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" Movie night "

Some days later , 

Mallika’s POV

The warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains as I sat cross-legged on the plush carpet, watching Agastya build a tower with his colorful blocks. His tiny fingers carefully placed each block on top of the other, his face scrunched up in deep concentration.

"Khalgosh, dekhna, yeh gira toh nahi na?" he asked, glancing up at me with wide eyes.

I smiled, reaching out to steady the slightly wobbly structure. "Nahi, bohot strong lag raha hai. Lekin agar ek aur block rakhoge, toh sambhalke rakhna."

Agastya grinned, picking up another block and carefully placing it on top. The tower swayed slightly but remained standing. He clapped his hands in delight. "Yay! Main jeet gaya!"

I ruffled his hair. "Mera champ!"

Just as I was about to help him build a second tower, my phone buzzed beside me. I glanced at the screen—Monika. My heart immediately sharpened with focus.

I picked up the call. "Kya mila?"

Monika’s voice was serious, cutting straight to the point. "Mallika, Manish ka kaam fix ho gaya hai. Woh trade Gujarat ke ek Shiv temple mein karega."

I frowned. "Shiv temple? Kab?"

"Mahashivratri ki raat," she said. "Ye uske liye perfect cover hai. Mandir mein hazaron log honge, security bhi lax ho sakti hai. Woh bheed ka fayda uthayega."

I clenched my jaw. "Bohot chalaki se socha hai usne."

"Haan, aur ek aur cheez," Monika continued. "Ye sirf chhota trade nahi hai. Is baar ek bade mafia group ke sath deal hone wali hai. Bahut bade amounts involved hain."

I exhaled slowly. "Toh matlab, agar hum isse tod dein, toh Manish ko bhi tod sakte hain."

"Exactly," Monika confirmed. "But tu wahan kaise jaayegi?"

I glanced at Agastya, who was happily playing, unaware of the storm brewing. "Kuch sochna padega."

Monika sighed. "Mallika, tujhe bohot careful rehna padega. Manush sirf chalaki nahi, bohot dangerous bhi hai."

"Main jaanti hoon," I murmured, my mind already planning my next move.

"Mujhe bata, tujhe aur koi madad chahiye?"

I smirked. "Nahi, bas data bhej de. Baaki main handle kar lungi."

Monika hesitated. "Theek hai. Par zyada risk mat lena."

"Tu mujhe jaanti hai," I said lightly.

"Wahi toh darr lagta hai," she muttered.

I smiled, then hung up. My fingers drummed against my knee as I processed the information. Shivratri ki raat. Mandir. Trade. Hazaron log.

Agastya looked up at me, his head tilting. "Khargosh, kya hua?"

I softened instantly, reaching out to cup his cheek. "Kuch nahi, bas ek important kaam hai."

He pouted. "Phir aap jaane wali ho?"

I kissed his forehead. "Haan, par bas thodi der ke liye."

He sighed dramatically. "Aap hamesha busy rehti ho."

I chuckled, pulling him into a hug. "Bas ye ek kaam nipta loon, phir sirf tumhare saath rahungi."