The Unwanted Bride

31 - Unethical Khushi

Typed on 01/02/2025
Chapter 31: Unethical Khushi

To her utter surprise–sarcasm–the police had no leads. "You're telling me, in a country full of billions of people, you couldn't locate one diligent witness to find out who hit my husband?" She was fuming. Khushi never used her position to her advantage but today seemed like the day.

"Khus–" Yug was interrupted by the police officer.

The air in the police station was stale, thick with the scent of paperwork and worn-out authority. Khushi sat beside Yug, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her foot tapping against the old floor. Her patience was hanging by a thread, and the officer's sluggish attitude was only making it worse.

Across from them, the officer leaned back in his chair, his expression one of mild disinterest. "Look, madam," he said, sounding exasperated. "We've been working on it, and it's unfortunate that nobody is viable. These sorts of things happen all the time."

Khushi blinked. For a moment, all she could hear was the rush of blood in her ears. These sorts of things? He was talking about an accident. No—an attack. Her husband's life had been at stake, and this man was acting as if near-death experiences were routine. Maybe for him but not me.

Her fingers curled into fists. "These sorts of things are not normal," she said, her voice deceptively calm. "My husband could have been killed." If she wasn't in the police station or trying to prove a point, she would have cried at the mere thought.

The officer barely shrugged, flipping a file open as if that would dismiss the conversation. "We're doing what we can, madam. But unless new evidence—"

She leaned forward slightly, her gaze locking onto his with quiet intensity. "No, Officer. I think you misunderstand me." Her tone was cool, and measured—just like it was in court when she was about to bury opposing counsel's alive. "I'm saying you need to do better. If there are no leads, find them. If your team is too busy, make time. Because I can assure you, if this case doesn't get the attention it deserves, there will be consequences. And not the kind you can shrug off."

Something shifted in the officer's demeanour. The lazy indifference faded, replaced by something close to unease. He sat up a little straighter. "Of course, madam. We'll–do another review of the evidence."

Khushi gave him a tight smile. "I'd appreciate that."

Beside her, Yug exhaled slowly, his fingers drumming against his knee. He wasn't happy—she could feel it in the way his body had stiffened slightly, the way his eyes flickered with something unreadable. He was impressed, yes, but also uneasy.

As they stepped out of the station, he finally spoke. "That was–effective," he admitted. "But unethical."

Khushi didn't even flinch. "So is negligence," she said coolly. "I just made sure they remembered their job."

Yug sighed but didn't argue. Because the truth was, whether he liked it or not, it had worked.

~

The lights at the pharmacy buzzed faintly as Khushi waited beside Yug, who leaned against the counter, his expression tired but patient. The pharmacist was sorting through his prescriptions, the rhythmic clicking of pill bottles filling the silence.

"I need to grab some milk," Khushi said, glancing toward the small convenience store across the road. "I'll be quick. You wait here while they prepare your medication."

Yug shifted, wincing slightly as he adjusted his leg. He wanted to go with her—he always did—but the dull throb in his foot reminded him of his limits. He sighed. "Fine. Just be careful."