All you need is love

chapter 21

Shubman sat with Rohit, Rishabh, and Aditi during the lunch break, his usually composed demeanor replaced by an air of unease. As they discussed their plans and the next steps in their investigation, Shubman's thoughts kept circling back to the upcoming conversation with Ishan. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to fall into place, but he still couldn't shake off the feeling that they were missing something important.
It seemed like every new revelation was bringing them one step closer to the truth, but the truth itself was still hidden behind layers of lies and deception.

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Ishan sat in the dimly lit room, his eyes fixated on the tabletop in front of him. Fresh red marks on his cheek and neck, a stark contrast to his pale skin. Even his wrists bore faint, reddened lines, reminders of the recent trauma he had endured.

As he waited for the detectives to come in, Ishan remained silent, his mind swirling with a mix of emotions.

He knew they were coming. He knew they had questions for him. Questions he wasn't sure he was ready to answer. Questions that would expose the secrets he'd been keeping, the pain he'd been hiding.

Ishan swallowed hard, his throat feeling dry and constricted. A part of him wanted to run, to escape from the judgement and the questions. But another part of him knew he couldn't. He had to face the consequences, he had to confront the truth, no matter how terrifying it may be.

Rohit and Aditi entered the room, their expressions serious and focused. Rohit walked ahead and sat down at the table, while Aditi followed closely behind, carrying a few files in her hand.
Ishan raised his head and met their gazes, his expression betraying a mix of anxiety and defiance.

Rohit and Aditi took in Ishan's appearance, noting his youthful face and the innocence in his eyes. They could sense the tension in the air, the nervous energy emanating from Ishan.It was hard to imagine him as a suspect in a murder case.

They exchanged subtle glances, silently acknowledging the apparent contradiction between Ishan's innocent appearance and the weight of the accusation hanging over him.

After sometime Rishabh and Shubman entered the room, Ishan's eyes widened slightly, as his gaze fell on the tall male. Shubman's unease was evident, his guilt clear in his averted gaze.

Shiban paused in his movement, his eyes fixed on Ishan's hand resting on the table. The red marks and subtle shallow on Ishan's wrist clearly visible under the pale, dull room light. Shubman's frowned deepened, concern and confusion evident in his expression.

Shubman couldn't hide his shock and anger as he took in the sight of the red marks on Ishan's face and throat. He clenched his jaw, his usual composed demeanor slipping momentarily as he approached Ishan.
"Who did this to you?" he demanded, his voice sharp with protectiveness.

Rohit, Aditi, and Rishabh finally looked at Ishan, their frowns mirroring Shubman's own expression of concern and anger. They noticed the red marks on Ishan's face and neck, and the sight immediately raised questions.

"we are investigating this case then it's our choice what we will do to our suspects how dare someone lay their hand" Shubman, still visibly angry, repeated his question, his eyes locked onto Ishan's face.
"Who did this to you?" he demanded, his voice firmer this time. "Tell us who did this, Ishan. We need to know."

As Ishan raised his gaze and looked into Shubman's eyes, a wave of shock and sadness washed over Shubman's expression. Ishan's eyes were like shattered glass, dull and lifeless, as if they had lost their sparkle a long, long time ago.
Shubman's anger subsided, replaced by a deep sense of sorrow at the sight of Ishan's weary expression.