Sachi stood in the elevator as her brother briefed her on his home. He lived in a flat on Mira Road, in a huge cooperative housing society called Sanjog Apartments. He lived on the second floor of C building in flat no. 201. The elevator doors slid open and Sahil led her to the main door of the house. There was another door on the left adjoining wall, devoid of any name plate or flat number.

Sahil explained the layout of the house while unlocking the front door with his keys. Later, Sachi would come to realise that the door hadn't been secured with a padlock or latch despite no one being home.

Entering the spacious house with her luggage in tow, Sachi placed her heels on the shoe rack. Female slippers mixed with male shoes caught her attention. A female voice called out to her brother. Sachi lifted her head and saw a beautiful woman with long, wavy brown hair, grey, upturned eyes, and round lips. She held Sahil in a tight embrace. The woman broke their embrace and immediately pulled his face down for a kiss.

Sachi averted her eyes and her gaze fell upon a photo frame kept on the cabinet mantle placed against the wall. In it, her brother and the woman were standing in wedding attire, smiling at the camera. She picked up the photo frame and examined it closely before placing it back. Seeking relief in the plain walls, Sachi was shocked to see an array of photo frames arranged on the wall in a rhombus, portraying the couple in various poses at separate instances. One photograph showed the couple sitting behind the holy marriage fire, performing rituals as the priest guided them.

Savyasachi ran into the room assigned to her. She was surprised at how she had managed to locate the right room with her terrible sense of direction. It seemed as though God had taken some pity on the poor girl and given her some much-needed respite. She arranged her suitcase and backpack along the wall, before entering the attached bathroom. With two of her bags still out with her brother, she resigned herself to using just her suitcase for the night.

Splashing water on her face, Sachi took deep breaths to calm herself. Her brother was married. Earlier, she had thought he had a secret girlfriend. That was fine, she could understand why her brother would hide a relationship. He would've told her when he was ready. But, marriage? Whatever hopes she had, surprised that there were any left at this point, of her brother, broke into a million pieces. Exhausted from the events of the day, Sachi collapsed on bed and mercifully, sleep took her headache away, if only for a few hours.

Sahil knew he had to tell his sister the truth. How he became a spy, and how her life was in danger. But he just couldn't bring himself to raise the topic.

Two arms wrapped themselves around him. He felt the familiar tickle of soft hair in his nose. Without thinking, his arms wrapped around the body. All thoughts flew from his mind as his wife welcomed him back. Having his salvation in his arms, Sahil forgot about the lingering presence behind him.

Suddenly, his face was pulled down and soft lips mashed his own. He groaned and pulled her flush against him by her waist, the other hand tangling in her hair.

Kshitija.

The name came like the soft exhale of breath. He kissed her harder, letting her take all his demons away. She sucked on his lips before parting them with her tongue. A deep rumble reverberated through his chest. He loved her all right.

The distant bang of a door closing brought their passionate kiss to an abrupt end. "Sachi!" he exclaimed, as though remembering a forgotten errand. Kshitija raised her brow in question. Sahil ignored her unspoken doubt and looked around the living room only to find his sister missing.

"Shit! She was not supposed to find out this way." he said.

"Was that your sister? Don't tell me you did not tell her about our marriage." Kshitija asked.

"I forgot."

"You - you forgot? How can you forget to inform her of something so important, Sahil?" Kshitija fumed.

Sahil filled her in on everything that had happened since they left his parents' house in Pune.

"So you just took her to the gala?" Kshitija asked.

"Yes." he replied.

His wife gave an exasperated sigh. Oh, boy. He was in for a scolding, all right.

"Sahil, your sister went through an extremely traumatic incident and you just took her to a gala? And as your mistress, no less." she scolded him.

"She was fine with it."

"Of course she wasn't fine with it! She had no choice but to follow your orders because right now you are the only reason she gets to attend her dream college! Had she declined, you would have dropped her back home."

"I would never do that!" Sahil was beyond exasperated. "You know more than anyone else that I would never deny my sister her education."

"I know it Sahil, but does she? You haven't spoken to her properly in over a decade. You left home 13 years ago for your higher studies, and ever since you joined the organization, you all but cut contact with Savyasachi. How would she know what you would and would not do? You are practically a stranger to her right now." Kshitija explained.

