5

. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐

Continues...

Ayaan moved.

Closer.

Closer.

And in one swift motion-

He grabbed the shadow from behind-

By the throat.

The figure jerked in shock.

But recovered instantly.

And the next second-

A powerful punch-

Landed on Ayaan's jaw.

His grip loosened.

The shadow broke free-

The shadow had just broken free-

But before it could move further-

Ayaan reacted.

Fast.

Precise.

Deadly.

In the next second-

He grabbed the figure again from behind-

This time locking it tightly in his grip.

"Tujhe abhi batata hu..."
(Let me show you...)

His voice dropped, cold and dangerous-

"Tu kiske ghar chori karne aaya hai.."
(Whose house you tried to break into.)

His hold tightened.

Unbreakable.

But then-

Something... strange.

For a split second-

Ayaan felt something soft in his hand.

Unusually soft.

Not what you'd expect from a thief.

His brows furrowed slightly.

And on the other side-

The shadow froze.

Completely blank.

As if-

Even it didn't understand what just happened.

Suddenly-

The lights turned on.

Voices.

Footsteps.

The entire house woke up.

One by one-

Everyone gathered.

Tahiri too came out, still half sleepy, rubbing her eyes.

Yash Ji looked at Ayaan.

"Kya hua? Yahan kuch girne ki aawaj aayi thi..."
(What happened? We heard a loud noise.)

Ayaan didn't let go completely.

He loosened his grip slightly-

But still held the figure's wrist tightly.

"Kuch nahi..."
(Nothing...)

Then, coldly-

"Bas ghar mein ek chor ghus aaya hai "
(Just a thief entered the house.)

Everyone's gaze shifted-

Toward the shadow.

And then-

Tahiri saw it.

Her eyes widened instantly.

Shock.

Recognition.

No...

It can't be...

The shadow slowly turned.

And the moment everyone saw-

Time stopped.

Rohan, who was still half asleep-

Was now wide awake.

Completely.

No one blinked.

No one moved.

Because in front of them-

Stood a girl.

Not just beautiful-

Dangerously beautiful.

She wore dark jeans and a long coat.

Her hair partially hidden.

Her face-

Bare.

No makeup.

Yet glowing like porcelain.

Her skin-

Paler than milk.

And her eyes-

Silver.

Hypnotic.

Deep.

Pulling everyone in.

But those eyes-

Were not looking at everyone.

They were fixed-

Only on Ayaan.

Unblinking.

Intense.

Ayaan too-

For a brief second-

Got lost.

But only for a moment.

Because he wasn't just a man.

He was a Major.

And he pulled himself back.

Immediately.

He turned toward Yash Ji and said dryly,

"Lagta hai ab ladkiya bhi chori karne lagi hai..."
(Looks like even girls have started stealing now.)

Before things could escalate-

Sanju rushed forward.

"Arey bhaiya! Yeh wahi khubsurat di hai!"
( Bhaiya! She's the same beautiful di! )

"Jinhone mujhe uss din bachaya tha! "
(The one who saved me that day!)

At the same time-

Tahiri stepped forward quickly.

"Haan haan! Yeh meri dost hai!"
( Yes, yes! She's my friend! )

"Yeh koi chor nhi hai! "
( She's not a thief! )

She hugged the girl tightly.

"Maybe her train just arrived..."

The tension dropped.

Slightly.

Malini Ji walked closer, smiling warmly.

"Kitni pyari bachi hai..."
(What a lovely child...)

Then looked at Ayaan,

"She's the one who saved our Sanju..."

"And she'll stay here..."

Then gently asked,

"Beta, tumhara naam kya hai? "
( Child, what is your name? )

The girl-

Who had been staring at Ayaan all this time-

Finally blinked.

Came back to reality.

Looked at Malini Ji.

"Ji...mera naam Mahika hai"
(My name is Mahika.)

Then added calmly,

"Mahika Singh."

Malini Ji smiled.

"Bahut pyara naam hai "
(That's a beautiful name.)

Tahiri added lightly,

"Hum isey pyar se 'Mahi' bulate hai"
(We call her 'Mahi'.)

Sanju grinned,

"Bahut aacha naam hai di!"
(Such a nice name, di! )

Mahika said nothing.

Her eyes-

Returned to Ayaan.

Ayaan noticed.

