Morning sunlight filtered softly through the leaves, casting trembling patterns of gold across the winding path. Asad Khan walked with slow, heavy steps, his mind burdened by the weight of unspoken worries.
The crisp air should have refreshed him, but instead, it only deepened his exhaustion. Feeling the tension settle in his shoulders, he drifted toward a nearby bench beneath an old, sprawling tree.
An elderly man was already seated there, his posture relaxed, his eyes following the gentle sway of the branches above. Something about him radiated a serene familiarity.
Asad sank onto the bench with a sigh, clearly worn out.
The old man turned slightly, observing him with a kind smile.
"You look thirsty," he said, extending a cool bottle of water.Asad accepted the bottle hesitantly, his fingers brushing lightly against the cool plastic.
For a moment, he glanced at the old man—uncertain yet gratefulHe paused, studying the man's face more closely. "Forgive me, but… I believe I've seen you somewhere before."
The old man chuckled warmly. "Drink first, my boy. You look parched."
After a few refreshing sips, Asad blinked in realization. "Oh! You're the chairman of Hashmi Enterprise, aren't you?"
The man's eyes crinkled with amusement. "Yes, indeed. Kamran Hashmi."
"I knew it," Asad said with a proud smile. "I'm Asad Khan—chairman of Khan Corp."Recognition dawned on Kamran's face. "Ahh, yes. Faqair told me about you. You two have been working together lately, haven't you?"
"That's right," Asad replied. "It's an honor to finally meet you." He extended his hand.
"The pleasure is mutual."
Kamran shook his hand firmly.
Asad's smile softened. "I've read about you in so many articles, sir. You've worked tirelessly—truly an inspiration."
Kamran dipped his head modestly. "Success demands effort. There's no shortcut."
"Absolutely, sir," Asad replied.
A gentle silence settled between them for a moment, broken only by the distant chirping of birds.
"Do you come here often?" Kamran asked, looking around the peaceful park.
Asad exhaled. "Not really. Only when I feel stressed."
"Oh?" Kamran tilted his head. "May I ask what's troubling you?"
Asad hesitated before answering.
"Recently, someone's been trying to hack into my company systems. I can't figure out who or why… and on top of that, arranging my daughter's marriage has added even more pressure."
Kamran's expression turned serious. "A hacking attempt? That's no small matter. You must look into it immediately." Then, with a sudden laugh, he added, "As for the marriage… I'm on the same train."
"Ahh… Zayn," Asad said, instantly understanding.
They both chuckled.
Asad leaned back. "Your grandson is extremely talented. The way he's lifted your brand even more—he's taking it straight to the top."Kamran's face glowed with unmistakable pride. "Oh yes, he's very talented. I'm proud of him. The small company I started… it would never have reached this level if he hadn't been there to carry it forward."
Asad nodded, admiring the warmth in the old man's voice. "Yeah… he made your work shine. Whatever foundation you built, he polished it and brought it into a new light."Kamran chuckled softly, eyes softening with affection. "He certainly did. In fact… he's the reason I'm in all those articles these days. He's the one who made me popular—far more than I ever expected at this age."
Asad smiled warmly at the sincerity in his voice. "And he deserves the credit, sir. He brought a new shine to your legacy—something only true dedication can do.""We've collaborated recently," Asad continued. "Seeing his work firsthand… he's built for success."
Kamran laughed softly. "And your daughter—she's handling your company now, isn't she?"
"Oh yes," Asad said fondly. "She's managing everything beautifully.""Wonderful," Kamran said—and then his eyes brightened with a teasing glint. "Who doesn't know it? She's the hot topic now. The way she works… she's truly dedicated."
"Asad's eyes warmed. 'She may not have stepped in with full certainty, but the way she's managing things… you'd think she was born for it .'"Another brief silence fell between them—quiet, comfortable, almost as if fate itself was waiting for one of them to speak.
A thought flickered in Asad's mind. Should I ask him? This moment… it feels perfect.
Gathering his courage, he said, "I was thinking… since we're both facing the same concerns, perhaps we should tell our children to marry each other. What do you think?"
Kamran's smile widened slowly, warmly. "That's a good idea. I'll speak to Zayn."
"And I'll speak to Meher," Asad replied, relief and excitement blooming in his chest. "Then we can arrange a date for them."
"Perfect," Kamran said with a chuckle.
"The morning air carried their laughter, as the future of two young hearts quietly began to take shape."
To be continued....