Fahan peeked around the corner of the corridor, making sure no one was nearby. Satisfied that no one was nearby, he hurried toward Maya's room with a small gift box tucked under his arm.
Meanwhile Fahish was moving just as cautiously, "Perfect. No one's seen me."
Not far away Fahim adjusted his glasses and glanced down the corridor,"Good, no witnesses."
At that exact moment...Fahad stepped out from another passage carrying a small velvet box.
Faha hugged the velvet gift box to his chest.
"Perfect." He stepped around the corner.
Then he noticed footsteps approaching from the opposite direction, his eyes widened, "Brother?"
Without hesitation, he slipped the bag behind a marble pillar.
A second later, Fahish appeared. He, too, was carrying a gift wrapped in elegant black paper.
Seeing Faha, he casually moved the package behind his back, "Morning."
"Morning." An awkward silence followed. Neither brother mentioned the obvious.
Just then...Fahan rounded the corner. Both twins were standing there. "What are you two doing?"
"Nothing." They answered at exactly the same time.
Fahan narrowed his eyes, "Really?"
"Really."
He looked unconvinced. " Good. Because I'm doing nothing too." As he said it, he quietly slid the luxury gift box behind his leg.
Moments later...Fahim walked into the corridor.
The others immediately straightened. Fahim glanced at them, " Why are you all standing here?"
Faha shrugged, "Just walking."
"I see." Fahim calmly replied .... while discreetly placing the expensive gift case behind his coat.
Then came Fahad. His sharp eyes swept across the corridor, "Interesting."
No one spoke. Finally...Faha broke the silence,
"So, anyone planning to go somewhere?"
Fahan folded his arms, "No."
Fahish answered calmly, "I was merely taking a walk."
Fahim nodded , "So was I."
Fahad's expression remained unreadable.
"Coincidentally...so was I."
Faha suddenly pointed at Fahish, "Then what's behind your back?"
Fahish didn't even blink, "Nothing."
"Are you sure?"
"Very."
"Then show me."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because there's nothing to show."
Fahan smirked,"That sounds suspicious."
Fahish immediately replied, "So does hiding whatever's behind that pillar."
Faha stiffened."There's nothing behind the pillar."
"Oh?"
"Then move."
"No."
Fahim adjusted his glasse,"Statistically speaking the probability that all four of you are lying is remarkably high."
Fahan looked at him, " What about the metal case you're hiding behind your coat?" For the first time...Fahim was silent. Everyone slowly turned toward him.
"..."
Fahim cleared his throat,"That is unrelated."
Fahad folded his arms, "No one asks, no one tells."
The others looked at him. "Agreed?"
One after another...They all nodded. "Agreed."
Not because they didn't know. But because each brother's pride refused to let him admit the truth.
The moment the five brothers finally reached their silent agreement, they dispersed in five different directions as if nothing unusual had happened.
The corridor fell quiet for exactly three seconds.
Then—a muffled snort echoed from behind one of the towering marble pillars.
"...Pfft."
Another followed, "I can't—"
The sound grew louder until—"Hahahahahaha!"
From behind the corner stepped Ohi, clutching his stomach.
Behind him came Naya, laughing so hard she had to lean against the wall for support.
Ohi wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, "Did everyone hear the same conversation I just heard?"
Nahi burst into another fit of laughter. "'I'm just walking.'" He imitated Faha's voice almost perfectly.
Then he switched to Fahish's calm tone,
"'There's nothing behind my back.'"
Another switch. " 'Statistically speaking.....'" He pushed imaginary glasses up his nose, perfectly copying Fahim,
"'The probability that all four of you are lying is remarkably high.'"
Naya laughed so hard she nearly lost her balance, "Stop...stop, I can't breathe."
"I can't believe what I just witnessed ..... " Naya covered her smile with her hand, "Five brothers, five highly successful people.
Five people who can handle business, science, engineering, art, and countless responsibilities. And yet they were defeated by a gift box."
