under the wraps

Debts Written in Silence

The things you didn't tell me, the things I didn't know—
it must have been difficult for you too, to shut your mouth and keep your head low.

"Believe me," he said, voice calm but firm, "you won't regret it. Get me out of here before my personal lawyer does. I'll help you catch the real culprit myself."

Rudra and I went to the hospital to collect the test results. Nitin was there, half-awake, eyes heavy with sleep, probably ruined again by night shifts.

Nitin: Here. The lab doctor was busy—asked me to hand these over to you.

Rudra: What's with those puffy eyes? Didn't get enough sleep?

Nitin: No. Owing to you people, I'm back on night shifts. Sleep is a luxury now.

He yawned.

Rudra: Yet you still have time for stealing.

He pointed at Nitin's shoes.

Rudra: You stole my shoes again.

Nitin: What nonsense? These are mine. Stop claiming rights over everything your eyes fall on.

He made a grotesque face.

Rudra: Look at your audacity—denying it outright. Look at the heels. My initials are written there. RS. My shoes are customized, you pipsqueak.

Nitin: Whatever, you smart jerk. Now go away. I don't have time to profligate on you.

With that, he nodded briefly in my direction and disappeared into one of the rooms.

Rudra: Wait here. I'll fetch the handwriting test from the next building.

Vera: I'll come too.

Rudra: No. Stay here and eat something. You haven't eaten since morning. It's hot outside—and that's an order. I'll check your food bill too, so eat before I come back.

And then he disappeared into the crowd.

Vera: Whatever.

I walked toward the cafeteria and accidentally bumped into someone at the counter.

Vera: Oh—I'm sorry.

When my eyes met hers, I froze.

Person: It's okay.

She was a woman in her early forties.

Vera: You... do you remember me?

She frowned, searching her memory.

Person: I'm sorry, but I don't think I do.

Vera: Ten years ago... I brought my grandmother to this hospital. The doctor refused to treat her. Because of you, I was able to admit her to another hospital. You were a nurse here back then.

Her expression shifted—recognition finally settling in.

Person: Yes... yes. You were that girl in a school uniform. I remember now. How could I forget? I lost my job after that.

She smiled softly.

Vera: I—I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I was always grateful to you. I never even got the chance to thank you.

Person: No, no. You don't have to. Actually... there was something I wanted to tell you back then, but I couldn't find you afterward.

Vera: You wanted to tell me something?

Person: It wasn't really me who helped you. I wanted to—but I knew I'd lose my job. Someone else begged me to help you. He promised that if I lost my job, he'd compensate me and help me get hired elsewhere. That's why I did it. He was the one who called the doctor at the other hospital, not me.

Vera: Who was that person?

Person: He asked me not to tell you. But I think you should know. He was the grandson of the owner of this hospital. His name was—

Vera: Rudra?

The color drained from my face.

Person: Yes... Rudra. I still remember. He came running to me, begging.

For a moment, it felt like I had seen a ghost.

I waited outside the hospital. When Rudra returned with the handwriting results—

Rudra: Okay, let's go. We'll read everything with the team. You ate?

Vera: Yeah.

I looked away, unsure how to face him now.

Rudra: Good.

At the station.

The handwriting report was in my hands. I had already read the DNA results—Sushant's girlfriend and the nail found in his wallet didn't match. Neither did the handwriting. No fingerprints on the knife either. The real culprit had been careful.

With no solid evidence, we had to let him go.

Mohit wasn't ready. Neither was Rudra.

Sushant was still our prime suspect—restricted from leaving the country, under surveillance—but not behind bars.

Sushant: Since you're not ready to let me go, let me show you what I've found. But only if you promise not to snatch what I collected. And only if you trust me—first.

Mohit: Trust you? If the law hadn't tied my hands, I'd have punched you already.

Rudra: Mohit, calm down. If we want the real person, we may have to make sacrifices.

Mohit: I don't trust him. I don't need his help. I'll find evidence myself and put him behind bars.

He stormed out.

Sushant: One more thing. Tomorrow, 11 a.m., all of you show up at my house. Every single one—your lawyer friend, your doctor friend, even Mohit. No outsiders. No reporters. If anyone's missing, I won't speak.

He left with his lawyer.

Rudra looked at me.

Rudra: Don't worry. I'll talk to Mohit.

I nodded.

That evening, it was raining—not heavily, just enough. I didn't feel like going home. My head was crowded, noisy.

So I went to the only place that ever felt quiet—Grandma's house.