The fifth month of the evaluation blended into a rhythm so steady that even the city began to move in sync with Khan Enterprises. Every morning, before the streets filled with honking rickshaws and vendors calling out prices, Ashburn was already out — clipboard in one hand, tea in the other, eyes scanning the shopfronts one by one.
Each branch had grown in its own way. Some expanded sideways, knocking down rented partitions to make more space for shelves. Others extended backward, adding storage rooms and reorganizing counters for faster flow. What used to be cramped little shops now looked like well-designed micro-supermarkets. Their names glowed on new boards. Their interiors felt cleaner, sharper, more organized.
And their transactions… that was the thing that always struck him.
A single morning restock now easily hit a hundred thousand. Just months ago, amounts like these would have made his chest tighten with worry. Back then, every extra thousand felt like a risk. Every minor setback felt like a mountain.
But today, as he reviewed the numbers with a quiet smile, the shift felt unreal.
"Times really changed," he murmured to himself, scrolling through the digital ledger. "And so did I."
Aisha leaned over his shoulder, her hair brushing lightly against him. "You're getting nostalgic again," she teased softly. "Should I bring tissues?"
He chuckled under his breath. "Just thinking. That's all."
"You're allowed," she replied, tapping his tablet playfully. "Considering you built half the city's supply chain from scratch."
Kainat joined them with a bag of snacks, stuffing a spicy puff into her mouth before handing the packet to Ashburn. "He doesn't need tissues," she said with a grin. "He needs sleep."
They both laughed, and Ashburn let himself relax for a moment. Moments like this — simple, warm, affectionate — had become a part of his daily life, woven naturally between long meetings, inspections, and planning sessions. It felt grounding.
Even the workers noticed the increasing bond between the three. Sometimes, while holding meetings, Ashburn would feel their eyes lingering with subtle smiles — the kind that said we see it, and we're happy for you.
---
In the factory, activity had reached a fever pitch.
Conveyor belts ran steadily, the packaging team worked in tight formation, and the supervisors walked around with clipboards, tracking production batches, testing seals, and evaluating new snack flavors. Two new products had recently entered the market, and the response was beyond expectations.
Boxes rolled out in dozens every hour, labeled neatly before getting stacked onto delivery trucks. Drivers checked their routes. Assistants loaded crates. The entire place buzzed like a well-oiled machine.
Ashburn stood at the central aisle, arms crossed, watching the production rhythm with quiet pride.
"Sir, orders from the northern block doubled this week," one supervisor informed him. "Should we increase the weekly supply?"
"Yes," Ashburn said, nodding. "And send samples of the new roasted blend to the small-town vendors. Let's see how it performs."
"Already prepared," the supervisor replied, smiling. "Your system works faster than ours."
Ashburn smirked faintly. If only they knew.
He moved through the aisles, checking machines, greeting workers, approving packaging tweaks, and mentally mapping future expansions. Everywhere he went, he felt the cohesion improving — teams communicating better, supervisors taking initiative, the entire workforce finding its rhythm.
This was the foundation he'd been striving for.
Something stable. Something scalable. Something that could outgrow Ashrock City.
---
Later that evening, the three of them visited Shop 3 for a surprise inspection. The place was filled with customers. Children snatched snack packs off the stands, mothers compared prices, and delivery boys rushed inside to restock shelves.
The cashier, seeing Ashburn enter, straightened instantly.
"Sir, everything running smoothly," he said quickly.
Ashburn smiled lightly. "Relax, I'm just checking."
"Actually," Aisha whispered to him, "you terrify them a little."
Kainat grinned. "No, he inspires them. That's different."
Ashburn raised a brow. "Or maybe you two just like teasing me."
"Always," they both said at the same time, then burst out laughing.
He shook his head, warmth spreading through his chest.
Later, as they walked outside, the sun dipped behind the skyline. The street glowed with warm lights, and a soft breeze brushed past. Aisha hooked her arm with his casually, while Kainat walked on his other side. The closeness felt peaceful — not forced, not overly dramatic — just real.
"Let's get dinner," Aisha suggested.
"At home," Kainat added quickly. "Your mother will get upset again if we keep bringing food from outside."
Ashburn smiled. "Then home it is."
---
The house felt lively that night. Mrs. Khan hummed in the kitchen while preparing chapati and chicken karahi. The smell filled the entire home.
"You're spoiling them, Amma," Ashburn said, washing his hands.
She glanced at him with a proud smile. "Let me spoil my son and daughters-in-law. Who else will?"
Aisha flushed a little. Kainat shyly looked at the ground. Ashburn pretended he didn't choke on air.
Dinner was warm, loud, and full of laughter. Mr. Khan arrived halfway, tired from work but beaming once he saw Ashburn.
"I heard Shop 1's expansion finished today," he said proudly. "You've done what I never imagined. I can't tell you… how much it means to see this."
Ashburn felt something tighten in his throat. "I'm just trying my best."
Mr. Khan placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Beta, your best is more than enough."
It was a small moment — but one that carried years of quiet struggle and unspoken dreams.
---
Late at night, after the girls left for their rooms and the house quieted, Ashburn stepped outside to the veranda. He leaned on the railing, watching the street lamps glow.
His phone buzzed — another report. Another sale update. Another vendor request.
Everything was growing. Everything was stabilizing. Everything was falling into place.
The fifth month had brought more than profits. It had brought structure. Strength. A strong base — the very thing he always feared he'd never achieve.
And standing there in the faint glow of streetlights, Ashburn could finally let himself acknowledge it:
He was no longer just surviving. He was leading something real.
He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, the cool breeze brushing past.
Tomorrow would be another long day. Another step toward something much bigger.
But tonight, he allowed himself a rare moment of peace — surrounded by a loving family, loyal partners, and a future that no longer looked impossible.