The next night, Delhi trembled under silent tension.
At exactly 11:47 PM—
The city's power grid glitched.
Screens flickered.
Security systems lagged.
Military servers detected a breach attempt.
Inside an abandoned warehouse near the outskirts, Akanksha stood before multiple digital monitors. Lines of encrypted codes moved rapidly.
"Final phase activated," she whispered.
Her fingers moved confidently.
This was the mission she had trained for.
One successful infiltration.
One massive data extraction.
Then she would disappear forever.
But suddenly—
The warehouse lights burst on.
"Step away from the system."
Preyajeet's voice echoed in the dark.
She froze.
He stood at the entrance, gun aimed steadily at her.
Rainwater dripped from his jacket. His face was intense.
"You shouldn't have come alone," she said calmly.
"You shouldn't have started this," he replied.
For a moment—
Silence.
Only the sound of machines humming.
She slowly turned toward him.
Gun in her hand.
Now they stood facing each other.
Two weapons.
Two nations.
Two hearts confused.
"Move aside, Major," she said softly. "This doesn't have to be violent."
"You're attacking my country," he said firmly. "It already is."
Her jaw tightened. "You don't know the full truth."
"Then tell me!"
Emotion cracked through his voice.
That surprised her.
Before either could react—
Gunshots exploded from outside.
Both turned instantly.
Masked armed men stormed the warehouse.
Not Indian forces.
Not her backup team.
Unknown.
Bullets shattered glass and metal.
Preyajeet grabbed her arm and pulled her down just as a bullet passed over her head.
"Stay close!" he ordered.
She didn't argue.
Instinct took over.
They moved back-to-back, firing carefully.
No hesitation.
Perfect coordination.
He protected her left side.
She covered his right.
Enemies fell one by one.
But there were too many.
A bullet grazed Preyajeet's shoulder.
He winced.
Akanksha's eyes widened.
Without thinking, she stepped in front of him and shot the attacker aiming at his chest.
"Are you crazy?!" he shouted.
"You're injured!" she snapped back.
Another explosion shook the warehouse.
Smoke filled the air.
She grabbed his hand.
"This way!"
They ran through the back exit into the pouring rain.
Breathing hard.
He collapsed against a wall, holding his bleeding shoulder.
She quickly tore a piece of her scarf and tied it tightly around his wound.
Her hands trembled.
"Why?" he asked quietly.
"Why save me?"
She looked at him.
For the first time—
No mask.
No spy.
Just a girl with conflicted eyes.
"I don't want you dead," she whispered.
His heart pounded harder than the gunfire.
Thunder roared.
Rain fell heavily around them.
He slowly lifted his hand and touched her wrist.
"And I don't want you as my enemy."
Their faces inches apart.
Danger everywhere.
But in that moment—
The world faded.
She closed her eyes briefly.
Then—
Sirens echoed in the distance.
Reality returned.
She stepped back.
"This war isn't just between us," she said softly. "There's someone bigger controlling it."
"Who?" he demanded.
She hesitated.
Then whispered—
"We've both been used."
Police vehicles approached.
She moved backward into the shadows.
"Akanksha!" he called.
She paused.
"Next time we meet…" she said, voice breaking slightly,
"…it won't be with guns."
And she disappeared into the darkness.
Preyajeet stood in the rain—
Bleeding.
Confused.
But now certain of one thing.
This wasn't just a mission anymore.
It was love in the middle of war.
And someone else—
Had just declared a bigger battle.