SS- The Aftermath

~10~

Ruhi sat in the cold, dimly lit interrogation room, her mind racing with fear and frustration. The echoes of her failed attempts to reach her lawyer haunted her, and the reality of her situation weighed heavily on her. Her once confident demeanor was replaced with a sense of helplessness as the consequences of her actions finally caught up with her.

The police officer entered the room, his expression was stern and unyielding. He placed a stack of papers on the table in front of Ruhi and began to speak.

"Ms. Ruhi, you are being charged with reckless driving, causing injury to pedestrians. Given the severity of these charges and the mounting evidence against you, you will be held in custody until your court appearance."

Ruhi's heart sank. The realization that she was facing jail time without the support of her lawyer or any allies was overwhelming. She tried to protest, to explain her side of the story, but the officer's unwavering gaze silenced her. Desperation set in, and she decided to take a different approach.

"Officer, please," she began, her voice trembling. "There must be something we can do to make this go away. I can... I can make it worth your while."

The officer's eyes narrowed as he leaned in closer, his expression growing more severe. "What exactly are you suggesting, Ms. Ruhi?"

Ruhi hesitated, then leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper. " I can pay you. Just help me out of this mess, and I'll make sure you're well compensated."

The officer's face hardened, and he straightened up, crossing his arms over his chest. "Are you attempting to bribe a law enforcement officer, Ms. Ruhi?"

Ruhi's eyes widened with fear, realizing her mistake. "No, no, I didn't mean it like that. I just... I don't know what to do. Please, you have to understand, I can't go to jail. My life will be ruined."

The officer's tone grew colder, and he took a step back. "Let me make something very clear, Ms. Ruhi. Attempting to bribe an officer is a serious offense, and it only adds to your list of charges. We are here to uphold the law, not to be swayed by money or influence."

Ruhi's desperation turned to panic as she tried to backtrack. "I didn't mean to offend you, Officer. I just... I made a mistake. I was scared. Please, you have to help me."

The officer shook his head, his expression resolute. "The only help you'll receive is through the legal process. You have the right to an attorney, and I suggest you use that right wisely. But make no mistake, you will be held accountable for your actions."

Tears welled up in Ruhi's eyes as she realized the gravity of her situation. The officer turned to leave, pausing at the door to deliver a final warning.

"And Ms. Ruhi, any further attempts to bribe or manipulate this process will only make things worse for you. I suggest you think long and hard about your next steps."

With that, the officer exited the room, leaving Ruhi alone with her thoughts. The weight of her actions and the reality of her predicament settled heavily on her shoulders. She knew there was no easy way out, and the path ahead would be fraught with challenges and consequences.

_____________________________________________

Meanwhile, back at the Poddar household, the family was slowly starting to regain their composure after the emotional turmoil of the past few weeks. Abhira's interview had brought a sense of relief, but the news of Ruhi's accident and subsequent arrest added a new layer of complexity to their lives.

The family gathered in the living room, the atmosphere tense with a mix of anger and frustration. Sanjay sat at the side of Armaan, his stern expression reflecting the collective mood. Kaveri paced back and forth, her hands clenched into fists, while Rohith sat on the edge of his seat, his jaw set in determination. Armaan stood off to the side, his face thoughtful and conflicted.