Nahi was completely defeated"They're supposed to be some of the smartest people in the family. And yet five grown men almost started a cold war over welcome gifts."
Naya covered her face, "I've never seen them act like that. They were guarding those gift boxes as if they contained state secrets."
Nahi nodded vigorously,
"Exactly! If someone had walked in without context...they'd think those boxes contained classified military documents."
Naya tried to calm down."Stop. Stop. "
Nahi pointed toward the direction the brothers went, "But — Tell me I'm wrong. Did they not all behave exactly the same? Especially when they all walked into the same corridor."
After a while, Ohi wiped another tear from his eye,
"The entire family knows they are competitive but I never expected them to compete with each —other this much .You know what?I don't think they're finished."
Silence.
Then — All three cousins exchanged knowing looks.Their smiles grew wider. Naya laughed, "I feel a little guilty but only a little."
----
After leaving the drawing room, Maya quietly returned to her bedroom.
The faint fragrance of jasmine drifted in through the open balcony doors as a cool breeze stirred the curtains. She walked toward the bookshelf.
Her black eyes scanned the neatly arranged volumes before stopping on a thick documentary book about world history and civilizations.
She carefully pulled it from the shelf. Then settled into the armchair beside the window. Crossing one leg neatly over the other, she opened the book and began to read.
Only the occasional sound of a page being turned broke the stillness.
A figure cautiously peeked around the corner, it was Faha, he held an elegant gift box tightly against his chest.
His eyes darted left, looked right. Still no one. He let out a tiny sigh of relief, " Very good." He began moving, his footsteps were unbelievably light.
His expression was so serious that anyone watching from a distance would have thought he was carrying out a top-secret espionage mission.
A maid emerged from another corridor carrying freshly folded towels. The instant she spotted Faha tiptoeing toward Maya's room, she froze.
Young Master...was sneaking. She blinked twice.
Had she... interrupted something?
Faha noticed her, his entire body stiffened.The gift box disappeared behind his back with astonishing speed.
The maid stared. Faha stared back. "....."
Several painfully awkward seconds passed.
Finally, the maid smiled politely. "Good morning, Young Master."
"...Morning."
"May I help you with something?"
"No."
"Are you looking for Miss Maya?"
"...No."
The maid looked at the closed door beside him, "But this is Miss Maya's room."
"...I'm aware."
The maid gave another respectful bow before walking away. The moment she disappeared around the corner...
Faha covered his face with one hand. "...That was close." He took a deep breath. "It's only a gift. Why am I acting like I'm robbing the mansion?"
He straightened his jacket. Then quietly walked to the door once more, "...What if she's busy?"
He frowned at himself. "...Come on, Faha. You've stood on stage in front of thousands of people.
You've performed before entire stadiums...Why is knocking on one door terrifying?"
Inside the room...Maya calmly turned another page of her documentary. The silence beyond the door had already told her someone was standing there.
Before his courage could disappear again, he gently knocked once. Knock.
A calm voice came from inside,"...Come in."
Faha slowly opened the door. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows and the curtains swayed gently in the morning breeze.
Maya sat in the armchair beside the window, a thick documentary open in her hands. She lifted her eyes from the page, "...Good morning."
"G-Good morning."
Faha stepped inside, trying his best to look natural. He failed completely.
His movements were so stiff and awkward that he looked more like someone sneaking into a museum than visiting his own sister.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then, in one sudden motion—
Faha hurried forward, placed the beautifully wrapped velvet box on the small table beside Maya.
Before she could say a single word— He spun around, "I.... I have something important to do!"
And bolted for the door.
His footsteps echoed down the corridor.
[THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!]
Maya blinked once. Then she slowly looked at the neatly wrapped gift resting on the table.
She examined the elegant wrapping paper, the perfectly tied ribbon and the small handwritten card attached to it.
"Interesting," she murmured to herself. "He ran away from me."
