MISSION GATEWAY:

Note: In this OS, Dhanu is dead, caught by Karan and the academy people. Balli had replaced Karan for some time but was caught. He had admitted the truth and was a major help in catching Dhanu and was hence, turned into an informer. Everyone knows about Balli and Karan-Monami relationship. Also, everyone knows that Balli has a liking to Monami. This is set in last week of November 2022.

I had written in the first week of the Balli track, so there would be no mentions of Charu, Param or Tilli. Also, at that time, Balli was a cheapster, so that character is maintained as opposed to reformed one he became after Karan's death.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Faizi, apne network mein baat phila de", Karan said, and Faizi nodded, pulling out his phone. Karan pulled his own out, sending a picture to his own informers.

He clicked his phone shut, glancing at Faizi, and nodding. "Faizi, academy ki security ki responsibility teri. Tighten kar de. Bina khabar ke ek sui bhi andar nahi aani chahiye. Dhanu ke saath jo galti kari thi, wo Palak ke saath nahi honi chahiye."

"Copy that", Faizi said, moving out of the room.

Karan sighed, rubbing his forehead in an attempt to push back the headache he could feel coming. He moved to the desk, sitting down and studying the map of the city. He picked up a pencil, marking sensitive areas that can be used as attack spots.

His phone rang, and he glanced at the caller ID. Balli. Karan accepted the call, leaning back in the chair.

"Bol, Balli", he said.

"Ki gal hai, fauji sahab", he said. "Kudiyan te nazar rakhan bola haiga? Teri chhamak chhalo ne chadh dita ki?"

"Kaam ki baat karega? Kuchh pata hai toh bol, warna mujhe bahut kaam hai."

"Kal dikhi si yeh. Dhabe 'ch. Apne kaale kapde pehne aashiqon ke saath aayi si. Do minute kisi baandar se mili, phir aashiqon ke naal nikal li."

"Kisse milne aayi thi?"

"Inni khabar toh nahi haigi mainu. Baandar bhi pichhe pichhe nikal liya seega."

"Dhabe ka address bhej. Aur kuchh pata hai?"

"Hun tak ta nahi. Pata chalda hai toh seedha phone milaanda haan. Achha, suni."

"Bol."

"Teri kudi. Photo bhej de. Ik? Bas ik?"

Karan cut the call, rolling his eyes. A knock made him look up and he folded the map, covering it. Monami walked in. Her arms slid over to his chest, hugging him from behind, and he pressed a kiss to her cheek.

"Hi", she muttered. "Busy ho?"

"Thoda kaam hai", he muttered back. She looked at him, tilting her head. "Nahi bata sakta."

"Okay", she said. She kissed his cheek. "Tum kaam kar lo. Jab free hoge, toh message karna."

He nodded, sighing as he turned back to the map.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Karan glanced at the rough sketch of the man Palak had come to meet, before eyeing the photos of her known associates.

"Yeh toh kisi se nahi mil rahi", Sid said, looking up from his laptop. "Thoda bahut morph karke bhi dekh liya. Phir bhi nahi."

Two weeks later, and Karan had let his entire team of seven cadets in on the mission with the other three trainers. Their intelligence had reported movement of a terrorist group, warning that they might be planning something big.

Their own informers had given tidbits of information that strengthened this warning but in the one month since Karan had been debriefed about this mission, there was nothing concrete that they could act on.

The extended time limit before they made a move only worried Karan more. They were planning something big.

"Karan Bhai ji, maine apne doston ko bhi kaam par laga diya hai", Bala said, walking into the room.

"Unhe keh diya, na, ki door rahein?" Faizi said, and Bala nodded.

"Door se dekhne ka, call karne ka", he agreed.

Karan threw the picture he was inspecting down. "Koi naya hai", he said. "Jiske baare mein hume nahi pata."

"Balli ne kaha tha, do minute ke liye milne aaya tha", Monami said. "Do minute mein kitni hi baat hogi? Toh..."

