Anger

The night had passed in quiet exhaustion. Avyaan, Raghav, and Reyansh had talked for hours before eventually falling asleep in his room. Avyaan was on his bed, while his two friends had taken the couch and an extra mattress on the floor. The room was filled with soft breathing, and for a moment, everything was peaceful.

Until-

*SPLASH!*

A sudden wave of ice-cold water hit them, shocking them awake.

"Yeh kya tha?!" Raghav gasped, sitting up, his shirt drenched. (What was that?!)

Reyansh groaned, rubbing his face. "Bhai, baarish andar kaise aa gayi?" (Bro, how did the rain come inside?)

Avyaan flinched, his hair dripping, his breath caught between shock and anger. He looked up, wiping his face furiously. "Yeh kya mazaak hai?!" (What kind of joke is this?!)

And there she stood.

Ishkii.

She was dressed in an all-black outfit-black cargo pants, a fitted black T-shirt, and her long hair tied into a high ponytail. Her sharp brown eyes held no emotion, and her arms were crossed as she looked down at them. She had a presence that demanded attention-strong, unshaken, and completely unimpressed.

"Utho," she said simply, her voice cold. (Get up.)

Reyansh blinked in disbelief. "Yeh kaun hai aur hume kyun naha diya?" (Who is she, and why did she make us bathe?)

Raghav wiped his face, grumbling. "Naha diya nahi, dooba diya hai!" (Not bathed, drowned!)

Avyaan shot Ishkii a glare. "Tumhara problem kya hai?!" (What is your problem?!)

Ishkii remained unfazed. "Mera problem yeh hai ki tum ladke security ke naam pe maze lene aaye ho. Ab mujhe tumhari babysitting nahi karni, samjhe?" (My problem is that you guys are taking security as a joke. I am not here to babysit you, understood?)

Avyaan clenched his jaw. "Mujhe tumse koi security nahi chahiye!" (I don't need security from you!)

Ishkii raised an eyebrow. "Mujhe bhi tumhari permission ki zaroorat nahi hai." (I don't need your permission either.)

Reyansh looked between them and leaned toward Raghav. "Bhai, yeh ladki sach mein dangerous lag rahi hai." (Bro, this girl really looks dangerous.)

Raghav smirked. "Aur attitude dekho, ekdum Avyaan ka female version." (And look at that attitude, she's like Avyaan's female version.)

Avyaan shot them a glare. "Tum dono chup raho!" (You both shut up!)

Ishkii exhaled, stepping back. "Fifteen minutes. Neeche breakfast ke liye aa jao. Warna main dobara paani lekar aungi." (Fifteen minutes. Come downstairs for breakfast. Or else, I'll bring water again.)

With that, she turned and walked out of the room, her boots making sharp clicks against the floor.

As soon as she left, Avyaan ran a hand through his wet hair, frustrated. "Main is ladki ko bardasht nahi kar sakta!" (I can't tolerate this girl!)

Reyansh chuckled, shaking off the water from his shirt. "Mujhe toh maza aayega." (I think this is going to be fun.)

Raghav sighed dramatically. "Bhai, yeh ladki tujhse jyada dangerous lag rahi hai. Tujhe sochna chahiye tha pehle." (Bro, this girl seems more dangerous than you. You should've thought this through.)

Avyaan groaned. "Mujhe iske saath ek din bhi nahi rehna!" (I don't want to stay with her even for a day!)

Reyansh grinned. "Lekin bhai, lagta hai tumhare paas choice nahi hai." (But bro, looks like you don't have a choice.)

And as much as Avyaan hated to admit it, Reyansh was right.

Avyaan stood in front of the mirror, rubbing a towel over his wet hair, his jaw clenched in irritation. His sharp features were still clouded with anger from Ishkii's stunt. His dark brown eyes, usually filled with warmth, held nothing but frustration now. His hair, slightly damp, fell messily over his forehead, and his chiseled jawline tightened as he exhaled sharply.

He grabbed a plain black T-shirt and pulled it over his lean yet muscular frame, pairing it with dark jeans. Despite his casual attire, he still carried the aura of a rich, brooding man-someone who was used to having things his way. But today, things were far from his control.

"Chalo, neeche chalte hain, warna madam phir se paani lekar aa jaayegi," Reyansh teased, buttoning up his shirt. (Let's go downstairs, or madam will bring water again.)

Raghav smirked. "Mujhe toh aaj tak koi ladki ne aise treat nahi kiya. Yeh toh naya experience hai." (No girl has ever treated me like this. This is a new experience.)

