CHAPTER 13 （NEVER AGAIN）
KRISH
As soon as I exited the cab in Austria, the gravity of my actions during the Singapore operation hit me like a heavy burden.
No longer was I operating in the blind chaos of life-or-death decisions.
Now, I would have to answer for my conduct—not just to the chain of command, but to the one man whose approval mattered the most—my father.
My father’s summons had come through official channels, as expected, but the underlying message was crystal clear.
It was time for me to face the ultimate debrief on why I had deviated so profoundly from the mission protocols.
Why I had chosen to kill our prime asset—the drug cartel kingpin, Ron, in order to extract Trisha.
Exhaustion dragged at my every muscle as I made my way across the GLEN compound toward the central administration building.
Ayaan had insisted on joining me, believing he could advocate for my perspective when facing my father’s withering judgment.
It was kind of him to even want to do so, but I knew it would prove fruitless in the end.
“They’re going to bench you over this, you realise that, don’t you?” he muttered under his breath as we approached the inner sanctum. “Probably suspend you on administrative leave until the heat cools off.”
I shrugged, numb to the idea of any impending punishments. “If that’s the call, so be it.”
Ayaan shot me an appraising look from the corner of his eye. “And you’re just... okay with that? Taking the hit without arguing your case?”
“What’s there to argue?” The words tasted like ash on my tongue.
“I knew the stakes going into it, knew there would be consequences for my choice. Doesn’t change the fact that I’d make the same call again in a heartbeat, Ayaan.
I don’t care if he suspends me, but it’s high time I tell him that the protocols need to be changed. ”
Ayaan said nothing more as we reached the inner doors leading to my father’s office. As director-in-chief, Ayaan had already spoken to my father and debriefed him about what happened in Singapore, and now was the time to address my side. Dad wanted to speak with me privately.
I met Ayaan’s worried frown with a curt nod, conveying both my understanding and my gratitude for his support. Whatever happened next, I would face it alone.
The door sealed shut behind me as I turned to face the lone figure settled behind the expansive desk, hands clasped together as he scrutinised me with narrowed eyes.
“This is the day I’ve feared my entire life,” Dad began, the words said with bitter disappointment. “The day when my own son would willfully violate my organisation’s most sacred protocols.”
My throat bobbed with a swallow, but I held his cold stare in silence.
“I’ve already heard Director Shergill’s account of the events,” he went on, jaw clenching around the admission. “He tried to absolve you of any wrongdoing, to justify your reckless actions. But do you have anything to say in your own defence?”
The question hung between us, laden with subtext. This was the opening invitation to attempt rationalising my behaviour and wave off the disciplinary actions. Part of me wanted to seize it, to articulate every justification that had forced me to take the kill shot on Ron.
However, the part of me that felt tired and resigned couldn’t come up with any good reasons. Especially when the truth was simply that I took the shot to save the woman I loved.
“No, Sir,” I heard myself murmur. “I don’t.”
All the fight seemed to bleed out of my father then, as his shoulders sagged subtly. “Very well,” he said in a tone carved from steel. “In that case, you are hereby suspended from all duties and operations of GLEN for no less than three months, effective immediately.”
My jaw clenched hard, but I managed a terse nod of acknowledgment. The punishment was more than fair, possibly even lenient, compared to what could have been levied.
“Take this time to reflect long and hard,” Dad went on. “Think carefully about the impact of letting personal relationships affect your decision-making in such important missions. Once you’ve gained some clarity, we can talk about what comes next for you.”
“I don’t regret my actions,” I rasped through gritted teeth. “Nor do I regret the reasons behind them.”
That, at last, seemed to rattle my father’s legendary composure. He rocked back in his seat, eyebrows shooting upward in naked surprise. “You... don’t regret putting the entire operation at risk?” he sputtered. “Risking years of work to dismantle the drug cartel, just for the sake of one asset?”
“Trisha is more than just some asset to be written off as an acceptable loss,” I countered. “She is an integral part of the unit, a living, breathing member of my team whose life was in danger through no fault of her own.”
I leaned forward, bracing my hands on the desk between us as I struggled to show the reason driving my decisions.
