CHECKMATE : Game Of Shadows

1. the game begins

"Kya aap bhi apne hairfall se pareshan hain?" a loud voice echoed through an otherwise silent room.

"Kya aapke baalon ne bhi aapka saath chhod diya, jis tarah usne chhoda tha?" the voice continued dramatically.

"Kya ladkiyan aapko 'ujda hua chaman' keh kar pukaarti hain? Agar haan, toh le aayiye hamara naya product jisme—"

The advertisement abruptly cut off, making Yuvan Mehra groan in frustration. A Class 12 student, Yuvan had been thoroughly engrossed in the teleshopping show when his elder sister, Yuvika, snatched the remote.

"What nonsense are you watching? Tu ujda hua chaman hai? Watch the news instead; it'll actually increase your knowledge," Yuvika snapped, changing the channel without hesitation.

Yuvan’s irritation faded as he spotted a young, well-dressed news anchor on the screen. He sat up, his interest piqued.

"Wait a second. Were you watching that teleshopping girl earlier?" Yuvika teased, catching his reaction.

"Do I look like an ‘ujda hua chaman’ to you? Of course that ad wasn’t for me!" Yuvan rolled his eyes but ducked reflexively, knowing a smack was coming.

"Shut up and help me with the shifting," she ordered, her tone brooking no argument.

Grumbling, Yuvan dragged himself off the couch. He tried his best to appear pitifully tired, hoping for sympathy, but Yuvika just smirked.

After completing the task, Yuvan flopped onto the couch, dramatically sprawled like a corpse.

"Why do you always make me work so much?" he complained.

"It's exercise," Yuvika replied shortly, already heading to the kitchen. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"Aloo ke paranthe!" Yuvan exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.

"Poha," Yuvika declared, crushing his hopes.

As she walked away, Yuvan sulked in the living room, muttering about unfair siblings and bad luck. However, when Yuvika finally placed two plates on the table, his sulk vanished.

"Aloo ke paranthe!" Yuvan’s eyes sparkled as he grabbed a plate. Overcome with joy, he jumped to hug his sister, but she dodged effortlessly.

"Haan bas ho gaya ab zyada chipak mat," she said, rolling her eyes. Despite her tone, there was a faint smile on her lips—a rare sight these days.

Both siblings ate in companionable silence, savoring the meal.

"You made it just like Mom used to—" Yuvan stopped abruptly, realizing his mistake too late.

Yuvika froze, her gaze fixed on her plate. Memories of their parents' screams echoed in her mind. She clenched her fists, her appetite gone.

"Di!" Yuvan reached out, his voice filled with guilt.

Yuvika stood abruptly, brushing past him. Yuvan followed and hugged her from behind, tears streaming down his face.

"I'm sorry, Di. I didn’t mean to—"

She turned and gently caressed his face before playfully smacking his head. "Stop crying, drama queen. I’m fine. And listen, I’m off to work. If you get hungry later, order something."

Just as Yuvika grabbed her keys, the television blared, "And now, today’s biggest breaking news—"

Both siblings turned, intrigued.

"The influential businessman Bhavesh Sinha is no more!" the reporter announced.

Yuvan and Yuvika gasped in unison, their hands flying to their mouths.

"Bhavesh Sinha, a leading figure in India’s textile industry, was found brutally murdered in his mansion earlier today," the reporter continued.

The screen displayed footage of the crime scene—a grand yet ominous estate, now a police investigation hub.

"The body was found with multiple stab wounds, and an unusual clue—a white knight chess piece—was discovered nearby. Investigators are baffled by its presence, as no chessboard or other related items were found in the mansion."

Yuvika’s brows furrowed. "A white knight?" she muttered, her mind racing.

"Clearly the work of a professional assassin!" Yuvan speculated, his voice brimming with excitement.

"Officer mai hoon ya tum?" Yuvika shot back, arms crossed.

"I was just trying to help—"

"Focus on your studies!" Yuvika cut him off, her tone brooking no nonsense.

"But you said watching the news is important—"

"Not when it makes you think you're Sherlock Holmes," she retorted.

Yuvan rolled his eyes as Yuvika switched off the TV, grabbed her bag, and headed out. Her mind, however, remained fixated on the chess piece.

The bustling streets of Delhi were a blur as Yuvika drove to the Crime Branch headquarters. Her thoughts kept circling back to the case. A white knight… what could it mean?

Upon arriving, Yuvika parked her car and headed to the main entrance, only to bump into someone.

"Sorry!" The man steadied her, his hand firm yet gentle. Yuvika glanced up at him—a tall, fair man with glasses and a disarming smile. She nodded her thanks and continued inside.

"Come in," a voice called after Yuvika knocked on the office door.

Inside, an elderly man rose from his chair. "Welcome, Officer Yuvika. We’re delighted to have you here."

"My pleasure, sir," she replied, shaking his hand.

Her attention was drawn to another person in the room—a tall, broad-shouldered man with striking grey eyes and a faint beard. His sharp features and poised demeanor immediately caught her off guard.

"Let me introduce you both," the senior officer said. "Officer Yuvika, this is Senior Officer Varun Oberoi. Varun, meet Officer Yuvika Mehra."

Their gazes locked, a moment of silent understanding passing between them.

TO BE CONTINUED