The next morning, Ashburn left home early. His father was reading the newspaper, while his mother was watering the plants.
"Going already?" his father asked, looking over his glasses.
Ashburn smiled. "Yes, Abba. Both shops open soon. I want to check inventory before customers arrive."
His father nodded approvingly. "Good. You're starting to sound like a real businessman."
Ashburn chuckled. "Trying to be, Abba."
He took his bike and rode through the crisp morning breeze. The scent of fresh naan, the chatter of vendors, and the clatter of shutters being pulled up — all blended into a rhythm that made him feel alive.
By the time he reached his first shop, the sun was just above the rooftops. The wooden board read "Ashburn Mart", but it was freshly repainted, the letters shining bold and clear. Inside, the shelves were neat — something he'd taught his staff to maintain.
"Morning, boss!" the helper, Faisal, greeted him.
"Morning," Ashburn replied, walking in. "Let's start with the pricing check. I think some suppliers overcharged on detergents."
He brought out his ledger — though most people used apps, Ashburn preferred writing. Numbers stuck better that way. But then came his skill activation — his quiet advantage.
When he touched a detergent box, his skill
> Product Quality: 92%
Market Demand: High
Price Margin: Moderate
He smiled slightly. "Keep this brand, Faisal. But we'll replace the other one — the one with yellow packaging."
"Why, boss? It's cheap," Faisal asked curiously.
"Cheap, yes," Ashburn said, "but its reputation's dropping. Customers notice even small things. Trust matters more than a few rupees saved."
---
By noon, he'd finished inspecting both aisles, adjusted price tags, and even redesigned the layout — cereals up front, hygiene products on the left, and snacks where children could spot them easily.
He noted all changes in his diary. Efficiency breeds comfort; comfort brings loyalty, he thought.
Then he rode to his second shop — smaller but busier, near a school. On the way, his mind wandered to the two letters he'd written last night — one for Aisha, one for Kainat. Both had accepted his feelings, and the warmth in his chest hadn't left since then.
At the smaller shop, he trained a new cashier and checked supplier invoices. He also planned to expand into household electronics — another decision powered by his
"Sir," a supplier said, "you're ordering fewer brands now. Are you cutting costs?"
Ashburn smiled softly. "No, I'm focusing value. When you scatter too wide, you lose focus. We'll grow one step at a time."
The supplier nodded slowly. "Smart approach, young man. Not many your age think like that."
---
By afternoon, he visited Kainat's community kitchen to drop off groceries. Aisha was already there, handing food to children lined up neatly. The sight warmed him.
Aisha looked radiant in her simple pastel dress, a bit of flour on her cheek as she worked beside Kainat.
"Good to see teamwork in action," Ashburn said teasingly.
Kainat turned with her calm smile. "We were just discussing you, actually."
"Oh?" he asked, lifting a brow.
Aisha blushed faintly. "We were saying your handwriting in the letter is terrible."
Ashburn feigned offense. "That's how geniuses write. Unreadable to common eyes."
Kainat laughed softly. "You mean illegible by design?"
He grinned. "Exactly."
They all chuckled, and for a few moments, the world felt light.
Then Aisha handed him a steel container. "Take this for lunch. You'll skip it again otherwise."
Ashburn looked at it, smiling faintly. "You both are spoiling me."
Kainat shook her head. "We're just balancing your life. You're too focused on numbers. Someone has to feed the machine."
Her tone was playful, but her eyes carried genuine care.
---
The following days fell into rhythm. Mornings were for shops, afternoons for kitchen deliveries, evenings for shared laughter and planning.
Aisha often joined him at the first shop, learning about suppliers and product rotation.
"Why do you keep changing shelf positions every week?" she once asked, rearranging boxes beside him.
"Human attention," he replied, smiling. "When layout changes, customers notice new products. It's called pattern interruption."
She tilted her head. "So, manipulating psychology?"
He chuckled. "Strategic guidance."
She smirked. "Manipulation sounds simpler."
He laughed. "You'll make a ruthless businesswoman someday."
Meanwhile, Kainat helped him manage charity inventory. Her calm, analytical nature made her invaluable. She started introducing record-keeping methods that cut wastage by nearly 30%.
Ashburn once watched her quietly, impressed.
"You know," he said, "you'd do great running your own branch."
She smiled faintly. "Maybe someday. For now, I'd rather help this one grow."
He nodded. "Then we'll grow it together."
---
As weeks passed, his system updates began showing noticeable results.
> Month 2 of Evaluation: Performance +37%
Business Efficiency: Increased
Relationship Stability: Strengthening
It felt good — not as numbers, but as proof of balance.
At home, his parents began noticing the change too. His mother once said while serving tea,
"You smile more these days, beta."
He shrugged. "Maybe because life's making sense now."
His father nodded. "Hard work always brings peace. But don't forget to rest."
Ashburn smiled. "I won't."
---
One evening, after closing the shops, Ashburn sat on the rooftop with both Aisha and Kainat. Aisha was humming softly while Kainat scrolled through her phone, noting new charity requests.
"The stars are bright tonight," Aisha murmured.
Kainat smiled. "It's rare with all the city lights."
Ashburn looked at both of them and said quietly, "You know… a month ago, I didn't imagine things could be this peaceful."
Aisha looked at him with gentle eyes. "Peace doesn't always come from silence, Ashburn. Sometimes, it comes from the right people standing beside you."
Kainat added softly, "And from effort — the kind that isn't forced but consistent."
He smiled faintly. "You both talk like poets."
Aisha nudged him playfully. "Maybe your bad handwriting is rubbing off on us."
Kainat laughed, covering her mouth. "Or maybe his stubbornness."
They all laughed together, the sound blending into the quiet night.
Ashburn looked at them both and thought, I'll protect this peace no matter what.
---
As the second month of the fifth evaluation ended, all three of them had grown — in heart, in effort, and in trust.
But deep down, Ashburn sensed change approaching.
Business was growing faster than expected. New opportunities, new connections — and maybe, new people — were waiting on the horizon.
He didn't know yet that soon, two more faces would walk into his life, bringing with them both light and challenge.
But for now, under the gentle hum of night and the warmth of companionship, he allowed himself to simply breathe — content, focused, and quietly determined.