She glanced once again toward the box, opened her documentary again and continued reading.
Five peaceful minutes passed.
Then— Knock... Knock....Knock. Without looking up from the book, she said, "Come in."
The door opened only wide enough for someone to slip inside. Fahad entered, his tailored suit looked immaculate. In his right hand rested a small navy-blue velvet box.
His expression remained composed but his eyes immediately landed on the gift already sitting beside Maya. He stopped walking.
"..."
A faint crease appeared between his brows. Someone Had beaten him here. Very slowly, he looked toward Maya. She was still reading.
It was impossible to tell whether she had already opened the gift or not. For reasons even he couldn't explain. That somehow made him feel slightly relieved.
He quietly cleared his throat, "Maya."
"Yes, Mr. Fahad."
Fahad walked forward with measured steps. He placed the velvet box beside the first present. It was positioned so neatly that the corners of both gifts aligned perfectly.
Maya looked at the two boxes. Then at Fahad, "Thank you very much, Mr. Fahad."
That simple response was somehow enough to make Fahad's usually unreadable expression soften almost imperceptibly.
He turned toward the door. Then — [THUMP. THUMP. THUMP ] Footsteps, drawing closer.
Fahad instantly stopped, his gray eyes narrowed.
Those footsteps..He knew them too well. Fahish.
A silent battle unfolded inside his mind.
[Option one: Walk out and admit he had brought Maya a gift.] Impossible.The teasing would never end.
[Option two: Hide.] Without another second of hesitation, Fahad quietly crossed the room.He opened the tall wardrobe beside the wall.
And slipped inside. Then carefully pulled one door nearly shut, leaving only the narrowest opening through which he could observe the room.
His dignity.....Would recover later.
The sound of footsteps stopped outside. Knock.
Maya calmly turned another page, "...Come in."
The door opened.
Fahish entered carrying a rectangular package wrapped in elegant black paper and tied with a silver ribbon. Unlike Faha's nervousness or Fahad's composed seriousness...
Fahish wore his usual smile."...Good morning."
"Good morning, Mr. Fahish."
He walked toward Maya. His eyes landed on the table. "....." He let out a tiny amused laugh. "So, I've underestimated my brothers. Interesting."
Without saying anything else, he carefully placed his own present beside the other two. For a brief moment, he admired them. Then he smiled.
"...I suppose third place isn't so bad." He gave Maya a small nod,"I hope you like it."
"Thank you. Mr. Fahish."
"My pleasure." Satisfied, Fahish turned toward the door. He had taken only a single step when—
[THUMP.THUMP.THUMP ]
Footsteps growing louder with every passing second. Fahish stopped instantly, his eyes widened, "No.. No."
He recognized that walk, Fahan. Of all people..... Fahan. Fahish slowly turned his head toward the wardrobe. The wardrobe door was closed.
A tiny gap revealed just enough for him to notice, A familiar gray eye staring back. For one brief second...The two brothers made eye contact.
Silence.
Fahish sighed almost silently, "...Seriously? The wardrobe was occupied, there was nowhere else to hide. "
Knock...Knock.
He looked around the room. His eyes dropped toward the large bed, "...That'll do."
With remarkable speed for someone usually so elegant, Fahish crouched down, slid across the polished floor and disappeared beneath the bed just as the bedroom door handle began to turn.
Under the bed...He lay perfectly still. Above him ... Inside the wardrobe Fahad remained absolutely motionless.
Neither brother dared make the slightest sound.
Meanwhile, Maya calmly turned another page of her documentary.
Without the faintest trace of surprise on her face, she spoke in the same voice as before. "Come in."
The bedroom door opened with barely a whisper.
Fahan slipped inside and gently pushed it shut behind him. The room was peaceful.
Maya sat — curled comfortably in the armchair beside the window. A thick documentary rested open in her lap. She was completely absorbed in its pages. At least...That was how it appeared.
Fahan smiled to himself, "...Perfect." His eyes drifted toward the small table beside Maya.
