My Angel Is A Devil

CHAPTER 3

Chapter 3 :

Everyone boarded the police vehicle, Pravalika and Charan taking the front seats while the rest settled in the back.

“Madam! I managed to get the bus number. It stops at the main bus stand. Unfortunately, the driver’s contact number wasn’t available as the informer had an accident while trailing the suspect and has been unconscious since last night. He only managed to call me once he woke up”, Charan explained.

Pravalika nodded, pulling out her mobile phone to brief the commissioner about the operation before excusing herself to meet him.

The journey took nearly 45 minutes. Upon arrival, they disembarked and positioned themselves by the roadside, eyes fixed in anticipation.

Time seemed to stretch as they waited, but eventually, the bus appeared in the distance. Pravalika’s gaze remained locked on the approaching vehicle, her focus unshaken by the bustling surroundings.

“Ensure no one exits the bus until we locate our suspect”, Pravalika instructed sharply as the bus neared.

As the bus drew closer, Pravalika sprang into action, darting forward with the speed of an arrow and leaping onto the bus. Her sudden entrance startled the passengers waiting to disembark, who stared at her in astonishment. With determined eyes, Pravalika scanned the interior for her target.

Meanwhile, Charan and the rest of the team boarded the bus, disregarding the driver's attempts to block the exit and prevent anyone from getting off.

After a thorough search, Pravalika's gaze settled on a man in the fifth row, clad in a blue shirt. His eyes met hers with a mix of surprise and amusement. He seemed both intrigued and entertained by the sight of a young woman scrutinizing him in front of the other passengers.

Raising an eyebrow with a mischievous smile, he teased,“Hey, young lady! Is this your new way of flirting with handsome guys?”.

Pravalika’s eyes narrowed in suspicion as she shifted her gaze to Charan for confirmation. Charan, unable to see the man's face clearly, nodded and mouthed the  description black jeans and a blue shirt.

Without a moment's hesitation, Pravalika seized the man by his collar, yanking him from his seat and dragging him out of the bus. The man was taken aback by the abruptness of her actions, and before he could protest, she had him outside. With one hand pinning him against the bus, she twisted his arm behind his back.

“Stay still. Are you coming from Vizag?”, she demanded, her voice firm and authoritative.

The other passengers gaped at the scene with wide eyes and dropped jaws. Charan and the rest of the team were equally stunned. The man they had been tipped off about was a striking figure tall at six feet with a well-defined, muscular physique that spoke of rigorous training. His commanding presence and cold aura were both intimidating and captivating, making him appear more like a model than a mere suspect. He exuded a charm that could easily captivate anyone.

Charan approached Pravalika, his voice low and uncertain. “Madam! This man doesn’t seem like the usual suspect. He looks like a gentleman. He might have escaped”.

“BOSS!”.

The sudden shout made Pravalika whip around, her gaze sharpening as she assessed the new arrivals. Five individuals in suits stood before her: three clad in black, clearly bodyguards by their dress code, and two in more conventional business suits.

Without hesitation, Pravalika drew her gun, aiming it at the man she held. Her eyes locked onto the newcomers. “Who are you? And who is this man?”.

The five looked on, stunned, as their boss, a notoriously unapproachable figure, was held captive by a seemingly ordinary woman.

“Excuse me. Do you even know who you’re dealing with? This is Mr. Vikramaditya, CEO of R&R Group of Companies”, one of the men announced, a note of indignation in his voice.

Upon hearing this, Pravalika straightened her posture but maintained her hold on the man. She assessed the situation again, then glanced at Charan and the other team members. Realizing they had made a mistake, she released her grip and took a couple of steps back. Aditya adjusted his clothes, brushing off the dust with a practiced air of composure.

Aditya’s gaze lingered on Pravalika as he took in her appearance, black trousers, a white formal shirt, and a jacket draped over her shoulders. Her hair, left untamed, fluttered with the breeze. It was her eyes that captivated him, their intense, ocean-like depth was both striking and formidable. Despite her mistake, Pravalika stood tall, hands now casually resting in her pockets, her gaze unwavering and unrepentant.

