Chapter 24
Reyansh
I hate it. I fucking hate it. Seeing the worry etched on Kavya’s face breaks my heart. It just drives me to the brink of madness. It’s like my very being is begging me to lose control, and o nly I know how I am managing to maintain my composure. The intense rage bubbling inside me is almost too much to bear, and all I can think about is finding out whoever is responsible and making them pay.
It’s been an hour since Kavya met with Suman and came back empty-handed . My stomach still churns as I recall the disappointment on her face when she recounted how unhelpful the meeting had been. I wanted nothing more than to take her away from all of this, somewhere far, to clear her mind . But I knew that running was not an option, nor would it be of any help. We had to update Officer Viraj and figure out our next step. So, I suggested we meet at my place, where we could discuss everything in private.
Sitting on the couch beside Kavya, I gently hold her hands as they rest on her lap, listening to her conversation with Officer Viraj. They have been exchanging thoughts back and forth ever since we settled down in my living room, but so far, they haven’t been able to reach to any conclusion.
Taking a deep breath, I try to focus on their conversation, but my heart keeps pounding with the realisation that Kavya is here, in my home. I had always dreamed of the day she would step into my house. However, the reality is far from what I had imagined. Instead of seeing her smiling and joyful, I find her tense and worried. Crap! Seeing her like this is breaking my heart, bit by bit.
Officer Viraj’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts and pulls me back into the conversation.
“Are you absolutely sure that none of her friends or classmates ever seemed strange or unusual to you? Not even the slightest doubt on anyone? Or did Nisha happen to share anything out of the ordinary?”
Kavya sighs deeply. “I don’t know any of her classmates well enough to be suspicious of anyone . Nisha hasn’t shared anything with me either. The only person I’ve ever seen her bring home is Suman.”
Officer Viraj turns his attention toward me. “Mr. Kundra, regarding the person your bodyguard caught outside Kavya’s house, did he happen to see the person’s face?”
I shake my head. “He couldn’t see the face because he was wearing a mask.”
“ And you mentioned finding a tracking device, correct ?” Officer Viraj inquires.
I nod. “Yes, I sent it to my friend Sidharth to trace where the device was purchased. Unfortunately, the purchase was made without a name on the bill. He’s currently working on retrieving footage from the shop to identify any customers from the past few days.”
Kavya wipes a tear from her cheek and suggests softly, “Perhaps we should keep quiet for a few days and not ignore that he has threatened my sister’s life.”
Officer Viraj gives Kavya a small nod. “I agree with Kavya. Let’s play the waiting game and see what his next move is.”
“But what if that gives him an opportunity to attack her?” I ask, uncertain if it’s a wise decision.
“I doubt he would risk doing anything reckless that might lead to him being caught. However, I won’t underestimate him. We’ll stay vigilant and keep our ears and eyes open for anything unusual. We’ll continue our quest for answers, but we’ll do so quietly, giving the culprit the impression that we’ve closed the case,” Officer Viraj explains.
Kavya nods. “I agree.”
“I’ll also conduct a background check on all her classmates and let you know if I find anything,” Officer Viraj adds, rising to his feet, and I follow suit.
“I’ll walk you to the door,” I tell him, gesturing towards the door while Kavya gives him a polite smile.
“Thank you, Officer, for all the effort you’re putting into this case,” she says softly.
“Absolutely, Kavya,” he nods at her with a reassuring smile before we make our way out of the front door and walk towards his jeep. There, he pauses and then turns back to me.
Before he can say anything, I speak up. “Officer, I am concerned about Kavya’s safety. Even though I have a bodyguard following her, I still feel uneasy.”
He leans forward, his expression serious yet thoughtful. “Mr. Kundra, I understand your concerns. Given the circumstances, I believe we should consider implementing surveillance measures to monitor any suspicious activities. Whoever this person is, he won’t stay quiet, and he may try to contact and scare Kavya again.”
I give a firm nod. “My team has already taken care of that. Kavya is under close watch, and is being monitored by the cameras we have installed outside her house.”
“That’s a smart move, Mr. Kundra,” Officer Viraj agrees with a nod.
“I still worry about her safety; it feels like it’s not enough,” I state, rubbing the tension in my neck.
“Rest assured, Mr. Kundra,” Officer Viraj gives a confident smile, patting my shoulder. “Kavya is in capable hands. We’ll catch the culprit; nothing will go wrong,” he affirms before climbing into his jeep.
I stand there for a few minutes, watching Officer Viraj’s jeep drive away, feeling the tension coursing through me as I wrestle with the weight of keeping Kavya safe and secure. Eventually, I turn around and make my way back inside to be with my woman.
Stepping into the living room, I stop in my tracks when I spot Kavya fast asleep on the couch. Her small frame is curled up against the cushions , and she looks so small and vulnerable. Not wanting to wake her, I quietly make my way to her and kneel beside her, watching her in silence . My stomach twists in knots as I study her closely. She looks so exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes.
Kissing her forehead, I gather her into my arms and rise to my feet. She instinctively wraps her arms around me, causing my heart to beat rapidly in my chest. With a gulp, I carry her to my room and carefully place her on my bed. As I tuck the blanket around her, s he stirs and lets out a soft sigh, burying herself deeper into the pillow.
Taking a deep breath, I stand back and admire her, feeling my heart flutter in my chest. Seeing her here in my space feels incredibly comforting. It’s something I can definitely get used to, something I crave and long for. In fact, I want more of this, more of her — in my house, where she belongs.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath, trying to steady the rising fear . The mere thought of anything happening to Kavya is terrifying. I can’t bear the idea of her being in danger . I have to protect her, no matter what it takes. Her happiness and safety are everything to me, and I’ll stop at nothing to keep her out of harm’s way.