The base was unusually silent that evening. Monitors hummed softly, and the occasional shuffle of feet echoed through the corridors, but for the most part, the team had dispersed, finishing tasks or preparing for rest.
Swayam sat alone in the observation room, the faint glow of the screens casting sharp shadows across his face. His rifle lay beside him, untouched. For the first time in days, he didn't scan for threats, didn't analyze every movement, didn't calculate every possible outcome.
Instead, his mind wandered—reluctantly, unbidden—back to Siya.
He remembered the morning. The chaos of the college courtyard, the gunfire, the screams. Her wide eyes, frozen for a split second, and then that instinctive bravery that had surprised him. The way she had acted without thinking, without training—simply because it was the right thing to do.
And now… the thought of her safe at home, smiling, laughing with her parents, warmed something deep inside him—a place he usually kept locked and ignored.
Rahul, noticing the unusual quiet, stepped into the room. "Swayam… you've been staring at those screens for hours, but your mind isn't on work," he said, leaning against the doorway. His tone was casual, but observant.
Swayam didn't turn immediately, his gaze still distant. "I… was thinking," he admitted after a moment, voice low. "About… someone."
Rahul raised an eyebrow. "Someone?"
Swayam finally turned, eyes sharp again, though not cold—there was something softer in them, something almost… human. "Yes. Someone outside this world. Someone… unusual. She's… different."
Rahul studied him silently for a moment, then smirked faintly. "I see. That's… new for you."
Swayam's jaw tightened slightly, a flicker of irritation passing across his features. "It's… complicated," he said carefully. "I've… never felt compelled to… protect someone outside my team. Never. Until now."
Rahul nodded slowly, understanding more than Swayam expected. "Hmm. That explains the subtle shift. You're… distracted. Careful though—don't let it affect your focus. That's not… something we can afford to compromise on."
Swayam's gaze returned to the screens, but the shadow of a smile lingered at the corner of his lips. "I know," he said softly, almost to himself. "But… I don't want her to feel alone. That… feeling… it's foreign. But it's… important."
Rahul's smirk softened. "You mean… family. That thing you've always acted like you didn't need."
Swayam didn't respond immediately, but his hand unconsciously went to the back of his neck, brushing the faint tattoo at the base—a reminder of who he was, and who he protected. His mind wandered to Siya again, her bright, trusting smile, the way she had spoken of family, and the hope she carried even in small gestures.
"Maybe… I need to… learn," he murmured, almost inaudibly.
Rahul stepped back, shaking his head with a faint smile. "That's… a dangerous thought for someone like you. But… I think I understand. Just… don't let it blind you completely."
Swayam's eyes returned to the empty lounge visible through the observation window. The faint hum of life in the base, the subtle comfort of his team, and the thought of Siya—of her simple wish to help him feel less alone—stirred something quiet but persistent inside him.
For the first time in a long while, he realized: protecting someone didn't just mean keeping them alive. It also meant letting them in. Letting them see the person behind the mask—the one he rarely allowed anyone to know.
And as the night stretched on, silent except for the soft whir of machinery and the occasional footsteps of his team, Swayam made a decision, unspoken but firm: he would not let her feel alone. Not if he could prevent it.
Even if it meant confronting feelings he had long buried.
The next day, the college campus was buzzing with the usual chatter of students rushing to classes, grabbing coffees, and laughing in small groups. Siya walked along the pathway, her ponytail bouncing with each step, her backpack slung casually over one shoulder. Everything seemed perfectly ordinary… until she spotted him.....Swayam.
Standing near the college gates, his posture relaxed but alert, eyes scanning the surroundings. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Hey! How come you're here?" she called out, her voice bright and cheerful as she broke into a run toward him.
Swayam's lips twitched into a rare, genuine smile as he watched her approach. For the first time, he laughed—not the controlled, measured smile of an agent, but the spontaneous, warm laugh of someone simply enjoying a moment.
"I just wanted to see if the area was safe… because of yesterday's incident," he lied smoothly, though his eyes betrayed a subtle sparkle. He hadn't come to inspect the campus—he had come to see her.
Siya, undeterred by his vague explanation, tilted her head mischievously. "Hmmm… maybe you should come with me somewhere," she said, her eyes sparkling with playful determination.
Swayam raised an eyebrow. "Somewhere? Where… and why?" he asked, voice calm but cautious.
She pouted slightly, hands on her hips. "Come on na! Please… I promise I'm not dangerous for you. Just… come!"
Swayam hesitated, the careful, calculating part of him clashing with the small, stubborn pull he felt toward her. Finally, he gave a measured nod. "Fine. But I'm not promising anything."
Siya's face lit up. "Yay!"She bounced excitedly, pulling him toward the parking lot. "Get in the car, drive fast!"
Still confused, Swayam opened the passenger door for her, letting her settle in first. Siya gestured animatedly toward the driver's seat. "Your turn, mister! Hop in!"
He sighed, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, and slid into the driver's seat. "Where… exactly are we going?" he asked, voice low, cautious.
