Chapter 72: chapter 72

In the heart of Paris, where echoes of love and resilience intertwined, Prakhar found himself contemplating ways to bring light into Riya's life. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Col. Rathore, once a symbol of authority, became an unexpected focal point as Crimson Dagger links started pointing in his direction.~~~Prakhar, captivated by the essence of the love he had for Riya, pondered over how to infuse joy into Riya's life. Aware of her struggles with the aftermath of her broken heart, he sought advice from friends, mentors, and even his office's wise old gardener.One afternoon, as he sat in the serene garden, Prakhar shared his concerns with the elderly gardener, Mr. Capriem. "Mr. Capriem, I want to bring happiness to Riya's life. She has been through a lot, and I want to be the reason for her smile. Do you have any suggestions?"Mr. Capriem, wise and seasoned by the years spent tending to the garden's flora, replied, "Young man, love is like nurturing a garden. It requires patience, understanding, and sometimes, a touch of spontaneity. Plan something that resonates with her heart, and you'll see the blooms of joy."With newfound inspiration, Prakhar thought about a plan a surprise Riya, aiming to create a moment that would weave seamlessly into the fabric of their budding romance.As Prakhar delved into orchestrating the surprise, his roommate Alex buzzed with joy and blessings for his dear friend. ~~~Vayu, who had played a pivotal role in unraveling the Night Owls conspiracy, sensed a pattern emerging. He called Kaushal, the dedicated intelligence officer, with his observations. "Kaushal, there's something more about Col. Rathore. An old file has mentions of Crimson Dagger, which was signed by him twenty years back, the links seem to point in his direction. We can deep dive into this matter more."Kaushal, attuned to the currents of intrigue, acknowledged Major Vayu's concerns. "Let's dig deeper, Major. If there's a connection, we'll expose it."And so, against the backdrop of Prakhar's efforts to bring joy into Riya's life, a parallel narrative unfolded—one that hinted at the intricate web of Crimson Dagger's influence within the cantonment's highest echelons.~~~While planning the surprise, Prakhar enlisted the help of Vedahi, a close friend and confidante of Riya. Their conversations echoed with laughter and a shared sense of anticipation as they brainstormed ideas to uplift Riya's spirits.One evening, as Prakhar and Vedahi met virtually, Vedahi in the United States and Prakhar in Paris, Vedahi suggested, "Prakhar, why not organize a music event? Something that takes Riya back to the happy moments of her college days. It could be a beautiful journey down memory lane."Prakhar, inspired by the idea, nodded in agreement. "Yes, Vedahi! I'll arrange a surprise virtual meet with pictures that holds sentimental value for Riya. Do you have any old pics of her? Let's create a moment that helps her rediscover joy."As plans for the surprise meet took shape, the social media became a hub of explorations—some centered around love, laughter, and rejuvenation, all happy moments of Riya with her friends were collected.~~~Meanwhile, Kaushal and Major Vayu, driven by the urgency of their investigation, delved into the shadowy trails left by Col. Rathore. The links to Col. Rathore were becoming more apparent, but concrete evidence remained elusive. They decided to approach Lt. Col. Riya as well, recognizing that her unique position within the organisation might provide crucial insights.Next day, as Riya sat in her office, immersed in her duties, Arjun and Vayu knocked on her door. Riya, always focused on her responsibilities, looked up with a welcoming smile. "What brings you both here?"Major Vayu, choosing his words carefully, said, "Riya, we need your help in understanding some developments. There are suspicions about Col. Rathore, and your perspective could be invaluable."As Riya listened, Vayu detailed out his findings from a twenty years old file he found in the archives talking about Crimson Dagger , this report had been prepared by Col. Rathore who was a Major then.Col. Rathore had risen the hierarchy very quickly, even without any experience in wars or strategic planning, something was not matching the pace of his promotions.~~~As Prakhar finalized the arrangements for the surprise trip, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. On the day of the surprise, Prakhar met Riya on video call and then started bringing her old college friends one by one on spotlight. This served as a magical setting for Riya, she wasn't expecting this level of surprise. Prakhar then shared the collage of photos from her college days which made Riya emotionally touched by the thoughtful gesture, she exclaimed, "Prakhar, this is beyond beautiful! How did you know?"Prakhar, with a twinkle in his eyes, replied, "Sometimes, the heart speaks its language. I wanted to give you a moment of joy and a chance to rediscover the beauty in life. And I have Vedahi here who helped me make this happen, thanks to the wonderful, incredible friends you have all over the world. It is your birthday and this year it had to be special!"As Riya immersed herself in the nostalgic ambiance, the video call witnessed a celebration of love—all her friends greeted her and wished and sang for her. It was overwhelming for Riya, in that moment she had forgotten all her work pressures and her mind just wanted to live that unbelievable magical hour.~~~After the surprise unfolded, the next day was normal for Riya. Kaushal, Vayu, Arjun, and Lt. Col. Riya engaged in a conversation that would unravel the threads of Col. Rathore's influence. Riya, now aware of the suspicions surrounding Col. Rathore, shared her insights into his recent activities."He's been attending unusual meetings, receiving encrypted messages, and showing signs of secrecy. It's unlike for Col. Rathore to behave this way," Riya explained.Kaushal, absorbing the information, said, "We have concrete evidence to expose Col. Rathore.""But before we do that, I feel we should run it across Col. Sharma once, maybe we are missing any clue , he is aware of?""Okay, let's do that, but should be done in ultimate secrecy!" Kaushal warned."Yes , I will take care of that!" Riya gave a stern answer.~~~~~