Intuition is never wrong. Your soul whispers to you through your intuition, hoping you'd listen to it before taking any decision. Especially the wrong ones. Until you listen to that little voice nagging at the back of your head, it'll keep warning you before you fall into the trap.

Shreya thought for the fifth time whether to sign the contract as she fiddled with the pen. She couldn't quite point out why but it didn't quite feel right.

After she and Tiyasha talked about the job responsibilities which were basically looking after her son Devdoot, Dev for short, she called Rishi who was already on his way to the bungalow.

Rishi was a charming young man who she had already met at the hospital. Now that they met again, she observed him closely. His amber eyes were the first thing that caught her attention right away. They were beautiful and their corners crinkled when he smiled. They exchanged handshakes before he handed her a file with the contract papers inside it and sat down beside Tiyasha. Closer than necessary. They exchanged a meaningful look with each other before Tiyasha turned towards her and asked her to go through the papers before signing.

Shreya swiftly averted her gaze on the contract papers after giving her academic certificates along with other documents to Rishi. The job responsibilities were simple. She'd only have to look after Dev's needs. From cooking his food to his other basic needs and help him with studies, everything would be her responsibility.

Tiyasha even clarified, "You're allowed to turn down any other members' demand which is not related to Dev."

Everything was alright except one certain clause. Her shift started at 12 PM and ended at 6 AM. She was allowed to get off work only between 6 AM to 12 PM, since those were the hours Tiyasha would be able to take care of Dev. So, that simply meant, she'd have to spend the night here. The pay was really high, and to be honest, much more than she'd expected. It'd be downright a stupidity if she let go of this opportunity.

"Am I only allowed to get off work between 6 to 12?" Shreya started hesitantly, "I mean, my home is a little away from here. I- what if I can't get to work on time?"

"Well, in that case, you can stay here," Tiyasha said. "It'd be much more convenient."

"Uhm-" Well, that was not exactly what she was expecting. "I mean, I haven't discussed it with my parents. I mean, you do understand right, this is my first job. It- it's just normal for them to worry about me."

Tiyasha leaned forward and smiled assuringly. "Don't worry, Shreya. Don't be hard on yourself. It's not like we'll cut off your pay for a few minutes of delay. It is just that I don't want to leave Dev alone outside supervision."

Shreya nodded with a half smile, which Tiyasha returned while Rishi said, "If you have any other doubts, you can just ask us. This contract is valid for six months. We will see how good you are in your job responsibilities. We'll extend your work tenure accordingly. Is that okay?"

"Yes, absolutely." Shreya nodded before signing on the contract.

"Oh, and Shreya," Rishi enunciated, "You're not allowed to leave the job before your contract term ends, and you'll be responsible for the improvement of Dev's health or any kind of slide of the same."

"Err- okay."

Tiyasha said, "You can start from tomorrow since Dev will come back home tomorrow around 10-11 AM."

"Sure, I'll be here around that time. Don't worry. So, I'll just take my leave now." As she stood up from her seat, both Tiyasha and Rishi followed her.

Rishi nodded. "You'll get a copy of it tomorrow by post to your home address."

Tiyasha added, "Congratulations," while holding Rishi's arm. "We've been looking for someone like you for Dev. I can at least relax now without worrying too much for him."

The corners of Rishi's eyes crinkled as he smiled approvingly at Tiyasha before shifting his eyes to Shreya. "Good luck."

"Thank you."

19th September

She was late. Oh god! On the very first day, how could she be late? It was all because of Trishna and her argument before she was about to leave for work. She couldn't believe Trishna was opposing her from doing this job as a personal caregiver. According to her, a personal caregiver was equal to a maid. No matter how Shreya tried to convince her mother that she was just not a personal caregiver, she's a special needs caregiver for a specially challenged teen, Trishna just wouldn't listen to her. When she told about the high pay, Dibyendu was kind of excited, but Trishna didn't budge from her opinion. She exclusively told her they would be moving to Guwahati next week, and if she cared about her parents, she'd go with them. In response to that, Shreya obviously told she couldn't because she had signed a contract for six months, which brought another batch of scolding and mayhem.

She was honestly sick of this regular drama she had to face every single day. It was none other than God's grace that she got the job. Now, she wouldn't have to listen to anyone's hurtful words.

Financial freedom is the most important aspect in anyone's life who wants to escape societal norms and regulations.

She asked the auto driver to hurry as they almost reached the Isha mansion. Paying the auto driver, she hurried towards the bungalow. As the guards had already seen her yesterday, they let her enter without further delay. She almost ran until reaching the main double doors and as she was about to enter the house, she crashed into someone. Oh well! It could go far worse than it was already.

She took a few steps back and looked up at the tall man. Oh!

