Part 3
The tension between them remained thick as they stepped into the conference room, their personal battle momentarily pushed aside by the urgency of the case.
Shree was already at his laptop, his fingers flying over the keyboard. "Sir, woh number ek burner phone ka hai. Koi direct naam nahi mila, lekin location trace ho gayi hai."
"Kahan?" Arjun’s voice was sharp, his focus shifting to the mission.
"Sehgal Nagar ke outskirts mein ek purana godown hai. Signal wahin se aaya tha," Shree confirmed.
"Rathore ko inform karo. Humein turant nikalna hoga," Arjun ordered, already moving toward the weapons locker.
As Riya turned to follow, she felt a familiar pang in her chest. Jab kaam ki baat hoti hai toh Arjun bilkul theek behave karte hain. Lekin jaise hi personal baat aati hai…
She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. Yeh waqt emotions mein behne ka nahi hai.
***
ETF jeeps pulled up outside the godown, their headlights cutting through the darkness. The place was eerily silent, the faint hum of streetlights the only sound in the distance.
"Team, alert rehna. Yeh log dangerous ho sakte hain," Rathore instructed, loading his gun.
Arjun and Riya moved together, their synchronization effortless despite the emotional storm brewing between them. It was almost muscle memory—the way he took the lead while she covered his blind spots, the way he subtly glanced at her to make sure she was safe.
Inside, the warehouse was filled with old, rusting crates and broken machinery. The air was thick with dust, and the dim yellow lights flickered ominously.
Suddenly, a noise.
A faint rustling from the far end of the warehouse.
Arjun signaled the team to spread out. As he moved forward, his instincts kicked in—something wasn’t right.
Then, a scream.
"Meera!" Riya whispered, eyes wide.
They rushed toward the sound, weapons drawn.
Behind a stack of crates, a terrified young girl huddled against the wall. Meera. But before they could reach her, a masked man emerged from the shadows, pulling her up roughly and pressing a gun to her temple.
"Koi aage bada toh ladki gayi!" he barked.
The ETF team froze.
Riya’s fingers tightened on her gun. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, but her training kept her steady. "Dekho, ladki ko chhod do. Tum abhi bhi bach sakte ho."
The man laughed harshly. "Mujhe police se dar nahi lagta!"
Arjun’s gaze flickered toward Riya. "Tum side se cover lo," he whispered.
She nodded subtly and began moving, her stance cautious.
Arjun took a slow step forward. "Dekho, tum yahaan se nikalna chahte ho, na? Toh bina ladki ko nukasaan pahunchaye baat karo."
The man hesitated. His grip loosened slightly.
That was all the time Arjun needed.
A single, precise shot. Right to the man’s arm.
He yelled in pain, the gun slipping from his grasp. In the same second, Riya lunged forward, grabbing Meera and pulling her to safety.
The rest of the ETF team quickly subdued the attacker.
Meera clung to Riya, sobbing. "Mujhe ghar jaana hai…"
Riya’s heart ached for the girl. She gently stroked Meera’s hair. "Tum ab bilkul safe ho, Meera."
Arjun watched them, something in his expression softening. Riya had always been like this—fierce yet gentle, a fighter yet a protector.
But just as quickly, he turned away, pushing the thought aside.
***
Back at the office, the case was officially wrapped up. Meera was reunited with her family, and the attacker was behind bars. Another mission successful.
Yet, as the team dispersed, the real battle remained unresolved.
Riya gathered her things, ready to leave for the night. But before she could step out, Arjun spoke. "Riya, ek minute."
She paused but didn’t turn. "Kya hai, Arjun?"
"Hum baat kar sakte hain?" His voice held something unreadable.
She exhaled sharply before facing him. "Baat karni hoti toh tum pehle kar chuke hote, Arjun. Tum sirf tab baat karte ho jab tumhe zaroorat hoti hai. Lekin jab main tumse kuch puchti hoon, tum chup rehna pasand karte ho."
His jaw tightened. "Aisa nahi hai—"
"Aisa hi hai!" she snapped. "Mujhe samajhne ka waqt chahiye? Tumne mujhse doori kyun banayi? Yeh sab sawal maine tumse poochhe. Aur har baar… tumne chup rehna hi sahi samjha."
Arjun had no answer.
Riya swallowed hard, her voice trembling now. "Jab kisi rishtay mein sirf ek insaan effort daalta hai, toh woh rishta ek din toot jaata hai, Arjun. Aur tumne… tumne mujhe akela chhod diya."
Her words hit him like a bullet.
She turned to leave, and this time, he didn’t stop her.
As the office doors shut behind her, Arjun finally let out the breath he had been holding.
He had thought staying away would protect her. But now, he realized…
He was only pushing her further away.
And maybe, this time, she wouldn’t come back.
Edited by SarafWasima - 6 months ago
good going go for the throat 
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