Beneath the Surface

Chapter 9: Under the Interrogator's Eye

The police station was quieter than Raju had expected. He sat under harsh fluorescent lights across from Inspector Akilesh, who had been silent for several minutes, carefully scanning a file in front of him. Raju's mind raced, but he forced himself to sit still, fighting every impulse to look away or fidget.

Finally, Akilesh cleared his throat and met Raju's eyes. "Raju, you seem like a man who's been through a lot. Long years in Hyderabad... always on the quieter side. A careful man, one might say."

Raju swallowed, his throat dry. "I work hard, Inspector. I have a family to take care of. I stay out of trouble."

"Right. A family man," Akilesh said, flipping through the file. He pulled out a photograph of one of the recent murder victims and placed it in front of Raju. "So explain to me, if you're such a family man, why do you seem to have a fascination with places where violent things happen? Places people wouldn't think to look?"

Raju forced himself not to react to the photo, even though he felt a tightening in his chest. He had to remain calm, detached. "I don't know what you're talking about. I've never seen this person before."

Akilesh raised an eyebrow. "Maybe not. But you seem to have a knack for staying invisible. You didn't seem surprised when we came to your door. In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were expecting us."

Raju fought to keep his tone neutral. "When police come knocking, anyone would be nervous. I'm just a cook. I live a quiet life."

Akilesh leaned forward, studying him. "Is that so? Because from where I sit, it seems like you're hiding something. I've seen this before-a man with a past, trying to live a quiet life, but the shadows keep pulling him back." Akilesh paused, letting his words hang in the air. "What kind of past are you running from, Raju?"

For a moment, Raju felt like he was back in that group home, trapped and cornered. He clenched his hands into fists beneath the table, steadying himself. "We all have things we don't like to talk about," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I've moved on."

Akilesh tilted his head, watching him closely. "Moved on? Is that what you call it?"

Raju stayed silent, but inside he felt his resolve starting to slip. Akilesh was pressing too close, drawing too near to truths Raju had spent years burying. The inspector leaned back, his eyes never leaving Raju's face.

"Perhaps you have a secret or two," Akilesh continued, his tone casual, as if they were simply talking over coffee. "But here's the thing, Raju. Secrets have a way of coming out, no matter how deep you try to bury them. And when they do, they have consequences."

A flicker of anger stirred within Raju. He couldn't let this man break him. He held Akilesh's gaze and forced himself to respond. "Whatever you're looking for, Inspector, you won't find it with me."

Akilesh gave him a thin smile. "We'll see, Raju. We'll see."

The interrogation ended, but Raju knew this wasn't over.

---

Back at Home

As Raju stepped out of the police station, he saw his wife, Nandhini, standing by the entrance, her face pale with worry. His daughter, Avanthika, clung to her hand, watching him with wide, questioning eyes.

Nandhini hurried over, grabbing his arm. "Raju, what's going on? Why did they take you in like that?"

"Nothing serious," he replied, forcing a reassuring smile. "They just needed to ask some questions about something unrelated."

Nandhini's gaze was intense, unyielding. "Unrelated? They don't just take people in for nothing. The neighbors are already whispering. What is this about?"

Raju could see the fear in her eyes, but he couldn't bring himself to explain, couldn't burden her with the past he'd tried so hard to leave behind. "It's over now. I told you, it was nothing serious."

Nandhini studied him, unconvinced. "I wish you'd tell me the truth, Raju. I don't know what's going on, but I can see it's weighing on you. And... and it's affecting us."

He looked down, guilt gnawing at him. He'd tried to be a good husband, a good father, to give them a better life. But now it felt like that past was clawing its way back, dragging him down.

Later that evening, after putting Avanthika to bed, Raju sat in the kitchen, lost in thought. The questions Akilesh had raised lingered in his mind, stirring old memories he'd buried deep. He barely noticed Nandhini standing in the doorway, watching him.

"Raju," she said softly, breaking him from his reverie. "Whatever it is... please, don't keep me in the dark."

He looked up, seeing the worry etched into her face. But he couldn't tell her, not now. "Trust me, Nandhini. I'll make sure everything's okay. Just... give me time."

But even as he said it, he felt a chill settle over him. He knew that time was running out-and that the secrets he'd tried so hard to bury were closer to the surface than ever.