And this time-

He didn't ignore it.

"So what is she doing here at this hour?"

His voice sharp.

Controlled.

"The main gate was locked..."

"How did she get inside?"

"Why didn't she call anyone?"

Mahika looked at him.

Again.

And again-

Got lost.

There was something in her gaze.

Something... unfamiliar.

Something Ayaan wasn't used to.

For the first time-

He looked away.

Because her eyes-

Held a pull.

A strange one.

As if-

She had already chosen him.

(First sight... love? Or something darker?)

Everyone noticed.

But said nothing.

Tahiri found it strange.

She had never seen Mahika like this before.

She nudged her slightly.

Mahika snapped out of it.

Then calmly explained,

"I messaged Tahiri before coming..."

"I already had the address..."

"I even called..."

She glanced at Tahiri.

"But she didn't pick up."

Then continued,

"I didn't want to disturb anyone..."

"I found an open window..."

"So I came inside..."

Then slightly gestured toward Ayaan,

"And he caught me..."

"The rest... you already know."

Everyone nodded.

It made sense.

Yash Ji spoke calmly,

"Beta...You must be tired..."

"Go rest..."

"We'll talk in the morning."

Then to everyone,

"Everyone go to sleep."

He turned to Tahiri,

"Show her the room."

Tahiri nodded.

Malini Ji asked softly,

"Beta...Are you hungry?"

"Want something to eat?"

Mahika replied blankly,

"No... I've eaten."

Tahiri started walking upstairs with Mahika.

But-

Mahika suddenly stopped.

Everyone looked at her.

Then-

She glanced at her wrist.

And so did everyone else.

Ayaan was still holding it.

He immediately let go.

As if burned.

A rare moment.

Maybe the first time-

He held a girl's hand... for that long.

Mahika walked upstairs.

But before disappearing-

She turned.

And looked at him again.

Ayaan felt it.

That gaze.

Different.

Unlike anything he had seen before.

Inside the Room

Tahiri locked the door.

Turned toward Mahika.

Head slightly lowered.

Mahika stared at her.

Intensely.

Then spoke in a cold voice,

"This is the place you chose to stay?"

She walked toward the window.

"Don't you think..."

"This family can get into trouble?"

Tahiri replied calmly,

"I don't think so..."

"And this is a Major's house..."

Mahika turned.

Questioning.

Tahiri clarified,

"The one you met downstairs..."

"Major Ayaan Singhania..."

Then muttered softly,

"Jise tum bina palke Jhapkaye dekh rhi thi..."
(The one you were staring at without blinking...)

Mahika heard it.

Clearly.

For a moment-

Ayaan's face flashed in her mind.

Sharp eyes.

Strong jaw.

Messy hair.

That presence.

She turned away quickly.

Composed herself.

Then said flatly,

"You think it affects me?"

Knock knock.

Both looked at the door.

Tahiri opened it.

Malini Ji stood there-

With a glass of milk.

"I thought you might be hungry..."

"Drink this before sleeping..."

Mahika stared at her.

For a moment-

She didn't know how to react.

This-

Was unfamiliar.

Care.

Warmth.

Still-

She nodded slightly.

"Ji..."

Malini Ji smiled.

Placed her hand on her head.

And left.

Mahika stood there-

Holding the glass.

Silent.

Expressionless.

But something inside-

Shifted.

Without looking at Tahiri, she said,

"You can go now..."

"We'll talk tomorrow."

Tahiri nodded.

And left.

🎶__________________________________________________________
🦋🎶

After the Door Closed

The moment Tahiri stepped out-

The door clicked shut.

And silence returned.

Not ordinary silence-

But something heavier.

Something that lingered.

Mahika stood still for a few seconds, the glass of milk still in her hand, untouched. Her expression remained unreadable-calm, distant, almost detached from everything around her.

Slowly, she walked toward the table and placed the glass down.

Her eyes drifted toward the wardrobe.

Without hesitation, she moved forward and opened it.

Inside-

A single bag.

Locked.

She took it out with practiced ease, unlocked it, and pulled out a fresh set of clothes. Her movements were precise. Controlled. Not a second wasted.

As if every action was measured.

Planned.

She walked straight into the bathroom.

No pause.

No distraction.

Just purpose.

Because everything about Mahika-

Was control.

