Heer

As the black SUV moved smoothly through the streets of Mumbai, the atmosphere inside the bodyguards' car was tense yet controlled. Ishkii sat in the front passenger seat, her sharp eyes fixed on the road ahead, while Adit drove with his usual calm demeanor. Aman and Tara sat in the back, but unlike their usual banter, today's conversation was serious. 

Tara leaned forward slightly, her voice steady but curious. "Ishkii, yeh jo attack ki baat ho rahi hai… koi confirmation hai ya bas ek warning?" (Ishkii, this attack that's being talked about… is it confirmed, or just a warning?) 

Ishkii didn't look away from the road. "Confirmation hai. Attack hone wala hai." (It's confirmed. The attack will happen.) 

Aman's fingers tapped against his knee. "Kahan se confirmation mili?" (Where did you get the confirmation from?) 

Ishkii finally turned her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "Rajveer Rajput ke sources se." (From Rajveer Rajput's sources.) 

Tara's brows furrowed. "Agar unko already pata tha toh aaj ka schedule change kyu nahi kiya?" (If they already knew, then why didn't they change today's schedule?) 

Adit let out a small chuckle. "Business world me har chiz risk ke saath hoti hai. Har baar plans change karne lage toh logon ko shak hone lagega." (In the business world, everything comes with risk. If they keep changing plans every time, people will get suspicious.) 

Aman sighed. "Par ab tak toh kuch dikha nahi. Koi suspicious activity?" (But nothing has happened yet. Any suspicious activity?) 

Ishkii remained silent for a moment before speaking. "Ab tak nahi. Par hone wala hai." (Not yet. But it will.) 

Tara crossed her arms. "Aur jo pichla attack plan tha? Uske baare me koi information?" (And what about the previous attack plan? Any information about it?) 

Ishkii's gaze darkened. "Attack direct nahi tha. Indirectly Avyaan ko phasana tha." (It wasn't a direct attack. They were trying to trap Avyaan indirectly.) 

Aman frowned. "Matlab?" (Meaning?) 

Ishkii's voice was calm but firm. "Ek business deal ke through illegal activity ka blame uske upar daalna tha. Meeting ke bahane usse uss deal me fasa diya jata, aur jab tak woh sach samajhta, uska career aur naam donon khatam ho chuke hote." (They were going to frame him through a business deal involving illegal activity. Under the pretense of a meeting, they would have trapped him, and by the time he understood the truth, both his career and name would have been destroyed.) 

Tara's jaw tightened. "Clever. Usse maarne ke bajaye uski reputation todne ka plan tha." (Clever. Instead of killing him, they planned to ruin his reputation.) 

Ishkii nodded. "Haan. Par jab usne meeting cancel kar di, plan fail ho gaya." (Yes. But when he canceled the meeting, the plan failed.) 

Adit glanced at Ishkii through the rearview mirror. "Aur aaj ka plan?" (And today's plan?) 

Ishkii's voice held certainty. "Direct attack." 

Aman exhaled deeply. "Location confirm hai?" (Is the location confirmed?) 

Ishkii's lips pressed into a thin line. "Office se wapas aate waqt." (On the way back from the office.) 

Silence filled the car for a moment before Tara finally spoke. "Toh ready rehna hoga." (Then we need to be ready.) 

Ishkii's eyes glinted with a deadly calm. "Hum hamesha ready hote hain." (We are always ready.) 

And with that, the tension in the car thickened as they silently prepared for what was to come.

The sun was setting as Avyaan, Raghav, and Reyansh exited the office, feeling lighter than they had in weeks. The workday had gone smoothly, and for once, Avyaan wasn't drowning in his own thoughts. 

As they settled into their car, Reyansh stretched his arms and smirked. "Yaar, yeh bodyguard drama kuch zyada hi ho gaya hai. Hum pehle bhi safe the, ab bhi safe hain." (Man, this whole bodyguard drama is a bit too much. We were safe before, and we are safe now.) 

Raghav chuckled. "Aur upar se ek ladki ko humara bodyguard bana diya. Matlab socho, ladki humari protection kar rahi hai!" (And on top of that, they made a girl our bodyguard. Just imagine, a girl is protecting us!) 

Avyaan, though quieter, smirked slightly. "Haan, aur jo attitude hai uska… bilkul stone-faced robot lagti hai." (Yeah, and her attitude… she looks like a complete stone-faced robot.) 

