Maya was shaking, her eyes red and swollen. Arin led her to the couch like she might break if he let go. She didn't say a word, just curled up, hugging her knees, staring at nothing.
Rajiv slipped away, quiet as a ghost. He went to the kitchen, filled a glass with water, but didn't drink it. His hands were shaking so bad he almost spilled it. Too much noise in his head. Too much fear.
He set the glass down, sucked in a shaky breath, and pulled out his phone. No signal. Of course. But the Wi-Fi-still working. Thank God for small mercies.
He opened WhatsApp. Seventeen messages from Sujata. He didn't even read them, just hit call.
The line barely rang.
"Hello! DEAR!" Sujata's voice exploded out, all panic and worry, words tumbling over each other. "Oh god, thank god you're alright, oh my god is Arin and Maya ok, are they ok, did you find them, honey I don't know what is going-" Her voice was a mess, half words, half sobs.
"Calm down! Honey, breathe," Rajiv said, trying to sound strong even though his own voice was shaking. "I'm alright, I'm alright, see?" He switched the camera, showing his face. "Arin and Maya are here. Maya just got scared, that's all. We're safe. We're here."
Sujata took a shaky breath. "Have you seen what's out there?" Her voice was still trembling.
"Yes, and I got no idea what it is," Rajiv said. "I don't think anyone does."
"Oh God, please save us," she whispered, hands pressed together, eyes darting everywhere.
"Where are you?" Rajiv's voice cracked. He'd been holding it together, but now it was all leaking out.
"Inside Delhi cantonment centre," Sujata said. "They let us in since, you know, you were in the military."
Rajiv nodded, fighting the lump in his throat. "And Shree, where's Shree, dear?"
"She's right here!" Sujata turned the phone. "Shree! Shree! Come here!"
A blur of movement, then a girl in her late teens, a little short, a bit chubby, hair everywhere, like a baby penguin. "Papa! You okay? You're not hurt, right? Where's Bhaiya and Maya? Are they okay?"
Rajiv tried to speak, but the words just wouldn't come. Tears rolled down his cheeks. "I'm okay, baby… you're okay… thank god…"
He gripped the sink so hard his knuckles turned white. His breath came in short, sharp bursts. He was about to lose it, right there, when an arm slid around his shoulders.
It was Arin.
"Brother!" Shree's voice broke through, relief and joy all mixed up. "Thank god!"
"Hey, Shree," Arin said, taking the phone from his dad. He had to. Rajiv looked like he might just fall apart.
"Sis, you and Mom okay?"
Shree nodded fast. "Yeah, yeah, we're fine. Army people everywhere. They're giving us food and water and stuff. It's… weird, but we're okay."
"Who else is with you?" Arin asked, scanning the background.
Shree turned the phone. Another face came into view. Arin froze.
"Sachin?"
"Hey, Arin," Sachin said, grinning, looking tired but still the same. Sachin Verma-his old friend from the military quarters days. Their dads had both served, their moms used to gossip together, and Arin's mom had tutored them both. Arin was always the tech geek, Sachin the one who'd rather run around and get dirty. They'd been like brothers, sneaking out, getting in trouble, always covering for each other.
"Don't worry, brother," Sachin said, "Aunty and Shree are safe here. I promise."
"You sure?" Arin said, voice tight. "You'll keep them safe, right?"
"Of course, man. This is a military zone, one of the safest places right now. I'll stay with them. No one's getting past me."
Arin let out a long breath, some of the weight dropping off his shoulders. "Keep an eye on them, please. Just… look out for them, Sachin."
"You don't even gotta ask, buddy," Sachin said, glancing over his shoulder as someone called his name. "Duty calls, man. I'll check in soon, promise."
"Thanks, Sachin."
Shree grabbed the phone back. "We'll call soon! Take care, Bhaiya!"
Sujata took the phone, her voice soft and shaky. "Beta, take care of your father, okay? He's trying to be strong, but… you know him."
Arin turned. Rajiv was still holding the sink like it was the only thing keeping him standing.
"I will, Ma," Arin said.
"And take care of Maya, and yourself too, baby," Sujata added, wiping her eyes.
"I will, Mom. I promise."
She tried to smile. "Come to me soon, okay?"
"We will," Arin said. "As soon as we can."
"I know you will," she whispered. "Because my son never leaves anyone behind."
She remembered him as a little boy, grabbing his friend's hand at school, refusing to go home without him.
"I love you, son."
"Love you too, Ma. Stay safe, both of you."
The call ended. The silence after was heavy, but not cold.
Rajiv wiped his face and finally drank the water. Arin went back to the couch. Maya was asleep, curled up small, like a child. He pulled a blanket over her and sat nearby, eyes wide open, just listening to her breathe.
Wake-Up
Arin jolted upright, gasping for air. The world spun. Sunlight stabbed through grimy windows. The construction site. Not the apartment. Not the safety of that call.
Gaurav's voice thundered from the hall. "Rajiv! Get your deadbeat son up! Break's over!"
Arin wiped sweat from his neck. "I'm up, you prick!"
"Respect, boy!" Gaurav slammed the doorframe. "Or I'll dock your pay again!"
Rajiv hovered nearby, grease-stained hands fidgeting. "Arin, maybe don't-"
"Maybe shut up, Dad." Arin yanked his boots on. The radio droned in the background:
"-Space Development budget talks resume in Geneva tonight. Missing persons update tomorrow at 9 AM EST-"
Rajiv pointed to the calendar: June 1st. "Two days til… y'know."
"Anniversary. Yeah. Thanks." Arin shoved past him, jaw tight, he headed back to his work.
The site stank of diesel and sweat. Arin hauled rebar, shoulders screaming. Gaurav watched him like a hawk.
"Your boy's slow, Rajiv!" Gaurav spat. "Like his brain's still in the Shift!"
Rajiv flinched. "He's… adjusting."
"Adjusting?" Gaurav laughed, mean and loud. "One year and he's still jumpin' at shadows!"
Arin ignored them, ears tuned to the radio:
"-scientists confirm the 'Gravitational Distortion' remains active. Citizens advised to report any-"
A coworker's hammer clanged. Metal on metal. Just like the bleachers collapsing.
Arin's breath hitched.
The rift. Her scream-
"Yo, zombie!" A worker shoved him. "Quit daydreamin'! Concrete won't pour itself!"
"Yeah, sorry!" Arin apologised and continued working