In another part of the house-

Darkness had already settled inside Ayaan's room.

He lay on his bed, one arm under his head, staring into nothingness. The lights were off, yet his mind refused to quiet down.

Not tonight.

Because the moment he closed his eyes-

She appeared.

Mahika.

Those silver eyes.

Unreal.

Piercing.

A few soft strands of her hair brushing against her face.

And that faint fragrance-

Subtle, unfamiliar-

Yet somehow still clinging to him.

As if she had followed him into his room.

His jaw tightened.

He turned slightly.

Tried to ignore it.

But then-

A memory struck.

Sudden.

Sharp.

Unavoidable.

His hand.

That moment.

That soft-

Unexpected touch.

His eyes flew open.

And in the next second-

He sat up.

Fast.

A deep breath escaped him as his hand ran through his hair, then rested on his forehead.

"Ye maine kya kiya..."
(What have I done...)

The realization hit him fully now.

He hadn't just restrained her.

He had crossed a line-

Unintentionally.

But still-

A line.

His voice dropped into a quiet murmur,

"Tabhi sochu mujhe itna ajeeb kyu lag raha tha..."
(No wonder I felt so strange...)

"Shayad isiliye woh mujhe aise dekh rahi thi..."
(Maybe that's why she was looking at me like that...)

A silence stretched between his thoughts.

Then-

Something unexpected surfaced.

A question.

Soft.

Uncertain.

"Kya mujhe usse kal... maafi maangni chahiye?"
(Should I... apologize to her tomorrow?)

For a moment-

He actually considered it.

But then-

His expression hardened.

Almost instantly.

"No."

"Main kyu maafi maangu?"
(Why should I apologize?)

"Galti uski thi..."
(It was her fault...)

"Woh choro ki tarah aayi thi..."
(She entered like a thief...)

He leaned back again, forcing himself into stillness.

His voice turned firm, edged with pride-

"Aakhir main Ayaan Singhania hoon..." (I am Ayaan Singhania...)

"Aise kaise kisi se maafi maang lu..."
(I don't apologize so easily...)

And just like that-

He buried the thought.

Pushed it away.

As if it never existed.

Turning to his side, he shut his eyes.

Trying to surrender to sleep.

But deep within-

Something had already shifted.

Something he didn't yet understand.

Back in her room-

Mahika stepped out of the bathroom.

Her hair slightly damp, falling freely over her shoulders, soft strands brushing against her skin. She looked... calmer.

But not softer.

Never softer.

Her gaze fell on the glass of milk.

She walked toward it.

Picked it up.

And for a moment-

Simply stared at it.

As if trying to understand something unfamiliar.

Care.

Warmth.

Concern.

Things she wasn't used to.

Without a word, she drank it.

Placed the empty glass aside.

And lay down on the bed.

Her hair spread across the pillow like dark silk.

One arm tucked beneath her head-

She stared at the ceiling.

Still.

Silent.

And then-

Without warning-

He appeared.

Ayaan.

Again.

His face.

His sharp features.

That intense, commanding presence.

And then-

That moment.

His touch.

Her heartbeat had raced then-

Fast.

Wild.

Uncontrolled.

For the first time in her life-

A man had touched her.

Not gently.

Not intentionally.

But still-

It had affected her.

Her fingers curled slightly against the bedsheet.

As if remembering.

She shut her eyes tightly.

Trying to stop the thought.

Trying to erase it.

But it lingered.

So she turned.

Her gaze shifted toward the window.

The curtain fluttered slightly, letting in the pale glow of the moon.

Cold.

Calm.

Distant.

Just like her.

Her eyes fixed on it.

Unblinking.

And then, almost like a whisper to herself-

"Mujhe usse dur rehna hoga..."
(I need to stay away from him...)

It wasn't hesitation.

It wasn't confusion.

It was a decision.

Firm.

Final.

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐

Morning arrived gently.

But the atmosphere-

Had changed.

In the kitchen, Malini Ji was already preparing breakfast, her movements filled with quiet warmth.

Kalyani Ji had returned from the temple and now sat in the living room, speaking to Yash Ji, who responded absentmindedly while reading the newspaper.

But something was different today.

Unspoken.

Yet noticeable.

Rohan and Sanju were already awake-

Without being called.

Sanju's excitement was impossible to hide.

