"Will you stop arguing and listen to what I am saying, Arora?" Abhishek burst out trying hard to explain his point of view to his partner but she was not ready to listen.
"No. You listen to me, Mehra. My assumptions are always right and you know that." Pragya argued, with an attitude but still trying to sound as cool as possible.
It had been two years since Abhi and Pragya had become undercover field partners at the CBI. The entire organization could vouch for the tremendous job both of them had done over the past years, and had also been awarded many times for the bravery and relentless passion they had for their work, but more than anything, everyone enjoyed their legendary pride and prejudice enactments. Both were too egoistic to listen to what the other had to say, always leading into verbal duels, much to the amusement of other agents. They have solved 99 cases successfully and this was their 100th mission.
"Listen, it's not another murder investigation, it's a terrorist attack." Abhishek tried to explain.
"I know that." Pragya replied. "I am going to stick to my plan and if you wish then you can come with me, otherwise I don't care.
And she left the cabin.
Abhishek couldn't believe that she is the same as she was in college and their training days. They never cope up well with each other. And here destiny played this stupid cruel game of making them partners, professionally. He has been used to her carelessness despite being trying to change it. She never cared of her life. May be because she doesn't have a family now. Her parents died in a car 5 years back after she joined CBI. It's still a mystery if it was really an accident or someone has done it for revenge.
But Abhi did had a family. He has been taking care of his little sister since, forever after his parents settled in London. His grandmother didn't want to leave her house so he and his sister stayed back with her. Though she died last year, the Mehra siblings refused to go to London as they were happy in their own house and were in love with their jobs.
Abhishek did know the value for life. It was his duty to save people in trouble but he also knew how to save himself from danger. Thus, he always made missions with a safe exit plan, but Pragya always had an entry plan. She says once you enter a problem, you will find a solution on the way. Perhaps, that's the reason why they always fight.
With no other option, he followed her.
Sweat beads ran down his face, when he realized that Pragya has moved in. He found her car on the parking with a note inside that she was going in. When he neared the shopping mall which was hijacked all his eyes could make out was huge crowds of people gathered a few metres away from the main building.
"This girl.." Abhishek tried to rush across the ring the NSG commandos had formed only to be pulled back. Never, never had Abhishek Prem Mehra been so desperate in his life. Terror echoed every heart that beat in the chests of those who saw this spectacle.
''We are sorry sir, you need to hold back!!'' one of the NSG men told Abhi.
No. He cannot stay calm. He can not hold back. It the first tome Pragya has started any mission alone. They have always taken every step together. How can she do it? Wait, is he afraid to lose her?
Abhishek climbed up the pipe from back of the building and entered through the window. He gazed around. It was a washroom. He opened the door and peeped outside. Men, women and even kids seemed scared and sitting in a corner. His eyes rolled in order to search Pragya but he couldn't see him. He decided to search for her and took step forward.
"Stop!" he heard someone shout. His feet stopped recognising Pragya's voice. But where was she?
"Why the hell are you shouting stupid woman?" A man, wearing a mask marched towards the crowd and held up Pragya pulling her hair.
