Security

The room was dark, the curtains drawn shut, blocking out the bright afternoon sun. Avyan Rajput sat on the edge of his bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands hanging loosely between them. His eyes stared at the floor, but his mind was lost somewhere else-somewhere in the past, where love still felt real.

His heart felt heavy, like a weight pressing against his chest, making it hard to breathe. The silence in the room wasn't peaceful; it was suffocating. He had always believed in love, in kindness, in forever. But forever had left him broken.

He ran a hand through his messy hair, his jaw tightening as unwanted memories flooded his mind. The laughter, the promises, the warmth-it was all a lie. The person he had loved the most had walked away, leaving him behind like he was nothing.

Avyan let out a shaky breath and leaned back against the headboard, staring at the ceiling. His eyes burned, but he refused to let the tears fall. He had cried enough. He had begged enough. Now, there was only emptiness.

"Main itna kamzor kyun hoon?" (Why am I so weak?) he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible.

His phone lay beside him on the bed, the screen dark, untouched for hours. No calls, no messages. No one really understood what he was going through. His friends tried to cheer him up, his mother worried endlessly, but no one could fix what was broken inside him.

His fingers curled into a fist as he took a deep breath.

"Bas bohot ho gaya, Avyan. Ab bas." (Enough, Avyan. That's enough now.)

But even as he said it, his heart refused to listen.

Parents room ,

Rajveer Rajput stood near the window of his grand bedroom, his sharp eyes fixed outside. The city lights flickered in the distance, but his mind was focused elsewhere. His jaw was clenched, his fingers gripping the edge of his desk as he read the message on his phone.

Suhani Rajput sat on the bed, worry evident in her eyes as she observed her husband's tense posture. She had seen this look before-the look of a man who was holding back a storm.

"Kya hua Rajveer? Aap itne pareshaan kyun lag rahe hain?" (What happened, Rajveer? Why do you look so worried?) she asked softly, walking up to him.

Rajveer exhaled sharply, turning to face her. His voice was low but firm.

"Avyan par aaj attack hone wala tha." (Avyan was going to be attacked today.)

Suhani gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Kya?" (What?) Her heartbeat quickened. The thought of her son in danger made her stomach twist with fear.

Rajveer nodded, his expression dark. "Woh jo meeting pe jaane wala tha, wahi pe plan tha usko nuksaan pahunchane ka." (The place where he was supposed to go for the meeting-that's where the attack was planned.)

Suhani's legs felt weak, and she sat down. "Par woh toh gaya hi nahi... shukar hai." (But he didn't go... thank God.)

"Haan." (Yes.) Rajveer ran a hand through his hair, frustration and relief mixing in his voice. "Uska bahar na jaana uske liye acha ho gaya. Warna aaj kuch bhi ho sakta tha." (Him not going outside turned out to be good for him. Otherwise, anything could have happened today.)

Suhani's eyes welled up. "Rajveer, hum apne bete ko aur kitna dukh sahne denge?" (Rajveer, how much more pain will we let our son go through?)

Rajveer's expression hardened. "Yeh dukh nahi hai, Suhani. Yeh uski zindagi ka sach hai." (This is not just pain, Suhani. This is the reality of his life.) He looked at her, his voice filled with finality. "Ab mujhe ek faisla lena hi hoga." (Now, I have to make a decision.)

Suhani swallowed, already knowing what was coming. "Kya?" (What?)

Rajveer took a deep breath. "Avyan ke liye ek bodyguard hire karna hoga. Aur iss baar, koi bhi nahi... sabse behtareen." (We have to hire a bodyguard for Avyan. And this time, not just anyone... the best one.)

Rajveer Rajput didn't waste a second. His fingers moved swiftly as he picked up his phone and dialed his personal assistant's number. The call barely rang twice before the man answered.

"Ji sir?" (Yes, sir?) came the respectful voice from the other end.

Rajveer's grip on the phone tightened, his voice sharp and commanding. "Mujhe India ki sabse behtareen bodyguard team ka ek detailed report chahiye. Aaj raat tak." (I need a detailed report on India's best bodyguard teams. By tonight.)

There was a brief pause before the PA spoke hesitantly. "Sir, kya ye Avyan sir ke liye hai?" (Sir, is this for Avyan sir?)