Probably this was the first time she was seeing hazel eyes from this up close. The man was probably in his late teens or early twenties. His black, fluffy hair was tied in a short and high ponytail. She couldn't see the lower half of his face because of the mask. But she was certain he was smiling at her. He was wearing a military green jacket with a black shirt underneath paired with denims.

"My apologies. I didn't see you there."

"Oh!" He raised his hands in front of him and started spinning the car keys around his fingers. "It's alright. Never seen you here before. Are you lost?" He chuckled.

Shreya didn't know who he was, but by judging his attitude, he definitely belonged to this infamous family.

"No. I'm the new caretaker of Devdoot."

"Aahaan, Dev's nanny. Didiya said in the morning. I'm Gyan, by the way. Abhigyan Roy."

"Shreya Mitra. Nice to meet you."

"Are you going to stand there?"

"Well, I'd really like to come inside if you make some room for me and leave the door."

He whistled before chuckling and leaving the door. Shreya entered the house and Gyan trailing behind her. "For your information, no one's home except me and an abomination."

Shreya narrowed her eyes at that. "Abomination? Excuse me?"

"Nevermind." Gyan winked at her reaction before adding, "Dev has been discharged and they are on the way home. You can wait in the hall or I can ask Dona Di to take you to Dev's room. You'll make yourself comfortable there."

"I'd like to go to Dev's room then."

"As you wish. Dona Di!" He cried out and within moments a middle-aged woman came out running. "Yes, Gyan dadababu. Were you calling?"

"Yeah. Dona Di, please take this beautiful lady to Dev's room. She's his new nanny. I'm leaving, by the way. I'll pick up Ritu on the way to college. Inform Didiya." And he left after that.

It didn't take long for them to come home after that. Shreya was only going through the paintings that were hung on the wall when Tiyasha, Rishi and Dona came in with Dev in a wheelchair. Shreya hurried to them and took Dev to his bed. With Dona's help, they laid him on the bed and soon after lying down, Dev fell asleep.

"He's on high sedative," Rishi commented. "Doctors said it's better that he sleeps through his pain."

Shreya nodded. "Don't worry. I'll take care of him well."

"I'm sure you will." Tiyasha smiled.

~~~

The following week was eventful. Dev was recovering well, since the wound on his head wasn't that deep. Shreya pretty much had to take care of Dev, and that's all. Dev was a quiet child. He talked less and painted more. Shreya befriended the kid sooner than she expected. She wondered how loud triggering the event must have been that led him to this accident. He was quite an obedient child. He never once troubled her since she took over his care.

Two days later, Tiyasha demanded to take Dev to the dining table for dinner. As Shreya took him out, she saw two people besides Tiyasha, of which she guessed one was Gyan. She couldn't even overlook his gorgeous genes. Without his mask, he even looked more handsome. Beside him, Tiyasha was sitting and opposite to her, there was another female who remarkably resembled Gyan. She had the same pair of eyes and similar facial features. Shreya noticed the intricate tattoo on her shoulder peeking from behind her tank top. It was a pair of fishes. Shreya led Dev and made him sit beside the girl, who turned towards her and smiled. "Hey, I recall your name is Shreya, Didiya said before."

"Yes. Shreya Mitra."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ritusha. You can call me Ritu, Ritz... whatever. I don't mind."

"Nice to meet you too, Ritu."

She reached for the food as she said so and her hand touched Gyan, who also had reached for the same bowl. She retreated her hand quickly while he winked at her. It wasn't really flirtatious, but it wasn't innocent either. "Oops. You can serve first."

"Stop messing with her, Gyan," Ritu chimed in.

"You mind your own business. Besides, I didn't even do anything to her." Gyan glared at her.

Shreya sat down beside Dev and exchanged a look with Tiyasha, who did nothing other than let out a huff.

Ritu retorted, "You know what? I have a pair of perfectly working eyes. I can see."

"So? You don't even see the boys in your college."

"Where did the boys come from? And I'm not talking about this now."

"Why not? Are you afraid? Your clos..." But he couldn't finish before Ritu picked a piece of roti and threw it at Gyan. "Shut the fuck up, Gyan! I'm warning you."

Gyan caught the roti mid-air and smirked. "Scaredy cat!" He snorted and focused back on eating his food.

Tiyasha looked unfazed by everything. She had her eyes trained on her phone and airpods in her ears. Dev was looking down all the while and not one time raised his eyes.

"Just wait till Maa and Papa come back."

"What- you're gonna complain? Scaredy cat?"

"Shut up!"

Shreya was immensely uncomfortable listening to these (most possibly?) siblings' bickering. She felt relieved when Dev tugged on her arm and pointed at the bowl of Kheer.

"You want?"

Dev only nodded quietly. Shreya decided to ignore the continuous brawl in front of her and just focus on her job. This family was weird.

~~~

Author's Note: Hi, readers of Healing The Void! If you're already hooked to the story, then help me reach 400 followers. :) It's the only incentive that keeps me writing. Happy reading. :)