The day winds down as the CID team enters the bureau with the culprit in custody —
Ritesh’s cousin, Veer Malhotra, the real murderer.
In the interrogation room earlier—
Ayushman stands still, gaze sharp.
Ayushman:
“You entered the victim’s house after Ritesh left. You knew where the documents were. You killed him to hide your own fraud.”
Veer breaks, collapsing into the chair.
Veer:
“He threatened to expose me! I panicked… I didn’t mean to kill him—”
Daya (coldly):
“You stabbed him directly in the heart. That’s no panic. That’s intent.”
Abhijeet:
“And you wiped the weapon. Staged the scene. You planned everything.”
Veer lowers his head.
There is nothing left to deny.
Case closed.
The team disperses, filing reports in the evening calm of the bureau.
---
EVENING – AYUSHMAN’S CABIN
The bureau grows quiet as the night creeps in.
Inside his cabin, Ayushman sits alone, back slightly hunched, eyes fixed on the small heart-shaped locket in his palm.
The metal glints softly under the lamp light.
He opens it slowly.
Inside—
a little girl smiling brightly,
a little boy holding her hand,
carefree, inseparable.
Ayushman’s voice is barely a whisper.
Ayushman:
“Piyu… where did you go? Why didn’t you come back? Twenty-two years, and still not a single sign from you…”
He presses his thumb gently over the picture.
Ayushman (softly):
“I’m still searching… Your Dhruv is still searching.”
A small ache settles in his chest.
Just then—
A soft knock on the door.
Before he can react, the door opens and Purvi steps inside holding a file.
Ayushman quickly hides the locket in his fist and straightens up, composed once again.
Purvi:
“Sir… sorry, I didn’t know you were busy. I just brought the finalized report.”
Ayushman clears his throat, masking any emotion.
Ayushman:
“No, no. Come in, Purvi. It’s fine.”
She places the file on his desk, her eyes briefly observing his expression.
Purvi:
“You look… tired.”
Ayushman forces a small smile.
Ayushman:
“Long day.”
Purvi:
“We all have those.”
ВЫ ЧИТАЕТЕ
Shadows Of Yesterday
ФанфикшнA story of bonds... once unbreakable, now buried beneath time. This tale is woven from forgotten memories, from hearts once close but pushed miles apart, from a bond that time tried to erase but destiny keeps trying to revive. A story of separation...
