Part 5 (Last Part)
The air was thick with tension as Arjun stepped into the abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Dim flickering tube lights barely illuminated the space, casting eerie shadows on the cracked walls.
A perfect stage for a deadly confrontation.
He walked in, his posture relaxed but every muscle coiled for action. His grip on the gun was firm, ready for anything.
"Akele aaye ho, ACP Rawte?"
The voice echoed through the hall.
A man stepped into view—medium build, dressed in black, a smug smirk on his face. Beside him, Shireen sat tied to a chair, eyes filled with terror.
"Shireen," Arjun's voice was calm, yet it carried an edge of danger. His gaze flickered over her—no visible injuries, but fear was evident in her posture.
The man chuckled. "Bohot tezi hai tumhari. Jaanne aaye ho ke khelne?"
Arjun cocked his head slightly. "Game khelne ka shauk mujhe kabhi nahi tha."
And then, in a flash—he moved.
A single gunshot rang out.
Not from Arjun.
From behind.
He twisted just in time to see another man—hidden in the shadows—aiming straight at him.
But before the bullet could reach him—
A second shot fired.
The attacker staggered and fell, clutching his shoulder.
Arjun snapped his gaze to the entrance—
Riya stood there, gun smoking, eyes blazing with defiance.
"Tumhe bola tha yahan mat aana," Arjun gritted out, anger and something else—something deeper—flashing in his eyes.
Riya didn’t waver. "Aur aapne kab se mujhe orders dena shuru kiya?"
The momentary distraction was all it took.
The leader lunged for Shireen.
But Arjun was faster.
With a brutal strike, he snapped the man’s wrist, forcing the gun to drop. A sharp kick sent the leader crashing to the ground.
Before he could recover—
Arjun grabbed him by the collar, slammed him against the pillar, and pressed the barrel of his gun right under his jaw.
"Bol. Yeh sab kisne plan kiya?"
The man coughed, blood dripping from his lip, but he sneered. "Bohot late ho, Rawte. Ab yeh kahani yahin khatam hone wali hai."
He pressed a button.
Riya’s eyes widened. "Bomb!"
Arjun didn’t hesitate. He elbowed the man across the face, knocking him out, then rushed to Shireen, quickly untying her.
"Riya, get her out of here!"
But Riya had already sprinted towards the control panel, fingers working fast.
Thirty seconds.
A single wire. Red or blue.
Her hands didn’t shake.
Arjun watched as she took a deep breath—and cut the blue wire.
The countdown stopped at 00:07.
A sharp silence followed.
And then—
Arjun exhaled. Riya had done it.
She turned to him, a smirk playing on her lips. "Mujhpe bharosa rakhiye, sir."
He stepped closer, eyes dark. "Mujhe bharosa hai, Riya. Bas tumhari stupidity pe nahi."
She scoffed. "Mujhe lagta hai, aapko meri intelligence par doubt hai."
He smirked slightly, voice dropping lower. "Tum intelligent ho, par thodi zyada dangerous ho."
Their gazes locked.
A moment. Taut with tension. With something unspoken.
Riya arched a brow. "Ab tum mujhe thanks kehne wale ho?"
Arjun leaned in just a little—too close.
"Tumne mujhe marne diya hota, toh shayad thanks keh sakta."
Riya gasped in mock offense. "Aap kya keh rahe ho, sir? Aapke bina toh mera jeena bekar hai."
He chuckled darkly. "Mujhe pata hai."
Before she could retort, sirens blared.
Rathore and the team stormed in, weapons raised. "Sab theek hai?"
Arjun straightened. "Mission accomplished."
Shree looked at the unconscious attacker. "Iska kya karein?"
Arjun’s voice was icy. "Isse uthao. Iske saath bohot baatein karni hai."
As the ETF team secured the area, Shireen ran to Arjun, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, bhaiya!"
Arjun hesitated for a split second before patting her head lightly. "Koi bhi tumhe hurt nahi kar sakta jab tak main hoon."
Riya watched, a soft smile playing on her lips.
For all his rough edges, Arjun Rawte had a heart that protected the ones he loved.
***
An hour later, things had calmed down. Shireen’s family had been assured of her safety. The criminals were in custody. The ETF had done their job without causing a public fiasco.
Yet—one thing was still unresolved.
Arjun stood by the terrace, looking over the city lights.
Riya walked up beside him, her silver lehenga shimmering in the night. "Ek shaadi ka invitation mila tha. Murder mystery ka nahi."
He smirked. "Shaadi pe case na ho, toh maza nahi aata."
She sighed. "Aapki definition of maza kaafi weird hai, sir."
He glanced at her. "Aur tumhari definition of danger bhi kaafi weird hai. Tumhe bola tha, mat aana."
She rolled her eyes. "Aap bhi toh aksar bina soche jaan jokhim mein daalte hain."
His expression softened slightly. "Mujhe aadat hai."
She held his gaze. "Toh mujhe bhi daal lein."
His breath hitched.
For a fleeting second, he wanted to.
But instead, he just gave her that infuriating smirk. "Agar tum meri life ka hissa bani, toh kabhi shanti nahi milegi."
She tilted her head. "Aur aapko lagta hai, mujhe shanti chahiye?"
Arjun exhaled, amusement flickering in his eyes.
He turned, walking away—but not before brushing his fingers against hers, a barely-there touch.
A promise.
A challenge.
A fire that neither of them was willing to put out.
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Vasudha
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