"Yaa toh yeh koi message pass on karne ya lene aaya tha, ya phir kuchh cheez", Koel completed.

"Matlab, probably koi #goon hoga. Boss nahi", Chitra said.

Karan nodded, spinning his chair to face his team. "Faizi, kuchh pata chala tere network se?"

He sighed, shaking his head.

"Academy ki security?"

"Koi kami nahi hai", he assured. "Koi bhi aayega toh wo kya lekar aaya, kab aaya, kab kahan hai, sab pata hoga."

He nodded, leaning back in his chair. What the hell was Palak planning? His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he took it out.

"Bol, Balli."

"Fauji sahab, oh photo bheji si, na, kudi di? Uske saath jo uss din kaale kapdon mein aashiq si, usne abhi abhi kisi langur toh kuchh lita hai."

"Kya liya?"

"Wo hota hai, na, jo computer vich dalda haiga? Side 'ch. Oh hi, jis vich cheezan ek toh doosre tak pahunch jaandi haan."

Karan frowned. "Pen drive?"

"Haan, oh hi. Oh lita haiga."

"Jis se liya hai, uski shakal dekhi?"

"Arey, sirf dekhi nahi. Photo bhi khinch li", he said proudly.

"Bhej, na, phir. Mauhrat ka intezaar kar raha hai?"

"Bhej da haan, ji, bhej da. Ik gal dasso, je main oh pen drive le aaya, toh mainu ki milega?"

Karan rolled his eyes, sighing. "Jail naa jaana kaisa hai?"

"Naa, naa, kuchh naa chahida mainu. Pen drive laanda haan main."

"Sach me laa raha hai?" He asked in interest.

"Hor? Tusi ik ghanta intezaar karo. Main bas abhi lekar haazir. Sun. Oh... Mona Darling vi haigi academy 'ch? Dekhan da bada mann haiga."

"Balli", he gritted out, before cutting the call, rolling his eyes. "Faizi, photo bhej raha hoon kisi ki main, dhoonda shuru kar ise."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Balli bit his lip, smiling a little as he looked around the academy. Shanti glanced around nervously, next to him.

"Oh, paaji", Shanti said. "Pichhli baar aapne Karan banne da naatak kita si, in logon ne maar hi daala si."

He pushed him away as he recognized his cadets walking in. Monami smiled at him, and Balli almost smiled back dreamily. He paused before he could, not wanting to let go of his prank too soon.

"Karan Sir", Chitra said, as they walked up to him. Balli felt disappointment swell in him when Monami didn't hug him, just standing with the rest of the cadets and looking at him expectantly. "Kuchh pata chala?"

"Baaki kahan hain?" Sid asked. "Aur aapne kapde kab change kare?"

"Balli", Karan said, walking in, and Balli sighed.

"Panj minute naa chalne ditta mazaak", he said, rolling his eyes as he turned to look at the four agents walking in, all dressed in gear.

The cadets looked between the two, shaking their heads. Monami frowned, immediately moving to Karan's side, and eyeing Balli.

"Dekh kar abhi bhi ajeeb lagta hai", Bala said.

"#Long lost brothers", Chitra said.

"Contact lenses nikaalo", Monami ordered, frowning at him.

"Ek jhappi de do, lens ta kya, ji, jaan bhi nikaal lenge", Balli said.

"Goli daal deta hoon tujh mein, usse bhi nikal jayegi jaan", Karan said, and Balli sighed.

"Oye, Shanti", Balli called, and he hurried back, handing him the case. He took the contacts out, putting it in. He blinked a couple of times, before looking up.

"Pen drive laaya hai?" Karan asked.

"Hor? Ghuman thodi naa aaya. Haigi mere kol."

"Kaise mili?" Faizi asked.

