"Uh, excuse me," Mrignayani patted the guy's shoulder to gain his attention.
He turned around and she could see the drooping mustache and the scar. Walking up untill this point, her head had thrown itself into a tizzy with various permutations and combinations. One of them was – what if this guy wasn't whom Shaurya thought he was? What was she supposed to do then?
So, it was a relief to see him possess the described physical traits.
"Umm, I am sorry to inform you that the hunter has killed the tiger," she said, adding the initial bit of apology herself because she thought that it seemed like a sad message to deliver.
The guy's shoulders drooped in acute disappointment, proving her guess to be right.
"Are you one of the interns?" the guy asked after a few moments.
Mriga nodded her head. She was feeling bad for the guy.
"Hi, I am Devvrat. I am also doing my internship," he said.
"Oh! You mean to say that you are still studying at the Gurukul? You are my senior?" she asked him with widened eyes.
He shook his head, "no, I passed out last year. My internship is different than yours. Once you graduate, you join the official team and are given real tasks and targets but you are supposed to do so under a senior's supervision. Today was my test of going solo. I had heard that the Central zilla spy team's new mentor is really amazing. I had prepared really hard to go undetected but it seems that I failed."
Shaurya had only started mentoring two years ago and Devvrat had not crossed paths with him prior to this. Mriga clapped his shoulder in sympathy.
She pointed at his drooping mustache and said, "I can understand what you are feeling currently. My only advice to you is that you should try and become 'one with your disguise'. It should own you and you should own it."
She was repeating Shaurya's lessons to him, feeling all pleased and important.
"Thanks. I will keep that in mind. By the way, what is the next step now that I have been discovered? And I completely forgot to ask your name," Devvrat said in an impressed voice.
"My… my name is Brighu. As for the next step, you are to drop me to a pre-decided location and then report to Ramanujam sir. I don't know anything more than this," she informed him.
Devvrat looked disappointed again.
"Does that mean that the test is over? No second chance? Ah… I prepped so hard for it," he kicked the ground under his foot in dejection.
Mriga was feeling bad for him and said, "Umm... why don't we head towards the food section. I believe that eating is the cure for everything. I am sure you must be tired and hungry as well."
Devvrat looked at the young boy in front of him and said, "don't get discouraged by my example. You seem to have a bright outlook and a wise mind, despite your young age. I am sure that you will do well."
Mriga beamed at him with her blackened teeth shining in full glory. They started walking towards the segregated section where various food stalls had been put up. For a second, she thought that she caught a glimpse of Shaurya's back but it was gone in a flash before she could re-confirm it.
"Found someone you know?" Devvrat asked, following her gaze.
She shook her head in denial.
Reaching the place, they surveyed various options before Devvrat said, "the food doesn't look very appealing. How about going to a nearby place which is known for its comedy plays and superb food? I am in need for some cheering up. Are you ok with that?"
Mriga thought about it for a moment but found nothing amiss. After all, she had been asked to follow whatever he said. And Devvrat did look a little forlorn. She didn't want him to continue feeling depressed. So she agreed to the plan.
"B…but I have no money," she told him sheepishly.
"Don't worry. Your senior is here. Accept it as my way to express my thanks for your words of wisdom today," he put his arm around Mriga's bony shoulders and steered her out of the fair.
"Gosh, do they not feed you at the foodhall these days? You are so scrawny," he commented casually.
Shaurya finally relaxed his grip on the guy when he saw Mriga leave the place with Devvrat. He had caught the man real soon but didn't want to take him away before seeing to it that his ward had left the fair, safely.
The man whom Mrignayani had identified, was actually a spy from Sapt Sindhu. He had crossed paths with Shaurya on numerous occasions and his presence here was a big red flag. He wanted to drag him out for a tete-a-tete in a quiet place but kept hesitating. He knew that Mrignayani was a sensible and obedient girl but she was his responsibility. So, he kept the man's neck under a tight grip and strolled the place, keeping an eye on his trainee. He didn't want her to come face-to-face with this guy and had taken a sharp turn when she nearly caught him few minutes ago.
"Let's go. You wanted to speak with me. I am all ears, now," he spoke in savage undertones to the Sapt Sindhu spy.
"So, how far is this place?" Mriga asked Devvrat walking on the over populated path.
People were going in and out of the fair, making the entire area congested.
"It's not too far. We should be there in the next ten to fifteen minutes. You are not tired already, are you?" he enquired.
Mriga looked at him with an embarrassed grin and replied, "not tired, but a little hungry."
He laughed and said, "no need to be ashamed about it. A growing lad needs constant nourishment and a scrawny one like you requires it more than others. Don't worry. We will be there, soon. You can eat there till your stomach bursts."
Mriga cheered up instantly at the thought of good food and started walking enthusiastically towards their destination.