Evening arrived quietly.
Too quietly.
The four queens left their daytime lives behind one by one -- files closed, classes ended, training wrapped, mirrors wiped clean of discipline.
Lights reflected off glass buildings as four women stepped out of their respective worlds and back into the same space they trusted the most -- each other.
For few hours, they wanted to be nothing important.
Sia was the first to arrive.
She closed her car door with practiced precision, blazer still crisp despite the twelve-hour meeting that had drained every ounce of patience from her. The file in her hand was filled with unfinished thoughts--- B, the first rankers, still untouched.
Durga arrived next, helmet tucked under her arm, combat boots echoing against the pavement. Her presence alone demanded space, yet tonight she laughed more than usual, trying to remember how it felt to be unguarded.
Radhika came in last, hair tied messily, coffee cup still in hand after her dance classes ended, she without wasting any time , she was back to work again. The girl who could break systems worldwide now adjusted her earrings. Brilliant, exhausted -- and angry at herself for caring too much about a ghost named K.
Saraswati jumped out of the cab, already smiling.
"Okay," she announced, stretching her arms, " Before anyone says work , I demand food."
Durga looked at her, " You demand food every two hour."
" Because I'm emotionally available and spiritually hungry," Saraswati replied.
That earned a rare smile from Sia.
"R . Restaurant," Sia decided after a pause. " Only today."
Radhika was surprised, looked at Sia.
" You're agreeing too easily."
Sia exhaled." Because I need to remember what normal feels like."
None of them said it -- but normal had become fragile word.
And Saraswati -- carefree, expressive, eyes full of stories -- twirled once before entering the Sia's car.
" Old days," she declared.
"Just us."
They didn't know yet.
Old days were already gone.
They entered the restaurant.
Music hummed low. Laughter floated freely. No underground codes. No encrypted signals. Just noise and light and people unaware of wars fought in the silence, in the dark.
They chose a table near the railing.
Drinks arrived.
Relaxation followed -- slow, hesitant.
Saraswati leaned backwards, already halfway into second glass.
" I missed this. Being stupidly normal."
Radhika smiled.
" Normal was never our thing."
Durga scanned the room out of habit -- then stopped herself.
" No threats," she muttered " I promised myself."
Sia exhaled.
For once, she allowed her shoulders to drop.
Radhika stood up and went to the washroom.
That was when she collided with a stranger.
She stumbled half a step.
" Watch it, sweety..." he started, he stopped." Are you okay?"
He looked at Radhika, but she didn't look back at him instead.
She just said, " It's fine" and stepped aside. Her voice was calm, detached.
Then under her breath -" Idiot."
She walked away without looking back.
" Interesting..." he murmured.
Saraswati ordered cocktails.
Durga rolled her eyes but didn't stop her.
"To surviving another day," Saraswati declared, raising her glass.
"To not killing anyone tonight," Durga added dryly.
Radhika smiled."No promises."
They laughed.
Sia noticed a man near the exit but could not see the face, he was observing things.
Durga's attention caught on a hand resting on a table nearby.
Scarred.
Experienced.
She dismissed it - habit , she told herself.
When the three queens were noticing the restaurant, Saraswati already tipsy, gets up and walked away towards the counter. Where she hugged a stranger and said ," He's so handsome."
The stranger all confused," Who?"
"Jai, ofcourse, who else... even if he loses to me but still.."
Then Durga saw Saraswati hugging a stranger, but could not see his face, she rushed towards her and grabbed her, took her away.
Durga said," Don't mind her, she's drunk."
The stranger hands were already shaking when Saraswati hugged him. It took him sometime to process what just happened.
Someone far away watching all this was laughing at him.
Sia gave Saraswati and Durga a deathstare.
Durga said with anger , " Little queen, you will get me punished too.. from our leader."
Saraswati didn't knew what Durga was saying, " But he was really cute, even when he was angry. My Jai.."
Durga more frustrated." Shut up..."
That is when a bullet passed some inches away from Sia's eyes.
The first shot.
The glass shattered first.
Then the screams.
Gunfire tore through music and laughter, turning the restaurant into chaos.
"Down !" Sia snapped instantly.
The queens moved -- fluid , coordinated-- ducking behind the tables, acting terrified while already assessing angles, exits and threats.
Saraswati clutched Radhika's arm, " This is not a normal dinner."
"Stay low," Radhika whispered, eyes scanning.
Masked men stormed in -- too organized, too deliberate.