She couldn't wait to meet her "beautiful di" again.

And Rohan-

Lost in thoughts that were far from innocent.

Meanwhile-

Ayaan had already left for duty.

Early.

Perhaps-

Too early.

Mahika had no intention of going downstairs.

But Tahiri insisted,

"Hum unke ghar mein reh rahe hai..." (We're staying in their house...)

"Toh tumhe unse milna chahiye..."
(So you should meet them...)

And so-

She went.

Everyone was already seated at the dining table.

Waiting.

Mahika walked in.

Calm.

Unbothered.

She didn't greet anyone.

Didn't even acknowledge their presence.

She simply pulled a chair-

And sat down.

Detached.

Observing-

Yet distant.

Kalyani Ji noticed immediately.

Her gaze hardened.

Disapproval was clear on her face.

But no one said anything.

Because Tahiri had already explained-

"She's short-tempered..."

"She has always been alone..."

"She doesn't like talking much..."

And strangely-

Her behavior reminded them of someone else.

Ayaan.

Sanju smiled brightly,

"Hello, good morning di! How are you?"

Mahika looked at her.

"Good morning."

Then, calmly,

"How are you now... after that day?"

The effect was immediate.

Sanju froze.

Fear crept back into her eyes.

Her expression fell.

Everyone noticed.

Kalyani Ji's gaze sharpened again.

Tahiri mentally cursed the situation.

But Mahika-

Watched.

Observed.

Then spoke,

"You're still scared?"

A pause.

Then firmly,

"Don't you think you should learn self-defense?"

"I was there that day..."

"I won't always be there..."

"What will you do then?"

Silence filled the space.

Yash Ji subtly stopped Kalyani Ji from interrupting.

Because he understood-

She wasn't wrong.

Mahika continued, her voice steady,

"The more you fear..."

"The more they'll scare you..."

"You don't have to be afraid..."

"You have to fight."

Something changed in Sanju.

A small shift-

But real.

She nodded.

Slowly.

Her eyes lit up.

"Diii... I've seen you fight!"

"Will you teach me?"

Hope sparkled in her gaze.

Pure.

Innocent.

Mahika remained unaffected.

But she couldn't refuse.

So she said simply,

"Tahiri will teach you."

"Be ready at 5 in the morning."

And just like that-

Chaos.

Tahiri choked on her food, coughing violently.

Malini Ji quickly handed her water.

She drank it in one breath.

Then glared at Mahika.

Why me?!

Everyone was staring now.

Tahiri forced a smile,

"Haan... kyu nahi..."
(Yes... of course...)

"I know everything..."

Inside-

She was screaming.

I just wanted peace...

And now this...

Then-

She felt it.

A gaze.

Sharp.

Warning.

She looked up.

Mahika.

Staring directly at her.

As if she had heard every thought.

Tahiri went silent instantly.

Yash Ji smiled,

"You did the right thing..."

"She should learn this..."

Malini Ji added softly,

"And beta... thank you for that day..."

Mahika replied,

"It was my duty..."

Then, after a pause,

"And thank you... to all of you..."

Tahiri froze.

Completely.

Did she just say thank you?

Inside her mind-

Confusion.

Shock.

Suspicion.

This is not normal...

After breakfast-

Everyone dispersed.

Yash Ji left for the office.

Rohan for the stadium.

Sanju to get ready for college.

Mahika returned to her room.

Quietly.

Tahiri followed her.

Hesitated.

Then asked,

"You also have to go to college, right?"

No response.

Mahika ignored her completely.

Tahiri paused.

Thought of saying something more-

But stopped herself.

And left.

Mahika sat down on the bed.

Opened her bag.

Took out a laptop.

Placed it on her lap.

And began typing.

Fast.

Precise.

Focused.

Her fingers moved like she wasn't just working-

But searching.

Tracing.

Uncovering something hidden.

Or perhaps-

Planning something dangerous.

Because beneath that calm exterior-

There was more.

Much more.

Something dark.

Something powerful.

Something-

That no one in that house was ready for.

🎶__________________________________________________________
🦋🎶

The Army Base

The meeting room doors opened with a firm push-

And Ayaan stepped out.

Sharp.

Composed.

Unreadable.

His boots echoed against the polished corridor floor, each step carrying authority that didn't need to be announced.

