Nasaza

XLI

I stood before my secret crime board, a sense of unease and determination filling me. The board was a simple pinboard, small enough to be easy to hide, but important enough to hold all of my information. I had covered it in my own notes, photos, and newspaper clippings, all related to the various crimes I had been keeping tabs on.

But tonight, I wasn't working on some old case. Instead, I was staring at the board, contemplating our current plan and the possible ramifications.

I let out a heavy sigh, my mind racing with thoughts and doubts. I could still hear Krish's excited voice from earlier, his confidence in the plan unwavering. But I wasn't so sure. Something about all of this felt wrong, like we were playing a dangerous game.

I started to carefully remove the articles and photos from the board, one by one. The familiar sight of the board gradually being stripped of its content was almost comforting, a physical representation of my mind clearing the clutter and uncertainty away.

I tried to keep my mind calm and focused. I needed to approach this objectively, without any emotional attachment or clouded judgement. I had to analyze our plan rationally and figure out the potential pitfalls and loopholes.

As I continued to remove the articles from the board, I couldn't help but reflect on the unique nature of this case. All my previous cases had been solved crimes, events that had already happened. This time, however, I was stepping into unfamiliar territory. Rather than solving an existing problem, I was essentially starting a problem to solve a different one. And to make matters more concerning, this case involved me, personally, for the first time. It was a case that had the potential to affect my real life.

My eyes involuntarily darted towards the old diary on the bed. But I quickly shook my head, dismissing the idea. This wasn't a movie or a fairy tale where the diary held all the answers. It wasn't Bhagavat Gita, and no amount of reading would instantly solve my problems.

With a deep breath, I pinned the diagram I had drawn onto the board. It was remarkably similar to the one I had sketched on the ground with Krish earlier, a rough representation of Shreya and me, separated by an empty box.

Looking at the diagram, the reality of the situation hit me once again. Krish's excitement and determination from earlier seemed like a distant memory now, replaced by my own mounting anxiety and uncertainty.

The diagram on the board seemed to taunt me, a reminder of the plan we had formed. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off, that we were missing something crucial.

Feeling a sudden rush of irritation and frustration, I turned away from the board. Pacing around the room, my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and doubts. I couldn't just keep standing here, contemplating and overthinking. I needed to do something.

I looked around my room, searching for a source of inspiration, anything that might help me figure things out. But my room seemed unusually silent and still, as if it too was holding its breath, waiting for me to make a move.

Frustrated, I kicked a nearby chair. The sudden outburst of anger didn't help soothe my restless mind. I needed to calm down and think more rationally.

Taking a seat at my desk, I grabbed a piece of paper and started jotting down the names of potential candidates who could fill the empty box. I scribbled down names, each one followed by a list of pros and cons, as I tried to objectively evaluate each person's suitability for the role.

Name: Rakshak.

Pros: Loyal, easy going, would probably agree to go along with the plan.

Cons: Not the sharpest tool in the shed, might be too naive to carry off the charade convincingly.

Name: Anshika.