Reyansh laughed. "Sach kahu toh mujhe lagta hai usne bina emotions wale kisi experiment ka injection le rakha hai." (Honestly, I think she has taken an injection that removes emotions.) 

Unbeknownst to them, their entire conversation was being heard. 

A few miles behind them, in the second car, Ishkii, Adit, Tara, and Aman were silently listening through the hidden microphone and camera Ishkii had installed in their car. 

Tara crossed her arms. "Mujhe already gussa aa raha hai." (I'm already getting angry.) 

Adit smirked. "Toh socho jab unko yeh pata chalega ki hum sun rahe the tab kya hoga." (Then imagine what will happen when they find out we were listening.) 

Aman chuckled. "Pata nahi, par main Avyaan ke reaction ka intezaar kar raha hoon." (I don't know, but I'm waiting for Avyaan's reaction.) 

Ishkii remained silent, eyes fixed on the road. She wasn't affected by their words. Words had never mattered to her—actions did. 

But before anyone could comment further, Adit's sharp eyes caught something unusual. 

A black SUV was speeding towards Avyaan's car from the side. 

Adit's jaw tightened. "Woh log move kar chuke hain." (They have made their move.) 

Before the attackers could hit Avyaan's car, Adit pressed down on the accelerator, maneuvering their car with precision. With perfect timing, he rammed their vehicle into the attackers' car, causing it to skid off balance. 

Screech! 

Avyaan's car jerked as Raghav grabbed the door handle in shock. "What the hell was that?!" 

Reyansh turned around and saw the chaos behind them. "Bhai… koi hum pe attack kar raha hai!" (Bro… someone is attacking us!) 

Before Avyaan could react, his phone rang. 

Ishkii's calm voice came through. "Gadi side me roko aur apne seat ke neeche jhuk jao. Abhi." (Pull the car to the side and duck under your seats. Now.) 

Something in her voice sent a shiver down Avyaan's spine. Without arguing, he pulled the car to the side. 

As soon as they stopped, Ishkii and her team jumped into action. 

The attackers, recovering from the impact of Adit's hit, stepped out of their car with weapons in hand. But before they could take another step, Ishkii was already there. 

Her movement was swift, precise, and deadly. With one powerful kick, she disarmed the first man. 

Tara, moving just as fast, tackled another. 

Aman and Adit worked together, easily overpowering the remaining men. 

The fight lasted only minutes. Within no time, the attackers lay unconscious on the ground. 

Avyaan, Raghav, and Reyansh peeked out from their car, their jaws dropping as they watched Ishkii and her team in action. 

Reyansh muttered, "Yeh log toh sach me terminators nikle." (These guys are actual terminators.) 

Raghav, still in shock, whispered, "Aur hum inse mazak kar rahe the…" (And we were making fun of them…) 

Avyaan, for the first time, had no words. 

As Ishkii wiped her hands and turned towards them, her expression as unreadable as ever, she spoke in a calm but firm voice. 

"Agle baar mazak karne se pehle soch lena." (Next time, think before making fun.) 

Without another word, she walked past them, leaving Avyaan feeling something unfamiliar—respect mixed with undeniable curiosity.

The Rajput mansion was filled with tension. Suhani paced the living room, her hands clenched together, while Ahaana sat on the couch, nervously tapping her foot. Rajveer stood near the window, his sharp eyes fixed outside, waiting. 

The moment they heard the sound of cars pulling into the driveway, Suhani rushed forward, followed closely by Ahaana. The heavy doors opened, and there they were—Avyaan, Raghav, and Reyansh, safe and unharmed. 

Suhani didn't waste a second before pulling Avyaan into a tight hug. "Tum theek ho na, beta?" (Are you okay, son?) Her voice trembled with emotion. 

Avyaan, still processing everything that had happened, gently patted her back. "Main bilkul theek hoon, Maa." (I'm completely fine, Mom.) 

Ahaana threw herself at him next, her eyes filled with relief. "Bhai, mujhe itna darr lag raha tha!" (Brother, I was so scared!) 

Reyansh and Raghav weren't spared either. Suhani hugged both of them, her motherly concern not limited to just her son. "Tum dono bhi theek ho na?" (Are you both okay too?) 

Raghav smiled, a bit awkward with the sudden display of affection. "Haan aunty, hum bilkul safe hain." (Yes, aunty, we are completely safe.) 