Siya leaned back, grinning broadly. "I'll guide you. You just… drive!"
For several blocks, he followed her directions carefully, eyebrows furrowed in concentration. The streets grew quieter, lined with residential houses instead of bustling shops and cafes.
Finally, Siya guided him to a modest, welcoming house tucked into a quiet neighborhood. She unbuckled her seatbelt and grabbed his hand, dragging him out of the car with surprising strength.
Swayam stumbled slightly, trying to keep up. "Siya… where are we? Whose house is this?" he asked, his tone tense, alert instincts kicking in.
She laughed softly and pressed the doorbell. Moments later, the door opened to reveal a kind-faced, middle-aged woman, her eyes warm and welcoming.
"Hello!"she said cheerfully. "Come inside, come in!"
Swayam froze for a brief second, but instinctively, he stepped inside cautiously.
Then, Siya's voice rang out loudly, full of excitement: "Dad! He's here!"
Time seemed to slow. Swayam's head snapped toward the voice, then around the room, and realization struck like lightning.
This was… her home.
The woman standing before him was her mother.
Swayam's hand, which had unconsciously been holding Siya's, shot free. His posture stiffened instantly, the agent inside him reasserting control as his mind raced. This wasn't just a mission anymore. This was personal.
Siya, oblivious to his internal tension, beamed at him and said softly, "Dad's just inside… come on!"
Swayam swallowed hard, his breath catching slightly, trying to balance his instinctive caution with the sudden flood of… normalcy. This was nothing like the cold, sterile bases he was used to. This was warmth, laughter, and family.
And for the first time, he felt a strange, unfamiliar tug in his chest—a mixture of awe, unease, and curiosity.
He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to relax slightly, though his mind remained alert. Whatever this was… he knew it would change things.
Swayam's eyes still lingered on Siya's mother, then on her father who had just walked into the room. His hand, which had instinctively pulled away from Siya's grip at the door, remained stiff at his side, fingers curling slightly as if he wasn't sure how to relax.
Siya noticed immediately and gave him a playful nudge. "Hey! Don't do that," she whispered, tugging gently at his hand. "It's okay… just come with me."
Swayam shot her a nervous glance, his usual composure faltering. His mind raced—why was he here? What was he supposed to say? This wasn't a mission. There were no threats, no calculations, no enemy movements to anticipate. Just… people. Family.
Siya turned toward her parents with a bright smile. "Mom, Dad, this is Swayam! He… uh… saved me yesterday morning."
Her father's eyes widened slightly, a mixture of surprise and curiosity in his gaze. "It's nice to meet you, Swayam," he said warmly, extending a hand. "And you must be Siya's hero?"
Swayam blinked, stiffly shaking the offered hand. "Yes… sir," he said quietly, a small, nervous smile tugging at his lips.
Siya's mother stepped forward with a gentle smile. "Welcome, Swayam. I hope you don't mind to eat with us, you must be hungry after… taking care of our Siya."
Swayam's eyes flicked toward her mother and then back to Siya, who was practically bouncing with excitement. His mind went blank. Normally, he would plan every action, every word, every move—but now… he didn't even know what to do.
Her father clapped a hand on his shoulder, breaking the awkward silence. "Come on, son. Have something to eat. You're part of the family from now on."
Swayam froze, a small, uncertain smile crossing his face. The word family felt strange on his tongue—alien, yet not unpleasant. His instincts screamed caution, but his heart… something inside him quietly responded.
Siya's mother gestured toward the dining table. "Swayam, please. Sit down. I've prepared something for you."
Swayam's eyes darted around, hesitation written across his face. He stayed where he was, almost statue-like, unsure of how to move, how to act, how to… belong.
Siya, exasperated but still giggling softly, reached for his hand again. "Come on, Swayam! You can't just stand there like a statue! Eat!" she said, tugging gently but firmly.
He blinked at her, surprise flickering in his eyes, then allowed himself to be guided toward the table. His steps were slow, controlled—but not stiff—his guard lowering fraction by fraction under her insistent warmth.
"Here," Siya whispered as she helped him slide into a chair. "See? Not so bad, right?"
Swayam exhaled softly, finally taking a seat. The dining table was warm and inviting, filled with the smell of home-cooked food, the soft clatter of plates, and the gentle conversation of a family that didn't exist in his usual world of shadows and missions.
Siya's mother placed a plate of steaming food in front of him. "Go ahead. Don't be shy,"she said kindly, eyes soft with genuine welcome.
Swayam looked down at the food, then up at her mother, and finally at Siya. A quiet, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his face. For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to simply… be. No mission. No mask. No calculations. Just him, sitting at a dining table with people who genuinely cared, and a girl who had insisted he belong.
Siya grinned, satisfied. "See? Told you… easy."
And as Swayam took his first tentative bite, the walls he had built around himself began to crack—just slightly—but enough for warmth, connection, and a hint of something he had never allowed himself to feel before: family.