True Side

Chapter 4

I am again the last person in the office today. Everybody including dad have left. I still have some pending work to do. Just then I remember that I need some references from my dad's system. I call dad and say "Dad I need references for the new design from your system. Can I access you cabin?"

Dad says "Oh sure, ask the security for the keys."

I go to the security and take the keys of my dad's cabin. I go inside and switch on the system. I start searching for the file I needed. I then find it and send it to my mail. I notice that my dad left his locker's keys to the locker itself. I go there to lock it. Just then a file falls from the locker. I open the locker to put the file back when I see something odd.

Few things are kept in different zip locks. I take one of the zip lock. To my horror it is a blood stained watch, not anybody else's but Rishi's watch which I gifted him on his birthday last year. Yes the silver Casio watch which even has RN covered in it.

I take another zip lock which has Rishi's engagement ring and his copper bracelet which his brother Deva gave him when he went to Badrinath. Why are all these in my dad's locker, it should be with the police.

Then I push my hand again into the locker to reach another zip lock in the corner of the locker. It has a photo of Rishi and Deva from his childhood. Rishi has showed me this photo once and told me that he will always have it in his pursue. I turn the photograph to see something scribbled over it.

'Your father and that man will kill me.'

I throw the photo down. What did I just read? I pick up the photo again and read it. 'Your father and that man will kill me.'

Dad killed Rishi along with a man. Who it must be? Why did dad kill Rishi? A hundred questions along with a mix of anger and grief are pulsing through my head.

I open my phone and delete the CCTV recording of me opening the locker and pause the CCTV. I quickly text Deva 'I need to talk to you. Something really important. I am coming.'

I put the other things inside the locker with the keys to it. I put the letter in my pant pocket and go out. I resume the CCTV recording and move out handing over the keys to the security.

I approach my car when I get a text from Deva saying 'About what? Is it so urgent?'

I text back 'Yes, I am coming.'

I drive towards Deva's house as fast as possible. I reach there in 20 minutes. I get down from the car almost jumping and running. I see Deva standing near the gate. I start panting.

Deva holds me and says "Nitya, Nitya relax. Why do you want to talk at 10.30 in the night?"

I give Deva the photo. He looks at it and says "I know this is Rishi's but you don't need to come for this at midnight.'

"Shut up and turn back."

Deva is startled by my rude response and turns back. He reads it and looks at me his eyes turning wet. "What is this? This is Rishi's handwriting. Your dad killed Rishi. But why?"

I say in a tiered voice "I don't know. I need to find out. Deva will you help me find out the truth of the other man and avenge Rishi's death."

Deva says "He is my brother before your lover. I am always with you Nitya. Go ahead."

COMING UP: I sit before Siddharth's parents who looked kind and generous like him. After a long discussion which I didn't bother his mother said "So we will have the engagement day after tomorrow."