The Agent

The Agent

 

Amir is a regular guy who is kind, honest and caring about people and the neighborhood he lives in. he runs a grocery shop with his younger brother Rohan.

Amir is a regular twenty-five-year-old Indian in New Delhi, trying to heck out a living as a small-time business owner, and he regularly has a banter with his brother, who is lazy and bossy even as a ten-year-old.

What many people don't know is that Amir is a secret agent for the Intelligence Bureau(IB) and sometimes had a stint with the Research and Analysis Wing(RAW) because he is so good that they just make use of him when each agency is in dire need. He is also a killer when the government needs to assassinate any threat to its country and citizens.

Our story starts one particular morning when Amir and Rohan were in the store trying to make sales when a customer came to purchase something. 

ROHAN!

What is it?

Attend to the customer.

I'm busy.

Get on with it now, lazy kid.

I said I'm busy.

Amir sight and shakes his head, wondering how a kid of ten will be so annoying. He blamed their mum for the way she gave him freedom.

Zahara is the daughter of the Prime Minister of India, and she likes to know the daily affairs of the country and its secret agents. 

She is very close to her father, and she has vowed to marry one of the best agents as a form of patriotism to the country, arguing that if they could give their lives, why wouldn't she do so for them, and she has told her father a very big No to any arranged marriage for any political gain. There was a day she came across Amir's file, and she became interested in him and his exploits, which led her to visit his store that faithful morning.

Good morning, ma'am, what can I get you?

Sorry, I just want to have a chat with you.

What is it about?

At that moment, there was laughter, and Amir turned to see Rohan watching him from behind. "Rohan!

What?

What are you doing here?

Where am I supposed to be?

Aren't you busy?

I'm busy, as you can see, watching you

 and your girlfriend.

What girlfriend?

Oh, don't stop on my account, go on and chat up with him, Rohan said, winking at Zahara.

Please ignore him, his just lazy and useless.

Never mind, I will talk to you another time, bye for now, and she left.

Amir turned toward where Rohan was standing, but he had already left, too and Amir couldn't shake the frustration as he wondered what a pretty girl like that wanted to talk to him about. he fumed. ROHAN!

Zahara went to the car where her younger sister was waiting with the driver. She wondered how bold she was to approach him; she guessed it was all because she had read everything about him and because it was like she already knew him. "Sister, how does it go?

Not what I was expecting.

You mean he turned you down?

No.

So what happened?

His younger brother spoiled everything.

You mean a kid spoiled your show?

Yeah, she said distractedly.

So, what are you going to do about it?

Let us go back home. I will think of something later.

Aditi smiled inwardly, not wanting her sister to see her triumph, she had been against this madness since her elder sister told her about the buffoon agent, but all compliant has met a brick wall so she had agreed to accompany her as their father suggested.

She may be an eleven-year-old girl, but their father always confides in them about his government and trusts them to keep it secret; they knows his enemy and those he calls friends, and they are aware of the sacrifice made by the so-called agent. Her thoughts were interrupted by the driver slamming," What is the matter with you, Khan? Do you want to break my neck?

But before he could explain, he was interrupt by Zahara" That is the little shit who spoiled my day".

Who?

That agent's younger brother.

Where is he? Aditi asks.

Zahara pointed to a kid across the road, whistling and moving as if he owned the street. As she watched, she saw how the people hailed him and thumped him on his back, and a woman even gave him a sweet which he pocketed some and popped one in his mouth, grinning about something she said, "You mean that street urchin?

He is not a street urchin, Zahara said.

Wait for me, I'm going to talk to him.

No, sister, allow me to do the talking. I know how to handle a kid like this one.

No, you tend to escalate things by causing more problems.

Don't worry, just let me deal with him.

Are you sure?

Ma'am, I can get him if you want Khan said before Aditi could answer.

Don't worry Khan, everything will be fine Aditi said, getting out of the car.

Both Zahara and Khan watch her as she crosses the road to the kid who was watching something that had distracted him to stop.

Do you want to bet it doesn't go well? Khan asks.

I want it to go well, Khan, no bet today.

Lucky no one knows your face, or all hell would have been let loose on the street.

Yeah, you are right.

They watch as Aditi approaches the kid, watching whatever was distracting him.

Aditi studies the kid as she approaches him and comes to the conclusion that confronting him will be a disaster, so she plans to be as friendly as she has ever been in her life. When she was just a few steps from him, she stopped and coughed, trying to get his attention, and he turned around, studying her with that distracted look on his face." If you are lost and hungry, you can go to the police station over there, he said, pointing in a general direction.