His smile disappeared.
"..."
He blinked,"...You've got to be kidding me." He walked closer, his eyes moved across each package. The wrapping paper was different.
He let out a long sigh,"So much for being first."
Maya finally looked up from her book. "...Good morning, Mr. Fahan."
Fahan smiled awkwardly, "Morning. Little Sister. "
And carefully placed his own gift beside the others.
Maya looked at the growing collection for a brief moment.Then she gave a small nod,"...Thank you very much."
The sincerity in her quiet voice made Fahan smile,"You're welcome."Mission accomplished.
Satisfied, he brushed imaginary dust from his sleeve and turned toward the door."I should get going before—"
He stopped immediately , his hand hovered only a few centimeters from the doorknob. Something felt...Wrong. Silence, too much silence.
He frowned.
Years of military-style training from Mahim had taught every brother to notice unusual details.
Someone...Was standing outside.
Fahan slowly lowered his hand, his expression became cautious. Without making a sound, he turned toward Maya. She was already looking at him.
Neither of them spoke. Then Maya calmly lifted one hand from her documentary, she made a small gesture pointing toward...The wardrobe.
Fahan frowned, "...The wardrobe?"
Maya quietly returned her attention to the book, as though nothing unusual was happening.
Trusting her judgment without another question, Fahan crossed the room. He carefully wrapped his fingers around the wardrobe handle.
Slowly.....He pulled the door open.
"..."
Two gray eyes were already staring back at him.
Fahan froze. Inside the wardrobe, standing ..... perfectly straight with impeccable posture was
Fahad.
The eldest brother. The powerful businessman who negotiated international contracts without blinking ... was hiding inside a wardrobe.
The two brothers stared at one another.
Maya didn't look up. She did not need to, she had heard the exact moment when Fahan's breath —caught in his throat.
Oh, Yama breathed. Oh, this is the best part.
Maya turned a page.
He's looking at Fahad. He's looking at Fahad standing in a wardrobe. His brain is short-circuiting. I can hear it from here.
"...Brother?" Fahan whispered in complete disbelief.
He's asking why Fahad is in the closet, Yama narrated, gleeful.
Fahad looked just as unimpressed by the situation as Fahan was .... His expression seemed to say,
Yes. This Is Exactly What It Looks Like.
Fahan's mouth slowly opened. His brain simply refused to process what he was seeing, "Why are you in a closet?"
Fahad answered in a perfectly calm voice. "Long story."
"..."
"...Very long."
Fahad just said "Long story." Long story! The man who has never explained himself in his entire life just said "long story"!
Maya's lips did not move. But something behind her eyes — something small and quiet, flickered.
You're enjoying this very much, didn't you? Yama accused.
"I'm reading."
You're reading the same page you've been on for five minutes.
"I'm a slow reader."
You're a liar.
Maya did not dignify that with a response.
Before Fahan could recover, Knock....Knock. The sound echoed through the room. Both brothers stiffened instantly. Another knock followed.
Slightly louder this time.
Three knocks, Yama observed. Slow. Patient. That's Fahim. That's definitely Fahim.
Fahad's expression changed immediately ... Without any warning, he reached out, grabbed Fahan firmly by the wrist and pulled him forward.
"Wha—"Before Fahan could protest,he stumbled into the wardrobe. Fahad quickly stepped back.
The wardrobe doors closed. [CLICK ]
Maya lifted her eyes from the book — just slightly, just enough to watch Fahad grab Fahan by the wrist and yank him into the wardrobe.
He just pulled his brother into a closet with him, Yama said, awed. The man who runs half the country's economy just pulled his little brother into a closet like a child hiding from a babysitter.
Maya turned a page.
You're not even going to react?
"No."
Why not?
"Because it's expected."
What do you mean, expected?
Maya's voice was calm, barely above a whisper. "They're brothers. They compete. They protect their pride. This is what families do."
How would you know?
Maya did not answer.
