Epiphany

Ties That Bind

Kabir is startled when Aakrith jumps and gets behind him. Before he can realize what's going on, Aakrith climbs his back, wrapping his arms and legs around Kabir.

"Aakrith, what happened?" Kabir asks his brother.

"That spider was gonna attack me." Aakrith mumbles from Kabir's back.

Looking down, Kabir notices a small spider walking on the ground. "You are scared of spiders?"

Aakrith nods his head silently. His grip around Kabir is tightened in response.

"It's ok, Aakrith. It won't hurt you." Kabir says in a soothing voice. With a slight push with his leg, Kabir moves the spider away.

"One spider bit me once. They are scary."

Having dealt with the scary things all alone, Aakrith always had to be brave for himself. But now, he can easily hide behind his brothers who will protect him from all the demons.

Kabir stays silent. This is new information for him. He knew Aakrith was scared of the dark but he didn't know spiders scared him too.

"Baba!" Aakrith's voice pulls Kabir out of his thoughts.

"Carry me like this back home." Aakrith suggests getting more comfortable behind Kabir's back.

"Sure, if you wanna reach home tomorrow morning." Kabir jokes.

"I won't mind. You are more comfy than the car." Aakrith says, his voice is muffled as he nestles his face against Kabir's back.

Kabir laughs fondly at his brother, letting Aakrith hug him for a while before nudging him to get down.

But Aakrith squeezes Kabir, not wanting to leave him. "At least carry me inside."

"And what if someone sees us?" Kabir asks, already started walking inside the agency. It is almost evening and there are hardly any agents here.

Aakrith can't help but tease his baba. "You can always tell them I'm your illegitimate son!"

"And let them think I had a pregnant girlfriend too, just like you have?" Kabir says dryly, recalling the time when Aakrith had suggested the same thing when they met the first time in his office.

Kabir's question encourages Aakrith even more. "That would be awesome, baba!" Exclaims Aakrith in joy. "You will be following my footsteps. Please baba, I wanna start this rumor, please, please, please."

Aakrith is practically shaking Kabir back and forth as he speaks in excitement. Kabir has to put his arm around Aakrith's back so that his brother won't fall, knowing how clumsy Aakrith is.

"No, you are not gonna start this rumor." Kabir informs him.

"Ok, then how about a prank? We can prank everyone like this, yes! This is gonna be fun."

Kabir sighs, patiently. "No Aakrith, we are doing no such thing."

Making a face, Aakrith rests his chin on Kabir's shoulder and says. "Huh, you are such a buzzkill, baba."

Aakrith keeps suggesting alternative ideas all the way while Kabir denies every idea.

"I really, really, really hate the fact that I'm on your team, baba." Aakrith complains, slumping on the sofa, carelessly placing his legs on the front table.

"Don't I know?" Kabir says with a knowing smirk, shrugging off his jacket and setting it on the couch.

Clutching his head between his hands, Aakrith groans loudly. "Ugh, everything hurts!" The exhaustion of the training is finally taking a toll on him.