Do I look like a lost and hungry person to you?

Sure, he said, still distracted by something.

Sorry, I'm not. My name is Aditi.

Okay.

Are you not going to tell me your name?

What for?

So we can act as civilized people.

What do you want, kid?

Who are you calling a kid?

Isn't it obvious? Is there anyone here with me?

How dare you.

Yes, I dare. What are you going to do about it?

Aditi kept silent, knowing she could do nothing.

I guess so, Rohan said, not taking his eyes from the building he was so distracted looking at, now run off and get on with what they send you to do.

You are impossible. I never thought I would meet someone so insolent.

Welcome to the twenty-first century, kid.

Anyway, I was asked to call you.

By whom?

My sister.

And how do I know your sister?

You don't.

And you are asking me to come and see her?

Yes.

How stupid do you think I am?

Very stupid, she mumbled.

What did you say?

Nothing.

Anyway, where is this sister of yours?

In the car over there, she said, pointing behind her.

Go and tell your sister to go to hell, and she will find what she is looking for, and he turns away, still looking at the building that is distracting him.

Aditi watched him go and returned to the car, fuming and cursing silently. As she entered the car, she raised her hand to stop Zahara from talking. She looked out of the window, and Rohan was already out of sight. She frowned," That piece of trash, how dare he talk to me like that, me, Aditi, the apple of the minister.

What was that all about? Zahara couldn't hold back her irritation anymore. All I ask is for you to bring him here.

I tried, but the boy has a mind of his own, and he was so rude.

That was why I wanted to talk to him.

What is the difference? As I did, he wouldn't have listened to you.

He would've.

When he wouldn't listen to his elder brother.

That was his brother. Are you even listening to me?

Aditi saw the irony in her statement and shut her mouth.

Better, Zahara said and turned to Khan," Take us to their street and we will wait out of sight till Amir returns, and then I will visit their home.

Both Aditi and Khan look at each other without a word, but so much meaning in their look. " Out with it Zahara said, not missing their look.

Well, their home?

What is wrong with it?

They don't know you.

So.

Anyway, you are the boss, Khan said, putting the car in motion.

Amir was happy that the small rat Rohan was not around to cause him more trouble; he had no idea where the little termite had gone and he didn't care as long as he had his peace, knowing Rohan and how lazy hole is, he will be home sleeping in no time and only get up to eat, he wondered how a kid and the last born to butt is so annoying and troublesome, he check the time and was amaze it's almost six in the evening. Wow! He exclaimed, so fast, and he prepared to close the shop.

Rohan was not happy as he walked home, all because of everything. He is tired of being an errand boy for his brothers. Come to think of it, he wondered as he walked home, and then he suddenly stopped in his tracks and asked himself," Am I not jumping from frying pan to fire? Amir, I can handle, he thought as he resumed his walk, but Arjun and Ayaan, that is a different story because they can worry him more than he can bear as he near home he noticed their mother is around and he smile to know his protector from his big brothers is around to stop any funny business by his goons after all they called him rat, he should called them goons too, but not in their front he fumes, what an injustice in the world. 

When he reached home, Arjun clipped him on the ear," Little rat, why are you alone, and where is Amir?

Oh, he exclaimed, that hurt.

Ayaan, cuff him on the back of his head and told him to get to the kitchen and help their mother.

I'm tired, he said, not moving but rubbing the back of his head.

Tired? Ask Arjun, doing what?

You both know, running the shop.

They look at each other and burst into laughter.

Lazy turd like you running the shop, and you are home, even before Amir is here? Arjun asked him with raised eyebrows.

I got tired of waiting for him, Rohan said defensively.

He probably ran away when asked to do something, I suspect, after all, the rat is sneaky. Ayaan said, cuffing his head again.

Oh, that hurt, Rohan said, holding his head and glaring at Ayaan. He has come to know that he had to pay attention to the two of them, otherwise Ayaan will distract him, and then Arjun will cuff him, and if he turns, then Ayaan will clip him.

MOTHER!

Rohan, what is it, and why are you home alone? Where is Amir?

Mother, they are torturing me.

Shut up and answer her question, Arjun said with a smile.

Rohan stuck out his tongue at him and ran to their mother." That little urchin, Ayaan said, laughing.

Amrita Singh is an attractive woman in her early fifties, tall and slender, with an average face, a face you will never look twice at, just plain and simple. A woman who everyone loves, and she devotes her time working as a Doctor and a mother to her four sons after her husband left her, she trained herself in medical school, and she is proud of how it turned out. She raised her head from the Paratha she was doing and smiled as Rohan came into the kitchen," My little warrior, how was your busy day she said with a mocking smile.

