Chapter One- First Sight
"Agent Mallik, we have received new information from the Bangalore headquarters, it seems they have been able to partially decode the message. The Chief has requested for you sir." "Yes I'll be there immediately." Armaan hung up, got in his car and zoomed to the headquarters.
"Agent Mallik, the thief we have been tracking down seems to be in Mumbai currently, but I assume you're aware of it?" Armaan nodded. " I know you have been currently involved in the criminal case, but we are in the final stages of it and I want you to hand over the case to Agent Grewal and take this one up." Armaan looked at the chief of the headquarters, a man who was in his mid fifties, with surprise. He has been working on this case since the past eight months and now he wants him to give it up? "But Chief, as you have stated it, the case is almost over. I'll finish it up and take this up." Chief Mehra sighed, he knew how involved Armaan was in this case. "Armaan, I know but this thief is extremely lethal, and even beyond that he has an unstable criminal activity record. It's been sixteen months since his last activity and we're still not sure what he's next move is. Look, I know you have put your heart and soul into this case, but do this for me. You're the best agent that we have and we need to find him Armaan." Armaan couldn't help but agree to this. "Yes chief, I'll take up the case immediately. Speaking of which, I've been informed the code has been decoded partially?" "Yes, it has. The Bangalore headquarters has forwarded the information to Mumbai. You will be leading the team there", the chief answered happily. "Yes Sir, I'll leave to Mumbai tonight itself." "Excellent Agent Mallik. I wish you the best of luck in this case. I know you will succeed." "Thank you sir."
Armaan went to his temporary apartment in New York, which was the headquarters to pack. He was reluctant in giving the case which was so important to him to Agent Grewal, who was his nemesis in the field, but he had to agree for his chief. His chief has been a mentor, a confidant and friend for him throughout his career. How could he refuse this person? He packed his bags and went to the JFK Airport and boarded the flight to Mumbai. Despite his initial refusal to take up the case, he felt an adrenaline rush as he did whenever he took up a new case. It was a battle for him, which he almost always won. And this time, the battleground was Mumbai, a place he hasn't been to in nearly three years. "Game on, Mr. Thief", he thought as the plane took off unknown to game he was actually about to face, which was more than what he probably ever bargained for.
Mumbai Headquarters
"Good morning Agent Mallik, Welcome to the Mumbai headquarters." The senior officer greeted him as he entered the office. "We are delighted to work with you officer. Let me introduce you to our team." The lady took him inside to one of their private conference rooms. There were two women and a man waiting in the room. "Hi, everyone so as I have been telling you, this is Agent Mallik, he will be working with you on this case. Agent Mallik, this is Agent Aul Joshi, Muskaan Chadda and Anjali Gupta. I wish you all the very best of luck" and then she left. "Agent Mallik, I have heard a lot about you, especially the new criminal case in New York. I must say, its quite impressive", Muskaan voiced in eyeing him appreciatively. Armaan chuckled, "Thank you Agent Chadda, right? But please call me Armaan we're a team now and I would very much appreciate to be your friend more than your senior", he said looking at everyone. "Definitely, Hi, I'm Atul Joshi and this right here is Anjali soon to be Joshi Gupta. Welcome Armaan, have you been to Mumbai before", he shook Armaan's hand. "Atul!", anjali rolled her eyes and whined at her crazy fianc. "Kya Anjali, maine sahi hi tho kaha tha na, in approximately 4 weeks and 3 days, wait no four days", he claimed proudly. Anjali just shook her head at her crazy fianc, "Welcome to Mumbai Armaan and you can call me Anjie. Have you been to Mumbai before?" Armaan just grinned at the duo. He shook her hand, "Thanks Anjie, No this isn't the first time I've been here before" he answered. "Also congratulations to the both of you", he stated. And that just brought a smile on Atul's face. "Thanks Armaan, btw our wedding's in four weeks and your invited. You have to make it!" Armaan just smiled at Atul. He was such a warm person who can put a smile on anyone's face. "Sure, I'll try to make it", he replied. After that they got to they discussed about the details of the case and decided to call it a day.
Armaan was zooming around the streets of Mumbai in his bike when he accidently almost bumped into a car. It was more of that car's fault, but he got out to apologize anyway. The car opened, a girl got out and Armaan's world froze for a moment. She looked like an angel dressed in a white suit, hair flowing over her face as she tried to keep them away from her eyes, with a scowl that made her look more beautiful. And those eyes, green hues that held him mesmerized as time stopped all together. He snapped out as he saw people gathering near where they were standing. "Oy, Mister kya soch raha hai? Can't you see where you're driving? Dikhtha nahin hain kya? " Riddhima was fuming while this beautiful stranger stared at her. The moment she stepped out of the car, those blue eyes kept her captive before she snapped out and realized her front light was broken. Armaan's dazed look turned into a frown. "Excuse me miss, what do you mean I can't see, what was your car doing on my side of the road, when you're headed the opposite direction? You can't blame me for not seeing you." "I was not heading in the wrong direction", Riddhima retorted angrily. "Yes you were", Armaan replied.
"No I wasn't" "yes" "No" Then Armaan got fed up of this fight. "Look miss, Regardless of whose fault it is, your vehicle is damaged as well as mine, so we're even." "What do you mean we're even?" and Riddhima was about to continue when her pager buzzed, it was an emergency. She just gave him one more angry look and got in her car. "Look Mister, this is Mumbai, people drive out of order, I say you should learn these rules first." She left there fuming , while Armaan just stood there surprised. He shook his head and headed to his new house.
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