This wasn't random.
The attack came without warning.
A crash.
A body thrown across the floor.
Screams ripped through the music.
Radhika gasped, clutching Saraswati.
Durga shielded them movements deliberately imperfect.
Sia widened her eyes, fear pointed on flawlessly.
Bullets struck tables.
People ran.
And then--
The Braves moved.
Jai charged forward first.
He was tall, powerfully built, movements honed by discipline. His eyes burned with command as he disarmed one attacker mid - sprint, slamming him to the floor.
" Civilians out ! " Jai ordered.
His voice carried weight.
Saraswati looked at him, breathless, drunk courage splling out.
" Wow ... you look like a hero."
He paused -- just for fraction of seconds.
Then softened.
" Stay behind me," he said. " I won't let anything happen to you."
Saraswati leaned towards Radhika, who was near her. " I'm in love, Radha."
Radhika replied," Okay, for the seventy- eighth time."
Saraswati looking at Jai replied. " This one is true love."
Radhika just smiled.
On the other side, Sia and Durga were together. Durga was ready to fight but Sia grabbed her hand and stops her.
Durga looked at Sia. " Why can't we fight back?"
Sia," We can't reveal who we are to Braves, so just act like you are scared from all this. I know this is hard for you."
Durga smiled back at her." Very hard."
Purav, hacker of Braves, appeared beside Radhika like fire given form.
Lean, sharp- featured, eyes intensed.
A blade flashed towards her --
Purav caught it barehanded.
Twisted.
The attacker screamed.
Purav didn't even looked at him.
He looked at Radhika.
" Are you okay ? "
She shook her head slowly, eyes locked onto his.
" No."
For a moment, something unspoken passed through them.
Then Purav was gone -- violence reclaimed him.
Veer, strength of braves, slammed into another attacker mid - air, rolling across the floor and shielding Durga with his body.
He took impact without flinching.
Durga blinked, stunned.
Someone had just protectedher.
He looked back. " You okay ?"
She nodded.
" ...yeah"
He smirked.
" Good."
Agni , strategist of Braves, fired once - precise, controlled.
He pulled Sia behind a pillar, one arm firm at her waist.
"Breathe", he murmured. " You're safe."
She did.
Ofcourse acting.
The attackers retreated suddenly-- too suddenly , after they got message in their earpods.
Smoke filled the rooms.
To the queens, it looked like pursuit.
Like they were the targets.
Radhika whispered, voice shaking convincingly,
" They are after us.."
Jai heated.
His jaw hardened.
" No," he said quietly. " They are not."
The attackers vanished.
Sirens wailed.
Silence followed.
Back inside, emergency lights flickered.
Jai turned to the four girls, behind him was his three group members; Purav, Agni and Veer.
He said gently." You're safe."
Sia and Radhika trying to look scared and innocent and not much interaction with Braves meanwhile, Durga struggling to hold Saraswati.
Sia said," Thanks for saving us ."
Purav looking at Radhika, but she didn't looked at him.
Braves turned, started moving in opposite direction.
Saraswati stared at Jai.
Then suddenly laughed.
"You know," she said loudly, pointing, " I think I've seen you before."
Radhika froze.
So did Sia.
Durga narrowed her eyes.
Jai turned and blinked.
" Excuse me?"
Saraswati squinted.
" Maybe no... Just a feeling."
Sia and Radhika exhaled with relief.
As they were escorted out.
Radhika looked back once more.
Into the shadows.
A familiar presence lingered.
Watching.
Waiting.
"What are you waiting for, come here and help me . This dumbo, I can't handle her alone." Durga angrily screamed to Radhika.
Radhika rushes to her.
From a distance the four shadows from the rooftop were watching.
Especially -- Braves
Queens back at headquarter, they entered the drawing room.
Saraswati broke the silence , falling from the couch and rubbing her head.
" This was not something normal."
Durga looked at her. " If you dared to touch a drink, this whole month I swear I will kill that Jai first and then you."
Saraswati again dreaming already swinging. " Not Jai please..."
Durga frustrated." Oh God " she continued, " Radhika please get her to her room or I swear..."
Radhika and Sia laughing at them.
Sia looked at Radhika. " We can't go back to normal."
Radhika replied, " We should not forget why are we here."
Somewhere far away.
The four shadows were smiling and this might be the next move of our mastermind.
The night tried to treat them like ordinary girls , but destiny remembered they were the queens.