𝐊𝐀̄𝐌𝐀 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞

Chapter Three

Aarohi looked down at the pulav she was supposed to be eating. But the young woman's photograph haunted her. She looked so happy. Aarohi sincerely prayed that nothing had happened to her nor the 6 women who had also disappeared. She suddenly lost all her appetite. She closed her box. She'd have this for dinner.

She checked her watch. It was 1:55 p.m. A JCO had dropped by and told her that the case briefing started at 2:15 in the conference hall. Aarohi went to the washroom and touched up her makeup. She reapplied her pink lipstick and dabbed on some powder. It wasn't that she cared about appearences more, she just wanted to look perfect in front of Dev. She made a frustrated noise. She shouldn't let Dev occupy her thoughts this much. Why did she care about what he thought of her? At the end of the day, men were men.

She slightly shivered as the memory of that cursed day wrapped itself around her mind. It was still freshly imprinted on her mind as if it had just took place yesterday.

People always asked her: Why don't you wear bright colours? Why do you always wear full-sleeved tops? Why do you always wear such simple makeup? They didn't know. They wouldn't understand. If she did do all those things, she'd attract unwanted male attraction. When a horrible incident took place, they'd say: Why were you wearing that? You were asking for it. Why do you show so much skin? Cover up. Who do you dress up for? You look desperate for male attention.

Diabolical, isn't it? Sadly, this is the kind of society we live in. The criminals are victimized and the actual victims are blamed. Aarohi pressed her lips together and chanted her usual prep talk: Control yourself. Be composed. No one should see you fall apart. She checked her watch again: 2:05 p.m. She ought to get going.

She left the bathroom and walked to the elevator. No Dev. She let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the elevator was still on the 12th floor, so she didn't have to wait. She pressed the 6th Floor button (the conference hall was on the 6th floor). She checked her phone for updates. A single message:

Ma: Aarohi, it's been ages since we've seen each other! How about dinner tonight?

Aarohi suppressed a groan and replied:

Aarohi: Sorry, Ma. I have a new case so I'm really busy. Some other time?

The three dots appeared and disappeared. A message finally came through:

Ma: Sure! Good luck on the case, though.

Aarohi knew her mother, Priya, was disappointed in her. But Aarohi didn't care. Her mother had made it very clear whom she chose to believe 15 years ago.

She bit the inside of her cheek, eyes burning. No. She wouldn't cry. She shouldn't cry. The doors opened and she found herself facing Dev again. He just got off the phone and looked right at her, a slight flush creeping up his neck. Aarohi noticed but didn't say anything. What was she supposed to make out of that absurd observation?

She walked down the corridor to the entrance of the conference hall. Before she could push open the giant mahogany double doors, someone else did it for her. Dev. He held opem the door and Aarohi looked at him once, lips parting with faint surprise. But she clamped her mouth shut again. This was Dev Rathore. She walked past without a thank you. A smile appeared on Dev's lips. He loved it when she acted haughty.

Aarohi checked her watch again. 2:10 p.m. 5 more minutes until she was officially assigned to a new case. She settled down in a black armchair. Dev settled into the one right across her.

A few awkward minutes passed by. Aarohi avoided his eyes. Dev asked, slightly exasperated, "Love, how are you going to solve a case with me if you won't even look at me?" Luckily, she didn't have to answer as Chaturvedi walked in right at that moment, a few people behind him. Both of them rose up from their seats to greet him. He motioned them to sit down again. They obeyed.

Chaturvedi settled down in his seat at the head of the table. He beckoned for all the other people to sit, too. They sat down. A woman who looked a year or two dropped down on the chair beside Aarohi. She smiled brightly. Aarohi returned a polite one.

Chaturvedi clasped his hands together, face serious. Aarohi sat up straighter. This was it. Her new case. Well, their new case, as she had to work with Dev. She couldn't help but look at Dev once. He looked extremely stern and professional. Aarohi snapped back her head to the DG.

The DG said, "I assume all of you know why all of us have been gathered here?" Everyone nodded. Chaturvedi continued, "I know we take up a lot of cases every year. Every year, ARCADIA handles about 600-700 cases." The girl beside Aarohi uttered a soft, "Wow!" Chaturvedi smiled slightly. But his smile dropped as he said, "But this might be one of the most terrifying cases in ARCADIA's history." Aarohi had never felt this important and intimidated in her life.

"I trust all of you will work together and find the culprit. Do the victims justice. Bring glory to ARCADIA." Aarohi's chest swelled with pride and a glint shone in her eyes. Dev smiled at her determined face: She was going to find the culprit no matter what.

To be continued: