All you need is love

chapter 17

"ishan..?"

A hush fell over the room as Ishan's name escaped Shubman's lips, confirming what everyone was now seeing on the screen.

The person conversing with the jailer in the footage was none other than Ishan.

Rishabh turned to Shubman, a mix of frustration and anger in his voice. "See? I told you before. He must be the murderer."

He pushed Shubman's shoulder, emphasizing his point. "But no, you were too blinded by him"

Shubman stumbled backwards slightly from Rishabh's push, a flicker of hurt crossing his eyes. The revelation about Ishan on the CCTV footage was already weighing heavily on him.

He opened his mouth to protest, to defend Ishan, but the words got tangled in his throat. The evidence was there on the screen for all to see.

Aditi and Rohit looked equally shocked, their eyes darting between the CCTV footage and Shubman.

Aditi broke the heavy silence, her voice filled with disbelief, "Is that Ishan? Are you sure shub?"

The room remained tense, the only sound being the hushed breaths of those present. Everyone looked to Shubman for a reply.

After a moment, he managed a nod, his voice cracking as he spoke. "Y-yes, it's I-ishan..."

The admission hung in the air like a heavy cloud. Everyone looked somber, processing the implication of what they had just seen.

Aditi gently touched Shubman's arm, a gesture of comfort. She then turned to Rohit, "This changes everything..."

Shubman spoke up, grasping at straws to defend Ishan. "But we found the real autopsy report in Mr. Kishan's office..."

He looked around at the others, hoping they would see this as a contradiction that could exonerate Ishan.

Rohit chimed in, his voice firm yet sympathetic. "Shubman, it doesn't make any sense anymore. We can clearly see Ishan is the one who gave poison to Mr. Mishra, and he's likely with his father."

Shubman's shoulders drooped, the weight of the realization sinking in. There was no denying what they had just seen on the footage.

The truth was undeniably painful for Shubman to accept. The sight of Ishan on the CCTV footage, speaking to the jailer, left no room for denial. Ishan was involved in Mr. Mishra's murder.

Shubman's heart felt heavy, torn between the love he bore for Ishan and the harsh reality now laid bare before him.

The memories of time spent with Ishan flashed through Shubman's mind, mocking him now with their deception. That innocent laugh, the purity in his eyes, the sweetness of his smile - all a lie, all a facade.

Shubman felt a bitter taste in his mouth as the realization sunk in. Ishan had fooled him completely.

Rohit's words, though spoken quietly, echoed loudly in the room. "That's why I always told you to keep a line between your private life and duty."

His advice, given long ago, now seemed painfully accurate. Shubman had blurred that line, confusing emotional attachment with professional responsibility, and now he was paying the price.

Shubman's shoulders slumped as a quiet sigh escaped his lips, and he started heading toward his table. The weight of the situation was heavy, and he needed some space, some time alone to process everything.

He moved with purpose, almost robotic, as if on auto-pilot. His mind was swirling with thoughts, and the room suddenly felt too confining.

Shubman stopped in his tracks, Rohit's command cutting through the fog in his mind. "Shub, prepare yourself. We're going to arrest them tomorrow."