Yuvaan strolled into the dimly lit gaming room, the soft hum of electronics filling the air.

The LED lights lining the edges of the desk pulsed gently. Kshitij sat hunched over, headset on, fingers flying over the controller as explosions erupted on-screen. Yuvaan plopped down beside him without a word, eyes flicking over the game's interface. He reached out and smoothly pulled the console from Kshitij's hands mid-game.

Kshitij yanked down his headset, irritation flashing across his face.
"What?"

Only Yuvi bhai could irk him this way by interrupting him mid-game. Prithvi bhai was more patient and understanding who knew to wait for his turn to speak, unlike Yuvaan Rajvansh who thought he had every right to annoy him whenever he wanted just because he was his 'older brother'.

Yuvaan shrugged, nonchalant as he leaned back into the bean bag, thumbs expertly navigating the console. "Today is your lucky day. Isha has finally lost interest in you."

Kshitij blinked. A frown creased his eyebrows.
"How can you be sure?"

Yuvaan pursed his lips, his gaze fixed on the screen.

"She's found a new obsession. I tried to subtly warn her to stay away from you since you have been pestering me to do it. But, she didn't seem even slightly interested in anything pertaining you. Honestly? That was a pleasant surprise, but I'm not minding it."

He paused, glancing at his brother.
"By the way, has Shay come back?"

Kshitij leaned forward, now clearly confused.
"Where had he been?"

Yuvaan arched an eyebrow.
"You don't know?" He smirked half-heartedly. "He was with that hooligan. Apparently Agni bhai wanted him to attend lessons, and your twin was tasked to make sure he didn't run off. I went to check on Shay. It can be tiring, right? Babysitting that thing... And that's where I found Isha."

Kshitij stiffened. His neck craned toward his brother like he hadn't heard him right.
"Hold up, hold up. My twin. That witch. That brat... all in a 100-metre radius of each other?"

Yuvaan frowned slightly, puzzled.
"Yeah...?"

But Kshitij was already up, the bean bag bouncing slightly from the sudden shift. He stormed out.

As he left, Yuvaan smirked, shaking his head to himself as his eyes lazily returned back to the screen. His fingers tapped the buttons, playing without a care.

"Tonight is going to be fun..." he whispered to himself.

***

Shay leaned against the cold wall with his arms crossed. Kshitij stood in front of him, heaving from all the running he did.

He peered up obsessively at his face, looking for any signs of discomfort.
"What did Isha say to you? Did she hit on you? Are you okay? Did she try to touch you? Do I need to kill her?"

Shay blinked, unimpressed.
"How is Isha your main concern right now?"

Kshitij's hands shot out, grabbing his twin's shoulders and shook it furiously. Shay winced, his brain rattling against his sull.
"I swear if you tried dating behind my back, I'll lock you up in a room and you'll rot celibate! Don't trust women. They're gold diggers—"

Kshitish exhaled dramatically, dragging his palms down his face.
"Shut up, Jay!"

Of everything he had to survive today, he couldn't believe CBI level interrogation of his overprotective twin would be a cherry on the top!

He pushed his hands off, glaring at him.
"I don't even know why are you assaulting my poor ears! I have no idea Isha was even around me. I'd rather be gay than choose her, even if she were the last woman on Earth. That's how much I loathe her presence."

Kshitij paused. Then slowly, relief flooded into his face. He nodded, stepping back.
"Good," he said. "Good..."

Shay frowned, his eyes narrowing at his absurd paranoia. Sure, Isha hovered around them, especially Jay, but she rarely paid any attention to Kshitish because Kshitish was less approachable then his extrovert twin. Not that it drummed some sense into that silly girl. But it was better than being actively pursued after. He was an introvert and everyone knew he never approached anyone out of his own sheer will. He was always forced.

Then, who would mislead Kshitij that Isha was with him?
"Who told you Isha was with me?"

But Kshitij didn't answer. His jaw ticked. 

That was the problem with Yuvaan bhai. He always toyed with him.

Even he wanted to curse him, he knew it wasn't his fault. Technically, he hadn't said Isha was with him. 

He said. Just near Shay.

Near the brat.

Wait.

She's after him?
His stomach churned with disbelief.

If that was true, there was only one guy who could confirm it for him.

A slow, dark smirk crept across his face. Agni bhai would love to know about it.

"Jay?" Shay called, confused. "Where are you going?"

Kshitij didn't register it, already walking away, lost in his perfect plan.

Shay watched him go, puzzled, then shook his head.

His twin was an absolute menace.

***

A vase tumbled down from the table as Harsh stumbled against it, before re-attaching his face to Isha's as pushed her against the wall, an arm beside her face. Their mouths worked in urgency, bodies heating up faster than their minds could catch up. Fireworks exploded in his chest and blood with euphoria, feeling wanted and needed after days of neglect. He had lost all sense of his mind, his tunnel vision chasing his salvation.

Crash!

The door slammed open as a gust of cold wind flooded the humid room. Light from the door flooded them in a spotlight, momentarily blinding him as he pulled away, blinking furiously against the sudden brightness. His heart thundered, until a hand seized his wrist in a painful grip and he was yanked forward violently.

"What the—!"
His words died in his throat.

Standing before him was Agney, jaw clenched with a silent, lethal glare.

His stomach dropped, blood running cold. Reality crashed on him, his ears ringing as he shivered. His knees almost buckled, breath lodging in his throat.

He almost stopped breathing. 

He was dead.