Chapter Nine
May 2nd, 2012
“You’re getting a lot better,” Master Chen observes as Sara maintains multiple streams while solving complex equations Tony had put on the holographic display. “Your focus has improved so much.”
“Thanks,” Sara manages through gritted teeth, carefully manipulating the flames to form a protective sphere around her while typing with her other hand. “But something feels different today. Like the fire wants to do more.”
Chen’s expression sharpens. “Different how?”
Before Sara can explain, Tony bursts into the training room, looking more disheveled than usual. “We need to wrap up early today,” he announces, his voice tense. “Something’s come up at SHIELD.”
Sara extinguishes her flames, catching the worried look that passes between Tony and her instructor. “Is everything okay?”
“Just some work stuff.” Tony replies quickly. “Hey, isn’t Sesha’s end-of-semester recital tonight? You should head home and get ready.”
Right. The showcase. Her sister’s final performance of the semester. Sara had almost forgotten in the intensity of her training. “Yeah, but–”
“No buts,” Tony is already ushering her towards the door. “Happy’s waiting to drive you home. I’ll try to make it to the performance if I can.”
In the car, Sara pulls out her phone to distract herself from her worries.
Mei [3:45 PM]: Anyone up for group study? This multivariable calc is killing me.
Dylan [3:46 PM]: Nope, got an investor meeting 😫
Zara [3:46 PM]: I’m in! Sara?
Sara [3:47 PM]: I can’t – my sister’s end-of-semester recital is tonight.
Mei [3:48 PM]: Sesha? Tell her I said good luck!
Sara smiles, grateful for these friends who knew her as just another gifted kid, not a secret, enhanced individual (superhero-in-training). However, lately, keeping her two lives separate was becoming increasingly difficult.
At home, she finds the house buzzing with pre-performance energy. Harsha had flown in from Georgia Tech last night, where he finished his sixth semester as an Electrical Engineering major. He’s currently on the phone with Aurelio, his boyfriend of eight months (yes, the cute intern he met last summer), who’s on an Uber on the way to the house.
“Ah, Saranika!” Sandhya exclaims when her daughter walks in. “Go help your dad with the samosas before he burns them, please!”
“That was one time!” Arun protests, but he gladly removes himself from the kitchen as Sara gets to work. “How was the lab, Sara?”
Sara focuses on arranging the samosas, avoiding her father’s eyes. “Good. Just the usual stuff.”
“My little genius,” he ruffles her shoulder-length hair proudly. “Following in your old man’s footsteps, huh? Though you might even become better than both me and Tony one day.”
The familiar guilt twists in Sara’s stomach. If only he knew whose footsteps she was really following (spoiler: NOT Zuko’s).
“Amma!” Sesha’s voice carries down from upstairs. “Have you seen my professional blazer? The one with the Steinhardt pin on it?”
“Check your closet!” Sandhya calls back, then turns to Sara. “Can you go get ready and help your sister, bangaaram? She’s been at it for hours.”
Sara finds her Akka in her room, surrounded by sheet music and a familiar business-y folder. Her sister’s hands shook slightly as she attempted to organize her materials.
“Here, let me,” Sara offers, helping sort out the mess. “You okay, Akka?”
“Just nervous…” Sesha admits. “This showcase… I’m performing an original composition for the first time. Plus, the dean of Stern Business School will be there, and some venture capitalists interested in my music tech startup idea.”
“Why be nervous if we all know you’ll do great,” Sara questions.
Sesha laughs and catches her eye in the mirror. “You’re probably right,” she sighs. “I miss this, you know? Us just being sisters. Between me studying business and music and your intense ‘studying,’ we barely see eachother anymore.”
Sara’s hands still for a moment. “I know. I’m sorry, I just…”
“Have important work to do, I know,” Sesha finishes. “But you’re fourteen, Sara. Whstever Tony Uncle has you working on, it can’t be more important than family.”
If only you knew, Sara thought.
A knock at the door interrupts them. “Girls?” Sandhya peeks. “Oreo’s here – we need to leave.” She couldn’t pronounce her son’s boyfriend’s name for the love of her, so he told her to call him Oreo instead.
“Anna’s serious about this one, huh?” Sara comments. “Can’t believe he flew him in from Stanford to watch Akka’s showcase.”
“I mean, he’s gonna start his masters/PhD program at Georgia Tech next year,” Sesha grins. “And he’s the only one who understands Harsha’s odd jokes, which is probably better than what we’ve heard about his first boyfriend.”
As they finish getting ready, Sara’s phone buzzes with another message:
1 new message: Tony Uncle
Can’t make it tonight – something big happening.
Stay alert
Will explain soon
Sara’s face turns hot with anxiety, but she pushes it aside for Sesha.
The concert hall at NYU is packed . Sara spots lots of her mom’s friends from the Indian community, some of Arun’s Stark Industries colleagues, and a few important-looking people in business suits. She swore she also saw Lori Greiner from Shark Tank. Hopefully, she wasn’t tweaking.
The showcase was amazing. Sesha’s piece – a complex fusion of Carnatic music, jazz, and data sonification – earned her a standing ovation. When she explained that that piece was the forefront of her music startup, Sara could see the venture capitalists leaning forward with interest.
After the performance, they gather in the lobby, where Sesha’s surrounded by impressed investors and faculty members. Sara watches her sister shine, handling the attention with the same grace she brought to her music.
This is what normal looks like, she thinks. This is what we’re trying to protect.
Her phone buzzes again. This time, it’s a news alert about unusual atmospheric disturbances over Manhattan. Sara’s heart rate picks up as she remembers Tony’s warnings about the world getting bigger.
“Are you okay, Chinna ?” Sandhya notices her tension. “You’ve been checking your phone all night.”
“Yeah, just…” Sara glances around at her family – Sesha is radiant with success, Harsha and Aurelio proud, and Arun is taking pictures of everything. “Can we skip the dinner? I don’t feel too well.”
Sandhya’s eyes narrow slightly, but she nods. “Your dad can take you home – I’ll stay here.”
In the car, Arun happily chats about the performance, Sesha’s potential investors, and Harsha’s projects at Georgia Tech. Sara tries to focus on his words instead of the growing sense of unease in her stomach.
“You know,” Arun says as they near their garage. “I’m proud of all three of you. Your mother and I… we always worried about raising you kids between two cultures, but you’ve all found your paths. Sesha with her music nad business, Harsha with his engineering, and you…” He smiles at her in the rearview mirror. “You’re gonna change the world someday, Sara. I just know it.”
Sara feels tears prick in her eyes. “I love you, Nanna.”
“I love you too, my little firecracker.”
If only he knew how accurate that nickname was. What would he think if Sara shot fire from her hands out of nowhere, not to mention she’d been doing that for the last what? Four years?
That night, Sara couldn’t sleep. She stands at her window, practicing breathing exercises while watching the city lights. Something was coming – she could feel it in her flames, in the air, and in how Tony acted.
Her phone lights up:
1 new message: Tony Uncle
Tomorrow morning. Early training. Be ready for anything.
Sara looks at the family photos on her wall – memories of a life built on love and lies. Whatever’s coming, she silently promises she will protect them. All of them. Even if she has to reveal her secret.