"I love her Kshitija. You know, I do. I would never hurt her. It's just she seemed fine and I really needed to attend the gala. They gave out the auction list today. Plus, I could not leave her all by herself. What if she got hurt? Or worse - " his voice broke. "No, I cannot take any more chances. Someone managed to drug the hotel's water. If they can infiltrate a hotel managed by the organization, then they can definitely get to her when I'm not looking. I'm not going to take any chances."

"I'm pretty sure you took a chance by taking her to the gala."

Sahil gave her a look.

"She is safest by my side."

Kshitija smiled. "I know. But you have to talk to her. Now that she is involved in all this, she needs to know Sahil. Savyasachi deserves to know the truth."

Sahil's body tensed up. He hated conversations, especially such heavy ones. Understanding his turmoil, Kshitija took him into her embrace once again, rubbing soothing circles on his back.

"I love you, my wife."

"Love you too, jaan."

Sahil's phone rang, breaking their hug.

"Hi, aai."

"Sahil! Where is Savyasachi? I have been trying to reach her for six hours now! Where is that girl and why is she not picking up my calls?" he winced at her tone.

"Aai, she is sleeping in her room. She did not pick your calls because of her motion sickness. You know how woozy she gets, especially in long journeys. She is fine. Don't scold her too much, okay?"

"She could've just dropped a short message if she had reached. And why did you not inform me if you had reached?" his mother scolded.

"Sorry, aai. I had to leave for an urgent meeting so I forgot to inform you. We reached home, just fine."

"Fine, as long as you reached safely. Seriously, what will it take for that girl to become responsible. This is exactly why your father and I did not want to let her go alone. She never remembers to message or call us? What if something happened to her? And if you tell her so much as a word, she will get angry as if I cursed her out or something? I keep telling her to learn from you, but as usual, the girl never listens to me. At least you put some sense in her, Sahil. I hope she listens to you. And if she troubles you too much, just send her back home. No need to educate that thankless girl. Doesn't even understand her mother's worry." his mother mumbled the last statement.

"Aai, enough. She knows you care and worry about her. She's just terrible at expressing it. Don't you worry, I will take care of her. But don't scold her when she calls you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay, Mr. Sachi's defense lawyer. I will not scold her. If only she would see how much you look out for her. That stubborn girl."

"Bye, aai, take care and tell baba I said hello."

"Yes, yes I will tell him. You take care of yourself as well. Eat your meals on time and sleep well, alright? Bye."

Kshitija smiled. "Your mom?"

"Yeah. She was worried why Sachi hadn't called her."

"Must be nice."

"What?"

"Having a mom to worry and nag you."

"Kshitu! Don't be sad. Once my mother begins nagging you, you will regret wishing for a nagging mother."

"Well, that will only be possible if you tell her about me. She doesn't even know I exist. It's a miracle she hasn't forced you to get married yet."

Sahil knew why his mother was not chewing his ear off about marriage, but that was a conversation for another day.

"Don't worry, I will tell them all about my wonderful wife. You'll see how they will shower you with all the love you deserve and more." He pulled her into yet another hug.

"And when, pray tell, will that time come?"

"Once I tell Sachi everything, she will help convince our parents."

"And when will you tell Sachi? After I grow old and use a walking stick to move around?"

"Hey! Whose side are you on?"

"Yours. But I know how procrastinating my husband can be."

"Now, there's no need to attack me like that woman!"

"As you say, patidev!" (As you say, husband!)

Kshitija took off with a screech as Sahil chased her.

The morning sun brought with it a new day and with the new day came new problems. The ominous ringtone of 'Maa ka Phone aaya' brought an abrupt end to Sachi's peaceful sleep.

"Savyasachi Holkar! Just because you have gone off to live with your brother, does not mean you can be completely irresponsible about your life! I believe I had asked you to call me once you reached home! I swear if it weren't for your brother, we would be wondering whether you are dead or alive!" her mother screamed by way of greeting.

"Good morning to you too, aai. I can assure you that I am alive and well and this is not my ghost speaking to you over the phone."

"SAVYASACHI! Does everything seem like a big joke to you? When will you learn to be responsible. At least learn something from Sahil while you are living with him. I have asked him to discipline you. Mark my words, Sachi. If I get even a single complaint against you from Sahil, I will bring you back right here, education be damned! Now get up and get ready for the day!"

"Aai-" Sachi was cut off by the beeping tone of an ended call. She huffed in frustration before getting out of bed.

"Good fucking morning to you too, Sachi!"

