8. The Attack.

Aditi Mehra:

I sat at my desk, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm light over my notebook as I wrote. My pen moved smoothly across the page, capturing thoughts and dreams in elegant script. 

Just beyond my room, Arjun stood watch, his silhouette strong and reassuring against the evening light filtering through the window.

The air was thick with a comfortable silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of pages and the distant sound of night creatures. 

As I paused to think, I glanced toward the door, my eyes meeting his in a moment that seemed to stretch infinitely. There was an unspoken understanding between us, a bond that transcended words.

"Mr. Arjun, you can take a seat if you are tired."

"No need. I can stand." 

It had been almost a month since he joined as my personal bodyguard. I had been living alone in my apartment ever since brother left for the US.

Sometimes, Yash and Shikha di would be there to accompany me.

Arjun stayed in the Guest room which was to the right side of my room. His lights were always on as if he was patrolling through the night.

He would sleep late and rise at 4:30 am sharp. Everyday. Even if I was also a morning person, I needed atleast 5hrs sleep. He would be satisfied in only 3hrs.

I wondered if I even needed a bodyguard. However, having him by my side was not such a bad idea either. 

"Mr. Arjun, you said that day that you were my fan. Which of my works do you like the most?". The sound of silence was killing me. I did not want us to be awkward. Hence, I sparked a conversation.

"All."

 Why is he so uninterested in speaking to me? Does he not like me?

"Plea-"

Suddenly, a loud gunshot shattered the tranquility, echoing through the night like a violent storm. The window glass broke into pieces. I froze. The pen in my hand clasped to the ground.

 Arjun rushed to my side at once. He closed all the curtains, pulled my chair closer and stood in front of me.

 Pulling me close with a protective embrace, he shielded me from the gun shots. He covered my ears with his both hands. My heart raced. I closed my eyes. I took a deep breath. Relax Aditi. You will be safe.

My head rested against his chest as I listened to the steady beat of his heart.

"Don't worry," he whispered, his voice low and soothing, 

"I won't let anything happen to you." 

I opened my eyes slowly and glanced up towards him. There was not an ounce of fear in his eyes. He was confident.

His eyes, filled with a mixture of determination and tenderness, searched mine for any sign of fear.

The world around us faded away, leaving just the two of us, together against whatever might come.

Arjun Singh Rathod:

I thought maybe her dreams were the ultimate object which connects the real world to fictional world. Unfortunately, even that was not the case. 

I was determined to find the truth. I thought, maybe if I push her to the limits, she might summon 'the Door' and save herself from dying. Hence, I made my first plan. An attack. 

*********

The day before joining as her bodyguard,

"Is everything ready? I asked Rohan, the gang leader while putting the end of a cigar into the dustbin.

"Yes, Just give orders boss." I fought against Rohan and his gang 3 years ago. Since then, I trained them professionally and now they work under me. 

"I'll inform you but remember, attack from the back side only. Fire three shots. Nothing more, nothing less. We do not want her dead. "

"Yes. Boss!" His whole gang agreed in unison. 

********

Present day,

I was guarding outside her room. I made sure, Rohan and his gang had successfully arrived in the backyard. I got a message from Rohan,

'Boss, me and my men are standing near the trees waiting for your signal. Should we shoot?'

Just then I saw Mrs. Mehra look at me. Our gaze met. Did she see Rohan and his men from the window? Does she suspect me? No.

While I was busy talking to her, I glanced towards the front window. I saw some men covered in black outfits ready with their Guns hiding behind the trees. 

Fuck! I clearly told them to stand in the back yard near the trees. Why the fuck are they standing in front? I was disgusted. Before I could be angrier, one of those men triggered the gun towards the window.

Fuck! I did not even give the signals. Why are they already shooting? 

Thadoom...the window shattered into pieces. I quickly ran to Mrs. Mehra and covered her ears.

I made a quick call to Rohan.

"Why shoot before giving signals?", I was angry.

"Sir, we did not shoot. We are waiting for your orders in backyard."

"Fine. Come to the front with your Guns. There's Emergency." 

That was the moment when I understood everything. The ones shooting were not my Men.

It was just a coincidence or Not one. I had no time to think. I only knew one thing that we were all in trouble. I quickly hid Mrs. Mehra under her desk and said,

"Don't move. Stay here until I return" 

She held my arm tightly,

"Please stay safe. Don't harm yourself."

"I'll try."

 I quickly went down to living room. Rohan and his men were already waiting for me. They handed me a Gun and we all went towards the front. The shiny evening had now turned into a chaotic night. 

The room was dimly lit, filled with the echo of distant footsteps. I crouched behind a stack of crates, my senses heightened and adrenaline pumping through veins.

My team, expertly positioned around the room, awaited my signal, each of them ready for the impending confrontation.

Outside, a group of gangsters approached, their figures shrouded in the shadows. The leader of the gang signaled for his men to spread out, their eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of me and my team.

Suddenly, a burst of gunfire shattered the silence, bullets ricocheting off metal beams and sending sparks flying.

I jumped into action, my movements fluid and precise as I returned fire, my aim true. My men followed suit, each one engaging with their targets, their coordinated efforts a testament to their training and camaraderie.

I advanced, taking cover behind a concrete pillar before popping out to fire a precise shot that disarmed one of the gangsters. I motioned to my team, and they moved forward, using hand signals to communicate amidst the chaos.

The gangsters, realizing they were outmatched, began to retreat, their numbers dwindling as they fell under my relentless assault.

My team pressed the advantage, advancing strategically and pushing the remaining gangsters into a corner.

In a final push, I confronted the gang leader, who raised his weapon with a sneer. With lightning-fast reflexes, I disarmed him, delivering a swift kick that sent the gun skittering across the floor. The gang leader, realizing he was beaten, raised his hands in surrender, the fight draining out of him.

I held his forehead at Gunpoint. 

"Who sent you? And why?"

He started smiling. I fired a bullet across his left leg. Still, he was laughing. 

"Did you think you won against me?" he finally opened his mouth. 

"What do you mean? Who is behind you? Answer me.", my patience was at its fullest. 

"Look up.", he gestured towards the broken window. 

 A man with the same black dress as gang leader was pointing a gun at Mrs. Mehra's head. 

Fuck! when did he reach up? I thought to myself. 

"Boss, He is dead.", Rohan pointed at gang leader before me. 

"Seems like he poisoned himself.", one of my Men assumed. 

"Take him to the hospital before he dies. Now!" I ordered my men. I quickly went upstairs. 

Mrs. Mehra looked terrified. The gang member looked too young to hold a gun. He was sweating heavily. It felt like it was his first time holding a gun. Walking slowly towards the gang member and putting my gun down on the desk, I said

"Look, I surrender. Can you please hold the gun off her head now?", I said calmly.

"No! I cannot do so. Boss will kill me."

"Don't be scared, tell me why your boss needs her?" 

"I don't know all that! But he is very dangerously. He will kill me if he knows I came back unsuccessful. "

"Fine, I will let you pass through the door."

"Really? If you don't do so, I will kill her."

"Yes!" 

The boy moved forward with gun still on her head. Just when he crossed me, I quickly kicked his leg. He and the gun fell flat on the ground. I picked the gun up and pulled Mrs. Mehra by my side. 

Soon, my men arrived and took him in the custody. 

I looked at her. Her heart beating against my chest. Heavily like it could explode at this moment. 

She whispered slowly forming hardly any words,

"Thank you... for saving me...."

 Before she could say anything else, her eyes closed, and she collapsed on the floor.

"No one else gets to kill you Mrs. Mehra, except me." I smirked.