The towering gates of Albert Lam's mansion loomed over Aarvansh, the metal reflecting faint moonlight. Clutching Bhalla Singh's identity card tightly, Aarvansh approached the stern-faced watchman at the gate.
"Sir, I need to go in. It's urgent," Aarvansh said, his voice steady but nervous.
The watchman narrowed his eyes. "At this hour? Who are you, kid?"
"I can't explain, but it's important. Please—"
"No visitors allowed. Come back in the morning," the watchman cut him off sharply.
Aarvansh hesitated, his mind racing. Showing the card might lead to more questions, ones he couldn't answer. He turned and walked away, but instead of leaving, he slipped into the shadows along the mansion's perimeter.
A small window, slightly ajar on the ground floor, caught his eye.
"If I'm caught… No, I have to do this."
With a swift motion, Aarvansh hoisted himself up and squeezed through the window, landing softly on a marble floor.
The mansion's interior was eerily quiet, lit faintly by wall sconces. Long corridors stretched in every direction, adorned with portraits of stern-looking men and women, their painted eyes following him.
Aarvansh moved cautiously, slipping past grand rooms—a library filled with leather-bound books, a dining hall with an extravagant chandelier, and a lounge that smelled faintly of cigars.
After several minutes of silent exploration, Aarvansh stumbled upon a heavy wooden door with an engraved brass plate: Albert Lam – Private Study.
"Albert's private study… it has to be here somewhere."
His breath hitched. Slowly, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The study was a blend of opulence and intellect—a large mahogany desk, shelves overflowing with books, and a portrait of Albert Lam watching over the room. Aarvansh approached the desk, his fingers trembling as he sifted through papers.
"Financial reports, architectural designs… nothing about A.G.N.I."
Time ticked by. Aarvansh scoured the shelves, opened drawers, flipped books upside down. Frustration crept into his chest.
"There has to be something!"
His eyes caught sight of a small, slightly crooked book on one of the shelves. Curious, he pulled it, and with a faint click, part of the bookshelf shifted, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside sat a sleek electronic safe.
"A safe… but I don't know the code."
Before Aarvansh could react, a sharp voice cut through the silence.
"Who are you?"
Aarvansh froze. His body went rigid, his breath caught in his throat. Slowly, he turned to face the voice.
A man stood in the doorway, partially shrouded by shadows. His hand held a pistol, its barrel pointed directly at Aarvansh.
"I— I…" Aarvansh stammered, his hands instinctively raised. "I'm just a kid… from IIT… I swear!"
The man stepped into the light, the barrel of the gun unwavering.
"What are you doing here, kid?"
"I— I came to return something." Aarvansh fumbled in his pocket and pulled out Bhalla Singh's card, holding it up with shaking hands. "This… This belongs to Bhalla Singh."
The man's eyes flicked to the card, his expression hardening.
"If you had the card, why sneak in like a thief?"
"I didn't think anyone would believe me!" Aarvansh's voice cracked with fear. "Please… I'll answer everything, just… just let me talk to Bhalla Singh."
The man stared at him for a long moment before lowering the gun slightly.
"You're braver than you look, kid."
As he turned slightly, Aarvansh caught sight of the man's face under the dim light—his sharp features, his distinct beard, his piercing eyes.
"Wait… that's—"
"Bhalla Singh…" Aarvansh whispered, realization dawning on his face.
The man smirked faintly and tucked the pistol into his coat. "So Now you know who I actually am."
Aarvansh's knees felt weak, but he steadied himself. "I… I didn't mean any harm. I just need answers."
Bhalla stared at him for a moment before motioning with his head.
"Follow me."
The room was dim, illuminated by a single desk lamp casting shadows over scattered documents, tactical maps, and surveillance photos pinned across the walls. A faint smell of coffee and gunpowder lingered in the air.
Bhalla walked over to a cabinet, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. He took a sip before turning to Aarvansh, his sharp eyes studying the boy.
"You've got guts, sneaking in here like this. Most grown men wouldn't dare."
"I'm not here to prove I'm brave," Aarvansh said, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "I just… I need to know. Where's Albert Lam? What happened to him?"
Bhalla stared at him for a long moment, his hand gripping the glass tightly.
"You really think you can handle the truth, kid? You're walking a dangerous line by poking your nose into places like this."
"I deserve to know. After that speech… after what he said to me… he's not just some man. There's something bigger at play here, and I can feel it."
Bhalla let out a sharp breath, setting his glass down on the desk. He walked over to the window, his back turned to Aarvansh.
"Albert isn't someone who disappears without a reason. The man was a fortress, unbreakable."
"Then where is he?" Aarvansh pressed.
Bhalla turned around, his face clouded with something Aarvansh couldn't quite place—guilt, regret, or perhaps fear.
"Two weeks ago… Albert and I left for Rajasthan. A mission. A mission Albert kept close to his chest. Even I didn't know all the details."
"Rajasthan?" Aarvansh repeated, his mind racing. "What mission? What happened there?"
Bhalla's eyes locked onto Aarvansh's, and for the first time, the boy saw vulnerability in the seasoned agent's face.
"You sure you want to know it, kid?" Bhalla said, his voice low, gravelly, and heavy with weight. "What happened in Rajasthan… is not for someone weak-hearted."
Aarvansh : " I have to know..."