Behind him-

Tej and Ronit followed closely.

A few other officers exited the room as well, dispersing into their respective duties, their faces still carrying the seriousness of the discussion that had just ended.

But Ayaan-

Was already somewhere else.

His expression wasn't just serious.

It was... irritated.

Because since morning-

Tej hadn't stopped.

Not even for a second.

From behind, Tej called out, half-running to catch up,

"Arey Ayaan bata na yaar, woh ladki kon hai? Bol na, chup kyu hai? "
(Hey Ayaan, at least tell me, who is that girl? Come on, why are you so silent?)

Ayaan didn't stop walking.

Didn't even turn.

But his jaw tightened.

Tej, completely unaffected, continued,

"Suna hai bahut khubsurat hai...aur tere hi ghar mein reh rahi hai? "
(I've heard she's very beautiful... and staying at your house?)

"Kya baat hai bhai...kuch toh bata! "
(What's going on, brother... tell me something!)

That was it.

Ayaan stopped.

Abruptly.

Turned slightly.

His gaze cold.

Sharp enough to cut through noise itself.

"Agar tujhe uske baare mein itna hi jaan na hai..."

(If you're so interested in knowing about her...)

"Toh khud aa kar mil le"
(Then come and meet her yourself.)

A pause.

Then, with controlled irritation-

"Aur mujhe kisi mein interest nahi hai..."
(And I'm not interested in anyone...)

"aur na kisi ke baare mein jaanne mein"
(Or in knowing about anyone.)

Without waiting for a reply-

He moved ahead and took a seat on a nearby bench.

Ronit and Tej followed.

But Tej-

Was still not done.

Ronit placed a firm hand on Ayaan's shoulder.

Grounding.

"Usey chor...uski toh aadat hai "
(Leave him... it's his habit.)

Then his tone shifted.

Serious.

Focused.

"Yeh bata...mission ka kya karna hai? "
(Tell me... what about the mission?)

"Koi plan banaya? "
(Have you made any plan?)

"Uss giroh ko pakadna bahut jaroori hai..." (Catching that group is very important...)

"Aadhe se jyada aatankwaadi se mile hue hai woh"
(They are linked with more than half of the terrorists.)

The air changed instantly.

Ayaan's irritation disappeared.

Replaced by something colder.

Sharper.

This was his world.

His battlefield.

He leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees.

Eyes focused.

"We'll start the plan after two days."

"In the evening, in the meeting room..."

"Inform those two officers. "

Ronit nodded immediately.

"Alright."

But Tej-

Was still Tej.

Leaning back casually, he sighed,

"Yaar...yeh log kaise hote hai? "
(Man... how do these people even exist?)

"Jo apne hi desh ke sath gaddari karte hai..." (Those who betray their own country...)

For a moment-

Even Ayaan didn't interrupt.

Because that question-

Was heavier than it sounded.

But then-

Tej ruined it.

Again.

He leaned forward, a teasing grin on his face,

"Waise...bata na...kon hai woh? "
(By the way... tell me... who is she?)

"Suna hai bahut sundar hai... "
(I've heard she's very beautiful...)

"Aur tere ghar mein reh rahi hai..."
(And she's staying at your house...)

"Kuch toh gadbad hai...bol na! "
(Something's definitely going on... come on, tell me!)

Ronit slowly closed his eyes.

He's gone...

Inside his head, he muttered,

Kitni baar samjhaya hai...
(How many times have I told him...)

Iske samne ladkiyon ki baat maat kiya kar... (Don't talk about girls in front of him...)

Lekin isey sunna kab hota hai...
(But when does he ever listen...)

Aab toh ho gya...
(Now he's done for...)

Ayaan stood up.

Slowly.

Too slowly.

Which made it worse.

His presence shifted instantly.

Commanding.

Intimidating.

His voice-

Cold.

Authoritative.

Unforgiving.

"Major Tej..."

"Sayad aapke pass koi kaam nahi hai? "
(It seems you have no work to do?)

Tej froze.

"Aapko sayad kuch soldiers ki training karwani thi... "
(Weren't you supposed to train some soldiers?)

Ayaan took a step closer.

"Aur aap yahan time pass kar rhe hai?"
(And you're wasting time here?)

A pause.

Dead silence.

Then-

The final strike.