"Khaali pen drive ehde wargi hi unha nu diti. Balli maahir hai adla badli 'ch, ji. Aap nu tah pata hi haiga. Banda badalta si ji, kisi ko nahi pata lageya. Aithe toh inni nikki si cheez di adla badli karni si. Balli de bai haath da khel haiga."

Everyone stared at him, unimpressed and Balli glanced around at everyone.

"Not funny", Sid said, shaking his head.

"Chal", Karan said, nodding to the inside of the academy. "Everyone, debrief."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

Karan stared at the characters written on the screen. Balli and Shanti were safely under the eye of other commandos, out of the room, while Karan's team all sat in the room, staring like him at the screen.

"Phone number nahi ho sakta", Prem ji said, sighing.

"Pincode nahi ho sakta", Monami continued.

"Naam nahi ho sakte", Suman ji continued.

"Bacha kya?" Koel said.

"Kuchh toh hoga", Karan said. "Wo hi sochna hai."

"Yeh Balli kahin buddhu toh nahi bana raha?" Bala said. "Sach mein wo hi pen drive hai, na, jo Palak ke paas jaani thi?"

Karan rubbed his forehead, studying the first series of seemingly random characters. 12101508080616190806 DLTBB E||||F

"Yeh numbers kisi alphabets ko bhi correspond nahi kar rahe", Faizi said, sighing. "LJOHHFPSHF. Meaningless."

"Wait, wait, I think I got something. Agar DLTBB ko waapas numbers mein likho toh we get 0412200202", Sid said. "Par isko hum 4122022 bhi likh sakte hain. Starting ke zeroes hata kar."

"Haan, toh?" Koel asked.

"Date", Karan said. "Date hai yeh. 4th December 2022. Baaki sabhi letters ko bhi waapas dates mein decode karo. Suman ji, Prem ji, aap decode kariye. Baaki sab, baaki socho."

"Agar yeh #numbers aur #alphabets ke saath decode kar rahe hain toh probably baaki bhi usi theme par honge", Chitra said.

Everyone fell silent inspecting the letters they had written out corresponding to the numbers.

"Par LJOHHFPSHF ka toh koi meaning nahi", Koel said finally, after several minutes.

"Nahi", Monami said. "Iska nahi. Par... agar ek letter pehle karenge, toh bana KINGGEORGE. King George."

"Code ke andar code?" Suman ji said, sighing.

"#George se mujhe sirf British kings ke naam yaad aate hain", Chitra commented idly, sighing, as she looked it up as well. "#King George the First, the second, etc. etc."

Karan and Faizi paused together, glancing at each other. "King George the Fifth", they said together.

"Kya?" Everyone said, almost together.

Karan typed the name in, looking it up, and reading it. "King-Emperor George the Fifth, pehla British Monarch jo India aaya tha. Uske welcome ke liye-"

"-Gateway of India banaaya gayo tha", Sanju completed, and he nodded.

"Isliye hi 4th December ki date choose kari hai", Faizi said, looking over Karan's shoulder. "Iska inaugration hua tha 98 years pehle. "

"Matlab, humaare paas tithi hai, aur jagah hai", Prem ji said. "Gateway of India. 4 December 2022. Par yeh E, F aur chaar lakeere ka kya arth hai?"

"E, F aur chaar lines", Monami muttered thoughtfully.

"Danda maar do koi sar par", Bala said. "Shayad dandi ka kya kaam, yeh samajh aa jaaye."

"Hum maar deto hain", Sanju volunteered.

"Focus, everyone", Karan said and they fell quiet again.

"Sid, Gateway of India ka pin code kya hai?" Suman ji asked.

"400005", he answered.

"Lines matlab zero, aur ek peechhe karke letter", Faizi said, after a couple of minutes.

"Baaki sab decode karo", Karan said.

"Hey Prabhu, sun li aapne apne iss bhakt ki", Prem ji said. "4 ghante ki mehnat kuchh rang toh laayi."

"Party?" Bala said.

