The grand hall was bathed in the glow of golden chandeliers, casting an aura of opulence over the gathering. British officers lounged around with their glasses filled with whiskey, their laughter echoing through the chamber.
Karan stood near the entrance, dressed as a security guard, his posture rigid and eyes scanning every movement in the room. His focus was meant to be on protecting Naina from any unforeseen danger, but the moment she stepped onto the center of the hall, all his senses betrayed him.
She wore a deep crimson lehenga, its fabric hugging her body in all the right places, adorned with intricate golden embroidery that shimmered under the lights. Her long hair cascaded down her back, a few loose strands teasing her sharp features. But what truly shook Karan wasn't her attireâit was the way she moved.
As the music began, Naina took slow, deliberate steps, her hips swaying just enough to command the attention of every man in the hall. Her hands traced alluring patterns in the air, her kohl-lined eyes locking onto the very man they had set their trap forâthe Britisher's right-hand informant, Richard Clarke.
Karan clenched his jaw, his fists tightening as he watched Clarke's eyes darken with desire. The man leaned forward in his seat, already drawn into her spell.
The beat of the tabla quickened, and so did Naina's movements. She twirled, her lehenga flaring, revealing tantalizing glimpses of her toned legs. Her arms extended gracefully, her wrists adorned with bangles that chimed like a hypnotic melody. Her lips curved into a smirk, a knowing smirk that sent a strange sensation coursing through Karan's chest.
He swallowed hard.
The Naina he knew was stubborn, wild, and unfilteredânever one to be this... ethereal. But here she was, effortlessly transforming into a seductress, playing the game so convincingly that for a moment, even he forgot it was a mission.
As the dance intensified, she leaned forward, letting her fingers graze Clarke's shoulder before pulling away teasingly. The Britisher's eyes followed her every movement, completely entranced.
Karan's grip on his rifle tightened. His heartbeat was erratic, and he despised the foreign feeling surging within himâwas it... jealousy?
She arched her back in a slow, fluid motion, her hair falling over one shoulder. Her eyes briefly flickered toward Karan. He didn't know if it was intentional, but that one glance left him breathless. His disciplined mind screamed at him to focus, to remember why they were here.
But dammitâhe was drowning. Drowning in the way her body moved like poetry, in the way she had complete control over every man's gaze, including his.
This wasn't just a mission anymore. It was something far more dangerous.
For the first time, Karan realized that Naina Rao was not just another soldier. She was something much, much more.
The door shut behind them with a dull thud. Inside the lavishly decorated chamber, Richard Clarke stumbled slightly, his body heavy with the weight of the alcohol he had consumed. His lecherous eyes remained fixated on Naina, who stood gracefully in the middle of the room, her eyes lowered, her lips curled into a faint, mysterious smile.
Karan, disguised as security outside, clenched his jaw. His fingers twitched at his sides, every fiber of his being screaming to barge in and drag her out. But he had to trust her. She knew what she was doing.
Inside, Richard swayed toward Naina, chuckling lazily. "Ah, tum... bohot khoobsurat ho, jaaneman. Tumhari adayein... uff! Yeh raat yaadgaar banegi."
Naina tilted her head slightly, allowing her dupatta to slip off her shoulder, teasing him just enough to keep his mind muddled. "Aap bade bade afsar log hain, humein toh aapke darshan bhi mushkil se milte hain," she murmured, her voice honeyed and sultry. "Aaj toh jaise naseeb khul gaye."
Richard grinned, clearly pleased. "Haan haan, tum jaisi ladkiyon ke naseeb tabhi khulte hain jab koi powerful aadmi chahe. Aur main jo chahoon, woh hota hai. Tum samajhti ho na?"
She let out a soft chuckle, stepping closer, her fingers lightly grazing his coat lapel. "Samajhti hoon, sahab. Par humari bhi ek chhoti si iccha hai."
Richard narrowed his eyes, intrigued. "Iccha? Batao batao, kya chahiye tumhe? Paisa? Gehane? Mera haath pakad ke Angrez memsahib banne ka sapna hai?" He laughed at his own words, taking another swig of whiskey.
Naina smirked but kept her act flawless. "Agar paisa aur gehane chahiye hote, toh kisi aur afsar ka daaman thaam leti. Humein toh sirf ek chhoti si baat kehni thi..." She placed her hand on his chest, lowering her voice. "Woh jo aapke afsar hain, jo naye kanoon ko pass karne wale hain... unse humein chhuttkara chahiye."
Richard's drunken mind tried to process her words, but he was too far gone in the spell of her presence. "Tum kya keh rahi ho...?"
Naina traced a delicate finger along his jaw, leaning closer until their breaths mingled. "Aap toh bade taqatwar hain, na? Agar aap chahein, toh ek aadmi ka safaya kuch bhi nahi. Angrezon ka yeh naya kanoon... yeh aapke doston ke liye bhi accha nahi. Kyun na bas ek aadmi ko hata diya jaye? Phir aap bhi bach jaayenge, aur hum bhi aapke shukrguzar rahenge... hamesha ke liye."
