All you need is love

chapter 20

The dim light cast long shadows across the sterile, windowless room. Shubman, Aditi, Rohit, and Rishabh sat on one side of the table, their faces grim and determined. On the other side, the accused criminal sat quietly. A table stood between them, the harsh glare from the single overhead light illuminating the coldness of the space. The tension in the air was palpable, the silence almost stifling. This was the moment they had all been preparing for, the moment where the truth would finally be revealed.

As the voice recorder clicked on, Rohit's voice broke the tense silence, his question directed towards the accused, Mr. Kishan.

"Mr. Atharv kumar Kishan," Rohit asked calmly, "Are you ready to answer our questions?"

"Yes"

Rohit nodded, his expression giving nothing away. "Good," he said,"We have a few questions to ask you, and we hope you will be as truthful as possible. This is an official interrogation, and everything you say will be recorded."

Mr. Kishan leaned back in his chair, his eyes still unwavering. "I understand," he said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Ask your questions, officers. I have nothing to hide."

Rohit kept his tone level, his gaze fixed on Mr. Kishan, trying to gauge any change in his expression.

"Your wife passed away and you have two sons right?"

"You're correct," Mr. Kishan replied, his eyes narrowing slightly. "My wife passed away, and I have two sons, Advik and Ishan."

"Advik is the elder one right?" Rohit asked, his tone casual, as if he was merely having a conversation.

Mr. Kishan nodded. "Yes" he confirmed. "Advik is the elder son, and Ishan is the younger one."

"and how is your relationship with your younger son Ishan?" Rishabh inquired, his gaze never leaving Mr. Kishan's face.

Mr. Kishan tensed slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "Our relationship is...complicated," he admitted, his voice cold. "We've had our share of issues, as any father and son would."

Rohit raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Issues? What kind of issues?" he asked, leaning forward slightly.

"The usual kind," Mr. Kishan replied evasively. "Conflicts about academic expectations, his career choices, the usual father-son disagreements."

"So you don't hate him right?"

Mr. Kishan's eyes widened in surprise at Rishabh's direct question, but he quickly composed himself. "Hate is a strong word," he said, attempting to maintain a neutral tone. "I've had my frustrations with Ishan, but I don't hate him. He's still my son, after all."

"You treat your both sons equally?"

Mr. Kishan paused, his cool demeanor faltering for a moment. "Of course," he said after a beat, his voice a bit strained. "I love both my sons equally. They are both my flesh and blood, after all."

"but we have proof that you bet your younger son in a gambling game? is it true Mr.kishan?" Shubham said his voice is stern and sharp.

Mr. Kishan's eyes went wide in shock at Shubham's unexpected accusation. He didn't anticipate the conversation would go down this path. He fumbled for his words, trying to maintain his composure.

"Wh-where did you get that idea?" he stuttered, his cool facade slipping. "I would never bet my own son in a gambling game. That's absurd!"

Rohit and Rishabh exchanged a quick glance, both noticing the way Mr. Kishan's voice had wavered. It was clear that Shubham's question had rattled him.