(Part 9)

(FLASHBACK) (7 Years Ago) Pakistan 

Under the luminous morning sun, a grand mansion stood proudly behind towering iron gates. Its wide veranda overlooked a vast, beautifully maintained garden, where the air buzzed with activity. Maids hurried about with fresh linens, the chauffeur polished a sleek black car, chefs worked diligently in the kitchen, and gardeners trimmed the hedges with careful precision. Despite its grandeur, the home radiated warmth and liveliness, filled with the hum of daily life and cheerful chatter.

Amid all the bustle, eight-year-old Helios sat on the veranda, a large book on human anatomy resting in his lap. Every so often, he glanced up at the staff before returning his gaze to the nearly indecipherable pages, his eyes glimmering with curiosity. 

Standing beside him, a nanny folded laundry with practiced ease, a fond smile gracing her lips. "That book must be quite valuable, young master Heli. I've seen you flipping through it quite often," she remarked, her voice gentle and warm.

Helios returned her smile, "Yeah, it's really precious. Even though I don't fully understand it yet, it's still an important gift from my mother." 

"Ah, that's right. You received it this year, didn't you?" The nanny recalled.

Helios nodded. 

As she continued folding, her gaze drifted over the servants before suddenly pausing. She frowned slightly, shading her eyes with her hand as she scanned the area, "Now that I think about it… that boy isn't here yet, is he?"

Helios gave her a questioning look, "The one who came a week ago, young master. The boy who insisted on working as a gardener. The son of the old chauffeur who retired a month ago. He was quite persistent. I doubt you'd forget him."

"Sehan," Helios supplied the name, and the nanny immediately nodded. 

"That's right! That young lad… What is he thinking? He's not even twenty yet, and he was practically begging your parents for the job as if his life depended on it. At first, I thought it must be for some good heartbreaking reason, but no! Turns out, he just doesn't want to study and would rather be a gardener instead!" she huffed, shaking her head in disbelief. Lifting the pile of neatly folded laundry, she muttered, "Good grief. Kids these days. I tell you, young master, your parents have paradise instead of hearts too kind, too forgiving, too caring."

Helios chuckled, "Yeah, I know. But he seemed decent and hardworking."

"Oh, you took a liking to him right away, didn't you? But look. He's nowhere to be seen now. I had a feeling he'd just be slacking off somewhere," she said, turning toward the house. 

Just then, a dramatic cry rang out, "Ay… Ah! That hurts! I came all the way here running like a horse and to think people here would assume such things about me… I'm wounded!"

Helios's eyes sparkled with amusement as he turned toward the source of the voice. At the bottom of the veranda's stairs, a familiar figure sat, feigning pain. "Brother Sehan," Helios called.

A young teen, with long black wavy hairs, contrasting his bright golden orbs. He turned to Helios with a playful wink. "Yo, young master! I missed you, tons!" Sehan grinned, walking up to him. He then glanced at the book in Helios's hands and smirked, "Not surprised to see you reading that same indecipherable thing again." he ruffled Helios's wavy hair, making him chuckle. 

But then, as Sehan bent lower to glance at the book, his expression twisted in exaggerated horror. A shiver ran down his spine as he straightened up. "No way. Straight up, I could never do that. Honestly, are you really just eight?"

The nanny scoffed. "Yes, he is. And you, shouldn't you be tending to your work instead of wasting time and disturbing him? It hasn't even been a week, and you're already slacking off!"

Sehan pouted, eliciting a chuckle from Helios as the nanny shooed him away.

"Easy, Aunt Sara, don't be too harsh on him," Helios said.

"Hmph. You act as if he's as delicate as a feather, Heli," she huffed.

"See?" Sehan grinned, "He cares about me, and all you do is scold!"

"You bring it upon yourself," Sara muttered, heading inside, "And don't let me catch you dawdling around, I am returning in a moment!"

Sehan waited for her to disappear before slipping back onto the veranda, grinning at Helios. His eyes soon landing on a soft tape ball lying beside him. 

"You really love cricket, don't you?" he mused.

