Agent 024

THE LAST KEY

It was just like the previous race. But I had greater incentive to win and to hell if I lost another time to the guy I had a crush on. I had practiced harder than ever once my board examinations were over and I had already received confirmation from USAT. Knowing what I was heading into, I used to practice daily twice a day - working on both my speed and stamina. My coach - a father figure in my life by now put me to greater tests everyday.

We were running the length of the field which was around two hundred meters. Halfway through the race, I had covered the lead he had made. That was the parallel between us he was a sprinter I was a long distance runner - had it been a 100 metres he would have completed the race by the time I recovered. But this was different I was slower at sprints but I had constancy to back me up. Around 300 metres, and I had started taking the lead. I reached the stairs on the other side and touching the final line, collapsed on the ground about 3 seconds earlier than Abhay.

"Hell Tisha you on steroids or what?", he said between deep breaths.

He lay down on the ground next to me and we both recovered our breaths.

"Racing with you is going to give me a heart attack someday.", I said as I finally gained my breath.

"You've been practicing.", he said turning his head to look at me.

"Yeah. Once I knew what I was getting into, I told coach to make me go through hell with the practices and well he was glad to.", I popped myself on one arm as I faced him.

"He was always my favorite.", he said with a laugh.

The laugh had ended and a smile lingered on my face and his too. This moment was perfect, I couldn't wait to tell Snigdha about it.

And it dawned on me - a gut feeling at the pit of my stomach - I was forgetting something.

"Shit.", I said and jumped up. "Mission - object - my ladoos."

"Ahh yes.They're right by the pole you first saw me."

"You made me race for nothing!"

"Not nothing. You beat Abhay. People wear that as a badge of honour."

"Yeah, it'll be right there at the top my CV."

"Besides I had to make it difficult."

"It took me half an hour to just solve the riddle."

"Really - I'm not afraid of anything - I practically gave you my name in the first line."

"Yeah, I read the first line and knew I was in for a self-centered jerk."

"Hey-"

"See you around Abhay.", I said with a laugh and tuned around to sprint towards the pole. I gave myself 3 hurrahs as I raced back. This was uncharted territory with me and I didn't drown this time.

I reached the pole, grabbed my container of ladoos , mentally cursed myself for not seeing it earlier but then realizing what had taken my attention I forgave myself this once. I checked my phone Abhay had texted me his live location and I followed it to find them at the basketball court.

"Please tell me yes.", I said as I found my team on the basketball court.

"Fine yes, Tisha I accept your love, no need to be so desperate about it.", Aviral said.

"Yes, we're the first team in.", Aradhya said ignoring him and I ran to her and hugged her.

"Oh my God, I'm so happy!", I screamed.

"Quite evidently may I add.", Roger commented.

We proceeded to the table our seniors were gathered around.

"Hey, team 4 is in.", Irrfan said to no one in particular.

The crowd parted and I saw the same two seniors who had addressed us earlier sitting with a tab.

"Not bad.", the guy said as he pressed the stopper on his watch.

"I mean our batch recorded their first win ten minutes earlier than yours but not bad."

Aradhya was ready to punch this arrogant guy on the face. I could see her restraining herself.

"Names?", the girl asked.

We told her our names.

"Okay, yes I have confirmation from all their seniors she said checking her tab."

"Congratulations team 4, you did good and ignore him he's just a Chandler."

"And you're Monica?", I asked her with a wink.

"Oh he wishes.", she said smiling.

"We need to celebrate this - our first win - epic.", I said stretching the last term.

"Yeah, common, let's go eat, my treat.", Roger said.

"Good, I'm going to eat my fill for two days at once.", Aradhya said.

"Oh no lady. I'm just taking the liberty of choosing the restaurant, you'll all be paying for your own food."

"Yeah, that's not what my treat means.", Irffan said.

We all laughed as we entered the restaurant.

"What?", Aviral threw a huge tantrum the moment he saw the menu.

"No burgers, you got to be kidding me.", Roger said holding his head.

"You're at the best agent academy in the country - what did you expect burgers and milkshakes?", I said.

"Exactly.", Roger said.

"Well let's try it. I haven't heard of half the items in the menu, no harm in trying.", Irrfan said.

We all gave our orders at the counter.

"So tell me about your side of the game. I'm kind of out of the loop here.", I said as I settled down with my food.

"Okay we first found Aradhya's secret diary which she won't let any of us touch. And oh yes, the senior who hid it did get a lesson on respecting privacy first.", Roger began.

"That is not how it went down.", Aradhya defended.

"Oh you mean you weren't ready to make him take a polygraph test had we not held you back." Irrfan said.

"What are you hiding anyway?", Roger asked.

"Your murder stratergy." Aradhya said with a serious face.

"A woman right after my heart.", Roger laughed.

"Yeah, pun intended.", Aradhya joined in.

"Uh yeah then we found Roger's locket in the laboratory.", Aradhya said.

"What about you, Irrfan?, Aviral asked.

"Well, I had split from the team, worked out my riddle found my stuff and then came back a minute before you people did.", he said nodding at Aviral and I.

"Mmmm. This food isn't that bad.", Aviral said.

"Save it you're practically drooling." I said.

"Who knew healthy food could be good huh?", a worker from the restaurant who was coming out said to us with a smile.

We all nodded heartily with our mouths full of food.

"This is good.", I said as we sat there in the shade of the tree lazily sprawled on the grass.

"Right. The Academy might put us through hell but as long as I've got the right people to bear it with, I'll actually enjoy myself here.", Irrfan said.

The team that was still half-awake responded with grunts.

I smiled at Irrfan and nodded before sleep took over. I t had been a long day and yet I would do it all over again - a hundred times over. These people were doing it for all over again.