In other circumstances, she would have believed that her brother would never tell on her but now that she was seeing a completely new side of him, she wasn't so sure. Sachi felt like her mother had triggered a time bomb; except she didn't know when it would go off.

She sent a quick prayer to God, to never let the timer go off. She would finish her education, get a job, rent an apartment and be out of her family's hair soon. Unfortunately, the thought of separating from her family made her feel agony instead of relief.

The happy times she had spent with them flashed through her mind before being replaced by the darker memories of recent years. The dark cloud that had vanished during her slumber seemed to have reappeared with a renewed vengeance, sucking all the energy out of her. She wondered when she would stop feeling this exhausted and unmotivated.

People would be surprised to know of her lethargy when she had been planning to apply into a prestigious university in Mumbai for her post graduation in cybersecurity. But only she knew the excruciating pain she had put herself through to get to where she was now.

Her lack of motivation for studying had reduced quite a bit during her bachelor's but seemed to have renewed with the same vigor as it had during her 11th and 12th. She knew she had to push herself to maintain her scores if she wanted a good job. Also, her mother's angry screams were a good enough deterrent from slacking off. Or so everyone thought.

All Sachi wanted was a break. Some down time for herself where no one was questioning her about applying for internships or filling up unnecessary resumes. She shook her head from side to side before moving on to the en suite bathroom to get freshened up and prepare herself for yet another challenging day.

Just when would her life get simpler. She stared at her Garfield t-shirt and then at the ceiling. "Me, when God? Me, when?"

Stepping through the small door on the side of the building, Sachi felt as though she had travelled to Narnia. The building was situated in an area Sachi's father would have asked her to avoid at all costs. The alley in which the doorway was situated seemed to be the textbook definition of a location where shady dealings took place. But the basement she had just entered looked like an underground cyber cafe. Except, the computers were arranged in a large circle, circumferencing a circular stage in the centre of the room.

Sahil led her through a door on the extreme left wall of the room. Inside was what could be called a cyber den. On the left wall were mounted monitors that showed the CCTV footage of the entire basement, washrooms included. The wall opposite the door held five monitors placed in a concave arc, with their respective CPUs mounted on the wall above. It was a PC-built heaven.

Just, then the door to the extreme right of the room opened and a boy stepped out. He was not much older than Sachi, dressed in a white Looney Tunes t-shirt, blue jeans, steaming mug in hand. He was whistling along, ignorant of the intruders before he turned to face them.

"Hi, there!" he said. The boy forwarded his hand towards Sachi. "Retired agent, Jai Kanetkar. Pleased to make your acquaintance." Beside her, Sahil sucked in a sharp breath. Sachi shook the outstretched hand.

"Savyasachi Holkar, BTech in IT from Vishwakarma University, Pune. Pleased to make your acquaintance," she echoed.

Sahil cleared his throat. "Ignore his comment. He was kidding, we are not spies."

"Oh, but you are spies. I know that. I may look naive but I can assure you I am not. I'm 22 now, not a child." Sachi's taunt hit the mark as she saw her brother flinch. Although the emotion passed as soon as it had arrived.

"Smart one you've got there, dada." Jai quipped receiving a stern glare from the older man.

"Why do you think we are spies, Sachi?" Sahil asked.

"Why, not how. Smart choice of words. Unfortunately, one of your friends at the gala welcomed me to the 'spyverse'. That and the fact that you just said 'we are not spies' when it was just Jai who introduced himself as one, gave away your guilt."

"My, my. I think she would do well as a profiler." Jai looked amused, like a cat who had spotted a mouse to chase. Meanwhile, Sahil looked like he was about to have an aneurysm.

"I'm curious. Why did you bring me here in the first place if you did not wish to reveal your identity as a spy?" Sachi asked.

"I was going to introduce him to you as your mentor who would be training you for a proper job at a good company. I know you want to do your post graduation in cybersecurity to get a good paying job. He is the one who get you straight to the job, no questions asked." Sahil explained.

"Nepotism. As much as I like the idea, I cannot see it working well for me in the long term. I want to climb up the ladder to get a higher salary in the future. There's only so many positions I can charm my way into with Jai's help. Of course, I'm not doubting your skills, but there is only so much even you can do. People are not as dumb as you make them out to be," she looked at Sahil. The accusation was clear in her eyes.

"I could get you an admission if you wish. Also, refer you for internships. You don't have to accept a job offered to you through my contacts." Jai offered.

"Alright."

"No!"

The siblings spoke at the same time.