"Mission complete kar lein pehle?" Karan snapped. "Party sochte raho sab. Back to work, guys."

"Work se hate kab the, jo back to work?" Sid muttered, typing in.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

A knock made Karan glance from the various maps he had spread across the table. Monami walked in, holding a tray with two mugs of coffee, and he smiled slightly.

She kept it aside, handing one to Karan and he got up from the desk, sitting down on his bed and she sat down across him.

"Khaana khaa liya tumne?" Karan asked, sipping his coffee. "Mess mein dikhi nahi thi."

"Khaa liya. Dr. Priya aaj chhuti par hain, aur Sanket ko fever hai, toh bas usi ko check up kar rahi thi", she answered. She nodded to the maps. "Kya lagta hai?"

"Possible important locations and dates", he said. "Wo toh obvious hai. Par... attack hai ya koi deal? Aur details. Kab, kiske saath, kaise."

"Earliest date 4th December thi, na? Gateway of India?" He hummed, nodding. "Sirf 9 din hai." He sighed again, draining the mug and keeping it aside.

Monami's hand slid over to his arm, scooting closer as she kept aside her own mug. He sighed, pulling her close and hugging her. He closed his eyes, relaxing slightly with her in his arms and she snuggled closer, hugging him back.

"Itni tension mat lo", she murmured. "We'll get her."

He hummed again. "Haan", he muttered back. She shifted a little, and he pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist.

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

"Everyone, be alert", Karan said, glancing around at the busy crowd at the Gateway. "Yeh time sabse busy hai. Distraction matlab humaara mission fail hona."

Nine days later, and their mission had progressed little. They didn't have any doubts that the characters meant this location and date but Karan was uncertain if they would keep them same after Balli had switched it out. Who knows if they had figured out they had the pen drive or just thought it was a technical glitch that it was empty?

But except from keeping an out there for a deal or attack, they had little plans for any other course of action. The 11 agents and cadets were spread out, each keeping an eye out, all in civilian clothes to avoid suspicion and panic.

"Everyone, come in", Monami's voice said. "West side par ek suspicious ladki hai jiske paas ek bag hai."

"Tail from a distance", he ordered. "Siddharth, Koel, tum bhi."

"Copy that", they muttered.

Monami shoved her hands in her pockets as she followed the girl, pretending to be nothing more than a tourist who was walking along. The crowd helped her blend in, and she slid from between the crowds, never losing focus.

"Monu, tujhe bhi koi tail kar raha hai", Sid said.

"Don't take your eyes off the girl, Monami", Karan said immediately. "Siddharth, jo Monami ko tail kar raha hai, use distract kar. Monami, don't lose the girl."

"Copy that", they both said.

The girl paused at a fairly secluded corner and Monami next to a wall, pulling her phone out and turning the camera on. She pretended to be clicking a selfie, keeping an eye out from the front camera at the girl. Her face was covered with a scarf, concealing her identity.

The girl kept the bag down, glancing around, before ducking her head. Monami darted to the bag, unzipping it, and her eyes widened.

"Bomb. 30 minutes ka timer hai. Koel, pakdo use", Monami snapped into the com.

"Everyone, move in", Karan ordered. "Monami, ladki ko follow karo. Bala, bomb squad bula. Siddharth, don't let go of the guy jo Monami ka peechhe kar raha tha."

"Copy that", Monami heard various affirmations and she darted after her.

She glanced back and their eyes met. A beat dropped as she probably figured out that her plan was flopped. She pushed the crowd around, running. Monami took off after her, weaving through the crowd. She could see several others giving chase, and the bomb squad they had on standby being led to the bag.

The girl slammed right into Karan as he paused in front of her, and Karan aimed his gun at her head. The scarf was pulled down from her face, revealing her familiar face.

"Palak."

---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---x---

A cheer rose up in the mess as everyone clapped after Batra Sir officially declared the mission a success.

