Her

Distressed Desserts

When Chaitra discovers the truth, it feels like the ground beneath her shatters. The two people she trusted most-her stepbrother, whom she protected despite their father's favoritism, and her best friend, the only person who ever saw beyond her cold exterior-are nothing more than criminals.

Betrayal cuts deep, but for someone like Chaitra, who has spent her whole life building walls, it's a devastating blow. She had never been the type to let people in easily, and now, the few she did have proven to be the very thing she stands against. Anger simmers beneath her composed exterior, but beneath that, there's an ache-a deep, hollow pain she refuses to show.

She questions everything. Were their friendships ever real? Did they ever truly care for her, or was she just a pawn in their game? And worst of all, is she a fool for wanting to believe that, despite their crimes, a part of them still holds the bond they once shared?

Chay pov:

I'm not someone who breaks. I let the pain settle, let the betrayal fuel my resolve. If I was caught between loyalty to people and duty to my country, there is no hesitation. No matter how much it hurts, I know what I must do. I must get a confession from them and have them presented in the court and have justice served.
After I saw them there I was shattered and my mind went into autopilot mode. I reached the cafe and ordered all kinds of desserts they have and an extra sweet chocolate milkshake which I normally wouldn't. I usually don't eat desserts at all because I used to be bullied back in school by my classmates for being heavy and now I only eat sweets when I have a bad day. And today was the worst day and it's only 2pm!
I'm waiting for those two liars to show up and try to make excuses and deny the truth.
While I was waiting I received an email from PMO.
Its summary basically tells me not to get involved in the case and leave it to be dealt with by Tandav the strongest mafia people in the world who for some reason always help our country with information and resources and are patriots according to the PM. I have never been involved in the meetings between the PM and Tandav for some unknown reason these are the only meetings I don't attend and whenever I asked to join them the PM always just smiled and said that day will come soon. I heard the door open and 2 people entered the cafe and beelined to my table and stood in front of me. I didn't want to look up and find my best friend and brother's face. I nodded my head indicating them to sit down and waited.

I had always been sharp, always observant. There were moments-small inconsistencies, vague explanations, and late-night disappearances-that had made me pause. But I never questioned them. Not once. Because they were -the only two people I had ever let past the steel fortress of my heart. My stepbrother, the one who protected me even when their father dismissed me. My best friend, the only person who truly understood my silence.

I had faith in them. Even when logic whispered doubts in the back of her mind, I shut it down, choosing trust over suspicion. But now, as the cold truth crashes down, that faith feels like a cruel joke.

Have I been blind? Or had I simply refused to see?

Anger burns in my chest, not just at them but at myself. I had spent my whole life being doubted-by my father, by society-yet the one time she placed unwavering faith in someone, it shattered beneath my feet.

And yet, beneath the betrayal, a whisper remains. Why?

Because deep down, no matter how much I want to hate them, I can't erase the years of loyalty, the moments of trust, the love I still carried for them. So I'm giving them a chance to explain before I have them locked up.