes into Aryan's.

His eyes turned wide and his jaw fell on the floor upon hearing my words.

I ignored him and nodded at her who politely asked for her to leave.

I too wrapped up my work and made my way out, "let me hold it for you my dear brother " He forcefully took my blazer and laptop bag from my hand. Reaching up to the car, he opened the door for me.

The fake chivalry!

"You are still getting treated as an Intern" I said taking the driver's seat.

He sulked in the passenger seat till the time he saw a Sweet Shop, "I think Bhabhi likes sweets "His eyes twinkled as he looked at the shop and then at me.

"No, she doesn't" I deadpanned.

Having nothing to say anymore, he quietly sat looking outside the window. A smile threatened to surface on my face as I noticed his excitement. I decided to stop the car and asked him to get whatever he wanted.

He jumped like an excited kid running out of the car. Half the way through the parlor, he returned back knocking on my side of the window.

I raised an eyebrow at him, he sheepishly smiled rubbing the back of his head, "Money".

I rolled my eyes at his antics; he was an expert at emptying my wallet.

Taking the wallet I fetched him a note.

He gladly took it and ran back again towards the shop like an uncontrolled butterfly.

I was really tired from all the work. Reaching the home, I breathed in relief.

A househelp got me a glass of water while Aryan had already laid his chocolate pastry on the table, savoring it with his hands.

And he was telling me something about Meera liking the sweet?

My eyes wandered around searching for her, and to my surprise, she was standing a little far away from me, seeming lost in her thoughts. She stole glances at me, making me curious about her sudden behavior.

Did something happen?

"Bhabhi, this is for you," Aryan squealed, showing her a pastry.

Meera just nodded and looked at me again, causing Aryan to chuckle, "You want Bhai to feed it to you?"

She ran back into the kitchen, shouting, "No, it's fine"

Confused, I wondered what was wrong with her. Was she okay? She didn't even let me ask about her health.

Aryan smiled at me, a teasing glint in his eyes. I smacked his head lightly, asking him to focus on his treat.

My phone beeped.

As my phone beeped with notifications, I replied to my friend's casual meeting invitation and then noticed Meera's message.

Did she contact me today?

I quickly opened up the chat to find that Meera was asking about my return timings to which someone has already replied.

Meera: When will you be back? Mom is asking

Very soon darling😘: Rayaan

It was a moment of facepalm for me. Damn it!

Well! Now I know what is wrong with Meera. Of course, she is thinking I replied to her text.

My eyes stared at the real culprit licking his fingers without any care in the world.