Avyaan shot them a deadly glare. "Maza lene aaye ho kya?" (Are you here to have fun?)

Reyansh chuckled. "Maza toh aa raha hai." (It is fun.)

Without another word, Avyaan stormed out of the room, his friends following behind.

Breakfast Table - Rajput Mansion

The large dining table was set with an extravagant breakfast-fresh fruits, parathas, toast, scrambled eggs, and steaming cups of chai. Suhani and Ahaana sat elegantly, while Rajveer glanced at his watch, deep in thought. The atmosphere was calm, but only for a moment.

Because standing near the entrance of the dining hall, like soldiers on a mission, were Ishkii and her team.

She stood in the center, her arms crossed over her chest, her expression unreadable. She had swapped her previous outfit for a fitted black shirt and combat boots, paired with a sharp gaze that could cut through steel. Adit and Aman stood beside her, just as serious, their eyes scanning the room like true professionals.

Avyaan walked in, his gaze instantly landing on her. He scoffed, shaking his head as he sat down. "Mujhe laga bodyguards normal log hote hain, lekin yeh toh pura commando team le aayi hai." (I thought bodyguards were normal people, but she brought an entire commando team.)

Reyansh and Raghav, already amused, exchanged glances.

Suhani smiled warmly. "Aao beta, breakfast karo." (Come, son, have breakfast.)

Avyaan exhaled, picking up a piece of toast, but his eyes kept darting towards Ishkii and her team. "Tum log yahan kyun khade ho? Tumhe bhi bhook nahi lagti?" (Why are you all standing here? Don't you feel hungry?)

Ishkii's gaze didn't waver. "Bodyguards ka kaam khaana khana nahi hota." (A bodyguard's job isn't to eat.)

Reyansh leaned back, smirking. "Thoda relax ho jao, madam. Tum koi mission pe nahi ho." (Relax a little, madam. You're not on a mission.)

Ishkii's sharp eyes flickered towards him. "Tumhare jaise overconfident logo ko hi sabse pehle target banaya jaata hai." (Overconfident people like you are the first targets.)

Reyansh raised his eyebrows, clearly not expecting that level of directness. Raghav let out a low whistle. "Damn, ladki sharp hai." (Damn, the girl is sharp.)

Avyaan rolled his eyes. "Tum dono chup raho." (You both shut up.)

Rajveer finally looked up from his thoughts. "Ishkii."

She turned her attention to him immediately. "Yes, sir?"

Rajveer's voice was firm. "Avyaan sirf ek nahi hai jo target ho sakta hai. Raghav aur Reyansh bhi uske close friends hain. Aaj se tumhari team in dono ki security bhi sambhalegi." (Avyaan is not the only possible target. Raghav and Reyansh are his close friends. From today, your team will handle their security as well.)

Avyaan frowned. "Dad, yeh zaroori nahi hai." (Dad, this isn't necessary.)

Rajveer's gaze was unwavering. "Yeh faisla ho chuka hai." (The decision is final.)

Ishkii gave a curt nod. "Understood, sir."

Reyansh groaned. "Matlab ab hum bhi army style life jeeyenge?" (So now we have to live an army-style life too?)

Ishkii's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smirk. "Bohot maza aane wala hai." (It's going to be *very* fun.)

Avyaan exhaled sharply, gripping his fork. "Mujhe lagta hai, mera patience test hone wala hai." (I think my patience is about to be tested.)

And from the way Ishkii stood-calm, cold, and unbothered-it was clear.

As breakfast ended, everyone started moving toward the living area. The atmosphere was still tense after Rajveer's decision to extend security to Raghav and Reyansh. Avyaan, clearly irritated, walked ahead, his hands stuffed in his pockets, while his two friends followed, throwing each other amused glances.

Meanwhile, Ishkii and her team remained professional as ever. She walked with steady confidence, her gaze scanning the surroundings like a hawk. Adit and Aman flanked her sides, their expressions unreadable.

As everyone moved toward the living area, a familiar figure leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, watching Ishkii with an amused smirk.

Tara.

Her sharp, calculating eyes scanned the room before settling on Ishkii.

"Tum log bina mujhe bataye nikal gaye?" Tara raised an eyebrow. (You all left without telling me?)

Ishkii didn't stop walking. "Tumhe inform karna zaroori nahi samjha." (Didn't think it was necessary to inform you.)

Tara let out a scoff, pushing off the wall. "Ab mujhe officially introduce karwana padega?" (Now do I need an official introduction?)

