Happiness

★Asif's POV★

I was shocked.

But more than anything… I was happy.

Tithi, my little sister, whom I thought of never seen again, was back.

After she finally calmed down, wiping her eyes with the back of her sleeve, we stepped into the apartment together. Dad was standing there in the middle of the room, arms crossed, with a grin stretched across his face like a smug old fox.

"Wait… you planned all this?" I asked, still trying to process the entire situation and considering the timing of the situation.

"Well, how was the surprise?" Dad replied, raising an eyebrow with his usual cheeky tone.

I looked away. I didn't want to look too embarrassed in front of him… or in front of Tithi either.

"It was good… but next time, let me know beforehand, alright?"

Dad laughed. "Fine, fine. Can't even surprise my own son anymore."

I caught a glimpse of Tithi giggling from the corner. She was smiling while watching us banter, almost as if she was soaking it all in like sunlight.

I cleared my throat to shift the conversation.

"Anyway… I'm starving. What's for dinner?"

Dad raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't you hang out with your friends today?"

"Well... I had lunch. But that was hours ago," I defended myself.

"And now that Tithi's here, I think this calls for a celebration, right?"

Tithi literally jumped in excitement.

"Feast?! Yesss!"

Dad smiled warmly.

"Alright then, let's make it a proper one."

"You two go ahead," I said. "I'll join in a bit."

Once I got into my room and locked the door, I flopped onto the bed.

I stared at the ceiling.

What the heck is happening in my life...?

Sara turned out to be my stepsister.

Ayesha agreed to go on a date with me.

And now, out of nowhere, my long-lost little sister is standing in our doorway, calling me "foolish big brother" while crying into my chest.

Seriously… what kind of plot twist is this?

But more than all that, I realized something, I didn't even know how to talk to Tithi.

I didn't know her preferences, her habits, her likes or dislikes...

She was back… but we were still complete strangers.

I sighed.

There was only one person who might help me now, Sara, who have known Tithi for years.

I picked up my phone and texted:

> "Hey there. Could you please tell me Tithi's preferences?"

A few minutes passed before I got a reply.

> "Hell no. Figure it out yourself."

I groaned. Typical Sara.

I tossed my phone on the bed, only for it to buzz again seconds later.

> "Just don't put spice in her food."

Wait…

That was helpful.

She really doesn't want Tithi to suffer, not even indirectly.

Guess she's not that cold after all.

I smiled slightly and headed to the bathroom.

The cold shower helped calm down the whirlwind in my head. Today was supposed to be Ayesha's day. I'd spent all morning nervous, trying not to mess up anything on our first date. And now suddenly, my mind was overflowing with thoughts of Tithi… of Sara… of what comes next.

Man… I never expected this kind of problem when it came to girls.

After drying off, I threw on my home clothes and joined the kitchen battlefield.

Dad was stirring something in a pot, while Tithi was standing on a stool, confidently chopping vegetables like she was on some cooking show.

"Finally joined us, huh?" Dad teased.

"Yeah, yeah," I replied as I grabbed a chopping board.

The three of us cooked together.

The kitchen was full of laughter, clanging utensils, and me constantly checking if anything was too spicy.

When we were done, Dad told us to relax while he did the final touches.

So we crashed on the couch.

Tithi hugged a pillow to her chest, and I leaned back with a yawn.

"So," I asked, turning my head toward her, "how have you been?"

She smiled and answered. Her school, her teachers, the stuff she liked to do… I listened to all of it, carefully... Not once did she mention that woman.

And I made sure not to either.

But something had been troubling me so I had to ask it.

"…When are you going back?"

The smile on her face disappeared.

Damn it, Asif. Why'd you have to bring that up?

"I-I mean," I tried to clear things, "not like I want you to leave or anything. Just… you know you have school to attend."

Tithi looked away for a second. Then, without hesitation, she said:

"I won't go back."

I blinked.

Wait… what?

Before I could react, Dad's voice echoed from the kitchen.

"I'm handling her school transfer and the legal paperwork. She's staying with us from now on."

I looked at him... shocked, impressed… and kind of proud.

So that's it, huh?

I turned toward Tithi again.

She was staring at me, a bit nervous.

"Well," I smiled, "then I leave it to you, Dad."

Then looking straight at her, I added, "And once again—welcome home, Tithi."

Dinner was ready.

We gathered around the dining table, now filled with all the dishes we'd worked on together.

Fried rice, grilled chicken, pasta, some awkwardly shaped cutlets, and even dessert. And yeah—nothing spicy.

Tithi looked so happy.

Dad looked relaxed.

And me?

I don't know how to explain it.

But sitting there,watching them smile, listening to their laughter... I realized this might be one of the happiest moments in my life.

Maybe this is what they call Happiness.

A moment I don't want to forget.

A moment I don't want to let fade away.

May this happiness last forever...