Chapter 3
A jolt of electricity shot through Aashi as a frantic doorbell echoed through the apartment. Panic gnawed at her. Her parents and Raavi were early! She hadn't planned on them returning until Monday. How could she explain the strange guest room, the bizarre device, and most importantly, Cyler?
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she dashed towards Cyler's room. Bursting through the door, she found him staring at her with a mix of confusion and concern. "There's no time to explain," she blurted, adrenaline coursing through her veins. "You need to hide, quickly!"
Cyler's brows furrowed. "Hide? Why? What's going on?"
Aashi didn't have the luxury of time. Grabbing his arm, she propelled him towards the back of the apartment. A rickety wooden door creaked open, revealing a dusty garage filled with cobwebs and forgotten objects. A hulking, ancient car sat in the center, its paint peeling and tires flat. This would have to do.
"Stay here," Aashi hissed, shoving a pile of old gardening equipment towards him as a makeshift blind. "Don't make a sound, no matter what you hear. My family is here unexpectedly, and they can't know about…" her voice trailed off, a million anxieties swirling through her mind.
Before Cyler could ask another question, Aashi raced back towards the front door, the echoing doorbell growing louder by the second. Swinging the door open, she was met by the sight of her excited sister, Raavi, bouncing on her toes.
"Aashi! Why did you take forever to open the door? We were worried you fell in—" Raavi's voice cut short as she noticed the panicked look on her sister's face.
Desperate for an explanation, Aashi blurted, "Bathroom! Long shower, bad idea. So, why are you guys back early?"
Raavi, ever the chatterbox, launched into a story about a cancelled camping trip, barely noticing the frantic edge in Aashi's voice. Luckily, her parents chimed in, their voices laden with concern for their daughter's well-being.
While deflecting questions from Raavi's relentless curiosity, Aashi managed to usher her family into the living room. Every creak of the floorboard from the garage sent shivers down her spine. Her parents exchanged tired smiles, oblivious to the secret drama unfolding under their roof.
Finally, after a barrage of questions and forced laughter, Aashi managed to excuse herself and retreat to her room. Relief washed over her as she slammed the door shut, collapsing onto the bed. Her heart hammered in her chest, a frantic drum solo echoing her racing thoughts.
She had a lot to figure out. How would she explain Cyler to her family? How long could she keep him hidden? And most importantly, could she trust him enough to share her secret life with the agency? As Aashi drifted into a restless sleep, the dilemma gnawed at her, leaving the future shrouded in uncertainty. The weight of the day pressing down on her.
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to steal a moment of peace amidst the chaos. A gentle breeze, almost imperceptible, swirled around her, carrying the faint scent of jasmine. It was a familiar sensation, a calming touch she often associated with her grandmother's presence.
Suddenly, a voice, sharp and laced with curiosity, shattered the fragile peace. It was Raavi, her sister's voice, echoing from downstairs. Aashi bolted upright, her heart hammering a frantic tattoo against her ribs.
"Aashi! What's in the garage? It looks super creepy!" Raavi's voice grew louder, tinged with a playful challenge.
Aashi's breath caught in her throat. No, no, no! This couldn't be happening. How could Raavi, of all people, be drawn to the one place Cyler was hiding? Panic surged through her, a cold dread clawing at her stomach.
Leaping off the bed, she raced towards the window, flinging the curtains aside. Below, she saw Raavi, a picture of youthful curiosity, fiddling with the rusty handle of the garage door. The old wood groaned in protest, but thankfully, it remained firmly shut.
Aashi's mind raced. She had to get down there, distract Raavi, before she discovered Cyler's hiding place. But how? How could she explain her sudden urgency, her frantic need to keep her sister away from the garage?
Thinking fast, Aashi grabbed a random object from her desk – a bright red scarf. Tying it loosely around her neck, she sprinted towards the door, a desperate plan forming in her head.