“As an integral part of this organisation, I believe I have the right to propose a change in our protocols. Our agents put their lives on the line in the field, facing injury, abduction, and even death. Yet, they never hesitate to carry out their missions. It should be our priority to protect them whenever possible, rather than allowing them to die before our eyes as if their lives mean nothing.”
Dad listened in silence as I continued.
“If we fail to do this for them, who will? What sets GLEN apart from other organisations if we neglect to acknowledge and protect our assets when they’re in trouble?
If GLEN has the power to punish criminals, it should also have the power to safeguard its agents.
If we can’t do this, what separates us from the monsters we’re trying to eliminate then?
Our agents are our assets, Dad. We should be protecting them at all costs, not sacrificing them for some higher purpose. ”
To my surprise, my father listened without interruption. When I finished speaking, he nodded thoughtfully.
“That’s...” Dad shook his head slowly. “That’s a compelling point, Krish. One I’ll need to... consider very carefully before I can offer any change like that. I’m not the only one who can make that kind of decision in protocols. But for now, you are benched for three months.”
I accepted the decision with a sense of relief, grateful for the opportunity to step back from the chaos of my responsibilities. “I badly needed a break from all of this,” I admitted. “So, thanks.”
As I turned to leave, my father stopped me with one final question.
“One more thing before you’re dismissed.” His voice stopped me. “What about Agent Trisha? Don’t tell me you’re planning on chasing
after her again during this newly granted leave?”
I felt my jaw flex as I shook my head, refusing to shy away from answering him.
“No more chasing after her, Dad,” I replied with sincerity.
“Trisha was an integral part of my life for a long time, that much is undeniable. But some people... some people are only meant to be with you for a short while. Until they’ve taught you whatever vital lesson you needed to evolve as a person.
Trisha showed me that harbouring hopes of finding love in our profession is nothing but self-delusion,” I continued. “I won’t forget it. Never again.”
I lifted my gaze then to meet his. Something flickered deep in Dad’s eyes, the briefest glimmer of paternal remorse. He said nothing more, offering only the faintest of nods in response.
With my chest inexplicably tightening, I turned and strode for the exit without another word, blinking rapidly to disperse the hot tears blurring my vision. I would not weep, not in front of him or anybody. Not for Trisha, nor the hollowness left in her wake.
2 Years Later…
Mumbai. I returned to Mumbai again from Austria, where I had been for some paper trial work the last two weeks.
After my suspension from GLEN two years ago, I had spent those three months alone, licking my wounds from the Trisha ordeal. Those were dark days, but somehow, it helped me to toughen up my heart so it couldn’t be crushed again. Ever.
Once I rejoined GLEN as a director, things finally seemed to be looking up. Dad and the committee had heeded our suggestions about preserving assets over sacrificing lives for intel. That policy change was a huge win, making all the struggles worthwhile.
Life in Austria was going smoothly as we successfully dismantled numerous criminal organisations worldwide.
However, everything took a turn when Ayaan decided to visit India to celebrate his father Kailash Shergill’s birthday.
Ayaan ended up falling in love with Meher, the daughter of Pratap Walia, a political rival of the Shergills.
While this was initially acceptable, Kailash uncle’s sudden accident brought me to India to support Ayaan and uncover the truth behind the incident.
The Maze of suspicions, alliances, and potential targets began to unravel slowly, and as we delved deeper, it became apparent that a third party, likely a mafia group, was involved in Kailash uncle’s accident, with the intention to frame Pratap Walia.
Despite this revelation, Ayaan shocked us all by blackmailing Pratap Walia into agreeing to Meher’s marriage with him.
We all knew the Walias wouldn’t agree to this, but when Ayaan Shergill, the king, played his moves on the chessboard, every other chess piece had to fall in its rightful place.
So, true to his nature, Ayaan’s plans always seemed to succeed.
Two days from now, my best friend would be tying the knot with his sweetheart.
Ayaan had given me a crucial assignment: hire a personal bodyguard for his soon-to-be wife Meher.
Despite the Walias’ security detail—including Vishnu, Pratap’s illegitimate son, and Meher’s half-brother—she had still been abducted once before.
