Page 3 of The Pursuit
I shot him a sharp glance, my attempt at seriousness meeting his persistent playfulness. “This isn’t funny. It was a dangerous mission, and you shouldn’t have been a part of it.”
Unfazed, Krish leaned casually against the wall, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. “Well, dangerous or not, you have to admit, it was a memorable first meeting, at least for me. Whenever I would use a public restroom henceforth, there would always be a lingering concern about my privacy, hoping you don’t barge in there again, looking for your suspects.”
I rolled my eyes, unable to hide a grudging smile. Krish possessed an incredible ability to turn a potentially tense situation into light-hearted banter, a skill that left memomentarily disarmed.
“Good,” I nodded, feigning satisfaction. “I’m glad to leave that kind of impact on a man who thinks he’s the coolest guy in the world.”
I exited the washroom, knowing Krish had followed me out, too. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Krish, with his charm and curiosity, had left an indelible mark on a mission that was supposed to remain strictly professional. Paul exchanged a glance with me, raising an eyebrow, silently questioning the unexpected ally by my side. Ignoring his unasked question, I stepped out of the neon-lit ambience of the Inferno Fusion Nightclub. Little did I know, our paths were bound to cross again, and the unpredictable journey had only just begun.
A month later, I received an offer letter from GLEN, the Global Law Enforcement Network, an organisation headquartered in Austria dedicated to combating international crime and tracking down the world’s most wanted and elusive criminals. The letter extended an invitation for me to work as their secret agent in India for specific missions. What caught my attention was the signature on the letter, signed by one of its Directors—Krish Rajvanshi!!
In an instant, I realised he was the same man who had left a lasting impression on me since our initial encounter. Because beneath his signature, there was a personal handwritten note that read,‘Your charming fool.’
Though the offer letter had caught me off guard, I neatly folded it with a smile playing on my lips, marvelling at how that day Krish had asked me if I believed in serendipity. It never crossed my mind that someone ascharming and amusing as Krish could hold the position of Director in one of the world’s topmost law enforcement organisations. Only a fool would give up on such an opportunity. Thus, I made the decision to accept it. After all, he had piqued my curiosity too and I wanted another chance to meet him and get to know him better. Period!!
CHAPTER 2 (SILENT SPARKS)
KRISH
The plane touched down in Delhi, and the familiar rush of anticipation surged through me. It had been four long months since that unexpected encounter in the nightclub washroom, and I was back in the city for some paperwork. But truth be told, my main agenda was to check on Trisha.
As I steered through the bustling airport, memories of our first meeting played in my mind like a well-scripted scene. The way she barged into the men’s restroom, looking for suspects, was etched in my memory. Her combat skills and the precision with which she completed her mission—it all left me curious about this enigmatic woman.
Within two weeks, her entire life story was neatly compiled on my desk. An ex-RAW agent, currently working undercover with the state police—Trisha was no ordinary woman. She was smart, capable, and perfectly suited for a role in GLEN. I couldn’t bear to let someone like her waste her talents on local police cases.
Most intriguing of all, there was an inexplicable pull, an attraction that I felt towards her. As the director of a powerful international organisation, I had encountered many women, but none had left an impression as she did in just one meeting. And the fact that she managed to do it without even trying made her all the more captivating. She had to be special.
A week after I sent her the offer letter, news of her acceptance reached me through my channels within Delhi’s GLEN office. She started her training, both physically and intellectually, for the Global Law Enforcement Network, while I was back in Austria juggling responsibilities.
Despite my own demanding missions, I had kept a keen eye on her progress. Trisha excelled in every test—proof of her sharp mind and strong character. It was today, after four long months, that I would finally get a chance to see her again in action during her final physical test.
I arrived at the GLEN training facility, a secure compound hidden away from prying eyes. This was the place where new joiners from India were trained for the missions. The energy within the complex was electric. Agents in training moved with purpose, each step bringing them closer to becoming a part of a covert force that fought against international threats.
Trisha, clad in tactical gear, was in the midst of her final test. Three highly trained agents stood before her, formidable opponents for anyone to be taken down. I stood behind the glass wall of the room. As the director, my presence went unnoticed by most, allowing me to observe the unfolding scene without interruption.
Trisha fought with grace, a lethal combination of calculated strikes and evasive manoeuvres. Her movements were efficient, showcasing the result of months of intense training. It was clear that Trisha wasn’t just meeting the standards; she was surpassing them. With each forceful strike against her opponent, she was delivering powerful blows to my heart which hadbeen echoing her name ever since our first encounter.
As the physical test reached its end, she faced off against the three opponents simultaneously. The air crackled with tension as more blows were exchanged. It was a display of skill and determination that left me in awe. I couldn’t help but marvel at Trisha’s prowess.
“Impressive,” I muttered to myself, a wry smile playing on my lips. The woman had an uncanny ability to leave me both intrigued and captivated.
The final blows were dealt, and Trisha emerged victorious. Beads of sweat adorned her forehead, and yet, there was a fire in her eyes that hadn’t dimmed. As the agents dispersed, I finally stepped forward, revealing my presence.
“Trisha,” I greeted with a subtle smirk on my face. “Well done.”
She turned towards me, a mix of surprise and recognition in her eyes. “Director,” she acknowledged, her gaze steady.
We had much to discuss—missions, strategies, and perhaps, the undeniable spark that had grown between us during these months of separation. The room felt quiet, leaving only the two of us in there. The moment our eyes locked, time seemed to stretch into an infinite moment, as if the universe itself had conspired to bring us together. Her gaze, intense and unyielding, held mine in a silent conversation that needed no words. Her eyes spoke volumes—enough to tell me that something deeper was brewing in her heart just as it was in mine.
Reality crashed back when she blinked, breaking the spell. Neither of us had moved, as if afraid that the slightestmovement would shatter this fragile moment.
“What brings you here, Director?” she asked carefully, maintaining the professional line between us.
“Director?” A playful grin tugged at the corners of my lips as I replied.
“The last time I recall, you called me something else—a charming fool.”
Trisha’s smile, though hidden, sparkled in her eyes. “First impressions can be wrong.”
