Only the faint hum of the ceiling light echoed between the walls.
Akanksha froze.
Standing a few steps away was a tall man in a dark jacket, sharp eyes scanning her face like a trained predator. His presence was calm, but powerful. Dangerous.
Arjun.
For a split second, neither of them moved.
Akanksha's heartbeat quickened, but her expression remained steady. She had faced interrogators, intelligence officers, and armed threats before. But something about this man felt different. His eyes were not just searching — they were understanding.
"Late night?" Arjun asked casually.
His voice was deep, controlled.
Akanksha forced a small smile. "Work never sleeps."
She tried to walk past him.
His hand slightly blocked her path.
"Name?" he asked.
"Akanksha," she replied without hesitation.
He studied her face carefully. No fear. No panic. Too calm.
Downstairs, his team was silently surrounding the building. One signal from him, and the operation would begin.
But Arjun did not give that signal.
Something felt… incomplete.
Inside her bag, the encrypted device was still warm from recent use. If he checked it, everything would end.
"Are you new here?" he asked.
"Yes. Just shifted last week."
Their eyes locked.
For the first time in years, Akanksha felt unsure. She had been trained to manipulate, to lie smoothly, to escape under pressure. But this man's silence was more powerful than interrogation.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated.
A coded message flashed on the screen:
"Abort. You are compromised."
Her breath stopped.
Arjun noticed the slight change in her expression.
"What happened?" he asked softly.
"Nothing," she replied quickly.
But he had already sensed it.
In that moment, footsteps echoed from the staircase — his team moving into position.
Akanksha understood. She had seconds.
Without warning, she pushed him lightly and ran toward the emergency exit.
"Stop!" Arjun shouted.
The mission had begun.
She ran down the stairs, fast and precise. He followed instantly. Years of army training gave him speed and control.
Outside, the night air was cold.
Akanksha jumped over a railing and landed near the parking lot. A black SUV stood ready — her escape plan.
But as she reached for the door handle, a strong hand caught her wrist.
Arjun.
For a moment, they stood inches apart.
Her hair brushed against his shoulder. His grip was firm but not violent.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
She looked into his eyes.
And for the first time, her voice softened.
"Someone who never had a choice."
The distant sound of approaching sirens filled the air.
She twisted her wrist skillfully and broke free. Before he could react, she sprayed a flash powder from her pocket.
A burst of white light blinded him for a second.
When his vision cleared —
She was gone.
Only the echo of her footsteps remained.
Arjun stood still, breathing heavily.
This was no ordinary target.
And deep inside, he knew —
This mission was no longer just about the nation.
It had become personal.