Secrets of the Past (Completed)

12. The First Breakthrough

16th January 2020 morning 9 am, after Swara's mishap – Raizada Mansion

Arnav was frustrated. The deal was taking a lot of time than he expected and above that his family was getting targeted.

He was unable to vent out his frustration. Liza was dead, Kushi was very new to all this physical aspects, he was stuck. He wanted his wife yet he couldn’t move further. His plans were on the verge of breaking and his friends were being their usual .

Sid was nowhere. It looked like he disappeared. Arnav and his friends knew that something was going to happen. Sid was not the one to take any warning lightly. It had been almost a week since the officers had warned them not to step outside. But today morning, when NK had gone to call Sid for a meeting, his room was clean. It looked like Sid never came back to his room after yesterday's dinner.

When NK informed him with a panic, Arnav thought to wait for sometime.

But there was no news or call from Sid. He finally called Ranvijay and informed him.

The whole family was unaware of Sid’s disappearance. They were going about their regular duties when Hari Prakash informed Arnav of Ranvijay's arrival.

Kushi, who was about to call Arnav and his friends for breakfast, stood still when she heard that the Chief officer was here. Confused and afraid, she entered the study when Arnav saw her. He knew she had heard them. Before she could question, he took her hands in his and led her to the living room and informed Hari Prakash to assemble the family immediately.

******************

Ranvijay and  his team were furious. But they could do nothing.

In a cold voice with barely controlled anger he spoke.

“I specifically told that you friends should never step out from this Mansion. But you guys are hell bent on breaking rules. ASR, NK and Akash, I would like to have a private word with you people.”

Meanwhile, the remaining team members were questioning the family and the servants.

Swara started sweating. She knew she was not at fault. But the fear was never leaving her.

Lost in her thoughts, she was shaken out of her stupor by Manorama.

“What happened Bubbly?”

Swara composed herself and gave her mother a small smile.

“Nothing Mom. Just thinking about some unfinished business”.

When Lavanya questioned Bubbly, she, at first, thought of telling the truth. But, after deciding something, she denied seeing Sid after yesterday's dinner.

Lavanya “ Miss Swara, early morning, your watchman had seen you going somewhere in a hurry. Care to tell where had you been?”

Keeping a straight face, Bubbly replied “I had gone to give a send off to my friend. Nothing else”.

Finding her reply weird, Lavanya took note of her friend’s name and the timings.

Here, in the study room, Ranvijay didn't waste any time. He directly came to the topic which he wanted to discuss.

“ASR, let's talk without any more hide and seek games. I want to know the truth from your mouth. What is the purpose of going for a tour every year end, to a random place, and not even keeping  regular contact with your family.

Don't even try to deny. We have our sources.”

NK and Akash stood still. They shared a look and were ready to defend themselves.

But Ranvijay was fast to notice the exchange. He smirked to himself.

“ASR, it would be better if you spill the truth”.

*********************

After his conversation with Arnav and his friends, Ranvijay was having a discussion with Neil and Vasundhara in the same study room when he received a call.

“Hello”

…….

“Address?”

……..

“Any camera footage?”

……..

“Hmm, ok, we’ll be there in an hour max”.

His eyes were serious and his posture tensed.

“Sandeep called, we need to be somewhere else ASAP”.

********

Same day 10.45 am, Private guesthouse

When the team reached the spot, the man named Sandeep was standing with 3 people.

With a salute, he introduced them to  Ranvijay and Vasundhara.

“Sir, these 3 are the caretakers of this guesthouse.”

Ranvijay “did you see anyone suspicious here today morning?”

“Saab, around 3 am in the morning, Siddharth Saab came and told me to take leave for a day. I immediately went home. After that I don't know what happened.”

Vasundhara “what work are you assigned?”

“My name is Suresh, I'm working as a watchman here. She is Sarah, the cook and cleaner of the house, he is Raj, the gardener.”

“How long have you known Siddharth and his family?”

“I've not seen anyone from the family Memsaab, this is his private guesthouse, he comes once in a while with his friends.”

“Ok you can go, if needed, will call you to the station anytime.”

After they left, Sandeep updated them about his recent findings.

“Sir, Ma’am, there is no proper footage. The camera fixed in this house was switched off after Siddharth’s arrival. We have got a footage from the camera fixed in the nearby farmhouse. It is little blurred.”

Vasundhara “let's check it out and then see what we can do”

*************

Flashback

“Anirudhji, do you really love me?”

“Shaali, I love you, what shall I do to make you trust me ?”

