Reshimbandh~Silken Threads

29. The Truth

Arjun's mind was a whirlwind of emotions as he walked out of Neha's room. The revelation that Sameer had known all along gnawed at him. How could Sameer, his closest ally, keep such crucial information from him? The betrayal stung deeply, a mix of anger and hurt swirling within him.

He replayed the conversation in his head. "Chief? Rathore?" The words echoed, each repetition amplifying his frustration. Sameer knew all this while? The realization hit him like a punch to the gut. He had trusted Sameer implicitly, and now that trust felt shattered.

Arjun's thoughts drifted to Neha's casual demeanour. Her nonchalance only added to his turmoil. How could she take this so lightly? Didn't she understand the gravity of the situation?

He clenched his fists, trying to suppress the rising tide of emotions. Neha's safety was important, and the thought of her being in danger because of this hidden information was unbearable. "I hope it's not too late." His desperate voice was a plea for her to understand the seriousness.

As he walked down the corridor, Arjun felt a wave of helplessness wash over him. He had always been the protector, the one who kept his loved ones safe. But now, with secrets and half-truths swirling around him, he felt lost. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders.

Neha's words echoed in his mind, "Bhaiya, we got this. Everything will be alright. Trust me." He wanted to believe her, to find solace in her assurance. But the fear of losing her, of failing to protect her, gnawed at his resolve.

He paused, taking a deep breath. He had to confront Sameer, to understand why he had kept this from him. But more importantly, he had to ensure Neha's safety. No matter the cost, he would not let anything happen to her.

With renewed determination, Arjun made his way to Sameer's cabin in ETF. The conversation ahead would be difficult, but it was necessary. He needed answers, and he needed to protect his family. As he knocked on the door, he steeled himself for the confrontation, ready to face whatever came next.

When Arjun entered Sameer's office, he found Sameer seated behind his desk, engrossed in a stack of reports. The moment Sameer looked up and saw the intensity in Arjun's eyes, his expression shifted. 

Initially, there was a flicker of surprise, quickly masked by a calm, composed demeanor. Sameer's eyes narrowed slightly, a sign that he was bracing himself for the confrontation he knew was coming. His jaw tightened, and he set the reports aside, giving Arjun his full attention.

As Arjun began to speak, the frustration and hurt evident in his voice, Sameer's expression softened. "How long have you known all of this, Rathore? Why didn't you share anything?"

Sameer took a deep breath. "Arjun, Commissioner sir hadmasked me to keep quiet because the information we had was scarce and we needed time to gather more. There was one small lead and it remained inconclusive." 

Sameer's expression was one of determination, but also of empathy. "I never intended to keep you in the dark, but some things needed to be handled delicately."

His eyes met Arjun's, unwavering. There was no defensiveness, only a genuine desire to make things right. Sameer's expression conveyed a silent plea for understanding, hoping that Arjun would see the bigger picture and the difficult choices he had to make.

"You know I'm doing this for Roshni." As Arjun's words hung in the air, Sameer felt a crack in his usually stoic facade. He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair, a gesture that betrayed his inner turmoil. The weight of his decisions, the secrets he had kept, and the trust he had jeopardized all bore down on him.