Ayaan didn’t trust them to protect his wife anymore.
He was right, of course. As the spouse of a GLEN director, Meher’s safety would now be our responsibility.
No more relying on the Walia family’s inadequate measures.
I would find her the best bodyguard money could buy and hand-pick a whole new security team myself if needed.
Meher’s well-being was about to become my top priority.
Having just returned to Mumbai, I wasted no time in briefing Ayaan about our plans to deal with the elusive Bat Gang, a group that had been targeting both the Shergills and the Walias for reasons yet unknown.
The Shergill Mansion was bustling with activity as preparations for Ayaan’s wedding were in full swing.
As I contemplated our next moves, Ayaan returned to the room, his mind already focused on a lot of things happening around him. “Krish, any progress with hiring Meher’s personal bodyguards?” he inquired, and I presented the three best candidates I had selected.
However, Ayaan dismissed them all with a shake of his head.
“None of these will suffice,” he declared, his expression thoughtful.
“In fact, I just realised we already have the perfect candidate for the job. I just had a conversation with Sudesh, and he informed me that she isn’t currently assigned to any mission and is in India.
This makes her a suitable candidate to take on Meher’s security responsibility,” Ayaan explained.
“Who are you talking about?” I asked, taken aback.
“Trisha Chaudhary,” Ayaan replied. “You remember her, don’t you?”
Trisha? My heart skipped a beat, flooding with her memories after two long years.
How could I forget? Two years ago, she had shattered me. I had worked relentlessly to rebuild myself, toughening my injured heart. Throwing myself into missions for GLEN had helped dull the ache. But even after all this time, just hearing her name ripped the emotional scars wide open again.
“Of course, I remember her,” I managed to reply evenly, keeping my tone casual despite the roiling storm inside me. “But I don’t understand. Why would she be a candidate for Meher’s security?”
Ayaan sank on the couch next to me. “Sudesh informed me that Trisha recently completed a high-risk protection assignment in Europe. She has top-notch close combat skills and knows personal security protocols like the back of her hand.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Plus, you knew her better than anyone. You can vouch for her abilities, right?”
I swallowed hard, feeling like I was trapped in some cruel joke.
After everything Trisha had put me through, did Ayaan really expect me to welcome her back into my life, even in a professional capacity?
Of course, he had no idea I had feelings for Trisha; otherwise, he wouldn’t be bringing her back into my life after knowing how she had crushed my heart once.
Ayaan was right—I had witnessed Trisha’s skills firsthand. She was a force to be reckoned with, and there were few people I trusted more to safeguard Meher’s wellbeing.
Forcing my emotions down, I nodded slowly. “If Trisha is available and willing, then yes... she would be an ideal choice for this role.”
“Excellent.” Ayaan flashed that trademark confident grin. “Then you’ll reach out and extend her the offer immediately.”
“What?” I rose up. “I’ll reach out to her?”
Ayaan shrugged.
“I’ve already called her tomorrow to meet us here in Shergill Mansion. But you know I’ll be busy with the pre-wedding rituals, so you are the best person to talk to her and make sure she agrees to this.”
He had already invited Trisha here tomorrow? I didn’t know what to say further. But I couldn’t refuse Ayaan, or he would be suspicious of my feelings for Trisha, the feelings that I’d buried long back and promised never to unearth again.
“Okay.” I nodded weakly.
“Thanks, Krish.” He rose and clapped me on the shoulder before heading for the door.
Once he was gone, I let out a shuddering breath, raking my hands through my hair. After two years of slowly piecing myself back together, Trisha was about to get thrown back into my world again.
Was I really ready to face the woman who had completely shattered me? I squeezed my eyes shut, clenching my fists as a fresh wave of anger, hurt, and longing washed over me.
For Meher’s safety and Ayaan’s sake, I had to be ready. No matter what it cost me emotionally, I would be professional.
The Krish she had known—the one who had foolishly allowed himself to become compromised, who was caught up in unrealistic dreams—no longer existed.
The Krish she would meet again was now focused solely on his job, putting duty before anything else.
Trisha and I might have a tangled past, but that didn’t matter anymore.