"What do you mean, no? You're the one who brought me here for a job and now you're saying no?" Sachi was exasperated.

"No. You will not leave my sight. Don't you remember wat happened yesterday afternoon?" Sahil said. He seemed frantic, trying to stop Savyasachi from leading an independent life.

Sachi's body shook as she remembered the ghastly incident that had happened to her less than 24 hours ago. She had momentarily forgotten her fear but it came back to her now, in HD 4k quality.

"Thank you for reminding of that. I'm surprised you remember what happened. What with you forcing me to be your 'mistress' at the gala. I thought you had memory issues, now that you've grown old."

Jai laughed at Sachi's jab and Sahil's offended look at being called old. He wasn't all that old. At 37, he was fitter than most men in their twenties.

"You would make a terrible spy, Sachi. Seeing as you cannot even hide the mission you helped me carry out." Sahil rebuttled.

"Ha! So you did use me to carry out a mission. You conniving b- man!" Sachi held back the curse on her tongue.

But Sahil's words finally registered in her brain.

'Cannot keep a single thing in your stomach.'

'When will you learn, Sachi?'

'Stop blabbing in front of people.'

'Your mouth needs a filter.'

'I am so disappointed.'

'I wonder where my upbringing went so wrong?'

All her mother's remarks swirled in her head, making her feel woozy and lightheaded. She shook off the thoughts and focused on her surroundings. Unfortunately, her mood had already soured.

"Alright, then. Off you go, dada. I'll take it from here," Jai shooed off Sahil.

"Take what from where?" Sachi asked.

Sahil cleared his throat.

"I have to leave because of some work. You will stay with Jai while he gives you an idea of the training you are supposed to undergo, and then he will drop you home." Sahil said.

"What! But I never agreed to the training! Are you seriously going to ignore my opinion on what happens with my life!"

"I'm leaving her in your care, Jai." Sahil ignored her.

"Bye!" Jai waved him farewell.

Sachi turned to leave but felt a hand hold her back. She jerked it out of Jai's hold.

"Don't touch me!"

He held his hands in surrender.

"I just wanted to take you shopping," he explained.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Shopping?"

"Yes. I mean, come on. You're in Mumbai of all places! Of course, you have to go shopping!" saying so, he moved towards the door, not looking back to see if she followed him. Sachi followed him, nonetheless.

Savyasachi felt her stomach sink as the elevator climbed up the two floors to the flat - her new home. She still couldn't wrap her mind around it. How was this her home? But looking back, the house in Pune wasn't much of a home these days, either.

She had thoroughly enjoyed her shopping trip with Jai. Initially skeptical about being left alone with a stranger - who was older than her at that - she quickly warmed up to the man after a trip down the manga aisle. Apparently, a person with an IQ of 190 was allowed to enjoy mundane comics, was what he had said.

Sachi had been surprised to hear of his IQ. No wonder, he was so accomplished at such a young age. A retired spy, at the age of 25 who now earned quite a bit through freelancing? It sounded like Sachi's dream life, minus the retired spy thing, of course.

Jai had practically submitted his resume to her, orally. A simple social media search had proved his highlighted accomplishments and more, to be true. Unfortunately, their trip had to be cut short when Jai got a distress call. His face paled and he left in a hurry, not before paying for the cab that had brought Sachi straight home. She made a mental note to ask for the fare and pay it back. Although, she had a fare idea that it had cost quite a bit for her journey home.

She wondered why he was being so generous. There was more to the boy than visible to the naked eye. Sachi let out an exhausted sigh. She would just add Jai to the list of the many mysteries in her life to be solved. Right now, her priority was to avoid her brother at all costs. She could always lie, saying Jai left from the society gate because of an emergency, but Sahil knew all her tells. She did not want to risk another scolding session. She had had enough of them at her parents' house.

Carrying bags in both arms, Sachi rang the doorbell. The sordid feeling in her stomach thickened, her heart pumping faster and faster, making her breathless. The door opened and Sahil stood in front of her like a brick wall. On another day, Sachi would have joked how he resembled the bouncers standing outside a club. But one look at his face and she knew she was doomed.

Pushing her way into the house, Sachi speed-walked towards her room. Sahil's booming voice followed her into the room. The door banged open. Sachi flinched. Her eyes blinked back into focus as she noticed her brother in the doorway, metaphorical smoke bellowing out of his ears.

"How dare you leave Jai and come home alone! I specifically told you not to go anywhere without him!" Kshitija, who now stood in the doorway, cringed at his loud voice.