Reyansh sighed dramatically. "Par jo hamari izzat ka attack hua hai, uska kya?" (But what about the attack on our dignity?) 

Everyone looked at him in confusion. 

He shook his head. "Hum log bodyguard ke upar mazak uda rahe the, aur unhone humari jaan bacha li. Yeh izzat ka attack nahi toh aur kya hai?" (We were making fun of the bodyguards, and they saved our lives. If this isn't an attack on our dignity, then what is?) 

For the first time that evening, the tension broke, and a few chuckles were heard. 

Rajveer stepped forward, his eyes scanning the doorway where Ishkii and her team stood silently. His gaze, usually strict, softened slightly. 

Walking up to Ishkii, he gave her a small nod. "Tumne aur tumhari team ne jo aaj kiya, uske liye shukriya." (What you and your team did today, thank you for that.) 

Ishkii simply nodded, her face as cold and unreadable as ever. "Yeh hamara kaam hai." (This is our job.) 

Without another word, she turned around, signaling to her team. Adit, Tara, and Aman followed her without hesitation. 

Suhani stepped forward, watching them leave. "Ruko… raat ka khana toh saath me kha lo." (Wait… at least have dinner with us.) 

Ishkii paused for a second but didn't turn around. "Aap apni family ke saath waqt bitao. Hum apni jagah par theek hain." (Spend time with your family. We are fine in our place.) 

And just like that, she and her team walked toward the bodyguard quarters, leaving behind a house filled with gratitude, curiosity, and newfound respect.

The bodyguard quarters were dimly lit, the air still thick with the weight of the evening's events. Ishkii sat on a chair, arms crossed, her usual cold expression in place. Adit leaned against the wall, his sharp eyes scanning the room, while Aman stretched his sore muscles. Tara, however, was restless. 

"Kya tumhe kuch idea hai ki yeh attack kisne karwaya?" (Do you have any idea who planned this attack?) she asked, her voice serious. 

Ishkii didn't look up. "Haan." (Yes.) 

Tara frowned. "Kaun?" (Who?) 

Ishkii finally met her gaze, her voice devoid of emotion. "Sara Malhotra." 

There was a stunned silence. 

Adit let out a low whistle. "Toh Avyaan ki ex-girlfriend ab uski jaan ki dushman ban chuki hai?" (So Avyaan's ex-girlfriend has now become his enemy?) 

Aman scoffed. "Pyar se nafrat tak ka safar kitna jaldi tay kar liya isne." (She moved from love to hatred really fast.) 

Tara shook her head in disbelief. "Par yeh sirf ek attack tha. Matlab abhi aur bhi hain jo Avyaan ko nuksaan pahunchana chahte hain?" (But this was just one attack. That means there are more who want to harm Avyaan?) 

Ishkii nodded. "Sara sirf aaj ke attack ke peeche thi. Lekin aur bhi log hain jo dushman hain, par abhi tak unka pata nahi chala." (Sara was only behind today's attack. But there are more enemies, and we haven't identified them yet.) 

Adit's expression darkened. "Matlab yeh bas shuruaat thi." (That means this was just the beginning.) 

Ishkii stood up, her cold gaze sharp. "Haan. Aur main shuruaat se hi sab kuch khatam karna pasand karti hoon." (Yes. And I prefer to end things right from the start.) 

The room fell silent again, but this time, it wasn't from shock—it was from the certainty that this war had only just begun.

The atmosphere in the bodyguard quarters was heavy. After everything that had happened, silence had settled between them. Ishkii sat on the edge of a chair, her sharp eyes lost in thought, while Adit leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed. Aman stared at the ceiling, as if looking for answers, but Tara… she looked different. 

She was quiet—too quiet. 

Adit noticed it first. "Tara, kya hua?" (Tara, what happened?) 

Tara blinked, as if pulled out of her thoughts. She shook her head. "Kuch nahi." (Nothing.) 

Ishkii, who had been silent all this while, spoke without looking at her. "Jhoot mat bolo, Tara." (Don't lie, Tara.) 

Tara exhaled deeply, her fingers curling into fists. "Mujhe sirf yeh samajh nahi aa raha ki yeh sab kab tak chalega… hum kab tak sirf ladhai ladne ke liye jeeyenge?" (I just don't understand how long this will continue… how long will we live just to fight?) 