Palak was caught, no injuries, no casualties and a big attack averted. The terrorist group wasn't eradicated from the base but it was a big victory, nonetheless.

"Good job, guys", Karan said as they all relaxed when Batra Sir left the mess.

"Karan Sir, itni badi success hai, party?" Koel asked hopefully, and the cadets all cheered, clapping.

"Party toh banti hai", Bala said, hooting.

"Please, na, Karan", Monami said, smiling at him hopefully.

"Ab toh Monu ne bol diya, ab toh Karan Sir mana nahi kar sakte", Sid teased. "Monu pyaar se kuchh bhi maang le, Karan Sir haan kar hi dete hain."

"Ooh", the rest joined in, laughing and Karan rolled his eyes.

"Main mana karne bhi nahi waala tha", he said. "Koel ko bhi nahi. Kar lo party."

They cheered again, and Karan smiled a little, seeing them talk to each other excitedly. His eyes slid over to his girlfriend, and his smile widened a little, seeing her smile and laugh happily.

"Hellooo", Sid said, and Karan glanced at him. "Kya baat hai? Chhup chhup kar Monu ko dekha jaa raha hai?"

He rolled his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, his phone buzzing in his pocket that cut him off. Karan took it out, eyebrows furrowing as the caller ID flashed the name of his informer. He accepted the call, moving out of the mess to talk to him.

Balli peeked out, seeing Karan walk out and a smirk spread over his face. The two were wearing the same outfit, and Balli hit Shanti's arm. "Oh, Shanti", he said. "Lens de. Mona Darling ke saath thodi masti hi kar lainda haan."

"Arey, paaji, sab haige. Aur Karan ko jab pata chalega, maar daalega wo."

"Thappad maar dena hai maine", Balli snapped and Shanti took out the case, giving it to him. He put them in, blinking a couple of times, before looking up.

He peeked in, seeing Monami smile and laugh along with the others. His smile widened and he glanced around, finding Karan talking seriously to the person.

He walked in, and Monami's eyes met his. She smiled sweetly at him, and Balli smiled back.

"Monami", he called, nodding her to come closer and she broke away from the group, walking to him. He clutched her arm and pulled her aside, and she looked up at him expectantly.

"Kya hua?"

Balli slid an arm over to her waist, smiling down at her and she glanced at the others. "Karan, kya kar rahe ho tum?" She said, pushing him away gently. "Sab hai yahan."

He clutched her arm pulling her back to him and Monami looked at him wide-eyed. Her eyebrows furrowed and she studied him, narrowing her eyes.

Was this Karan? Movement caught her attention from the door and she glanced at it, finding Shanti leaning in, a panicked look on his face. Her jaw clenched.

"Balli", she said, trying to push him away. "Mujhe yeh mazaak nahi pasand. Chodo mujhe."

Balli's eyes traced her, and he reached out to touch her face. Monami freed her wrist, pushing him away and her hand connected with his cheek. His head snapped to the side, and Balli lifted his head, staring at her in disbelief.

"Monu?" Sid asked slowly, as everyone stared at them. "Tune Karan Sir ko thappad kyun maara?"

"Karan nahi hai yeh, Balli hai", she answered, and immediately, Koel being the closest to her pulled her back, glaring at him.

"Mazaak seega, ji", Balli said, jaw clenching angrily. "Chaped maaran di ki lodh si? Aaj tak Balli de piyo ne hath ni lagaaya us nu."

"Balli, tumhe yeh mazaak lagta hoga, par main tumhe bahut baar keh chuki hoon Karan bankar mere paas mat aaya karo. Aur mujhe chhune ki koshish toh bilkul mat kara karo."

Her eyes flicked to the door as movement caught her attention, and Monami almost winced, seeing Karan glare at Balli murderously. His hands curled into tight fists, and out of the corner of her eyes, she saw most take a step back as he stormed up to Balli, whipping his gun out and cocking it.

His hand wrapped around his throat and he slammed him into a wall, placing the barrel against his forehead.