" I did not leave him and come home alone. He came to drop me home but had to leave from the gate itself because of an urgent call. He left in a hurry but gave his regards," Sachi replied.

"Lies!" Sahil shouted. "Don't you think I know you're lying to me. I specifically told you not to travel alone. There was a reason why I asked you to be with Jai at all times. There was a reason why I ask him to take your responsibility. If you cannot understand such a simple thing then you really are as responsible as aai thinks you to be and it was right of her not to send you alone to Mumbai. You don't even listen to your elders anymore. You just want to grab attention by acting like a spoiled brat. Grow up Sachi! And dare you disobey my orders again," his eyes narrowed.

That sentence snapped the barrier holding Sacji back. "I dare!" she replied with equal firmness. Her eyes sharpened and a piercing glare rooted Sahil and Kshitija in their places.

"You dare leave without informing me! I am your elder-" "No you are not!" Sachi screeched as if the sheer volume would nullify their blood ties. "You are not my brother. My brother when missing 13 years ago when he left home and me, without a single backward glance. My brother, Sahil Holkar, is a security consultant at an MNC in Bangalore. You are a spy, but not my brother."

"Now is not the time for your childish tantrums. You need to understand the gravity-"

"Of course! I am the one throwing tantrums. Never mind the things I was forced to do today," she spat.

"Sachi you have to understand that I am doing this for your sake," Sahil pleaded in vain.

"My sake!" Sachi threw up her hands. "So for my sake you forced me to-" her voice broke, lower lip trembling violently. Sachi took deep breaths and fanned her eyes, refusing to let the tears fall in front of them. It was embarrassing enough that she could not maintain a neutral expression in front of her adversaries.

"Sachi, dear listen-" Kshitija broke the tense silence but was halted by the heartbroken girl's raised hand.

Savyasachi sniffled and cleared her throat before replying, "No. Please, don't. You are his wife, I accept it. What I cannot accept is the fact that you are my sister-in-law. If I do that, I would have to accept that this man is my brother, and he is NOT my brother! Therefore, the only respect I can offer you is being an older woman than me. Please do not expect anything more of me." she trembled in rage and sorrow, pushing her head down on the bed before pulling herself back up with a herculean effort. Her expression was detached - she had accepted her fate, as poisonous as it was.

"Look I can't explain everything right now Sachi but-"

"Don't Sachi me!" she cut off her brother's explanation which would have been yet another infuriatingly useless excuse. "To you, I am Savyasachi Holkar. The only people who have the right to call me Sachi are my parents, my brother and my best friend, Nikita. You are none of those people." The you was spat out with enough venom to drown a black mamba. Sahil opened his mouth in an attempt to speak but was halted by his sister's hand. Sachi swayed dangerously. "I beg you, leave! I do not want to see you. I cannot say ever again since I was the idiot who decided to follow you like a dam puppy and walk right into your honey trap. To think I had lost all emotion towards you. Dumb, dumb Sachi!" she hit her temples with both fists. "Didi," she faced Kshitija. "I am sorry I cannot accept you as my bhabhi. But, I will give you respect by calling you didi. I just cannot bring myself to accept this man as the brother who once doted on his baby sister like a princess. I just cannot." The dam broke and Sachi let out heart wrenching sobs, hitting the bed then herself. "This man is a liar, who did not even once come to check on his baby sister. He was this close to me all along and I never even -"

"Mubarakein tumhein ki tum....

Kisi ke noor ho gaye....

Kisi ke itne paas ho....

Ke sabse door ho gaye...."

The damn radio Kshitija had been trying to fix, decided to choose this ominous moment to come back to life. Savyasachi chuckled bitterly. "See! Even Vividh Bharati knew the truth. I was the only fool!"

"Vividh Bharati isn't-" Kshitija started but was stopped by Sahil's hand on her arm. He knew very well why his sister had mentioned the former radio station. During their childhood he would happily listen to the station's daily broadcasts while Sachi would frown upon his 'puraane zamaane ke choices' while dancing to the tunes of the latest radio stations. He had tried so hard to connect with her through that station; an effort to bridge the 15 year age gap between them. He had had a sister before, but no uniquely cherished memory. Now, Sahil realized bitterly, he had a cherished memory but no longer had his sister. With a defeated sigh, he led his wife out of the doorway and closed the door behind him. Sachi collapsed onto the bed, her body wracking violently from the sobs, and cried herself to sleep.