Aman shifted uncomfortably. "Tara…" 

But Tara didn't stop. Her voice was softer now, filled with something raw. "Main kabhi sochti hoon… kya hum normal zindagi jee sakte hain? Jaise doosre log jeete hain? Ek ghar, ek family, bina kisi dar ke?" (I sometimes wonder… can we ever live a normal life? Like other people? A home, a family, without fear?) 

Adit clenched his jaw, looking away. 

Ishkii's eyes finally lifted, her voice firm. "Humare paas family nahi hai, lekin hum ek doosre ki family hain." (We don't have families, but we are each other's family.) 

Tara gave a weak smile. "Haan, lekin kabhi kabhi dil kisi aur cheez ki tamanna karta hai." (Yes, but sometimes the heart longs for something else.) 

A heavy silence followed, as if each of them was thinking about the past they never spoke about—their struggles, the pain they buried deep, the scars that no one saw. 

Finally, Adit spoke, his voice quieter than usual. "Hum yeh sab chhod nahi sakte, Tara. Yeh duniya hume jeene nahi degi." (We can't leave this life, Tara. This world won't let us live.) 

Tara sighed, nodding slightly. "Pata hai… bas kabhi kabhi mann karta hai ki ek din ke liye sab kuch bhool jaun." (I know… it's just that sometimes, I wish I could forget everything, just for a day.) 

Ishkii, who rarely showed emotion, reached out and placed a firm hand on Tara's shoulder. "Ek din aayega jab hum bhi apni zindagi jeeyenge. Abhi nahi… par kabhi toh zaroor." (One day, we'll live our own lives too. Not now… but someday.) 

Tara smiled faintly. "Kabhi zaroor." (Someday, for sure.) 

And for a moment, in that dark and silent room, they weren't just warriors—they were human.

Ishkii leaned back in her chair, her sharp eyes scanning her team. The weight of Tara's words still hung in the air, but she had no time for emotions. The battle ahead was bigger than their past, bigger than their scars. 

She exhaled deeply and spoke with her usual coldness. "Maine Heer ko bula liya hai." (I've called Heer.) 

Adit, who had been sitting silently, immediately stiffened. His gaze snapped to Ishkii, disbelief flashing in his eyes. "Tumne Heer ko bula liya?!" (You called Heer?!) 

Ishkii met his glare with an unbothered expression. "Haan." (Yes.) 

Adit clenched his jaw. "Uski umar sirf 22 saal hai, Ishkii! Woh abhi itni badi ladhai ke liye tayar nahi hai!" (She is only 22 years old, Ishkii! She's not ready for such a big fight!) 

Ishkii's voice remained calm but firm. "Heer sirf 22 ki hai, par woh hum sabse tez hai. Uski skills humare kisi bhi team member se kam nahi hain." (Heer may be 22, but she is the sharpest among us. Her skills are no less than any of us.) 

Adit shook his head in frustration. "Skills alag cheez hai, Ishkii. Woh abhi bhi bacchi hai! Uske andar woh experience nahi jo yeh ladhai maangti hai." (Skills are one thing, Ishkii. She is still a kid! She doesn't have the experience this fight requires.) 

Tara and Aman exchanged looks, sensing the tension rising. 

Ishkii stood up, her cold gaze locked onto Adit. "Agar koi mere training ke layak hai, toh woh Heer hai. Tum usse kamzor mat samjho." (If anyone is worthy of my training, it's Heer. Don't underestimate her.) 

Adit's fists clenched. "Main usse kamzor nahi samajhta. Main bas yeh keh raha hoon ki agar kuch ho gaya toh?" (I don't underestimate her. I'm just saying, what if something happens to her?) 

Ishkii's expression hardened. "Toh woh apne dum par khadi hogi. Jaise hum hamesha khade hote hain." (Then she will stand on her own. Just like we always do.) 

Adit exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. He knew arguing with Ishkii was pointless. Once she made a decision, she never backed down. 

Tara finally stepped in, trying to calm the situation. "Dekho, Heer ek acchi fighter hai. Par Adit ki baat bhi sahi hai. Usse samhalna padega." (Look, Heer is a good fighter. But Adit is also right. We have to be careful with her.) 

Ishkii didn't respond immediately. Then, after a brief silence, she said, "Heer sirf ek ladki nahi hai. Woh ek warrior hai. Aur yeh jung uska bhi hai." (Heer is not just a girl. She is a warrior. And this war is hers too.) 

Adit sighed, knowing that Heer was already on her way. The decision had been made. Now, all they could do was prepare for what was coming next.

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