Aditya stepped out of his car and walked into the grand mansion. The enormous chandelier in the foyer cast golden reflections over the marble floor. A butler approached, silently taking his jacket before retreating into the shadows. The house was vast, luxurious, but eerily quiet. Only the distant sound of footsteps from the household staff echoed through the halls.
He made his way to the kitchen, his movements deliberate, his mind elsewhere. Opening the refrigerator, he grabbed a cold bottle of water and took a long sip. His gaze drifted over the lavish interior—the high ceilings, the intricate woodwork, the expensive paintings that adorned the walls. This was his home, yet it never felt like one. It was a place filled with wealth, but void of warmth.
He felt a strange resentment bubbling inside him—toward Niki. Why? He couldn't quite understand. Something about her unsettled him, something about the way she moved through life despite everything. He shook his head, dismissing the thought, and made his way upstairs.
His bedroom was vast, impeccably designed with sleek, modern furniture. A state-of-the-art gaming setup flickered in the dim light, an oversized bed with plush pillows sat in the center, and shelves lined with trophies and books showcased his achievements. The room had everything one could ask for, yet it felt suffocating.
He picked up a small ball from his desk and tossed it into the air, catching it absentmindedly. His mind wandered, drowning in thoughts he couldn't fully grasp. His fingers clenched around the ball as frustration crept in.
A knock at the door interrupted his silence. He turned his head sharply.
"Sir, dinner is served. Your father is waiting for you at the table," a voice informed him from the other side.
With a sigh, Aditya pushed himself off the bed and walked downstairs. The dining hall was as grand as the rest of the house, the long mahogany table set meticulously with silverware and a spread of exquisite dishes. His father sat at the head, his posture straight, his expression unreadable. Another man—one of his father's business associates—was seated across from him, engaged in polite conversation.
Aditya took his seat, greeting them with a nod. He ate in silence, pushing the food around his plate while his father spoke in his usual formal tone.
"How is school?" his father asked, cutting through the silence.
Aditya barely looked up. "Fine. Everything's fine."
His father's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he nodded. "You're doing well. No problems? College is just a few months away. You should be prepared."
"I know," Aditya replied, his voice devoid of emotion.
His father continued speaking, discussing future plans, responsibilities, and expectations, but Aditya barely listened. He wasn't in the mood for these formalities. Eventually, his father excused himself and left the table.
Aditya remained seated for a moment, watching his father's retreating figure. Then, without a word, he stood up and headed back to his room, shutting the door behind him. He let out a slow breath and leaned against the wall, staring at the ceiling.
Why did he feel this way? Why did the thought of Niki make his chest tighten? And why, despite having everything, did his home feel so empty?
Lost in his thoughts, he turned off the lights and lay down, staring at the ceiling until sleep finally claimed him.
Here's the translated version with improved details and a touch of humor where needed:
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Aditya's Morning
The morning light filtered through the grand windows of Aditya's room as he stirred awake. A faint knock on the door was followed by a servant stepping in, carrying a tray with a steaming cup of coffee.
"Sir, your father has already left. He asked me to hand you the car keys. The driver is ready to drop you at school."
Aditya barely acknowledged him, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Okay, you can go," he muttered, taking a sip of his coffee. The rich aroma did little to lift his mood.
Dragging himself to the bathroom, he turned on the shower, the cold water jolting him fully awake. As he stood under the stream, he let his mind wander—school, the upcoming exams, and for some reason, Niki. Why did she always linger in his thoughts?
Freshly showered, he stepped into his walk-in wardrobe, a sleek, polished space filled with neatly arranged clothes. His school uniform was already laid out for him—a crisp white shirt, a tie, and neatly pressed pants. He dressed quickly, ran a hand through his slightly damp hair, and checked himself in the mirror before heading downstairs.
The long dining table, adorned with expensive cutlery and untouched breakfast platters, was eerily quiet. His father's absence was nothing new, but it still felt strange to eat alone in such a vast space. Picking at his breakfast, he finished quickly, grabbed his bag, and stepped outside, where the driver was already waiting.
As the car rolled down the streets, Aditya leaned against the window, lost in thought. At a red signal, his gaze casually drifted outside—and there she was.
Niki stood by a roadside stall with one of her friends, laughing as she took a bite of something wrapped in paper. She looked completely at ease, her arms filled with random vegetables—probably groceries for her home. The girl beside her wasn't from their school; she must be from another one.
For some reason, the sight irritated him. How could she look so carefree? His fingers tapped impatiently on his knee as the light turned green, and the car moved forward, leaving Niki behind.
At school, Aditya stood near the entrance with his group of friends as the gate slowly closed. The morning assembly was about to start, and latecomers were being turned away.
And then, just in time for some entertainment, Niki came running toward the gate. "Please, let me in!" she pleaded breathlessly.
The guards hesitated, then let her in, but luck wasn't entirely on her side. A teacher stood nearby, watching the scene unfold. "Being late means punishment, young lady," the teacher declared sternly.
Niki, ever the quick thinker, clutched her shirt dramatically, displaying a few suspicious vegetable stains. "Ma'am, I had a nosebleed, and in the chaos, my shirt got ruined. I had to clean up, and that's why I'm late!" she explained with an exaggeratedly innocent face.
The teacher eyed her with skepticism. "A nosebleed, huh? And what exactly is this on your shirt?"
Niki glanced down at the stain, then grinned. "Um... let's call it organic proof of my struggle?"
A few chuckles erupted from the students nearby, and even the teacher had to fight the urge to smile. Shaking her head, she sighed, "Just get to the assembly."
With a triumphant smirk, Niki hurried inside, while Aditya, watching from a distance, let out a small, amused scoff.
This girl...
Aditya's flashback ended abruptly as the girl sitting next to him spoke.
"I told you we're going to the club tonight," she said, nudging him slightly.
Aditya blinked, bringing himself back to the present.
"Hey, where are you lost?" she asked, tilting her head, trying to read his expression.
He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
"Nowhere," he muttered, forcing a smirk.
But even as he said it, he knew—
His mind was still somewhere else.
Or rather… with someone else.