Helios nodded, his gaze soft, "Yeah, I do. Just like this book is my mother's gift, this ball is my father's. They're both indescribably precious to me."

As if struck by inspiration, Sehan stretched his arms with a satisfied sigh, "Then never lose it, young master. The things that are precious… are the hardest to find again."

Helios nodded firmly, "I'll treasure them forever."

"Then, let's meet again bestie, for now let me give some time to things precious to me as well.," Sehan declared, flashing a wink as he headed toward the garden.

Helios smiled at his retreating figure, calling out, "Let's meet again once you're done, brother Sehan."

Sehan grinned over his shoulder, giving a thumbs-up, "Of course! I have a new bowling grip to teach you, after all."

As he left, Helios returned to his book, a contented smile lingering on his lips.

Just then, Sara returned, scanning the area for Sehan with a raised brow, resting her hands on her hips. Helios couldn't help but chuckle, "He's gone, Aunt Sara. Really."

Sara let out a huff before turning to Helios, "Oh, right, young master. Your parents are ready. They're calling you for breakfast."

Hearing this, Helios immediately set his book aside, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Thank you for letting me know, Aunt Sara," he said gratefully.

Sara picked up the book and the ball behind him, smiling fondly, "No need, love." Then, as she watched him go, she thought to herself, "What a lovely child he is."

As Helios stepped into the dining room, he spotted his mother, Layla, and father, Sahil, waving at him the moment he entered.

"Oh, hurry up, my dear! The breakfast is getting cold," Layla called out.

"Morning, Mama, Papa," Helios greeted cheerfully.

Sahil immediately stood from his chair, lifting Helios into his arms and planting a soft kiss on his cheek. "Morning, my little sunshine," he said with a hearty laugh.

"Hehe…" Helios giggled, his cheeks turning pink.

"Morning, Heli!" Layla blew him a kiss as Sahil settled him between their chairs. "So, what has my Heli been up to on this fine Saturday?" Layla asked, handing him a sandwich.

"Nothing much. Just reading the book you gifted me," Helios replied, taking a bite.

"Hmm… isn't it a bit difficult? I told your mother to pick a slightly easier one, but she wouldn't listen. She kept insisting that Heli would understand it because he's a genius," Sahil sighed.

"Of course he is! Don't you see? Even if he's young, he'll surely get the hang of it. Right, love?" Layla said, sitting beside him.

"Yes," Helios replied with a smile.

"But don't push yourself too hard now, Heli," Layla reminded him gently, "This is just extra. Focus on your studies, but also enjoy life. If there's anything you don't understand, we're always here for you."

Sahil ruffled Helios's hair.

Helios smiled, thinking to himself, "Ah… I truly love them." "Hm," he murmured.

The maids around them giggled lightly at the heartwarming scene.

Suddenly, Sahil's alarm rang. "Ah, looks like it's time for work," he said, wiping his face with a table linen.

Helios blinked, watching his parents stand up in a hurry.

"Sorry we can't take you to the hospital with us today, Heli," Layla said as she checked her bag, slipping on her white coat, "I just don't want you catching anything with the viral outbreak. Next Saturday, I promise."

"But don't worry, we'll be back soon, okay? And we'll have dinner together. If your friends call you in the evening, go play with them," she added with a reassuring smile.

Helios nodded understandingly, "Be careful, both of you. And make sure to save lots of people today!"

Sahil and Layla exchanged glances before Layla puffed her cheeks lovingly and pulled Helios into a hug. "Oh, my love, I'll always do that! Keep cheering for us, and just watch how we shine," she said warmly.

Helios giggled and high-fived Sahil.

"Alright, we're off now. Take care of yourself. And Sara…" Sahil turned to her.

Sara gave a respectful bow.

"I leave Helios and the house in your care."

"Understood, master. Leave everything to me. I won't let you down," Sara replied confidently.

"Heli, make sure to have lunch and eat your fruits later. Call me if you get bored, okay? If I'm free, I'll pick up," Layla reminded.

"Okay," Helios replied.