Secrets of the Past (Completed)

15. The Hidden clue

6th February evening, Crime Branch office

Ranvijay and team were working round the clock to find Akash’s whereabouts. It looked like he vanished in thin air.

It had been 24 hours and there was no sign or any clue. Ranvijay and Vasundhara were constantly working, while the team members were split into groups to fasten their investigation.

Vasundhara and Sonakshi were going through the records collected by Neil and Ajay.

Vasundhara’s anger was reaching it's peak while going through the pages.

Sonakshi exclaimed “Bastards!!! Rich spoilt brats!! How dare they? Chief! Boss! We need to arrest them. These documents are proof enough.”

After going through the pages, Ranvijay said “ not now Sonakshi, we’ll deal with that later. Now we have to concentrate on finding Akash. It's already late. I just hope that he is still alive. But practically the chances are slim. Let's see. For now, I want Dev, Ajay and Neil to shift the entire Raizada family and NK to our safe house. That is the only way to trap the culprit. Lavanya, is everything ready at the safe house?"

Lavanya “yes Chief, the cameras are set, our officers have already taken charge. The plan is in motion.”

Ranvijay “good, any information about the phone calls?”

Vasundhara “no, these friends are dangerously clever. There is not even one clue to show them in the wrong light.”

Sheetal said “Chief, boss, we got through Kushi's grandmother. She will be reaching Delhi on 8th February.”

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Flashback

Didi, come on!! Come and catch me… hahaha,You can't catch me!! I'm the fastest among the three of us!! Yayyy!!! Maa! I won!”

“My God! Behave like a girl Chutki. Learn from your Didi! See how good, obedient and silent she is!!”

Making her face at her mother, Chutki started laughing and ran away to pester her brother.

“Bhai! I won the bet! Now give me my prize money!!”

“you brat!, Wait, see what I'm going to do today”.

Chutki's elder sister started chasing her all over the house, with their brother tagging along.

“Di, faster, you go through the kitchen, I'll come from this side, let's see how this little devil escapes!!”
The whole house was filled with laughter and happiness.

“(giggling)… “ouch, di, leave my ear! Please? I'm your little sister na? Your sweet innocent little sister?”

The elder sister melted at her younger one’s acting skills when their brother got hold of her other ear and twisted it.

“Aaah, bhaii!! Please leave my ear. Ma!! See na, Bhai is twisting my ear. I didn't do anything Ma!! Chutki promise!!”

In a few minutes, the whole atmosphere changed.

“faster!! Switch off the main. Put them in the car and start moving. We don't have time! In a few hours, we have to finish it!!”

With a hard and dark gaze, the  young man ordered “their existence should be wiped out completely. Make sure that no one gets even a small doubt.”

Didiiiiiii!!!!!!

She woke up with a cry. She was sweating and was getting the same panic attack when she was hugged.
“Shhh, nothing happened, cool down, I'm here hm?”

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Present- 7th February 2020 Raizada Mansion

Devyani Raizada instructed Hari Prakash,  their Butler, to inform all the family members to assemble in the living room for an important meeting.

Her instincts were never wrong. Her heart had been restless since the time Arnav got married. The tragedies that followed were proof enough that something big was going on and she had no control. She was a woman who respected others views, yet, she had a control on everything and her decisions were always straightforward.

She was going through some papers when everyone started gathering in the living room with questions in their eyes.

After making sure that everyone was seated comfortably, the matriarch started talking in a low but firm voice.

“Without beating around the bush, I'll come to the point. The past few days have been taking a toll on all of us, especially me. My age is not allowing me to think and decide anything. So I have decided to finish the unfinished job. Chotey! Go through these papers and let me know your views. Ask Kushi bitiya to read them too.”

Anjali asked softly, “what happened Nani, why are you talking in riddles?”

Nani “please wait for sometime bitiya. You'll know”.

After going through the papers, Arnav said nothing. He just nodded a yes at his grandmother and gave the papers to Kushi.

Arnav “Kushi, go through them and sign at the bottom of the pages”.