Rajveer's eyes darkened. He hated how easily people could see through his actions when it came to his son. Taking a deep breath, he replied, "Haan. Mere bete ke liye sabse best chahiye. Koi compromise nahi." (Yes. I need the best for my son. No compromises.)

The PA didn't question further. "Samajh gaya, sir. Main abhi kaam shuru karta hoon." (Understood, sir. I'll start working on it immediately.)

Rajveer ended the call and set his phone down on the table, exhaling deeply. His mind raced with thoughts, but one thing was clear-he had almost lost his son today. And he would never let that happen again.

Suhani watched him, her hands trembling slightly as she spoke. "Rajveer, kya Avyan ko pata hona chahiye iske baare mein?" (Rajveer, should Avyan know about this?)

Rajveer clenched his jaw. "Abhi nahi." (Not yet.) His voice was firm. "Usse aur pareshaan nahi karna chahta. Jab sab final ho jayega, tab bataunga." (I don't want to stress him more. I'll tell him when everything is finalized.)

Suhani nodded, but worry still clouded her eyes. "Mujhe bas itna pata hai ki jo bhi bodyguard tum hire karne wale ho, usse Avyan ka dil samajhna aana chahiye. Woh sirf uske jaan ki nahi, uske dil ki bhi hifazat kare." (All I know is that whoever you hire, they should understand Avyan's heart. They shouldn't just protect his life, but also his heart.)

Rajveer didn't respond immediately. He simply turned to look out the window again, his expression unreadable. He knew that no bodyguard could fix a broken heart. But at least, they could ensure his son stayed alive long enough to heal.

******************************************

The dim glow of a single lamp flickered inside the small apartment, casting long shadows against the walls. The place wasn't luxurious, but it was practical-neat, compact, and filled with just the essentials. It was exactly what Ishkii needed.

She sat on the worn-out couch, her gloved hands carefully dismantling the gun she had just used. Each movement was precise, practiced. She didn't celebrate victories, and tonight was no different. Another mission completed. Another target neutralized.

Across the room, Tara Singh leaned against the kitchen counter, chewing on gum, her laptop open in front of her. Her sharp eyes scanned the screen as she smirked. "Ek aur mission khatam. Pata hai, kabhi kabhi sochti hoon ki tu insaan hai bhi ya nahi." (Another mission done. You know, sometimes I wonder if you're even human.)

Ishkii didn't look up. "Bakwaas band kar, Tara." (Stop your nonsense, Tara.) Her voice was cold, her focus still on cleaning her weapon.

Adit, sitting beside her on the couch, chuckled. He was the only one who could sit so close to Ishkii without fearing a knife to his throat. "Maan na padega, har baar bina kisi galti ke kaam nipta deti hai." (Gotta admit, you always complete the job without a single mistake.)

Ishkii finally set the gun parts aside and leaned back, exhaling. "Galti ki gunjaish nahi hoti, Adit. Jisme emotions hote hain, galtiyaan bhi wahi karte hain." (There's no room for mistakes, Adit. The ones who have emotions make mistakes.)

Tara rolled her eyes. "Haan haan, madam toh emotions naam ki cheez se door bhaagti hain." (Yeah yeah, madam runs far away from anything called emotions.) She stretched and shut her laptop. "Waise, tera agla case kya hai?" (By the way, what's your next case?)

Ishkii shrugged, standing up. "Jab aayega, tab dekhenge." (I'll see when it comes.)

Just as she said that, her phone buzzed. She picked it up, her face unreadable as she listened.

"Ek naya client hai. Bahut bada naam. High-level security chahiye." (There's a new client. A big name. They need high-level security.)

Ishkii's fingers tightened around the phone. "Mujhe details bhejo." (Send me the details.)

As she hung up, Adit raised an eyebrow. "Kya lagta hai? Ye case bhi waise hi hoga jaisa pehle wale?" (What do you think? Will this case be like the others?)

Ishkii's lips curled into a smirk, but her eyes remained cold. "Mujhe farq nahi padta. Client koi bhi ho, kaam ek hi hota hai-survive karna." (I don't care. No matter who the client is, the job is the same-survival.)

After sometime Ishkii sat at the small dining table, her fingers tapping against the wooden surface as she waited. Adit, sitting across from her, refreshed his screen, then smirked. "Aa gaya tere naye client ka data." (Your new client's details are here.)