Richard stared at her, his drunken mind whirring as he tried to make sense of her words. Then, his expression shiftedâhalf cunning, half arrogance. "Tum chahti ho... main apne hi aadmi ko maar doon?"
Naina leaned in further, her lips a breath away from his ear. "Agar yeh naya kanoon aaya, toh sirf hum jaise log nahi, aap jaise log bhi mare jaayenge. Socho, Richard sahab... aapke liye kya behtar hai?"
He exhaled sharply, eyes glassy yet calculating. Naina knew she had planted the seed. Now, all she had to do was wait for him to make the final move.
Outside the door, Karan's fists were clenched, his heart pounding. The waiting was unbearable. He had sent her in knowing she was strong, knowing she was capable. But that didn't make it any easier.
Inside the room, Richard finally smirked, tilting his head as he looked at her. "Mujhe pasand aayi tumhari baat... aur tum bhi. Theek hai, main dekh lunga us aadmi ko... par badle mein tum mujhe kya dogi, hmm?"
Naina's smile remained as she poured him another drink. "Yeh raat abhi lambi hai, sahab. Pehle yeh kaam nipta lijiye... phir hum dekh lenge."
Richard let out a deep chuckle, raising his glass in a toast. "Deal."
Naina watched him drink, her eyes flickering with victory. The play had begun, and now, it was only a matter of time.
Richard left somewhere out to bark orders to his men.
As soon as Richard Clarke staggered into the room, he collapsed onto the grand cushioned chair, swirling the last bit of whiskey in his glass. His bloodshot eyes lazily roamed over Naina as he smirked.
"Ahh, tum... tum bohot khoobsurat ho, jaaneman," he slurred, reaching for her wrist and pulling her down beside him. "Aaj se... tum meri ho."
Naina forced a charming smile, suppressing her urge to roll her eyes. "Aur jo maine maanga tha?" she asked sweetly, running a finger over his collar.
Richard chuckled, tapping his fingers against the glass. "Woh Britisher... woh... yeh kya naam tha uska... haanâWilliam Carter... uska kaam khatam. Mera aadmi nikal gaya usko udaane."
A victorious glint flashed in Naina's eyes. The mission was complete. Now, she just had to get out of here.
Richard, still grinning, leaned in suddenly, his lips pressing against her neck. Naina tensed. His breath reeked of alcohol, and before she could push him away, he sucked on her skin, leaving behind a reddish mark.
"Mera nishaan tum par hamesha rahega, jaan," he murmured against her skin, barely conscious.
Before he could do anything more, his body slumped backward. He had passed out.
Naina quickly composed herself, adjusting her dupatta and stepping away from him. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and slipped out.
Karan was standing by the hallway in his disguised security uniform, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto Naina the moment she stepped out. He let out a relieved breath, but the moment he got a clearer look at her, his expression turned stormy.
His gaze zeroed in on the faint reddish marks on her neck, his jaw tightening. "Yeh kya hai?" His voice was sharp, his hand instinctively reaching towards her neck but stopping midway.
Naina, adjusting her dupatta casually, raised an eyebrow. "Matlab?"
Karan's eyes darkened, his fists clenching. "Matlab yeh, ki yeh tumhare gale par laal laal nishaan kis baat ke hain?" His voice was dangerously low, his irritation bubbling under the surface.
Naina smirked slightly, enjoying his reaction. "Arre wah, mujhe laga tha tumhe bas mission ki chinta hai, par yeh toh kuch aur hi lag raha hai."
Karan exhaled sharply, looking away as if trying to control himself. "Tumhe samajh bhi aata hai tumne kya kiya? Woh aadmi itna chipku tha, kya zaroorat thi itna paas jaane ki?" His nostrils flared.
Naina crossed her arms. "Agar main paas nahi jaati toh kaam kaise hota, Commander?" She stepped closer, teasingly tilting her head. "Ya phir problem yeh nahi hai ki maine kaam kiya, problem yeh hai ki woh mere itne paas aaya?"
Karan took a step back as if caught off guard, his ears turning slightly red. "Bakwas band karo, chalo yahaan se," he muttered, turning on his heel and walking ahead, trying to escape the conversation.
Naina grinned, following behind. "Bas ek baat batao... tum jal rahe ho kya?"
Karan stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around so fast that Naina almost bumped into him. His eyes narrowed. "Main... kya?"
Naina bit back a laugh, nodding. "Haan, jal rahe ho. Kyunki maine dekha jab Richard ne mujhe haath lagaya toh tumhare haath kas ke mutthi ban gaye the. Jab usne mujhe paas khinch liya toh tum ek kadam aage badh aaye the. Aur ab yeh chehra toh dekh lo apna..." She tapped his chest playfully.
Karan groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair. "Tum bilkul paagal ho, Naina."
Naina smirked. "Aur tum bilkul pyare ho jab gussa hote ho."
Karan shot her a glare, his ears redder than ever. He turned around and stomped off towards the exit.
"Bas chup ho jao aur chalo," he grumbled, making Naina burst into laughter behind him.