Secrets of the Past (Completed)

17. The Intruders

She took over the conversation “so you mean to say that, you don't know what happened to the missing cases during the years 2006 – 2009, when you people were enjoying your vacation at the same places during the same time they went missing. You want us to trust you?”

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

Hearing a knock, they stopped the recorder. Neil, who brought NK for the interrogation, opened the door to find a nervous looking officer disguised as a servant.

Neil “yes?”

The officer said, “Sir! There is someone who wants to meet ASR. He is waiting in the living room. He works in AR Corp.  I checked his ID.”

Neil “wait here”.

He went towards Ranvijay and Vasundhara and informed them about the stranger visitor.

Vasundhara “the interrogation is not yet over. We’ll see you tomorrow. Do not go out of this house. Let your family members know this strict rule. Understood?”

NK mumbled his consent while Arnav just nodded.

When they reached the living room, Arnav found his Private Investigator.

With an expressionless face, he took him to his study, stating office work to the on looking servants and the officers.

What surprised everyone was, ASR involving NK in his “private business/work related talk”.

Closing the door, ASR signaled his private investigator Rahul though his eyes, to check the room for presence of any bugs.

After a thorough check, Rahul gave a thumbs up.

ASR “brought the proof?”

Rahul “yes ASR, but it's not sufficient. Someone else is involved in this cover up. The evidences look tampered. We can't proceed with it. It's a dead end.”

NK was confused, but he kept quiet. He was tired. Tired from running away from a horrendous past. He regretted the day he became like them. His friends. Whose characteristics will put a monster to shame.

“NK!!!!!”

He was brought out from his self pitying mode with a forceful push from his so called autocratic friend.
ASR “now listen to me carefully NK. Do as I say.”

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

9th  February 2020, Raizada Mansion store room, midnight

Switching the lights will definitely get them in trouble. Lighting a candle, making sure that the door and the windows were closed, Anjali and Swara started searching the store room again.

Swara (Bubbly) said “Di!! You really have so much guts to come here alone!! I was literally shivering while escaping from that guest house. Do you have any previous experience?”

Glaring at her sister, Anjali whispered “Bubbly, you can make fun of me later. Now start searching for the remaining diary pages. We don’t have much time!”

Sighing, Bubbly got on her feet. They worked silently and paused whenever they heard any other sound.

After 2 hours, they got an old journal. But not what they expected. It was not Arnav's, neither his friends’, it was Shyam's journal.

“Di, jiju has journal writing habit?”

Dazed, Anjali nodded a no. “I didn't know your jiju wrote diary. I've never seen him keep track of past things. This is proof enough that he is definitely hiding something”.

Making sure that all their collected treasures were safely in their bag, Anjali and Swara left Raizada Mansion and reached the guesthouse early in the morning. Making sure that the coast was clear, they went their separate ways.

After locking the study room, Ajay called HER.

“Boss! They reached safely. They have found some clues I guess. We need a proper plan to find out.”

…………….

“Ok Boss. Done.”

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

10th February 2020, early morning, CBI guesthouse

Something was disturbing her sleep.

Restlessly, she tried moving her hands, only to be held back. Her senses got alerted due to the familiar touch. She stabilized her breathing so that the intruder doesn't get to know that she was awake. She wanted to know how far he will go.

He started caressing her face, eyes, her lips and then went lower. He was confident that she was fast asleep due to the pills. He checked her pulse and breathing, they were normal.

Confidently, he trailed his fingers all over her body and was about to remove her clothes, when the alarm went off.

She sprang up immediately and saw her husband looking at her like a deer caught in headlights.

“Arnavji!!, What happened? Is there any intruder? Why is there so much of noise?”

In a split second, Arnav composed himself and answered her with a fake surprise.

Arnav “I was about to see that Kushi. I didn't want to disturb you, but seems the alarm is not going to stop anytime soon. Come, let's go and check".

It was frighteningly loud, waking up everyone in the guest house. Hearing such commotion early in the morning, everyone assembled in the living room.

Ranvijay and Vasundhara alerted the guards and everyone started searching for the intruder/intruders.