I want to see you

★ Asif's POV ★

I didn't wake up because of the sunlight. Of course not. The couch isn't exactly placed under any window. But I did wake up feeling something off... Something heavy....

I blinked. My eyes are still a bit blurry, but I noticed… a shadow above me. And then, I felt a soft weight on my stomach?

I jolted up, almost in panic—only to realize it was Tithi.

Tithi was sitting on me.

"Good morning, big brother!"

She grinned like she just pulled off the ultimate prank.

"What the .... !"

Before I could process anything, my sudden movement threw her off balance, and she rolled right off me, landing with a soft thud on the mat beside the couch.

"Ow! That hurt, big brother!"

she complained, rubbing her elbow with a pout.

I stared at her, still in half-dazed mode.

"What were you doing sitting on me?!"

She looked up at me, while doing fake-sniffling,

"Dad told me to wake you up! I just thought this would be fun…"

"Fun?! That's your idea of a gentle wake-up call?"

I got up, adjusting my T-shirt.

Tithi sat up, brushing her hair out of her face.

"Sorry… I didn't think you'd panic like that…"

I sighed . It wasn't like that I was mad at her. I was still trying to get used to this whirlwind of a girl who apparently was my little sister.

"Alright, alright. Apology accepted,"

I said, helping her get up.

"But next time… just shake my shoulder or something, okay? I don't want to start my day with a heart attack."

She gave a soft laugh.

"Got it."

After that slightly chaotic wake-up, I went to freshen up. Cold water on my face helped reset my brain a little. When I stepped into the kitchen, I saw both Tithi and dad already at the table. Breakfast was simple but mostly home alike, like egg poach, buttered bread, and tea.

I pulled up a chair and sat next to them, while yawning slightly.

"Sleep well, son?" Dad asked with a smile.

"Kind of… if you ignore the human alarm clock attack,"

I muttered, glancing at Tithi.

She just giggled, sipping her tea like a saint, who didn't do anything wrong.

As we ate, I noticed Tithi was quieter than usual. Probably feeling bad about earlier.

To lighten the mood, I asked,

"You don't have any plans for today, right?"

She shook her head, her cheek puffed slightly from chewing bread.

"Not really."

I smiled.

"Then what do you say we go shopping? You still need your stuff, right?"

Tithi's face instantly lit up. It was like flipping a switch.

"Really?! We're going out? Yay!"

Dad chuckled softly, watching us. He didn't say much, but I could feel something in his gaze... a quiet warmth or maybe even a bit of guilt. Years of distance between us couldn't be fixed in a day, he probably knew that too. But moments like these, he will definitely cherish.

After finishing breakfast, we got up quickly to get ready. Tithi dashed to my room to change while I stepped into the washroom.

Once I was done, I came out drying my hair when dad called me aside.

"Tithi's bed and stuff will arrive this afternoon," he said, checking something on his phone.

"So, you want me to keep her out of the house till then, huh?"

I guessed, already knowing his surprise-style parenting.

He gave a little smile. "Exactly. You know how I do."

I nodded. He is like how he always does, typical dad. Always planning some big reveal like we're in a drama.

"You don't have work today?" I asked while putting on my wristwatch.

He shrugged casually. " Working from home on weekends from now on."

That caught me off guard. "Wait… so you'll be home on weekends?"

He nodded again. I didn't say anything, but I did feel a quiet joy rising inside. Him being around more… it felt like something we were supposed to have long ago.

As dad went back to his laptop.

That's when my phone buzzed.

It was a message from Ayesha.

>" Hey Asif, are you free now?"

Just reading that made my fingers freeze. My brain started running at 100 km/h.

Wait... why is she messaging me this early?

I calmed myself, typed back.

>" Well, yes… for the time being…"

As I sent it, I noticed I wasn't nervous this time. Huh, quite a good improvement I made, I noted.

Her next message came soon.

>" Actually, I really wanted to see you…"

My face turned hot.

She… wants to see me? What does that mean? Is she being nice? Or does she really... No! Calm down, Asif! Don't get your hopes high. She probably just felt bad for me as I was somebody bad in socialization.

Though, I tried to play it cool.

"Well, I'm going shopping with my little sister… So I don't think I'm free in that way…"

Was that too harsh?, I thought.

But a reply came in seconds.

"You have a little sister? That's news to me. Now I want to meet her too!"

Then another one.

"If it's okay, may I join you guys?"

I was frozen. I don't know how to respond... and then,I heard a voice.

"Just say yes, foolish big brother."

I jumped and turned around.

"What the... when did you....?"

Tithi was right behind me, peeking at my phone. She had that mischievous grin again.

"Long enough to see my brother blushing like a tomato,"

she teased.

I tried to hide my face. This girl…

Before I could react, she snatched my phone and typed,

>"No problem, I too want to see you."

And she sent it ..

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"

Tithi gave a peace sign like it was some mission accomplished.

"I'm just helping. You do want to meet her, right? or you want me to say no now...?"

She began to tease me..

I grabbed my phone back.

"No, don't text her again!"

She laughed, resting her hands behind her head. "Then admit it. You like her."

"Wha ... I-It's not like that!" I stammered.

After a while she calmed down. Now in a normal face, she turned towards me.

" Well, I too want to see the person, for whom my big brother fall for.."

My face turned red again.

" It's not like that..."

I tried to hide myself, sink under the ground.

Then she poked my cheek.

"Then why's your face redder than tomato ketchup?"

Ugh. I've lost this battle.

Eventually, we both calmed down. I checked my phone again. Ayesha hadn't replied yet.Through she saw the message.

Tithi tugged on my sleeve.

"Well then, big brother. Let's go shopping first. Then we'll meet with... her..."

She emphasized her in that teasing tone. I rolled my eyes away from her.

"Yeah yeah. Let me send her the location first."

As I typed, I looked at Tithi again.

She was smiling, genuinely like an angel this time. She looked excited, so as I.

We both waved goodbye to Dad and stepped out.

The sky was bright. The breeze light. It felt like the beginning of something good.

Today, I'll get to know Tithi a little more.

And maybe… I'll get to see her again too.