Chapter 5: A Glimpse of Normalcy

The hum of the car engine filled the quiet evening as Abhiraj Malhotra leaned back in his seat, his face devoid of expression. His mind churned with thoughts of Shivani Singh, her piercing blue eyes, and the dangerous game they had now found themselves in. Yet, as the vehicle turned onto the familiar street leading to his family’s home, Abhiraj pushed those thoughts aside.

This was his sanctuary, the place where the weight of his responsibilities as a soldier and leader didn’t exist. Here, he was just Abhiraj—the eldest son of the Malhotra family.

The car came to a smooth stop, and Abhiraj stepped out, greeted by the warm, welcoming glow of his family home. A large, two-story house stood before him, framed by a well-maintained garden his mother adored.

The front door burst open before he could reach it, and his younger sister, Kavya, ran out, her face lighting up at the sight of him.

“Bhaiya!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.

Abhiraj chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing as he hugged her back. “Missed me that much, Kavya?”

“Of course! You’ve been gone for weeks. Mom’s been making your favorite dishes every day, hoping you’d magically walk through the door,” she teased, pulling back with a grin.

The Malhotra Household

Inside, the aroma of spices and freshly cooked food filled the air. His mother, Sunita Malhotra, was bustling around the kitchen, her sari neatly draped, her face glowing with happiness.

“Abhi!” she called out, wiping her hands on a towel as she came to greet him. “You’re finally home! How was your trip?”

“It was good, Ma,” Abhiraj said, placing a quick kiss on her forehead.

His father, Ramesh Malhotra, looked up from his newspaper in the living room, a small smile breaking through his otherwise stern demeanor. “Welcome back, son. I hope your work wasn’t too stressful.”

“It’s manageable,” Abhiraj replied, offering his father a respectful nod.

As they all settled into the living room, Kavya peppered him with questions about his “business trip,” her excitement bubbling over. Abhiraj answered her questions with carefully chosen words, his double life as a covert operative always at the forefront of his mind. His family believed he worked for a multinational corporation, traveling often for high-stakes deals. It was a lie, but one he maintained to keep them safe.

The Fiancée Enters

Just as they began to unwind, the doorbell rang. Kavya jumped to her feet. “I’ll get it!”

Moments later, a young woman entered the room, her presence graceful and poised. Her name was Aisha Sharma, Abhiraj’s fiancée, chosen by their families. She was dressed in a soft pink salwar kameez, her dark hair neatly braided, and her brown eyes filled with warmth.

“Namaste, Aunty, Uncle,” she greeted Sunita and Ramesh, her tone respectful yet confident.

Then her gaze landed on Abhiraj, and her smile softened. “Abhiraj, it’s good to see you again.”

Abhiraj stood, offering a polite smile. “Aisha. It’s good to see you too.”

The engagement had been arranged months ago, and while Abhiraj respected Aisha, he hadn’t yet found the time or space to truly connect with her. She, however, had been patient, understanding his busy schedule and distant demeanor.

“I hope I’m not intruding,” Aisha said, looking at Sunita.

“Not at all, beta!” Sunita exclaimed. “You’re family now. Come, sit. Abhi just got home, and we were about to have dinner. Join us!”

Dinner Conversations

The dining table was soon filled with an array of dishes—paneer butter masala, dal makhani, jeera rice, and freshly made chapatis. As everyone settled in, the atmosphere grew lively.

“Abhi,” Kavya began, her tone playful, “did you know Aisha has been helping Ma with the NGO work? She’s been teaching English to the kids there.”

Aisha blushed slightly but smiled. “It’s nothing much. I enjoy working with the children.”

“That’s wonderful,” Abhiraj said sincerely.

Sunita beamed. “She’s a gem, isn’t she? You’re lucky to have her, Abhi.”

He nodded, though he felt a pang of guilt. Aisha was kind, intelligent, and clearly invested in building a future with him. But his world was far more complicated than she knew.

Planning a Day Out

After dinner, the family moved to the living room for chai. It was during this time that Kavya suggested an outing.

“Abhi, you’ve been working so much lately. Why don’t we all go out tomorrow? Maybe to the park or a nearby resort? It’ll be fun!”

Sunita agreed enthusiastically. “Yes, beta. It’s been so long since we spent time together as a family.”

Even Ramesh, who rarely showed much interest in such plans, nodded. “A break would do you good, Abhiraj.”

Aisha looked at him expectantly, her eyes hopeful. “What do you think?”

Abhiraj hesitated for a moment, the weight of his responsibilities tugging at him. But then he saw the excitement in his family’s eyes and decided they deserved this.

“Alright,” he said finally. “Let’s plan a day out tomorrow.”

Kavya clapped her hands in delight, and the conversation turned to deciding where they would go.

A Moment of Solitude

Later that night, as the household quieted down, Abhiraj found himself alone in the garden. The cool breeze rustled the leaves, and the distant sound of crickets filled the air.

He sat on the wooden bench beneath the neem tree, his thoughts once again drifting to Shivani Singh. Her blue eyes haunted him, not just because of their intensity but because of the questions they posed.

Who was she? What drove her? And why did he feel a strange mix of respect and determination when he thought of her?

His thoughts were interrupted by Aisha’s voice. “Abhiraj?”

He turned to see her standing a few feet away, her hands clasped nervously in front of her.

“Couldn’t sleep?” he asked.

She shook her head and approached him. “I just... wanted to thank you for agreeing to tomorrow’s outing. It means a lot to your family. To me.”

Abhiraj nodded, his expression softening. “They deserve it. And so do you.”

Aisha smiled, taking a seat beside him. “You’re a good man, Abhiraj. Even if you don’t show it much, I can tell how much you care about them.”

Her words lingered in the air, and for a moment, Abhiraj felt a pang of regret. He cared deeply for his family, but the secrets he kept weighed heavily on him.

The Calm Before the Storm

As the night stretched on, Abhiraj found a rare sense of peace in the quiet moments with Aisha and the anticipation of spending time with his family.

But deep down, he knew this calm wouldn’t last. His double life demanded sacrifices, and the battle with Shivani Singh was far from over.

For now, though, he allowed himself to savor the fleeting sense of normalcy, unaware of how drastically his life was about to change.

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