You know the usual stuff, mum, working and carrying stuff, I'm so tired, and Amir never gives me a break.

She laughed and smudged his nose with flour," So where is Amir?

Well, he crooked a smile and raised both hands up," You caught me there, mum.

Zahara kept looking at the road, expecting Amir to show up any moment. She decided that he is the one; no matter what, she will not marry any other man except him. She was distracted by Aditi," What is it? She asked, not taking her eyes off the road.

What if he refused to marry you?

Don't wish me bad luck, Aditi.

It's only a question.

Please let me be, she said, still looking at the road.

Amir closed the shop and wasn't worried about not seeing Rohan. If he knew that rat well, and he did know him very well, Rohan would be home trying to spin a tale about how he over overworked too hard, and he was too tired to do anything.

He laughed, trusting his two elder brothers to give him hell. He locked the shop and started going home after bidding his neighbor goodnight.

Mother?

Yes, Rohan!

Those goons are giving me trouble.

Goons? She questioned, pausing at her work and looking at him.

Mum, you don't have to stop on my account, I'm hungry, you know.

You said goons are troubling you?

Yes.

She started cleaning her hands on her apron." What are you doing? Rohan asked with a panicked voice.

If goons are troubling you, then I need to talk to your brothers to see that it never happens again.

With panic on his face, Rohan ran in front of his mother with his hand spread, blocking her from passing." Mother, they are the goons, I mean Ayaan and Arjun.

You're calling your brothers goons?

Yes, they bully me.

And you rightly deserved it.

Mother! Not you, too. Rohan complains.

Mother! We are hungry, Ayaan shouts from the other room." Then go and marry a wife who can cook for you, his mother shout back.

I'm on it, mother, and her name is Anika.

Yeah, the other time her name was Ananya, Rohan said with sarcasm.

Mother! Is there a rat in the kitchen? Arjun asked, Should we come and chase it away?

Rohan started shaking his head at his mother, silently telling her to say no.

Yes, you can come, Amrita Singh said with a mocking smile at her youngest son.

That is not fair, mother. Rohan said, backing away.

Are you a rat? She asked him.

No, he said.

So why am I not fair?

Arjun popped his head into the kitchen and smiled." I see a rat sneaking about in the kitchen trying to steal a treat.

Big brother, where is the rat? Rohan asks.

Ha, a rat doesn't know he is a rat, eh? Smart mouth, go and set the table and stop interrupting Mother while she cooks.

She isn't complaining, Rohan said, looking at his mother with a pleading look.

She laughed and shook her head." Not this time, Rohan, go and do as your brother suggested, set the table, dinner will soon be ready and stop disturbing me till I'm done his mother said, pushing him out of the kitchen.

Ha, here comes the rat, Ayaan said, cuffing the back of his head. With a resigned look, Rohan set on his task.

It beats my imagination to wonder how someone who does nothing will be this lazy and always complain about doing work everyone knows he doesn't do, Arjun said, shaking his head in wonder.

Yeah, I knew someone who could claim that with a straight face, Ayaan said, looking at Rohan.

What if he was telling the truth? Rohan asked them.

Shut up and get on your task, little man Arjun said, flicking Rohan on the ear.

Zahara was having a nice dream when she was woken with a start." What? She asked groggily, Can't a girl have a nap?

Aditi just pointed at the young man passing their car.

That is Amir. Zahara said, sitting up.

Aditi said with an irritating look on her face." While we wait, you were sleeping.

I have been busy, Zahara said.

Yeah, Aditi answered, rolling her eyes. Aren't you going to see him now?

No, let us wait small and give him some time to settle in. Khan was tapping the steering wheel while his eyes darted about." I know that look, Khan, Aditi said, out with it, please.

Out with what? Zahara asked.

I think Khan has something to say.

Zahara rounds on Khan. What is it?

I was just wondering, he said.

About what?

You know, this adventure of yours.

Adventure?

Well, your love infatuation.

Infatuation? Zahara asked with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

Just why him?

He came from a good family; his dad was an agent. His elder brother is a dedicated and patriotic police officer, and the other one is a dedicated Doctor, same like their mum. She paused, looking at them. Forget that loudmouth Rohan, he is like Aditi. Aditi glared at her sister but said nothing.

So, how are you going to play it?" Khan asked, his gaze fixed on Amir.