"Kyu...lagta hai aapko chutti ki jaroorat hai?" (Why... do you think you need a leave?)

Tej's face changed instantly.

From teasing-

To terrified.

"N-no, sir! "

He looked left.

Right.

Then-

Without another word-

He ran.

Literally ran.

At a speed that could compete with a bullet train.

Watching him disappear-

Ronit burst out laughing.

Couldn't help it.

But the moment he turned-

Ayaan was already looking at him.

That same glare.

Ronit straightened immediately.

Coughing slightly to suppress his laughter.

"Mai chalta hu..."
(I'll get going...)

And just like that-

He walked away.

As if he had never been there.

Alone Again

Ayaan stood there.

Watching both of them leave.

Then shook his head slightly.

A faint sigh escaped him.

And without another thought-

He turned and walked toward the training ground.

Because for him-

Distractions didn't last.

Duty always did.

But even then-

Somewhere-

Between discipline and control-

A pair of silver eyes still lingered.

Uninvited.

Unwanted.

Yet-

Unforgettable.

🎶__________________________________________________________
🦋🎶

M.G. College

The gates of M.G. College stood tall-

Bustling with students, laughter, chatter, and the usual chaos of youth.

And then-

A cab stopped.

The door opened.

And Mahika stepped out.

Dressed entirely in black-

A high-neck top, layered with a long coat that flowed slightly with her movement, paired with black fitted jeans and matching shoes. A watch rested on her wrist, minimal yet precise.

Her hair-

Left open.

Falling freely over her shoulders.

Untamed.

Effortless.

Her face-

Expressionless.

Cold.

Unreadable.

Without sparing a glance behind, she walked straight inside the campus.

The moment she entered-

The air shifted.

Students turned.

One by one.

Then all at once.

Whispers began.

"Who is she?"

"New admission?"

"Damn... she's beautiful..."

Some boys stared openly, almost forgetting to blink.

Some silently wished-

What if she's in our class...

Others, however, felt something else.

Something unsettling.

Because it wasn't just her beauty-

It was her presence.

Dark.

Intense.

Unapproachable.

And the fact that she carried no bag-

No books-

Nothing-

Made her even more mysterious.

But Mahika-

Didn't care.

Not even a little.

Her eyes scanned the surroundings once.

Sharp.

Calculating.

She needed one thing-

The Principal's Office.

Just as a girl was walking past her-

Mahika suddenly grabbed her shoulder.

The girl froze.

Startled.

Her hands tightened around the pile of books she was carrying. A pair of glasses rested on her face, slightly slipping as she turned around nervously.

"Kya tumhe mujhse kuch kaam hai? "
(Do you need something from me?)

Mahika looked at her.

Just once.

But that single glance-

Was enough.

There was something in her eyes.

Something that made the girl's throat go dry.

Her gaze dropped automatically.

She couldn't look at her again.

Mahika released her shoulder.

And in a cold, firm voice-

"Where is the Principal's office? "

The girl didn't waste a second.

Quickly pointing toward the left corridor-

"W-woh...wahan...left side mein..."
(T-there... on the left side...)

Mahika didn't reply.

Didn't say thank you.

Didn't even acknowledge her.

She simply walked away.

The girl stood there for a moment-

Still processing.

Then made a face, muttering to herself,

"Ek baar thankyou tak nhi bola..."
(She didn't even say thank you once...)

"Badi ajeeb ladki hai..."
(What a strange girl...)

"Lagta hai nayi hai college mein..."
(Seems like she's new here...)

A pause.

Then a slight smirk,

"Yeh baar toh apne group ko batani padegi..."
(I have to tell this to my group...)

But then-

Her expression shifted again.

Confused.

Uneasy.

"Khubsurat toh bohot hai..."
(She's very beautiful...)

"Lekin...itni khatarnaak kyu lag rhi thi...?"
(But... why did she feel so dangerous...?)

"Bhagwaan kare meri class mein na ho..."
(I hope she's not in my class...)

Shaking off the thought-

She walked toward her classroom.

Mahika walked through the corridor-

Her steps steady.

Unhurried.

Until she stopped.

A door stood in front of her.

Principal's Office.

Without knocking-

She opened it.

And walked in.

Inside-

Three people were present.

The Principal.

A man sitting beside him.

And-

A young man in a white uniform.

The moment the door opened-

All eyes turned toward her.

