“You actually came.” Nitya’s tone was reserved, and Venkat couldn’t tell whether she was glad or irritated. Both, maybe. “They’re doing aarti right now, but dandiya raas hasn’t started yet.”

“Are you okay?” Tanvi asked anxiously, looking her sister over. “Is Mom?”

“Totally fine.” Nitya hesitated, then added, far too casually, “I’m glad you came.”

They might share the same features, Venkat thought, but seeing them side by side, they weren’t identical, not truly. It wasn’t just the variations in their cosmetics and accessories, or that Tanvi’s hair hung a few inches longer than Nitya’s. Tanvi’s face was like a kitten’s, full of raw emotion that stormed, unchecked, to the surface. Whatever she felt showed, and she moved like she was always on the verge of pouncing or fleeing. Nitya’s face, on the other hand, was like a vigilant elder cat’s, her narrowed stare coolly gauging. She held herself close, as if nothing passed her lips without being thought through at least twice.

Had they always been so different, or was it the years apart, living such different lives, that made them that way?

“I remember all of this,” Tanvi whispered. “Not these exact people, but I remember coming here. Eating the second the prasad got laid out. Doing aarti. Dancing with you.”

Venkat had never been to a Gujarati garba, but he’d certainly gone to his share of festivals with his family. This was the first time he’d been back on Earth since the day his family died. Listening to Tanvi, he felt his old grief spasm in his chest, incongruous in this spirited celebration.

Tanvi must have noticed, because her mouth turned down, and she reached for him.

He held his breath, anticipating the feel of her fingers on his.

“You do?” Nitya sounded skeptical. “I thought you said that wasn’t possible.”

Tanvi nodded. “Turns out I just needed a little help from the moon.” Her arm fell to her side, and her voice rose in panic. “Is Mom here? You have to hide me.”

“You’re glamoured,” Venkat reminded her, pretending he didn’t miss her touch. “She won’t know it’s you.”

“It’s not like she’d bite you, but fine,” Nitya said, with something like cautious amusement. She ran her gaze over Venkat, evaluating. “You’re the guy who helped her in Nagalok and sells dreams. That’s so wild.”

“It’s pretty cool,” he agreed.

“I guess?” Tanvi shrugged. “It’s all I know. Well, all I knew.”

Nitya’s jaw worked, and Venkat could practically feel her weighing how to respond. “You wanted to know I’m okay. I am. So what do you want to do now?”

Quit playing this stupid game! he burned to tell them. Just admit you need each other. His family was gone, but theirs had a second chance.