Ranjit suddenly shouted, "Hey, stop right there!" and sprinted down the street.
He ran straight in front of a girl and blocked her way.
"Where do you think you're running after cheating us?" he demanded.
Just then, Shiv caught up, panting. "Ranjit, what the hell, man? Why are you running like that?"
But then he saw her face—and froze.
It was Riya.
"The same girl who tricked us at the restaurant," Shiv muttered, his expression hardening.
Riya gave a calm, almost teasing smile. "Oh, come on, boss. That was just a game. We were playing Truth and Dare. My friends dared me, so I had to do it. Nothing personal."
"Oh really?" Ranjit said, smirking. "Well, wait. You remember that dare I mentioned? The one where I had to kiss a girl? Let me finish that now."
"What are you doing?" Riya stepped back, startled.
"You said it was just a game," Ranjit said playfully, stepping closer.
Riya raised her hands defensively. "Okay, okay! Tell me how much that bill was. I'll pay it. Just stop this nonsense."
"Fine. Three thousand rupees," Ranjit said bluntly.
"What? That's way too much!" Riya snapped.
"Oh really? Then pay up before I change my mind!" Ranjit shot back, his tone half-angry, half-mocking.
"Who are you talking to like that? You think just because I'm short, you can talk down to me?" Riya said, stepping closer with fire in her eyes.
"Careful," Ranjit teased. "If you come any closer, I might actually kiss you this time."
Riya glared, clearly done with his antics. Then suddenly, she shouted, "Bhaiya!" pretending to call someone nearby.
Both Shiv and Ranjit turned instinctively. There was no one.
When they turned back—Riya had vanished.
"She ran off again," Ranjit grumbled. "Next time I see her, she's not getting away."
The two returned to their hotel, shaking their heads.
The Unexpected Discovery
The next morning, Shiv and Ranjit packed their bags and headed to the rental house they had finalized the previous day.
"Uncle, are you home?" Shiv called out at the gate.
An older man, clearly fresh from morning prayers, stepped out. "Yes, come in, sons. Come inside."
They followed him in and sat on the sofa. Moments later, a kind-looking woman entered with a tray of tea.
"This is my wife, Kamala," the man introduced.
"Namaste, Aunty," Shiv and Ranjit greeted.
Kamala smiled warmly and handed them tea.
"Aunty, this tea is amazing," Shiv said.
"And Aunty looks even more amazing," Ranjit added jokingly.
Kamala chuckled at his charm.
As they chatted, Ranjit's eyes caught a framed photograph on the wall—a family portrait.
"Uncle, who's this girl?" Ranjit asked, pointing.
"Oh, that's my daughter, Riya," Uncle Ravi said proudly. "She's a manager at a software company."
Shiv's hand froze midair, the cup halfway to his lips.
"Wait—what did you say?" Ranjit asked.
"Riya," Ravi repeated. "She used to work at ES Solutions, but now she's with SS Security Services."
Both Shiv and Ranjit looked at each other in disbelief.
SS Security Services—that was the name of their own company.
"Uncle… are you sure?" Shiv asked slowly. "She works at SS Security Services?"
"Yes, my boy. Why, is that a bad company?" Ravi asked, confused.
"No, no. Not at all," Ranjit said quickly. "Just… surprising."
Ravi smiled proudly. "Yes, that's my daughter."
Ranjit muttered under his breath, "So, it's her again—the same girl who fooled us."
Shiv set his cup down calmly. "Alright, Uncle. We'll rest for a bit. It's been a long morning."
"Of course. Kamala, give them the keys," Ravi said.
Kamala handed the keys with a kind smile. "Make yourselves comfortable."
"Thank you," Shiv said as he and Ranjit stepped outside.
The Setup
As soon as they were out of earshot, Ranjit turned to Shiv.
"Bro, call Akshay and confirm something. He said he was sending an assistant for us, right? I swear, if it's that little devil, I'm out."
"Alright, let's check," Shiv said, dialing Akshay's number.
Akshay was on his bike when he answered. "Who's this?"
"Shiv."
"Oh hey, Shiv! What's up?"
"Bro, about that assistant you promised us—what's the update?" Shiv asked.
"Yeah, she's perfect for the job. Used to be a team leader at my friend's company. And listen—I've arranged for her to meet you at Beach Road Café in Vizag. Just go meet her once," Akshay replied.
Before Shiv could hang up, Ranjit jumped in. "Bro, she's already signed the contract, right?"
"Yeah, signed and sealed. I've emailed her details. Check your inbox," Akshay said.
"Got it. Thanks, man," Ranjit said, ending the call.
He grinned. "Come on, let's go see who this mystery assistant is."
They reached the café Akshay mentioned. The sea breeze swept across the open patio, and the faint sound of waves mingled with morning chatter.
"Where is she?" Ranjit muttered, scanning the tables.
And then—they saw her.
Riya.
The Contract Trap
She was sitting alone, sipping coffee and checking her phone. When she looked up and saw them, her eyes widened.
"You two? What are you doing here?" she demanded.
Ranjit leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Relax. We're just here to solve one last problem. Pay your bill, and we'll call it even."
Riya sighed inwardly. He was shouting yesterday, now he's acting calm. Whatever, I'll just pay and get this over with.
"Fine," she said, taking out two 500-rupee notes. "Here. That's all I have."
Ranjit pocketed the cash. "Good enough."
"Now, can I leave? I have an important meeting," Riya said impatiently.
"Oh really? Who with?" Ranjit asked.
"That's none of your business," she snapped.
"Actually," Shiv said smoothly, "it is our business. I'm Shiv, Managing Director of SS Security Services."
Riya's eyes widened in shock. "Wait—what? You're Shiv? And you're Ranjit?"
"That's right," Ranjit said, smirking.
Riya stared at them, speechless. If I join now, I'm finished, she thought.
"Well," she said abruptly, "I resign."
"Nice try," Ranjit said, leaning back. "But you already signed a one-year agreement. If you quit early, there's a twenty lakh penalty."
"What?! Twenty lakhs? That's fraud!" Riya shouted.
"Didn't you read the contract, little one?" Ranjit teased.
"This is unfair!" Riya fumed.
"Maybe," he said, "but you've got no choice. You'll be working with us for a year."
Riya turned to Shiv. "Sir, you seem like a reasonable man. Please, talk to him."
Shiv folded his arms. "Riya, if you'd just spoken nicely that day, this would've ended there. But now, it's out of my hands. Besides, I didn't make you sign anything."
Ranjit added with a grin, "See you tomorrow morning. Be on time. The contract clearly says you must perform all assistant duties assigned to you."
Riya frowned. "What kind of duties?"
"Don't worry," Shiv said gently. "He won't bother you too much."
Riya crossed her arms. "We'll see about that," she muttered and turned to leave.
Shiv called out softly, "Riya… honestly, I could've been far harsher. But you're lucky—I don't mix work with revenge. Still, be careful. Ranjit's not as forgiving as I am."
Riya paused for a moment, then walked away without looking back.
As she stepped outside the café, a black car screeched to a halt right in front of her.
She froze.
The tinted window slowly rolled down.
To Be Continued…
Who was in that car?
Was Riya in danger—or about to uncover a new twist of fate?
And how will her arrival change the future of SS Security Services?
Stay tuned for the next chapter!