ZAVIAN~

Zavian Veer Malhotra my full name.

CEO of Malhotra industry.

I’ve been on my own since childhood. This empire every brick of it is built by my own hands. I gave meaning to my name, and now, even my nickname holds more weight than most surnames.

I have two constants in my life Vansh, my best friend and my PA, and Inaaya, my firebrand of a friend who’s more like family. They’re the only ones I trust.

Now, there’s a third one.

Her

Sobiya

My sunshine.

The first time I saw her at the hostel gate, something inside me shifted. It felt like I found a missing piece of my soul. She’s simple, soft, utterly unaware of the chaos she’s caused in my heart.

I couldn’t let her stay in that hostel. I told Inaaya to find her a proper apartment, but she said i will shift her to mine one, and i agreed because she deserves comfort, not compromise.

I invited them to my celebration party bcs I had just become the No. 1 billionaire in the country. It should’ve been a night of pride. But everything blurred the moment I saw her stumble near the exit. My heart dropped.

I rushed forward, caught her just in time, and drove her to the hospital myself, I got to know there she was drugged, and then i became restless.

She needed care. Real care. And that’s when I decided she’s coming with me.

She’s in my home now. Under my roof.

And I don’t care what anyone thinks not her college, not her brother. If her brother truly loves her, he’ll be glad to see a man like me taking care of his sister.

I was deep in thought, seated in my study, when a knock interrupted my silence.

“Come in,” I called.

It was the caretaker I had personally appointed for Sobiya.

“Sir, lunch is ready,” she informed me politely.

“And ma’am?”

“She’s downstairs. Waiting for you.”

I nodded and made my way down. And there she was dressed simply, yet looking absolutely breathtaking, like she belonged in every corner of this place.

I sat beside her. “freshen up,” I said.

“yes” she replied quietly.

“Then start eating,” I told her, pouring soup into her bowl.

She made a face. “I don’t want this soup I never eat stuff like this.”

“You were ill,” I reminded her. “You need this. And you have to take your medicines too.”

“I don’t want to,” she murmured again, eyes stubborn but soft.

“Sunshine,” I warned, voice low. “Eat it. Or I will feed you myself.”

She gave me a look but picked up the spoon.

I ate my dry lunch beside her. I never liked heavy food.

Then, she spoke. “Zavian?”

“Mhm?” I glanced up.

“I want to stay in the guest room,” she said.

“No need,” I replied firmly. “You’ll stay in my room. I’ll shift somewhere else.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I will. End of discussion.”

I softened my tone. “Feel free here. This place is yours too now.”

She looked unsure. “Thanks. I just want to walk around for a while.”

“In the afternoon?” I raised a brow. “Who walks around at this hour?”

“I do.”

I smirked. “Of course. You can do whatever you want, sunshine.”

She tilted her head. “Aur kuch?”

( Translation; Anything else)

“No,” I said, standing. Then I turned to the caretaker. “Go with her.”

As they left, I made my way to the guest room.

Because for the first time in my life.

Someone else’s comfort mattered more than my own.

I was on my laptop, checking emails, when a soft knock echoed through the room.

“Come in,” I said without looking up.

“Sunshine,” her voice made me glance up. I stood up instantly, concerned. “What happened? Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything’s fine,” she assured with a small smile. “I just came to ask... have you seen my phone anywhere?”

I nodded. “Yeah, it was in my pocket. Wait here.”

Walking over to my closet, I pulled her phone out from where I had kept it earlier and handed it to her.

“Here,” I said, placing it in her hand.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Done with walking?” I asked, noticing her heading toward the door.

“Yes. And sorry for disturbing you.”

I raised a brow. “Are ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ your favorite words or something, Sunshine?”

“What? No!” she said.

“Then why are you always chanting them like a mantra?”

She rolled her eyes playfully. “Normal people do that, I dont know about billionaire's” she said boldly.

“You mean I’m not normal?” I asked, my brows furrowing slightly as I looked at her.

She paused, looked at me as if I’d just asked the weirdest question ever, and replied, “No, you are normal.”

“But you said I’m not.”

“When?” she asked, clearly confused now.

“Just now,” I said, folding my arms.

She raised an eyebrow. “What did I say exactly?”

I tried to hold it in, but a laugh escaped my lips.

She gave me a sharp look. “Why are you laughing? Did I say something funny?”

“No,” I said, still chuckling.

“Then what are you laughing at?”

“Nothing,” I said with a shrug, then added with a smirk, “Sunshine.”

She stopped. “My name is Sobiya,” she said firmly.

“I know.”

“Then why are you calling me sunshine?”

“Because I want to,” I replied, unbothered.

She let out an sigh, rolling her eyes as she turned toward the door. “You’re impossible. Bye.”

“Bye, sunshine,” I called after her, just to annoy her a little more.

She huffed, didn’t bother to look back, and walked out.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the door she’d just exited through, a stupid smile creeping onto my face.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Why am I smiling like an idiot.

Shaking off the distraction, I returned to work.

You are liking the distraction. My mind mocked me.

Maybe.

I whispered to myself.