Chapter 5: Undercover and Out in the Open

I made a burner account and added the guy, saying a friend referred me to ask about insurance.

He accepted right away.

He greeted me first.

I said I was a family of four wanting to buy insurance for everyone, asked if he had any recommendations.

He was super enthusiastic, said family insurance needed to be tailored based on structure and budget, sent me a brochure with all their top products and successful cases, then apologised, saying he was about to board a flight and would contact me after landing.

I checked his Status—almost all work stuff, not as interesting as his Instagram.

Two hours later, he messaged: "Bro, I’ve landed. Just tell me your needs and budget."

I didn’t reply right away. Instead, I messaged my girlfriend, asking when her flight was.

She never told me her flight number, always saying her project schedule was uncertain. Now I get it—she was afraid I’d show up at the airport.

My girlfriend didn’t reply.

Ha.

She had no idea I was already at the airport, hiding in the crowd at arrivals, staring at the exit.

Outside, the smell of filter coffee and samosas from the airport canteen mixed with the sharp perfume of arriving NRIs. The air buzzed with porters shouting, "Madam, trolley?", and kids running circles around their luggage.

I kept my head low, cap pulled down, feeling like a junior CID officer tailing a suspect.