Sirens screamed across the metro station.
People ran in panic.
Preyajeet quickly pulled Akanksha behind a pillar, shielding her with his body.
"You need medical help," he said urgently, pressing his handkerchief against her bleeding arm.
"I've survived worse," she replied, trying to stay strong.
But her face had turned pale.
He looked into her eyes — and for the first time, fear was visible.
Not fear of death.
Fear of losing something she never expected to have.
Him.
Military vehicles arrived within minutes.
Preyajeet made a fast decision.
He removed his jacket and covered her head.
"Walk normally," he whispered. "Trust me."
She didn't argue.
For someone trained to trust no one, she was trusting him too easily now.
That scared her.
They slipped through the chaos and entered an underground parking area.
Inside his SUV, he locked the doors.
"Who was that sniper?" he demanded.
She stayed silent for a moment.
Then finally spoke.
"Not Indian. Not officially Pakistani either."
"Then who?"
"A private shadow network," she said quietly. "They sell war. They create conflict between nations to profit from it."
His eyes narrowed.
"You're saying this whole operation was designed to spark a military crisis?"
She nodded slowly.
"And we were pawns."
Suddenly—
His phone rang.
It was headquarters.
"Major, stand down immediately," his senior officer ordered. "You are instructed to detain the suspect on sight."
He glanced at Akanksha.
"Negative," he replied calmly. "She's not the one behind this."
There was a pause.
"That is not your call, Major."
The line disconnected.
He exhaled slowly.
Now he was disobeying direct orders.
For her.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked softly.
"Because I believe you."
Three simple words.
Her heart trembled.
No one had ever believed her before.
Not even her own agency.
Before they could speak further—
A loud explosion rocked the parking area.
Cars shattered.
Smoke filled the air.
"They tracked us!" she shouted.
Masked men stormed inside with automatic weapons.
Preyajeet instantly grabbed his gun.
"Stay behind me!"
Gunfire erupted.
Sparks flew from concrete pillars.
He shot precisely, taking down two attackers.
But more kept coming.
Akanksha picked up a fallen weapon.
Back-to-back again.
Perfect sync.
He moved left.
She covered right.
A bullet grazed his leg.
She shot the attacker before he could fire again.
"Don't you dare fall," she said angrily.
He smirked despite the chaos. "I thought you were ordered to kill me."
"Shut up and focus!"
Another grenade rolled toward them.
Preyajeet grabbed her and jumped behind a car just as it exploded.
Flames rose high.
Heat burned the air.
For a second, they were lying close, faces inches apart.
Breathing heavy.
Eyes locked.
Everything slowed.
"You could still leave," he said softly.
"So could you," she replied.
Neither moved.
Neither left.
More footsteps echoed.
They stood again, ready to fight.
But suddenly—
Military helicopters circled above.
Searchlights flooded the parking lot.
The attackers fled instantly.
Silence followed.
Too sudden.
Too planned.
Preyajeet looked up at the helicopters.
"These aren't ours…"
Akanksha's face turned serious.
"They're escalating."
He looked at her.
"This isn't just a spy mission anymore."
She nodded.
"It's the beginning of a war."
And somewhere in the darkness—
Someone was smiling.
Because the more they fought together—
The more dangerous their love became.