Rajveer's PA, Mr. Mehta, stepped forward. "This is Tara, also a member of Ishkii's team. She specializes in undercover operations and surveillance."

Raghav and Reyansh exchanged glances.

"Matlab ek aur shaadi todne wali aa gayi?" Reyansh joked. (So another home-wrecker has arrived?)

Tara smirked, flipping her ponytail. "Meri entry kisi ki life set karne ke liye hoti hai, barbaad karne ke liye nahi." (My entry is to set lives straight, not ruin them.)

Asit chuckled. "Jhoot kam bola kar." (Lie less.)

As Avyaan , Raghav and Reyansh stepped outside, the sleek black SUV was already parked at the entrance, and standing right beside it was Ishkii, arms crossed, her expression as unreadable as ever. Tara , Adit and Aman stood beside her, their eyes scanning the surroundings like trained professionals.

Avyaan stopped in his tracks, narrowing his eyes. "Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?" (What are you doing here?)

Ishkii tilted her head slightly. "Tumhare saath office jaane ke liye." (To go with you to the office.)

Raghav let out a chuckle. "Madam, hum office ja rahe hain, jungle safari nahi jo bodyguard chahiye." (Madam, we are going to the office, not on a jungle safari that we need bodyguards.)

Reyansh smirked. "Exactly. Hume koi babysitter ki zaroorat nahi hai." (Exactly. We don't need a babysitter.)

Ishkii raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Babysitting ka kaam mujhe pasand nahi, par jab bachpana samne aata hai toh duty nibhani padti hai." (I don't like babysitting, but when immaturity is in front of me, I have to do my duty.)

Avyaan clenched his jaw. "Ishkii, tum log nahi ja rahe ho. Yeh koi war zone nahi hai, sirf office hai." (Ishkii, you guys are not coming. This is not a war zone, it's just an office.)

Ishkii took a step forward, completely calm. "Ek din pehle tumhare par attack hone wala tha, agar tum meeting pe jaate toh shayad hospital ya kabristan dono me se kisi ek jagah hote." (A day ago, you were about to be attacked. If you had gone to the meeting, you would probably be in a hospital or a graveyard.)

Silence.

Raghav and Reyansh stopped smirking. Avyaan's grip tightened around his keys.

Ishkii continued, her voice steady. "Tumhe lagta hai tum safe ho, sirf isliye kyunki kal kuch nahi hua. Par jisne attack plan kiya tha, uska next move aur unpredictable hoga." (You think you're safe just because nothing happened yesterday. But the one who planned the attack will have an even more unpredictable next move.)

Avyaan took a deep breath, his patience wearing thin. "I know how to handle myself."

Ishkii nodded. "Haan, tabhi aaj tak tumhari zindagi me sab kuch smooth chal raha hai, right?" (Yes, that's why everything in your life has been going smoothly, right?)

Avyaan's jaw clenched.

Reyansh let out a nervous chuckle. "Okay, okay, yeh ladayi band karo. Lekin hum security ke saath nahi ja rahe." (Okay, okay, stop fighting. But we are not going with security.)

Ishkii smirked slightly. "Theek hai. Hum security ke saath nahi ja rahe." (Fine. We are not going with security.)

Raghav blinked. "Sach?" (Really?)

Ishkii took a step back. "Haan. Hum sirf doosri car me tumhari peeche peeche chalenge, bina interfere kiye." (Yes. We'll just follow you in another car without interfering.)

Reyansh frowned. "Matlab?" (Meaning?)

Aman, who had been silent till now, spoke up. "Matlab tumhe guard nahi karenge, sirf tumhare saath rehenge. Agar kuch hota hai toh hum intervene karenge. Nahi toh tumhe ehsaas bhi nahi hoga ki hum wahan hain." (Meaning we won't guard you, just stay with you. If something happens, we'll intervene. Otherwise, you won't even realize we are there.)

Raghav and Reyansh exchanged glances. That didn't sound too bad.

Avyaan exhaled sharply. "Fine. Lekin mere office ke andar interfere mat karna." (Fine. But don't interfere inside my office.)

Ishkii nodded. "Jab tak zaroorat na ho, tab tak nahi." (Until it's necessary, we won't.)

Without another word, Avyaan got into the car, followed by Raghav and Reyansh. As their car pulled out of the driveway, Ishkii and her team silently got into the second vehicle, following them.

And just like that, Avyaan lost the argument without even realizing it.

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