"Meri girlfriend se door reh", he warned. "Warna tujhe thok dunga main." Balli tried to push him away but Karan barely bulged, only tightening his grip. "Dekh bhi mat use."

He released him, and Balli coughed a little, taking some wheezing breaths and glaring at him. "Yeh jo mission kaamyab hua hai tera, wo meri wajah se hota haiga", he snapped. "Main pen drive nahi laanda toh mission fail hota."

"Do baatein", Karan said. Monami raised her fingers, and he glanced at her.

"Sorry", she said, lowering them.

"Pehli, Dhanu ke saath milkar jo tune plan kara tha, uske baad agar tune apni usefulness nahi dikhaayi hoti, toh yaa toh usi ki tarah tujhe maar dete ya phir abhi tu aur tera yeh chela kisi jail mein baithkar sadh hote. Abhi bhi, chaahon toh andar dalwaa sakta hoon. Zindagi jail mein hi kategi teri." He took a step closer. "Doosri, mission ke liye, good job par agar tujhe yeh lagta hai ki iss kaaran se tujhe main Monami ke paas jaane dunga, toh tujhse bada bewakoof koi nahi."

Balli glanced at Monami and Karan's fist slammed into his face.

"Dekh bhi mat use", he warned. "Agli baar lens academy ke andar nahi lekar aayega tu, aur mere jaise banne ka pretend kara, mazaak mein bhi, toh tere saath kya hoga, tujhe pata bhi nahi chalega. Samjha?" He looked at Shanti. "Aur tu! Agar in mein se aisa kuchh bhi kara, toh tujhe bhi saath mein thok dunga."

"Ji", Shanti said, nodding frantically. "Ji, Sir ji."

Balli glared at him, pushing him away and rubbing his throat. "Chal, oye, Shanti", he said. "Fauji sahab, jab kisi aur da pichha karna hoga ja koi khabar chahidi hogi, bata diyo. Jail jaan da koi shauk nahi haiga mainu, aur jo kita hai, uski bharpaayi karni haigi. Warna, rab di sau..." He glared at him, turning around and leaving the mess and Shanti followed.

Karan turned to Monami. "Tum theek ho, Monami?" She nodded, and he clutched her hand.

"Waise, Monu, teri aashiqon ki list academy ke aane ke baad kuchh zyaada hi lambi ho gayi hai, nahi?" Sid teased. "Aneesh, Balli, Karan. Yaad hai, us baar us KD ne bhi tujh par line maari thi. Saare aliens."

"Not... funny", Monami said, throwing glasses from the table behind her at him. He dodged them, hiding behind Sanju.

"Paagal hai kya tu?" He said. "Mar jaunga main."

"Haan, goli aur chaaku se toh mara nahi, plastic ke glass se mar jayega", Koel said sarcastically.

"Haan", Sid said seriously, and the cadets fell back into their squabbles, teasing each other.

"Waise, galat nahi keh raha wo", Karan muttered to Monami.

She looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Kya? Ki tum alien ho? I mean... haan, ho toh."

He glared at her, crossing his arms. "Mera matlab tha, tumhaare aashiqon ki list zyaada lambi ho gayi hai."

"Ohh", she said. "Uh, haan, matlab nahi. I mean..."

"Tumhe main alien lagte ho?"

"Alien ka toh pata nahi, par khadoos zaroor ho", she teased.

"Tum dono ki jo bhi ajeeb flirting chal rahi hai, wo ho gayi ho, toh aa jao, party ki taiyaari karni hai", Sid said.

"Unless... tumhe thodi privacy chahiye", Faizi teased.

"Ooh", the rest joined in.

Karan rolled his eyes but Monami beside him, laughed, joining the rest of the cadets in the planning, a big smile on her face.

Note- I'd love to hear your thoughts so if you have the time and will, consider dropping a comment. If you like my writing, check out my other works.