"Let me think about it," she replied, glancing at Amir.

Aditi shrugged and playfully tapped Khan on the back of his head. "Oh, what was that for?" he glared at her.

"Aren't you the agent?" she challenged.

"So?" he shot back.

"You can invent any tricks to be believable. You need to coach her on a make-believe story, you know how agents infiltrate," Aditi explained, frustration creeping into her voice.

"There’s no time, Aditi," Khan insisted. "Just give her the basics."

"Will you two shut it and let me think?" Zahara interjected, frowning.

"What is there to think?" Aditi asked.

"You can’t just crash at someone’s house," Zahara replied.

"But you dragged us here!" Aditi retorted.

Amir could smell the aroma coming from his house from a distance. He smiled, wondering what he could have done if his mother was home to cook. He hurried his stride, not trusting Rohan to leave any food or the good parts. Just a few feet away, he spotted his home.

"Rohan!" Amrita Singh called.

"Yes, Mother?" Rohan answered.

"Are you done setting the table?"

"Yeah."

"Come and help me."

"But Mother, Arjun is free."

"Shut up, rat," Ayaan snapped, glaring at him. He chased Rohan, who dashed into the kitchen.

"That kid will be the death of me one day," Ayaan muttered, shaking his head.

"How did it come to this anyway?"

"No idea," Arjun replied. "That boy is getting worse every day."

"What can I say or do?" he added, looking at the kitchen door. "He’s just like Amir."

"Amir was never like this," Ayaan countered. "He may have a strong head, but he was respectful and did whatever he was told."

At that moment, Amir entered with a grin. "What was that about my name I heard just now?"

With a rueful smile, Ayaan pointed at Rohan’s picture on the wall.

"That urchin!" Amir exclaimed. "Wait till I strangle his neck."

"Easy, brother," Arjun chuckled. "He’s our kiddo."

"That lazy turd is giving me more trouble than an angry bee."

In the kitchen, Amrita Singh turned to Rohan. "Why do you always cause trouble with your elder brothers?"

"They hate me, Mother," Rohan mumbled.

Amrita Singh frowned, baffled by Rohan’s words. She sighed and beckoned him closer. “Rohan, your elder brothers don’t hate you. They love you dearly and would do anything for you.”

“But they beat me and call me names!” Rohan protested.

“Now, don’t be dramatic. They don’t beat you,” Amrita said, her tone gentle but firm.

“Arjun flicks my ears, and Ayaan’s always slapping my head!”

“That’s not beating, Rohan,” his mother admonished. “That’s just their way of showing affection.”

Rohan rolled his eyes. “That kind of affection, huh?”

“Mother! I’m home!” Amir’s voice boomed from the front room.

Rohan’s face fell. “I’m in trouble now,” he muttered.

“Why would you be in trouble?” Amrita asked, raising an eyebrow. “Did you do something to Amir?”

“Me? Never!” Rohan said quickly, shaking his head.

“Coming, Amir!” Amrita called. She handed Rohan a plate of steaming food. “Take this to the table. It’s time to eat before it gets cold.”

Rohan shuffled to the dining table, a big smile plastered on his face as if he hadn’t a care in the world. His elder brothers, Arjun and Ayaan, glared at him from their seats.

“Took your time, eh?” Arjun said, his voice sharp.

“It’s not my fault!” Rohan defended, setting the plate down.

“Little rat abandoned me, eh?” Amir teased, entering the room with a grin.

“Now, boys, behave,” Amrita said, emerging from the kitchen with a stern look. “There’s a woman present.”

Ayaan stood with a flourish, pulling out a chair for her. “Allow me to do the honors, Mother.”

Amrita smiled. “That’s my gallant officer. Thank you, love.”

“Mother, I’m starving,” Rohan said, still standing as he arranged the plates.

“Do you have to open your mouth?” Arjun snapped, rolling his eyes.

“There’s food right in front of him, and he’s still starving,” Amir quipped, smirking as he leaned back in his chair.

Zahara came to a firm resolve after a few minutes of contemplation. It was now or never. She had come too far because of Amir, and she needed to put an end to the butterflies in her stomach whenever she thought of him.

“Khan, stay here,” she said, her voice steady as she gave instructions. “And try not to ruin my day. Aditi, you’re coming with me.”

“Me? Why me?” Aditi protested.

“Shut up and just come,” Zahara snapped.

With that, Zahara and Aditi stepped out of the car and headed toward Amir’s house.