The Principal was about to speak-

But before he could-

The boy in white stood up immediately.

Respectfully.

Almost instinctively.

"Boss...aap aa gyi..."
(Boss... you've arrived...)

The other two men froze.

Then quickly stood up as well.

Because the person they had been waiting for-

Was finally here.

Mahika didn't greet anyone.

Didn't hesitate.

She walked forward-

And sat on the chair in front of the Principal.

Crossing one leg over the other.

Effortless dominance.

The boy in white-

Yuvraj-

Moved behind her and stood still.

Like a shadow.

The man sitting beside the Principal wiped the sweat from his forehead and extended his hand nervously,

"Hello, ma'am..."

Mahika didn't move.

Didn't respond.

Didn't even look at his hand.

Atul slowly pulled his hand back.

As expected.

Mahika finally spoke-

Looking directly at the Principal.

"Jo kaam diya tha...hua ya nhi?"
(The work I assigned... is it done or not?)

The Principal swallowed.

Trying to hide his fear,

"Wo-woh ...sab ho gya..."
(Y-yes... everything is done...)

"Aap kal se yahan padha sakti hai..."
(You can start teaching here from tomorrow...)

Mahika gave a small nod.

Nothing more.

Both men were still standing.

She hadn't asked them to sit.

And they didn't dare to.

Her gaze shifted toward them again.

Sharp.

Warning.

Atul quickly spoke,

"Ma'am...kisi ko pata nhi chalega...aap befikr rahiye..."
(Ma'am... no one will find out... you don't have to worry...)

Mahika stood up.

Without replying.

And walked out.

Yuvraj followed immediately.

Outside-

Without even looking at him, Mahika said,

"Yuvraj...inn dono par nazar rakhna..."
(Yuvraj... keep an eye on both of them...)

"Aur company sambhal lena..."
(And handle the company...)

"Jab tak jaroori na ho...mujhse contact maat karna..."
(Don't contact me unless it's necessary...)

Yuvraj lowered his head,

"Ji, Boss..."
(Yes, boss...)

Mahika took a step forward-

Then stopped.

Turned slightly.

"Vaibhav ko bolo...jaldi India aaye..."
(Tell Vaibhav... to come to India soon...)

"Ji"
(Yes.)

And just like that-

She left.

Yuvraj returned to the office.

The moment the Principal and Atul saw him again-

Their fear returned.

Instantly.

Yuvraj walked calmly-

And sat on the chair like a king.

Looking at them, he said,

"Boss ko yahan koi taklif nhi honi chahiye..."
(Boss should not face any problem here...)

Both nodded quickly,

"Ji...bilkul nhi..."
(Yes... absolutely not...)

Yuvraj gave them a few more instructions-

Then left.

Only after he was gone-

Did they finally breathe.

Wiping sweat from their foreheads.

The Principal leaned back slightly, still shaken,

"Kitni khatarnaak ladki hai..."
(She's such a dangerous girl...)

"Lekin...yeh humare college mein padhana kyu chahti hai?"
(But... why does she want to teach in our college?)

Atul drank some water.

Then said,

"Pata nahi..."
(I don't know...)

"Lekin manna padega..."
(But I must say...)

"Itni si umar mein...itni kaabiliyat "
(At such a young age... such capability...)

"Aajkal ki ladkiyan toh..."
(Girls these days...)

"Aur yeh...Bilkul alag hai..."
(And she... is completely different...)

The Principal nodded.

Then said in a lower voice,

"Haan...Lekin yeh maat bhulo..."
(Yes... but don't forget...)

"Yeh galat kaam bhi karti hai..."
(She's involved in illegal activities too...)

"Kisi ko maarne se pehle ek baar nhi sochti..."
(She doesn't think twice before killing someone...)

"Na jaane kitno ko maar chuki hai..."
(God knows how many she has killed...)

"Sayad nirdosh logon ko bhi..."
(Maybe even innocent people...)

Atul shrugged slightly.

Cold.

Practical.

"Hume kya..."
(What do we care...)

"Hume toh bas paiso se matlab hai..."
(We only care about money...)

And Somewhere...

Outside-

Mahika's cab moved forward.

Leaving behind a college-

That had no idea-

What had just entered its walls.

Not a student.

Not just a teacher.

But-

A storm.

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