EPILOGUE
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"Agent R, you are called by the director." Raghav informed me as I nodded in return.

"Tell him I will be there in 10." I reply as I again focus on the three new entrants in our branch.

"He said it was urgent, Chief sir is there too."

"I will come."

And then I resume my interaction with them.

It was there first day today, and I had already completed 7 years.

Director, had asked me to train them and make them know about our regulations and policies.

"So, Piya, Neha and Gaurav, how was your first day?" I ask them as I take a chair infront of them.

"Ma'am it was good, only problem was the D-" Piya stopped as she realised she had spoken more than she intended.

"Piya, I might be your senior but you can tell me. Afterall I am here to make you all comfortable."

"The director ma'am, he was so rude." Piya said.

"He is. But he holds a post too, so we can't actually disobey him." I tell them they didn't know who the director was to me like the certain someone who had no clue.

Same day. Just years apart.

"Neha, what about you? How was your day?" I ask her.

"Her? Ma'am she is on cloud nine." Piya completed for her.

"Why?" I asked confused, who felt on cloud nine after the first day of work?

"She has a huggeeee crush on the director!" Piya said as I almost stumbled from my chair.

"Neha?" I ask for confirmation?

"Yes ma'am." She said embarrassed.

"He is really older than you? You know that na? Maybe in his 50's? I know he dyes his hair but how can you like an old man?" I wanted to puke.

"Ma'am love has no age bounds."

Beta, tell this when you are already married, yeh sabh sirf kehene mein acha lagta hai.

I subtly ignored the claim she made and moved towards Gaurav.

"And what about you?"

"It was better then expected."

"Good. It might be a little tough to settle but once you do, its like your second home." I said I had barely concluded the session when Raghav again came running.

"Agent, please he is getting angry."

"Ugh! I am coming. The session is dismissed."

And I quickly followed Raghav to the Director's cabin.

"I was in the middle of a session, sir! When I said I'll come once I am free why were you calling me again?"

"Baby doll, I'll call you whenever I want, Mrs Laksh Singhania." Laksh playfully smirked at me.

"And what if I didn't want to come?"

"Ah, like the day when you went all senti on me- 'Laksh, leave. I never want to see you again.' Exactly 30 minutes you came crying." He teased

"Ooh Mr, that was because unlike you dumb, my dad told me why you hid about the mission."

"Acha? Then what about you assuming my sister to be my bride? Like Ragini you really thought my ma was talking about my marriage? Agar woh hota na toh aaj yeh nahi hota," he said pointing at the ring that lied on my left hand.

"Mr and Mrs, Can I please do my job?" Bhai's voice broke our fight.

That day.

'I had pushed him out.'

'Forever'

It was ten minutes after which I heard a knock on my door. It was so late that I wondered was Laksh back?

"Papa?" I announced as I saw him at my door at 2:30 am.

"Ragu, we need to talk."

"Jee?"

"You wanted to know na? I believed Laksh will finally tell you once I saw him climbing the pipe but I was wrong that mad person, is in no mood to deprive you of your job."

"Job?"

"Yes job. You know why I sent only you and him for this case?"

"No."

"Cause Ragini, this easy case was a test for you and him. For him to qualify for the next director of our branch and you for the chief."

"Director and chief?"

"I am retiring. And the head had sent Laksh's name as the next director it is a tradition that the ex director tests the future one to see if that person is capable or not, and same was for the case of the chief. It was my duty to test your and his skills. But, the main protocol of the test is that person who is being tested shouldn't even get a hint of this case as a test. And sadly, Laksh heard us talking about it."

"Then?"

"He was removed from the list. He wasn't allowed to know it before but as he knew it, his chances were null. We were not going to then choose him. He was as it is failing the test, he knew that too. Still he was sent, so that you don't get any hint. If you figured this out like Laksh did, you were to be removed from the successor's list as well. He didn't want it to happen with you as well. He had lost his dream because of a mistake he didn't commit and he was trying to protect your job by not telling you the truth."

"So he lied because-"

"He didn't want you to not get promoted."

"But it was his case too, he also completed the case."

"Naah the case was now only yours. He was just a show."

"You are seriously taking away that opportunity from him?"

"Na who said?"

"But you said he was a show in the case,"

"Yea he was, but Ragini he was being tested on something else."

"What?"

"A true director- leader is a person who knows the value of his job not only his but the lower ranked people's too. Laksh didn't tell you the truth even when you forced or blamed him, told him that he hurt you. He took all of them just to preserve your job. Secure it. Laksh proved himself. And that was his test. If he would have told you the truth to you earlier it would have showed how weak he was. Love gives strength to a person, and he proved that."

"That means?"

"Tomorrow you both will get your promotion letter."

"But I understand about your retirement, but Bhai?"

"He is joining the police department. He had received his promotion a few days back. He had no idea about my test but after the letter I had informed him. And thats why he didn't tell you."

"But I-"

"You pushed him, Ragini, in life sometimes what your eyes, mind, ears show you isn't always true. Sometimes its okay to depend on your heart solely. Now mera namuna beta, go and win your love back."

"But he is getting married-"

"Bullshit, you and I both know how much he loves you. Don't force yourself to think bad."

"Go."

"Now?"

"Mahurat nikalu?"

"Going!!"

And I left the room and made a dash towards the gate.

Once I was out I saw a black car outside.

"What? I was taking a break." Laksh defended himself as I saw him standing there.

I raised my eyebrows at him.

"I was leaving you hurt-er." He commented angrily.

I quickly yet slowly walked towards him until I was infront of him.

"What?" He said.

"You tell me."

"I saw your dad talking to you. So I assumed he was going to tell you-"

"I am sorry. I am really really sorry-"

"I don't know what you are talking about," he said as he turned he head to the right.

Bringing his back to face me, I dared and quickly captured his lips with mine.

"He didn't let me do my work, I won't let you do yours." I teased bhai, as he glared at me.

"You are a pain," bhai said as he left the cabin.

I imitated him.

"He is right actually, you are a pain, Mrs."

"Oh shut it. You still love me."

"No arguments"

"By the way, Laksh,"

"Hmm?" He said still not breaking the hug.

"Keep Neha away from you okay?"

"Aha?"

"She is crushing on you."

"She knows na that I am kinda a lot elder to her?"

"Love has no age bounds, she said."

"On thinking she is-"

"Don't you dare, I will ruin your life," I warned him smiling.

"Oh puhlease- you can't ruin it."

"Is that a challenge I see?"

"A not so simple one."

"Lets see."

~~~~~~~

Curtains drop

Drums roll

Matlab how can I ever give a sad ending? Khudh ki book hi na padhu mein toh😂

I hope you all liked NSS!!

The story was short but something I had planned kabse!!

So finally this book of mineis alsoo completed now the focus on Ishqbaaaaz.

Tell me how you liked the book? Reviews? Comments and what was the thing which you felt was unique?

I m eagerly waiting for these^^^^^^

Chalo!!

Bbbyeee!!!

For the last time,

Not So Simple.

++++The end++++

Love!

Meethi❤️