At Amir’s house, the atmosphere was warm and lively, with everyone enjoying a delicious meal. Even Arjun and Ayaan, who usually found fault in Rohan, were too busy savoring the food to tease him.

“Mother, this is delicious,” Rohan said, stuffing his mouth.

“Eat slowly, or you’ll choke,” Amrita Singh replied with a smile. “And thank you for the compliment.”

“I hope Anika can cook like this,” Ayaan said, letting out a loud belch.

“Mind your table manners, Ayaan,” Amrita said, her smile unwavering.

“Who’s going to complain?” Ayaan teased, glancing at his brothers.

“No one!” they chorused, erupting into laughter.

Their laughter was interrupted by a knock at the door.

“Rohan, get the door,” Ayaan said.

“Sure, big brother,” Rohan replied, chuckling.

As Rohan headed to the door, Amir grinned. “The rat doesn’t complain, did you notice?” he said, sparking another round of laughter, even from Amrita.

From the doorway, Rohan’s voice rang out. “So, it’s you again, huh? What are you doing here?”

“What’s it to you?” a playful voice responded.

“I told you, I don’t house homeless kids. Get lost!” Rohan shot back.

At that moment, Zahara stepped out from where she’d been hiding after instructing Aditi to knock. “Oh, you too, huh?” Rohan exclaimed, smirking.

“Rohan! Who’s at the door?” Amrita called.

“Amir’s girlfriend!” Rohan shouted back, his tone dripping with mischief.

At the table, all eyes turned to Amir, who spluttered, “What? I don’t have a girlfriend! Rohan, what’s gotten into you?”

“Bring her in, Rohan,” Amrita commanded.

Rohan led Zahara and Aditi into the dining room, smirking at Amir’s baffled expression. Zahara’s stomach churned with a thousand butterflies, her nerves on overdrive. She clutched Aditi’s hand for comfort, only to find her sister’s palm as sweaty as her own. Rohan’s mocking grin didn’t help, but Zahara tried to ignore it.

When they reached the dining table, Zahara greeted Amrita respectfully, touching her feet to seek blessings. Amrita, a kind woman known for her generosity, smiled warmly. “Bless you, child. How may I help you?”

“My name is Zahara, and this is my sister, Aditi,” Zahara said, her voice trembling slightly.

“Welcome to my home, Zahara and Aditi,” Amrita said with a warm smile. “How can I assist you?”

Amir’s mind raced. He recognized Zahara from her visit to his shop earlier that day. Now, seeing her clearly, he was struck by her beauty—those captivating eyes, her flawless face like a polished diamond. His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp kick under the table from Arjun.

Zahara took a deep breath, mustering her courage. “I’m sorry for intruding, but I had no other way to reach Amir and show how serious my intentions are toward him.”

“What?” Amir choked on his food, eyes wide.

Rohan burst into gleeful laughter. “I knew it!” he crowed.

“Quiet, Rohan,” Ayaan said, turning to Zahara. “We’re a bit confused. What has Amir done to you? I’m Ayaan, this is Arjun, and that’s our younger brother, Rohan.”

Zahara straightened, her voice steadying. “I know who you all are. My father is the Prime Minister, and I know Amir is an agent.”

Ayaan scanned the room, his gaze settling on each person before he let out a resigned sigh. He sank into a chair and turned to Zahara. “What’s the matter? Why are you after Amir?”

Zahara met Amrita’s eyes with a steady gaze. “Nothing’s wrong,” she said firmly. “Only a woman knows when she’s in love.”

A sudden chuckle broke the tension. All heads turned to Rohan, who was doubled over, laughing as if he’d heard the greatest joke.

Arjun cuffed him on the head. “What’s wrong with you? This is serious, you fool.”

“Explain what you mean, Zahara,” Arjun said, his tone softening as he addressed her.

Meanwhile, Aditi shot Rohan an exasperated look. He snarled back, as if she were the one at fault. Shaking her head, Aditi muttered, “Fool.”

Rohan narrowed his eyes and whispered, “You’ll pay.”

Zahara took a deep breath, her voice steady but passionate. “My father wants me to marry, but I’ve made a vow to marry an agent—someone who risks their life for our country. I want to share in that sacrifice for the greater good. If others can fight for strangers, why shouldn’t the prime minister’s daughter make a sacrifice by marrying one of them?”

“Is that all?” Amrita asked, her brow furrowed.

“No,” Zahara replied, shaking her head. “I’ve read Amir’s file, and I’m in love with him. He’s the best this country has to offer, and I admire the family he comes from. I want to be part of it.”

