It's how you see

Chapter 3

After having their lunch, both Swetha and Rakshitha got back to work.

"Rakshitha, look here. According to the primary investigation done by this journalist, Maahir could be a suspect too!" Swetha said attracting Rakshitha's attention, Swetha handed her the report and started typing in her laptop. Rakshitha went through the report and gave a quizzical look to Swetha, and asked who Maahir was. Swetha raised a brow and replied, "you really need to do a lot of groundwork dear, anyway, here's the story, Tanav's father, Mr. Amith Khanna had an elder brother who passed away due to massive heart attack, he had a son, Maahir, Amith by then had 2 sons, Maanav and Tanav. Maahir then took up his father's business and settled in the states, expanding it. Maanav is a typical and obedient good boy, on the other hand Tanav was an absolute brainless brat. For some unknown reasons, Tanav left the house with his share of property, and got married to Adira." Swetha narrated.

Rakshitha registered every word Swetha said, Swetha then continued, "Basically, after Tanav's marriage, Maahir visited India, and wanted to reunite his family, so he approached Adira, but then Adira played a major role in his breakup with his longtime girlfriend. Maahir was very much depressed and held Adira responsible, obviously he went through some losses, it's even said that Maahir is looking for one opportunity to make things even with Adira." Swetha completed, Rakshitha gave it a thought, "Why isn't Manav on the list?" she asked, "As I already told you that he is very obedient, he never tried to help Tanav in any way and go against his fathers will." Swetha said. Rakshitha wasn't convinced; she had a strong gut feeling that something wasn't fitting in right.

Tanav was desperate to prove Adira dead, and take over the property, While Rakshitha and her team were struggling to prove that Adira is alive.

Tanav smartly used Adira's belongings and an unidentified body to prove her dead and stop the divorce proceedings. Rakshitha was not expecting such a huge move from Tanav. She was devastated and started feeling like a failure. Her agony made her furious and she unleashed her fury on the articles at her place.

Ishaan went to pay a visit to Rakshitha; when he opened the door, he was startled by the mess she created. He carefully stepped inside, he spotted her sitting at the dining table, holding her head in her left hand, while her right hand was bleeding. He rushed to her "Raksha you are bleeding! Have you gone nuts?" he yelled. Raksha was already holding on a lot, and she broke into tears on seeing Ishaan in her house. Hearing her sob, Ishaan felt guilty, in an attempt to make her feel better, he slowly approached her and embraced her in his arms.

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After months, Rakshitha felt at ease, she felt secure and protected. She was engrossed in the peace Ishaan was giving her inadvertently that she completely forgot about Aadir.

Right then, Swetha entered Rakshitha's apartment and saw them being engrossed in each other, she didn't want to disturb them at all. Soon Rakshitha came back into her senses and spotted Swetha in the hallway, she instantly broke free, and apologized to Ishaan. Ishaan asks her to let it go and wipes away her tears, Ishaan then spots Swetha in the living room, "Great you are here." he said, "why did you call me though?" Swetha asked, "Well, I found something with which we can prove that Adira is still alive" he said, then he brought out a file. Swetha and Rakshitha exchanged glances, he opened the file and showed them a couple of pictures, one of which belonged to the crime scene, some pictures of Adira's from her public appearances, and a few pictures of the belongings found at the crime scene.

Ishaan asked them to take a close look at all the pictures, Swetha and Rakshitha closely observed the images, Ishaan then pointed out at a bracelet Adira always wore, "I think you know this bracelet, Rakshitha." he asked, Rakshitha realized what Ishaan was trying to say, she then figured out what he meant, and a smile grew on her soft lips.

Swetha was still confused, "guys kindly explain." She said, "Well, during our school days, Laya and I won a cash prize and brought her this junk bracelet. Look at these pictures, in all her public appearances Adira wore that bracelet, including to the conference before she left Delhi after meeting her investor. The bracelet has a double hook, it can only be removed, it will never fall off. But that bracelet was not found at the crime scene. Ishaan is implementing that, if at all, if this was a robbery case, which fool would leave this exclusive jewelry and take a junk bracelet, if this is her body then why is the bracelet missing?" Rakshitha detailed. This brought a smile on Swetha's face too, "we can use this to continue the investigation unofficially." she said.

Rakshitha left her apartment with a new hope, to visit the DM and seek special permission. While returning from the DM's office she got a call from an unknown number, wondering who it could be, she answered the call. She heard a female voice, "Hello, am I speaking to Ms. Rakshitha Srinivas." the lady on the line asked, "yes." Rakshitha replied, "Ma'am I'm calling from Kothari Associates." the lady said. Rakshitha was confused, "How can I help you?" Rakshitha asked, "we sincerely apologize for the last-minute notice, you are requested to visit our office. Today we are going to read Adira Srivastav's testimony and according to the list it must be read in your presence." the lady said. Before Rakshitha could say anything, the call ended, Rakshitha froze for a minute, she then called Ishaan and told him about her meeting with the DM and then about the call from Kothari associates. She then headed to the law firm.

Kothari associates was a very renowned law agency, they were known for their ethics. Soon Rakshitha reached the law firm. The founder and the topmost lawyer, only takes up cases of the elite groups of society. Rakshitha went up to the receptionist and told them about the call she received, who then escorted her to the conference room. In the conference hall she spotted Adira's parents; Shanti and Vikram, and her best friend Laya, who moved to the United States with her husband after Adira got separated from them. She recently returned to India and was staying with her parents as her husband; Ayush was still in the states.

Rakshitha smiled at Laya and greeted Adira's parents, she then took a seat beside Laya, she then striked a conversation with Laya, who told her about her pregnancy, they were engrossed in their conversation when the lawyer and the founder of the firm; Rajeev Kothari, walked into the room holding a brown file.