Before Aditya could speak, Pravalika began her interrogation.

“If you’re such a prominent businessman, why are you on this bus? Why are you dressed in the same clothes we were searching for? Did you notice anyone else on the bus with a blue shirt and black pants? Where are you coming from?”, she fired off her questions with unrelenting precision.

Aditya raised a hand, a smirk playing on his lips. “Shhh! Can you take a moment to breathe? Are you a walking question bank? Shouldn’t you be apologizing for your actions first? Do you have any idea what could happen if I decide to sue you?”.

Pravalika withdrew her hands from her pockets and crossed her arms over her chest. She stared directly at him, a challenge in her eyes. “Oh, really? Go ahead and do whatever you see fit. We acknowledge our mistake, but that doesn’t mean you can use the law as a threat while we’re working. Do you know who we’re actually searching for? I’ve wasted enough time on you. I’ll get some information from the driver instead”.

Turning to Charan, she instructed,“Charan! Bring the driver here. We need to get some information from him”.

The passengers on the bus began to voice their frustration over the delay, and soon the atmosphere grew chaotic, drawing the attention of the public.

Pravalika swiftly reboarded the bus and addressed the crowd with a commanding presence. “Will you all please quiet down for a moment? A short delay won’t change much, but if we waste more time, it will hinder our ability to catch the criminals. We need your cooperation. I hope you understand”, she said, her voice icy and authoritative.

Her stern demeanor and imposing presence silenced the murmurs immediately. Aditya observed her with a mix of amusement and fascination. Her confidence and control were evident in every movement, and despite his team waiting for him to return, he found himself captivated by her.

Pravalika stepped off the bus and began questioning the driver about the person they were searching for. She provided a description and listened intently as the driver spoke.

“Madam! I remember the person you’re describing. He boarded the bus at the Vizag bus stand and bought a ticket to Hyderabad. At first glance, he seemed rather menacing, with a scar on his cheek below his eye. Before we reached Vijayawada, this gentle man’s car broke down and stopped our bus. That man took the opportunity to get off the bus and leave. I don't have any further details”, the driver explained.

Pravalika absorbed the information, then turned to the driver and confirmed,“So, the person we were referring to left the bus when this person’s vehicle broke down?”.

“Yes, madam!”, the driver confirmed.

Pravalika glanced back at Aditya, who was observing her with a mixture of amusement, surprise, and an unreadable emotion. She signaled Charan to take down the driver’s details and allow them to leave.

She then approached Aditya and asked,“Do you recall anything about the person who left the bus? Since you were near him when the bus stopped, any details or unique identifiers you can provide would be incredibly helpful for our investigation”.

Aditya straightened, shoved his hands into his trouser pockets, and met her gaze. After a moment of intense eye contact, he said,“Yes! I remember him well. His appearance, especially since we were dressed similarly, made him stand out to me”.

Pravalika took a step closer, her anxiety evident. “Can you give me any clue that might help us find him?”.

Aditya leaned in, his face just inches from hers, startling her. Before she could react, he whispered,“I can give you the information you need, but only if you agree to have coffee with me”, he said with a playful wiggle of his eyebrows.

Pravalika was caught off guard by Aditya's sudden advance and tried to step back, her movement causing her to lose her balance. Charan and Rakhi, who had been observing, rushed to her aid to prevent her from falling.

Before they could reach her, Aditya’s strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her securely against his chest. The unexpected contact left Pravalika momentarily stunned, and she found herself pressed against him, bewildered by the turn of events.

The onlookers, who had come to escort Aditya, watched in astonishment. It was a rare sight for them to see Aditya, known for his guarded demeanor, allowing such intimacy with a woman.

“Madam! Are you okay?”, Rakhi’s voice snapped Pravalika back to reality.