Yama was quiet for a moment. Then, softer:
You're thinking about something else.
"I'm not."
You are. I can feel it. You're thinking about something from before.
Maya turned another page. Her expression did not change. Fine. Don't tell me. But I know.
----
The space was barely large enough for one person. Now, now two full-grown men were squeezed inside.
Their shoulders pressed together. Neither could move without bumping into the other ..... Fahan stared at Fahad.
Fahad stared straight ahead with the expression of a man questioning every life decision that had led to this exact moment.
Fahan whispered,"This is ridiculous."
"I know."
"We're hiding in Maya's closet."
"I know."
"If anyone opens this door—"
"They won't."
"How are you so confident?"
"I'm choosing optimism."
Fahan blinked. "...You?"
"Desperate situations produce desperate optimism."
For the first time in years...Fahan saw the eldest brother admit defeat. He almost laughed.Outside the wardrobe, Maya turned another page of her documentary.
Her expression remained perfectly calm.
It was as though having two of her brothers hiding inside her wardrobe was an entirely ordinary part of the morning.
Then, in the same composed voice she had used every time before,she spoke toward the bedroom door. "Come in."
The handle slowly began to turn. The bedroom door opened once again. Fahim stepped inside with his usual composed demeanor.
His white shirt was perfectly pressed, his sleeves neatly buttoned and his glasses rested on the bridge of his nose. In one hand, he carried a long wooden presentation case.
The handcrafted fountain pen inside had taken him an entire night to locate . His sharp eyes immediately noticed the four gift boxes lined up neatly on the table.
He's counting, Yama whispered. He's counting the boxes and realizing he's not first. I love this.
A quiet sigh escaped him. "So, my statistical model underestimated my brothers."
Maya looked up from the documentary. "Good morning, Mr. Fahim."
"Good morning , sister. " He walked to the table and carefully placed the wooden case beside the others. "I hope you find it useful."
He's placing his gift on the table. He's making sure it's aligned. He's — oh, he's a perfectionist. Look at him. He moved the box Twice!
"Thank you very much."
He gave a small nod, "My pleasure." Satisfied, he turned toward the door. His elbow lightly brushed the arm of the chair. His glasses slipped, "...Hm?"
Oh no. Maya looked up. Just slightly.
The frames slid down the bridge of his nose.Then Tap. They landed gently on the polished floor. Fahim immediately crouched, "Oh.Ohhh."
His fingertips brushed the polished floor as he reached for his glasses. The spectacles had rolled farther than he expected, "...Hm."
He leaned forward with the careful precision of a surgeon, his eyes followed the reflection of the lenses beneath the bed.
Oh no, oh no, oh no, Yama said, her voice rising. He's going to look under the bed. He's going to look under the bed and Fahish is under there!
Maya set her book down. She folded her hands in her lap and watched with interest.
You're not going to help?
"No."
Why not?
"Because it's more interesting this way."
Oh, Yama's voice softened into something almost like admiration. You know what I've noticed?
Maya did not answer.
You always talk about me like I'm the cruel one. The one who enjoys things too much. The one who takes pleasure in watching people suffer.
But have you ever actually watched yourself?
Just now — Fahim was reaching under the bed. When Fahish was lying there, barely breathing, convinced his life was over.
And what did you do???
You set your book down. You folded your hands. You watched. And when I asked you why — you said "because it's more interesting this way."
Yama's voice curved into something almost like a smile. I'm the one who wants to break things. I'm the one you can point at and say,
"she's the dangerous one ...." But you? You sit there in perfect silence, watching people suffer and enjoying it.
So tell me, Maya. Who's really the twisted one here? Yama's voice lingered in her mind — soft, satisfied. You're terrible. You're twisted.
Maya's fingers rested lightly on the cover of the book, tracing its edge without thought. " Humm... In my entire life you're the only one who always gives me good compliments."
Silence. The kind that follows something deeply, profoundly uncomfortable.