THE CLEANER WHO STOLE HER HEART

Chapter 1 The Girl in the Market Charan didn’t grow up like most boys. He never had the chance to attend school. Life had different plans for him—plans filled with struggles, survival, and sacrifice. After his parents’ hardship became too heavy, he moved in with his auntie and her daughter, Melissa. They didn’t have much, but they shared laughter, warmth, and unbreakable love. Each morning, Charan woke up early to help his auntie sell clothes at the market. He wasn't ashamed of the life he lived. He had made peace with his reality—until the day she appeared. --- That Morning “Melissa, hurry up,” Charan called from the living room. “Auntie’s already at the market.” “I’m tired,” Melissa mumbled, rubbing her eyes as she stepped out of her room. “I don’t think I can go today.” Charan smiled. “Then rest and take care of the house. I’ll handle things.” Though quiet around strangers, Charan was full of energy at home—cracking jokes, singing old songs, and teasing Melissa until she couldn’t stop laughing. But that morning, he left quietly, unaware his life was about to change forever. --- At the Market “Auntie,” Charan greeted warmly as he arrived at their usual corner. “Let me help you arrange the clothes.” His auntie looked up and sighed, “Charan, why are you here again? You need rest too.” “Melissa stayed home. I’m fine.” Charan began folding colorful dresses into neat piles. As he worked, something—or someone—caught his eye. Across the road, a girl walked into the market with two of her friends. She wasn’t just beautiful—she was stunning, dressed in elegance and grace, like someone who didn’t belong in a noisy market. She moved with confidence, her long hair catching the sunlight as she turned her head. Charan froze. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move. His hands dropped the clothes. He leaned to the side to get a clearer view, and when a man blocked his sight, he politely asked him to shift. When the man stepped away, Charan sat down slowly on a cloth bundle, eyes wide, heart racing. “She’s... beautiful,” he whispered under his breath. “Is she even real?” The girl—Lian—noticed. She glanced at him from behind her sunglasses, whispered something to her friends, and subtly reached into her bag. In one smooth move, she pulled out her sunglasses, slipped them on, and grabbed her friend's hand—pretending to be blind. Her friends played along. As they walked past Charan, she tilted her head slightly, letting him think she couldn’t see him. Charan stared, confused and enchanted. “She’s blind?” he mumbled. “Wow. So beautiful... and blind. What a love story this would be.” Auntie, who had been watching from the corner of her eye, burst into laughter. “Charan! What are you saying? Love story? Who’s blind?” Charan jumped up, suddenly flustered, and began packing the clothes faster. “Auntie, please, let’s focus,” he muttered, cheeks red. “I see you! First love, eh?” she teased, chuckling as she folded a shirt. “I’ll find that girl and bring her to this house myself!” --- Lian’s Side As Lian and her friends walked deeper into the market, she removed the sunglasses and sighed. “That was weird,” her friend said. “What was with the glasses?” “Some guy was staring at me too much,” Lian replied coldly. “He looked like a seller’s son—dirty clothes, low class. Just made me uncomfortable.” “Want us to go back and insult him?” one of her friends asked, furious. “No need,” Lian said flatly. “He’s not even worth our time.” --- Later That Evening – Lian’s Home Lian pulled her car into the driveway of her luxurious home. Inside, she was met with warm hugs and familiar voices. “Daddy!” she called, kissing her father’s cheek. “My princess,” he smiled. “How was your day?” “Good,” she replied, pushing thoughts of the strange boy from the market out of her mind. --- Back at Charan’s Home “Auntie! Melissa!” Charan called out as he carried a small bag of food into the house. “Melissa!” Auntie called, laughing. “Come hear something. Your brother has a girlfriend now!” Melissa’s eyes lit up. “Charan? A girlfriend?” Charan dropped the bag and turned quickly. “I don’t! She’s joking!” Melissa laughed. “You? Our Charan? In love?” Charan glared at his auntie, who waved a hand and picked up a cane jokingly. “I will catch this girl and drag her to this house. You just watch!” Despite the teasing, their home was filled with love. And that evening, Charan sat quietly outside under the stars, his mind replaying the moment he saw her. --- The Next Day At the market, Charan’s eyes scanned the crowd over and over. He couldn’t focus on the clothes. He was hoping—just maybe—that the girl would come back. But she didn’t. Disappointed, he packed the goods and followed his auntie home. As they walked, something on the ground caught his eye. It was a flier. He picked it up and squinted, trying to read the words. Melissa had been teaching him to read little by little. His eyes widened. “Job Vacancy: Cleaners Needed. Apply at Global Holdings Company.” Excitement surged through him. That was one of the biggest companies in town. He rushed home, waving the flier in the air. “Auntie! Auntie! See! I found something! God is good!” His auntie smiled. “Then you must go and try.” What he didn’t know... was that the owner of the company was none other than Lian’s father. --- The Interview The next morning, Charan arrived at the gates of Global Holdings. He clasped his hands together in prayer. “God, help me.” Inside, he greeted the receptionist politely and was guided to the manager’s office. “Good morning, sir,” Charan said, bowing slightly. The manager looked up, surprised to see such a polite young man applying for a cleaner’s job. “You’re hired,” he said with a small smile. “You’ll begin tomorrow. The MD is away for three days. You’ll meet her soon.” Charan’s heart lifted. --- Celebration at Home When he got home, Charan couldn’t hold back his joy. He danced with Melissa, lifted his auntie off the ground, and sang praises to God. His auntie laughed and clapped. “You did it, my son!” His heart was full. He didn’t know that fate was already moving. That the girl who made his heart stop… was about to walk into his world again.