She extended her hand, and Adit passed her the tablet. As her sharp eyes scanned the details, her expression remained unreadable.

Name: Avyan Rajput

Age: 27

Background: Heir to the Rajput empire, one of the wealthiest families in the country.

Current Situation: Recently suffered emotional distress, refuses to engage in business or social life. High-risk target.

Threat Level: Severe. Multiple anonymous threats detected.

Requirement: 24/7 security, personal bodyguard.

Ishkii exhaled through her nose. "Ek bigda hua ameerzada. Great." (A spoiled rich brat. Great.)

Adit leaned back, grinning. "Par is baar case thoda interesting lag raha hai. Ladka sirf business ke wajah se target nahi hai, personal grudges bhi hain." (But this case seems interesting. The guy isn't just a target because of business, there are personal grudges involved too.)

Ishkii scrolled further and saw a picture of Avyan. A young man with soft features, dark eyes that looked distant, and an expression that held more sadness than arrogance.

"Tch. Yeh toh case se zyada babysitting lag raha hai." (Tch. This sounds more like babysitting than a case.)

Adit chuckled. "Tu har kisi ko ek jaisa samajhti hai, Ishki. Shayad yeh ladka alag ho." (You think everyone is the same, Ishki. Maybe this guy is different.)

She shot him a sharp look. "Mujhe farq nahi padta. Client ka kaam sirf ek hota hai-zinda rehna. Aur mera kaam-usse zinda rakhna." (I don't care. A client's only job is to stay alive. And my job is to make sure that happens.)

Adit shook his head, still amused. "Tu kabhi badal nahi sakti." (You'll never change.)

Ishkii didn't respond. She glanced at the last line of the file.

Final Decision: Client's father wants only the best. Selection is final.

She sighed and pushed the tablet back toward Adit. "Bata do inhe... main kaam shuru kar rahi hoon." (Tell them... I'm starting the job.)

Ishkii stood up from the table, stretching her arms as if this job was just another routine task. But she knew better-this was different. The threats, the emotional state of the client, the high-profile nature of the case-it wasn't going to be as simple as taking down a target.

Adit watched her closely, sensing the shift in her mood. "Toh? Tu akeli jaane wali hai ya plan kuch aur hai?" (So? Are you going alone, or is there another plan?)

Ishkii cracked her neck before replying, "Tum dono mere saath chal rahe ho." (You both are coming with me.)

Tara, who had been lazily lounging on the couch, sat up straight. "Kya?" (What?)

Adit raised an eyebrow. "Matlab? Tu toh akele kaam karna pasand karti hai." (What do you mean? You usually prefer working alone.)

Ishkii's voice was firm. "Haan, karti hoon. Par ye case normal nahi hai. Yahan sirf security ka sawaal nahi hai. Mujhe intuition aa raha hai ki yeh case mushkil hone wala hai. Aur mujhe kisi par bharosa hai toh sirf tum dono par." (Yes, I do. But this case isn't normal. This isn't just about security. I have a feeling this is going to be tough. And if I trust anyone, it's only you two.)

Tara whistled. "Maan gaye. Madam ko bhi intuition hota hai?" (Impressive. Even Madam gets intuition?)

Ishkii shot her a look. "Mazak band kar, aur tayyari kar. Hum kal subah nikal rahe hain." (Stop joking and get ready. We're leaving tomorrow morning.)

Adit smirked, already knowing there was no point in arguing. "Mujhe koi problem nahi. Par Avyan Rajput ke ghar tak jaane se pehle, tu yeh toh soch le ki uska response kya hoga." (I have no problem. But before you step into Avyan Rajput's house, think about how he'll react.)

Ishkii's lips curled into a smirk. "Uska response mere kaam ko affect nahi karega. Chaahe woh mujhe pasand kare ya na kare, mujhe sirf ek cheez se matlab hai-uski safety." (His response won't affect my job. Whether he likes me or not, I only care about one thing-his safety.)

Tara stretched her arms. "Toh phir chalo, mission Rajput shuru karte hain!" (Then let's go, Mission Rajput begins!)

As the night deepened, the three of them started preparing for their next move. None of them knew that this wasn't just another mission.

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