The whole room was silent except for the ruffling sound of the papers. Few minutes later, Arnav and Kushi signed the papers and gave them back to Devyani.

Shyam said in an irritated but controlled voice , “ Nani, can we know what is happening here? What papers are they?”

Nani smiled at them and said “I had given everyone certain gifts a few years back during your wedding Anjali. You remember?”

Anjali gave a confused look before realization dawned.

She paled and then looked at her husband, who was quick to understand that Arnav had indeed succeeded in his mission.

He gritted his teeth and calmed himself before he could lash out at the elderly lady who had been nothing but kind and loving towards everyone.

Anjali hesitantly spoke, “but Nani, you had refused that time. Now why this change of heart?”

Giving a sad smile, Nani patted her head and said “the time has come, he kept his word, now it's my turn.”

Turning towards Arnav, she gestured him to explain in detail the whole matter to everyone.

Arnav “during Di's marriage, Nani had promised me something. She had decided to divide the ancestral properties among Anjali di, me and Bubbly. Di got her share when she got married. Bubbly will be getting her share when she gets married. Now that I am a married man and have kept my promise of turning the business into a successful one, she fulfilled hers.”

Sitting near her feet, Arnav said, “Nani, this new Arnav doesn't need any of these properties. I have changed. Infact, I've confessed my misdeeds to Kushi, she has readily accepted me for what I am, I'm sorry for making you go through so much Nani. Please forgive me.”

He bent his head asking  forgiveness from the woman who had shed blood and tears to raise two orphans.

Except Shyam, everyone had a small smile on their faces.

Nani cupped her Chotey's face and kissed his forehead lovingly.

She said “I'm proud of you Chotey. May success always be with you”.

Kushi looked at Arnav with fondness. Her husband was straightforward and this quality is what pulled her towards him.

*********

7th February 2020 , evening, Crime Branch

With a frustrated sigh, Vasundhara sat on the couch. They were unable to trace Akash. Somehow, she felt that the killer was nearby, yet invisible.

She remembered that they had to file Kushi's interrogation report. Her mind went back to the Raizada study room.

Flashback – 5th February 2020, Raizada Mansion, after Akash's kidnap

Kushi sat confused. She didn't understand why and what the officers wanted to question her.

Vasundhara started in a soft voice so that Kushi gets comfortable.

Vasundhara “Kushi, we would like to know more about your past. Can you explain in detail about your life before marriage?”

Kushi started narrating with a small smile in her face.

Kushi “my mother and father died when I was just 3 years old. They were on their way to attend the marriage function of my mother's close friend. Unfortunately, a drunken driver rammed his van on my parents' car and they died on the spot. The driver died too. From then on, I started living with my paternal grandmother.  My Dadi and Arnavji's Nani are close friends. They had fixed our marriage when we were kids. So as soon as I completed my education, Nani approached my Dadi with the marriage proposal and then we got married on 10th November last year.”

Keeping the recorder nearer, Vasundhara asked Kushi “any friends or other relatives you have?”

Kushi nodded her head “no Vasundharaji, my Dadi didn't want me to mingle with anyone. So I don't have any friends. I was home schooled, so having classmates too is out of question.”

Vasundhara “did you ask your Dadi the reason for home schooling you?”

Kushi said with a sad smile “she is a strict lady Vasundharaji, when I asked her, she just told me that being the only heir to Gupta mills and garden, she didn't want any harm for me.”

Hiding her sigh, Vasundhara informed Kushi “let this meeting be within ourselves Kushi, no need to tell anyone. It's for your security purpose. Hope you understand”.

Nodding her head, Kushi left the study room.

Flashback ends

Vasundhara filed Kushi's interrogation report and was about to go when a thought struck her.

Immediately, she went through all the personal details of Kushi and found what was wrong. With a glint in her eyes, she said to herself, “Mr. Raizada, now you are in real trouble!!”

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Hey guys, sorry for the delay. Hope you all are doing good. Be safe, be strong.