Maruvarthai🤍

V

Few weeks later,
The sun had just begun its descent, casting a golden hue over the bustling city of Hyderabad. The air was thick with the aroma of street food and the distant sounds of traffic. In a nondescript office hidden within the labyrinthine alleys of the police department, the Special Crimes Unit, the atmosphere buzzed with urgency where our two ACPs prepared for yet another briefing on a case that had consumed their lives for the past three weeks.

Prabhas leaned back in his chair, his tousled hair falling across his forehead. He had his typical boyish charm, a cheeky smile that could light up the darkest rooms. But behind that charm lay a spontaneous spirit, one that often led him to take risks, and sometimes, it left him hanging by a thread.
But where Prabhas was whimsical and impulsive, Rana was calculated and meticulous. His sharp features were usually framed by a frown, his dark eyes scanning the details of every situation like an experienced strategist on a battlefield. They made an odd pair, but it worked, blending fiery passion with cold logic.

As they shuffled papers on the conference table, the conversation drifted toward Anushka, obviously ! The new junior surgeon in the forensic department. Although both men were twins in their pursuits of justice, Anushka represented a new dynamic to their team, and Prabhas found himself enthralled by her.

She had joined three weeks ago but had etched herself into Prabhas's mind within days. Anushka was intelligent, unyielding in her pursuit of truth, and surprisingly courageous when faced with the grim realities of crime scenes. Unlike others who recoiled at the sight of blood, she embraced every splatter and scar with clinical curiosity.

"Prabhas," Rana said, breaking his partner's reverie, "you've been staring at that case file for over ten minutes. Your mind is somewhere else."

"What if it's somewhere important?" Prabhas teased, his smile betraying the lightheartedness he often applied when trying to distract himself. But Rana had caught him; he was indeed preoccupied with thoughts of Anushka.

Rana raised an eyebrow. "I know where it is: in Anushka's hair."

"Very funny!" Prabhas chuckled, rolling his eyes while picturing Anushka's black hair cascading down her shoulders. "But seriously, we need to figure out our next move. The forensic report holds the key."

Just then, Anushka entered the room, her pristine lab coat fitted snugly against her form, a stethoscope hanging around her neck like a badge of honor. Even in the midst of darkness, she radiated an uncommon beauty, pairing elegance with an air of determination. The room felt lighter the moment she stepped in.

"Good evening, team!" Anushka greeted, her voice a melody that immediately captured both men's attention. "I've reviewed the latest findings from the autopsy."

"Speak of the goddess," Prabhas thought, feeling his cheeks heat up as she set down a stack of papers on the desk, inadvertently catching him staring.

Rana moved aside to make room, gesturing for her to proceed. "What have you got, Anushka?"

"The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, but there's more," she continued, flipping through the pages with a deftness that suggested long hours spent studying essential details. "I found traces of a rare drug in the victim's system. Based on the information we have, it could lead us to the suspects we've been hunting."

"Are you serious? That's incredible!" Prabhas exclaimed, a spark igniting within him. His admiration for her work ethic and expertise grew. He watched her speak, noticing how passionately she expressed her observations as if every word were pieces of a puzzle that would ultimately solve the case.

"I am," she smiled, her expression momentarily softening before transitioning back into focused seriousness. "But the drug isn't common. It's usually found in underground circuits, which means we're dealing with something beyond just a murder—the implications could lead to organized crime connections."