Yuanfen : Destined To Be Together

Chapter 5

Nandini arrived late at the cafe. Her two female friends were waiting for her there. She herself requested for them to come. It was urgent. Iry and Maria was chit-chatting among themselves when they saw Nandini approaching.
"Sorry for coming late. I had to handle something."
Nandini apologized quietly as she sat across them. Sensing Nandini's mood, Iry spoke up, her best friend, "What happened? You sounded grave when you called earlier. and...what's with this sudden visit?"
Nandini sighed, her eyes becoming red with unshed tears as she started speaking, "I need you two to help me with something." Iry and Maria shared a brief eye contact as Maria spoke up this time, concern etched in her voice, "What's wrong Nandini? we will try our best to help you."
Nandini took a deep breath, gathering her strength to start speaking, teardrops already rolling down her cheeks, "This morning....."

Earlier that day
8:48 am.

The police officer spoke, standing at the front door, "Is this Nihal Sen's house?"
Nandini nodded as she was helping her dad to leave for office as he wore his shoes. Nandini's dad stood up while her mom emerged from the kitchen, "Yes? What happened officer?"

The officer didn't answer him rather asked again, "Is he home?" Nandini's mom and dad looked at each other before her dad spoke, "No, he left around one hour ago. Why?"

the officer sighed, now aware that none of them knew anything. "Can I have a moment with you all?" Her dad nodded, politely gesturing the officers to come in, "Please."

As the officers sat on the couch, her dad sat across them, her mom beside him as she stood behind them. The officer shared a glance with his fellow workers before starting to speak,
"Where was Nihal last night?" Nandini swallowed hard, her gut feelings screamed in her mind that something was really wrong.

"He wasn't home." her dad spoke, his voice already cold.

The officer nodded, speaking again, "Last night, we got a FIR on molestation......against Nihal." The officer added, letting an eerie silence take over.

Nandini's shoulders slumped as her thoughts turned out to be right. Her mom and dad stayed silent, only looking at the officer with shock. That they were deeply hurt, was evident on their faces.

The officer sighed, "Mr. and Mrs. Sen, I know it's a lot to process right now. But, I need one of you to come at the police station, I'm really sorry." Nandini's mom stood up quietly, walking inside their apartment.

Nandini watched both of her parents with concern, anxiety rushing in her veins. She spoke up after sensing her dad wasn't stable as well, "I'm his sister. I will come with you."

Her dad's head was hung low in shame. The officer waited for her dad to say something. Getting nothing, he nodded and stood up.

"I appreciate your courage Ms. Sen. It will be better if you reach there little earlier."

Nandini nodded, looking down. The officers left the apartment after that, leaving a broken family behind.

Present

Nandini wiped her tears as she finished speaking. Clearing her throat, she spoke, "Mom's blood pressure has become high. Dad, left for office without even saying a word." Her voice cracked as she proceeded, "I don't know how to handle..." she sighed, letting her tears fall again.

Iry and Maria were silent, shocked by the news. Iry tried her best to stay strong, for Nandini. "We will go take care of Aunt. You can go visit the police station." Maria nodded in response, resting her hand over Nandini's, "Everything will be fine, okay? Don't worry."

Nandini nodded, wiping her tears for the umpteenth time as all of them stood up. Iry and Maria gave her a reassuring hug before leaving for her apartment.

Nandini stood by the exit of the cafe as she watched the rain pouring, mirroring her emotions. Nandini waited for the bus at the nearby bus stand.
.
.
.
.
When she entered the police station, she saw the officer from the morning.
"Excuse me, Sir."
The officer looked up from the files, "Oh, Ms. Sen, please take a seat."
Nandini sat on the chair he had gestured. Her heart pounding in her chest.

The officer closed his files before looking at her. "Thank you for coming." Nandini nodded, waiting for him to speak further.

"Last night, around 2 am, a family filed an FIR against Nihal." The officer gestured at the side of the room where a teenage girl was seated with her head hang low. Her mom was beside her, crying silently.

Nandini's heart shattered as she realized the girl was even younger than her. A little dreamer, who was living her life happily with her parents, her family.

She gulped and looked back at the officer.
"Did you find him?"
The officer was quiet surprised to see Nandini's demeanor. She wasn't crying or begging for her brother's forgiveness rather she seemed to be determined.
"Not yet. We are trying to find him. And we hope to find him soon."

Nandini spoke, her voice cold yet firm, "He had come back home this morning. Around 6 am. And he attacked my mom as well."

The officer nodded, "Thanks for the information." He called a fellow officer and spoke to him for a brief moment before focusing back on Nandini.
"Ms. Sen, we suppose he's a drug addict?"

Nandini nodded curtly. "He is. We have tried to get him out. But nothing worked."

The officer nodded, "Thank you very much. We will inform you about the further investigation."

When Nandini was about to leave, the officer added, his voice softer, "And Ms. Sen?" Nandini looked back, waiting for him to continue. "Take care of your parents. You seem to be a strong woman." Nandini nodded solemnly before turning to leave.

She glanced at the girl again. Tears welling up in her eyes.

What could be worse? She herself was a victim. And yet, her brother was one of the monsters now, a molester.