Amrita turned to her son, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. “Amir?”

Amir’s eyes widened. “Mother, this… this is a huge surprise.”

Amrita sighed as she listened to Zahara. It reminded her of her own youthful energy when it came to love. Looking at her son Amir, one would never guess he was a hardened soldier—capable of taking a life without flinching. Yet here he was, shaking like a leaf in a gale just because a pretty girl had confessed her heart to him. Anyone would think he'd rather face a bullet than a woman.

"Amir!" she called. As he turned to her, she took his hand—calloused from years of battle, a testament to his hardness. Yet he trembled at the thought of a woman. She laughed inwardly. "As your mother, I have no objection to whom you love or choose to settle down with," she said, gazing into his eyes. "This young woman has shown real courage. She came here knowing your family was with you, braving it all to prove her love and seriousness. I say go ahead and chat with her. Don't be afraid—just tell her what you desire, the kind of woman you want. Be yourself, and stop acting like a scared hen," she chided.

Turning to Zahara, she added warmly, "My daughter, my blessings are with you. You're a good and brave girl. Win my Amir—we're with you. Go ahead and talk with him."

"Thank you, Mother," Zahara replied. She held out her hand to Amir, and when he took it—still hesitant—she said, "Please lead me to your room."

Rohan shouted, "Whoa, slow down, Amir! So fast, eh?"

Ayaan cuffed him on the head. "Shut it, rat."

"You're embarrassing me!" Rohan whined, glancing at Aditi, who shook her head with a scowl.

Arjun snuck up behind him and flicked his ear.

"Ow, that hurt!" Rohan yelped, jumping around and sticking his tongue out at Arjun.

"Boys, leave my son alone and stop bullying him," Amrita scolded her two grown sons.

"The rat deserves a flogging—he's too troublesome," Arjun grumbled, stepping toward Rohan, who darted behind his mother for cover.

"Is this how he is?" Aditi asked no one in particular, eyeing the two elder brothers.

"Who?" Ayaan replied.

"Him," she said, nodding at Rohan.

"Yeah, the kid's a pain," Arjun interjected, shaking his head as he sat down to continue eating. "Come have a bite," he offered, extending food to Aditi.

"Thank you," she said, accepting it. "Your brother's mouth is stronger than his muscles, I bet."

"Hey, I'm right here! You're talking about me!" Rohan burst out angrily.

"So what are you going to do about it?" Ayaan teased.

"Mother!"

"Wow, what a kid," Aditi laughed. "You want your mother to save you?"

Rohan's face flushed red with embarrassment as the rest of them burst into laughter.

"Serves the rat right," Arjun chuckled, sitting back down and motioning for Rohan to join him.

"This is like my funeral," Rohan exclaimed, reluctantly taking a seat and bracing for the inevitable attack from all three. But it never came—for at that moment, Amir hurried back out.

Rohan couldn’t hold back the chuckles escaping his mouth. He quickly clapped a hand over his lips to muffle them, but he wasn’t fast enough. Arjun turned with a stern glare.

“What’s wrong with you?” Aditi asked.

“That was so fast,” Rohan smirked. “Mother, are you sure our Amir is okay?”

They all shouted, “ROHAN!”

He just shrugged, still chuckling.

Amir hurried to his mother. “Mum, I need your phone.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing serious—just Khaike Paan Banaras Wala blasting from my beeper.” She handed it over. He dialed the number tied to the ringtone, the one issued to every agent.

“The sky is blue, the grass is green, and the sun still shines under the rain,” he said into the phone.

A pause. Then a voice: “Listen.”

“Go to China. You’ll be contacted by our agent there. More details when you arrive safely. You know the rules—security can’t be compromised.”

“Yeah,” Amir said and hung up.

He turned to face the expectant looks on his family’s faces. “What’s with all the staring?” he asked, sitting down.

“Don’t do your secret shit here,” his mother snapped. “We deserve to know where you’re going.”

“What makes you think I’m going anywhere?”

“Cut the crap,” Ayaan said, flicking Amir’s ear. This drew a chuckle from Rohan—until Arjun flicked him too.

“Well,” Amir admitted, “I’m going to China. No details. They just told me to go.”

“What about me?” Zahara asked.

“Eh…” He coughed.

“Wow. What a kid,” Arjun laughed.

“My answer is yes,” Amir said to Zahara. “I will marry you. Mum’s already accepted you.”

“This calls for celebration!” Rohan declared, turning to Aditi. “Hey, sister-in-law!”

“Shut up,” she shot back.

To be continued...