She smiled. "Nothing. Just tell me everyday that you love me and want to live with me. That is enough. But my family's financial condition is not so good. Will your parents accept me?"

Her face showed her fear.

He kissed her forehead and replied in a soft voice.

"Shaali, my parents have always told me to follow my heart. I accept that my family is well to do, while yours is just the opposite. Don't worry, they trust me and my choice.”

Shaali felt happy. She felt blessed to have Anirudh as her life partner.

“Don't ever leave me Anirudhji. I cannot live without you.”

Her eyes were misted when she spoke.

“Hey! Come on, now don't cry and make me nervous. Then I'll start stuttering again. Your tears have that power on me”.

Shaali “When are you going to introduce me to your family?”

Anirudh smiled at her and hugged her “soon my love, very soon. Now let's get going, it's getting dark, I'll drop you at your house”.

Flashback ends

**************

Same day, afternoon 12.30 pm

“Hello, am I speaking to Miss Swara Raizada?”

“Yes, who is this?”

“Ma’am, this is Lavanya Kashyap from  Crime Branch. A small interrogation. Today evening 5pm, I'm expecting your presence at the main branch. I'll forward the address. If you have any other commitments, I suggest you cancel them. This is highly confidential.”

Swara masked her fear and replied “sure, I'll be there.”

“Ok, see you”.

Bubbly started sweating. They know. Her heart beat started escalating and she took deep breaths to control her anxiety.

“You can do it Bubbly. Just tell the truth. Nothing will happen to you”, she calmed herself by repeating the same sentence.

*************

Evening 6pm, Crime Branch office

“Early morning, I received a call from Sid. He was pleading to me, saying that he wanted to confess something important and NK was also there with his girlfriend and they  needed my assistance. I didn't give any other thought than helping NK since his girlfriend is my best friend.

When I reached the guesthouse, I found it very silent. Sid took me to the living room and started professing his love again.”

Lavanya “wait, what do you mean by again? Has he done it before?”

Swara “yes, not once, many times.

Since the time I turned 18, he has been behind me saying he loves me truly. But I was clear. I didn't have any such feelings. He was always my brother's friend. I am more carrier oriented.”

“Ok, then what happened?”

“He tied me to the bed and was about to molest me when a woman came and pushed him with such force that he got hit on his head and fell unconscious. She helped me escape and warned me not to tell anyone about this incident”.

By the time she completed, Swara was in tears.

*****************

19th January 2020, morning at Raizada Mansion

Raizada Mansion living room was swarming with Forensic department, doctors, sniffer dogs, Crime Branch officers, photographer. The family was ushered towards the study room.

Nani was escorted to her room by Anjali. The shocking incident had taken a toll on her. Arnav was trying to get through his lawyer while NK and Akash informed their parents and Sid’s parents about the tragedy.

Kushi glued herself to Arnav. Her innermost fear  started resurfacing.

Arnav encircled his one hand on her shoulder while he was talking with the lawyer.

Manohar and Manorama along with Bubbly were sitting on the settee and discussing something serious. Bubbly was a silent spectator. She still couldn't believe what she saw downstairs.

Vasundhara entered the study along with her team.

“Ok people,  this is getting serious. From now on, you all are under house arrest. I repeat again. Don't ever try to go out. It's for your own safety. Your friend didn't care about the rules and he ended up like Karan and Liza.

Hope the remaining 3 of you want to live.”

Arnav and his friends just nodded.

**************

Same day, Crime Branch office, afternoon 2pm

“There is no change in the post mortem report. It's the same like the previous ones”.

Neil went through the evidences collected. There was nothing much which could help them.

Ranvijay ignored everyone and started writing something on the board.

Vasundhara and Lavanya were going through the photographs and comparing the previous ones with the new one.

Lavanya “Boss, there is not much in these photos. It's the same dead end.

The only proper clue we have is the one given directly by the murderer.

And no one has seen her. I'm sure it's that old lady who got a lift from the previous two people. But Swara’s statement differs. The woman who saved her was between 30 to 40 years of age.

That's what she had mentioned. Dev, play the recording again. I want to go through the facts once more to be sure”.

Before Dev could play it, Ranvijay interrupted them.

“The next Murder will be on 5th February, but we will be receiving the body only on 8th .”

The entire team got stunned with Ranvijay’s words.

**************

Hello everyone, the Corona virus pandemic is getting severe day by day. Be safe.

I got to know from a family friend that there are not enough beds in the hospitals and they are sending mild to moderate patients home.

Be careful while traveling. It's better to prevent any unwanted travels.

Take care.