MISSION PINK ROSE

Untitled Part 5 THE MISSION BEGAN

Jack was talking from the other side. "Hello, Tiger," said Jack.

Vikram asked, "Did you get any news?"

"Yes," said Jack.

Suspiciously, Vikram asked, "What is it?"

Jack explained, "Today I called one of my colleagues who has been covering for me while I was away because my father was admitted to the hospital. He told me that some Russian people visited the bar, and he saw Pravin Jindal with them. They were discussing some deal, but apparently, a person in the army was causing trouble for them."

"What was the deal?" Vikram asked.

"He didn't know the exact details, but Pravin Jindal assured them that he would 'take care' of the problem. My colleague said that Jindal sounded like he was planning to get rid of someone," said Jack.

"Did he mention who Jindal is planning to kill?" Vikram asked.

"No idea," Jack replied.

"Okay. If you get more information, let me know," said Vikram, then he hung up the phone.

Vikram was left wondering who it was, why Pravin Jindal was involved in an army deal, and whom he was connected to. He was almost certain that Jindal was linked to Thapa's murder and decided to call Rimi. The mobile rang, but no one picked up the call because Rimi was at a war game exercise practice.

When she returned, she noticed a missed call from an unknown number. She called back, and the phone rang on Vikram's end. He came out of the washroom, drying his face, saw it was Rimi, and quickly answered.

"Hello," Vikram said.

Rimi recognized his voice and asked, "Why did you call me, Vikram?"

Vikram asked, "Do you remember my voice?"

Rimi answered, "You're my childhood friend, Vikram. How could I forget your voice?"

Vikram smiled and asked, "I called to ask if you had any updates on Uncle's death."

Rimi told him, "Officially, they are treating it as a natural death, but I asked Ashok Uncle to investigate further. He is going to be the next army general."

"You mean Ashok Verma?" asked Vikram.

"Yes," said Rimi. "Why are you surprised?"

"Nothing," said Vikram. "Do you know anything about Pravin Jindal? Did Uncle mention anything about him?"

"No," said Rimi.

"Did Uncle ever meet him in relation to the army arms deal?" asked Vikram.

"No," Rimi replied. "Why are you asking all these questions so suddenly?"

"It's nothing. But if you get any information about Uncle or Pravin Jindal, please let me know. Save this number; it's mine. And one more thing—don't trust anyone, even Uncle's friends. Take care," Vikram said, before hanging up.

Vikram started wondering if there was any connection between the death of the army general and Raj's death. He decided to get closer to Janvi, thinking he could use her to reach Pravin Jindal. He went to her flat and rang the doorbell. Janvi opened the door.

"Hi," said Vikram.

"Hi," Janvi replied, surprised.

Hesitantly, Vikram asked, "Can I come in?"

"Yeah, of course. Please come in," Janvi said, also hesitating.

"Please, take a seat," she added, though both of them seemed awkward and kept quiet. Janvi looked around nervously. Seeing her discomfort, Vikram decided to break the silence, but both started to speak at the same time, laughed nervously, and then went quiet again.

In his mind, Vikram was thinking, "I can take any risk to fight enemies, but I can't start a conversation with a woman. Why am I so dumb?"

Meanwhile, the doorbell rang again. Janvi stood up to answer it, but Vikram said, "No, you don't need to open it. I'll do it."

"What? Why?" Janvi asked, confused.

"Oh, yeah, this is your house. Please, go ahead," Vikram stammered.

Janvi was baffled by his strange behavior but walked toward the door and opened it. Her parents and children had returned.

Her father, surprised, asked, "Oh, Vikram! What a surprise!"

Vikram just smiled as the children rushed to him, hugging him and shouting, "Vikram Uncle!"

Janvi asked the kids to go to their room since it was late. Her mother took the children to bed, and her father sat on the couch next to Vikram.

"So, what brings you here?" Janvi's father asked.

"I just wanted to meet the kids," Vikram replied.

Janvi brought coffee for her father and Vikram. After finishing his coffee, Vikram left.

The next morning, Vikram was waiting for Janvi in the lobby. She exited the lift, saw him sitting on the couch, and misunderstood his presence, thinking he was trying to get close to her. She tried to avoid him, but Vikram ran after her toward the parking lot.

"Wait!" he called out.

Janvi, slightly annoyed, but remembering his good behavior with her family, controlled her temper and asked, "What do you want?"

"I wanted to ask you something," Vikram said.

"What is it?" Janvi asked impatiently.

"How should I tell you?" Vikram hesitated.

Getting more annoyed, Janvi snapped, "What do you want? Please, be quick. I'm getting late."

In a rush, Vikram blurted out, "I need a job. Can you help me find one in your office?"

Janvi sighed in relief and said, "Oh, a job. Of course, I'll check for vacancies. Please send me your resume." She got into her car and drove off.

Vikram waved goodbye, watching her leave.

Janvi eventually found Vikram a job in her office as an assistant software engineer. One day, Vikram stayed back late at the office to finish his work, unaware that Janvi was also working late. While there, Vikram sneaked into Pravin Jindal's cabin to plant a hidden camera and voice recorder.

Meanwhile, Janvi finished her work, grabbed her things, and was about to leave when she noticed a flash of light coming from Jindal's cabin. She hesitated, fearing it might be a robber, but armed herself with a paperweight and cautiously approached the cabin. She opened the door, turned on the light, and prepared to attack.

To her shock, the person turned around—it was Vikram!

Janvi stood there, stunned.

To be continue..............