kaaval kaaran

Chapter 17

The next few days blurred together as Siva’s investigation into the murder deepened. The pressure was immense. On one hand, he had to navigate the complexities of the case, and on the other, his blossoming feelings for Dharaani were becoming harder to ignore. However, there was one thing gnawing at the back of his mind — Ram. Bhava’s lover was becoming more entangled in the investigation, and the more Siva learned, the more unsettled he became.

Late one evening, Siva sat in his office, staring at a new set of documents Vetri had handed him. Ram’s name kept cropping up, connected to shady dealings and questionable interactions with Vikram’s men. It didn’t look good.

Vetri knocked on the door, entering with a cup of tea for Siva. “Ennada edho peiya paatha ukandhu irukka (You look like you’ve seen a ghost,)” he remarked, placing the cup down on the desk.

Siva rubbed his temples, sighing deeply. “Ram ah nenachu thaan da, avan indha murder la involve aagi irukano nu oru feeling. Edho oru maari irukku, idha manasula irundhu eraki veikave mudila. (It’s Ram, Vetri. I can’t shake the feeling that he’s more involved in this murder than we think.)”

Vetri raised an eyebrow. “Bhava’s Ram?”

Siva nodded. “Namma ivlo thooram kandupudicha evidence ellathaiyum serthu paartha avan edhulayo connect aagi irukura maari iruku da. Aprm avan adikadi vera Vikram oda aalunga kooda suthitu irukkan, avanoda phone calls ellamey edho maari suspicious ah irukku. Avan mattum idhula involve aagi irundha namma ivlo naal kandupicha ellamey mothama maaridum. (I’ve been piecing things together. He’s been spotted with Vikram’s men, and his phone records show some disturbing connections. If he’s involved in this murder… it changes everything.)”

Vetri frowned, taking a seat opposite Siva. “Namma kandupichadha mathuradha vida, Bhava idha epdi eduthupa nu therila. (It would complicate things. Especially with Bhava. Does she know?)”

Siva shook his head. “Illa da avalta epdi solrathu ne therila. Ram mattum idhula involve aagi irundhaan, ava mothama odanjiduva da. (No, and I don’t know how to tell her. If Ram’s guilty… it’ll destroy her.)”

Vetri leaned back, crossing his arms. “Siva yen da yosikira, unna vida oru best ana officer ah naa paathathe illa. Case nu vanta Vitra koodathu da edha irundhalum paathu thaan aaganum. (It’s not like you to hesitate, Siva. You’re one of the best cops I know. You have to put the case first, even if it’s difficult.)”

Siva sighed again, feeling the weight of the situation. “Enakku puriyuthu da ana idhula bhava mattum illa dharu vum irukka, ava odanju poiduva da. Ava Bhava kooda romba close, Ram ah arrest panna enna aagum ne solla mudiyathu...( I know. But it’s not just Bhava. Dharaani will be devastated too. She’s close to Bhava, and if I have to arrest Ram…)"

Vetri looked at him closely, reading between the lines. “This isn’t just about the case, is it? You’re worried about Dharaani.”

Siva ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “Ennala avala nenaikama irukka mudila da, Vetri. I can’t stop thinking about her, Vetri. Case ah evlo focus pannalum ava edho edathula mind la odidu irukka da. Ippo enakku enna pandradhu ne purila, kastapattu vaanguna velaya paakava illa enakku pudichavangala kaapathava nu onnum purila da. (Every time I try to focus on the case, she’s in the back of my mind. This thing between us… it’s real. And now I’m stuck between doing my job and protecting the people I care about.)”

Vetri gave him a sympathetic smile. “You’re in deep, brother. But you’re going to have to make a choice. If Ram’s guilty, there’s no hiding it.”

Siva clenched his jaw. He knew Vetri was right. The truth had to come out, no matter how painful it might be.

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