Chapter 20
Sidharth
“Talk,” I say to Viraj, my eyes fixed on Nisha’s house as we stand on the porch.
It’s been four hours since I found her trembling, her eyes hollow with fear. The image hasn’t left my mind, not for a damn second.
When Sunita Aunty arrived, I didn’t sugarcoat it. I told her exactly what had happened. Her face paled, but she understood this wasn’t just a one-time scare and that we had to stay vigilant.
I also had two of my men work on putting Nisha’s room back together immediately, cleaning up the wreckage and erasing every trace of the madness that bastard had left behind.
She didn’t need to see any of it again. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t let her spend another second in that house.
But I know asking her to stay at my place would have her shooting that down in a heartbeat.
That’s why I settled on a middle ground of getting her house cleaned up and posting constables outside. A compromise she won’t push away.
“You better have something solid,” I grit out, my voice edgy with impatience. How the hell did those bastards get the chance to break into her house? Fuck, I don’t even want to imagine what could’ve happened if those bastards had gotten anywhere near hurting Nisha.
“The news isn’t good,” Viraj says grimly. “We found nothing. No prints, no evidence, nothing useful. No signs of forced entry either, which makes it even harder. Prakash isn’t just clever, he’s sharp and calculative.”
“Fuck,” I mutter, dragging a hand down my face, refusing to let that thought take root. The thought that we might not catch him. That Prakash could actually be smart enough to get his hands on Nisha again. No. Hell no. That’s not an option.
I narrow my eyes at Viraj. “What about the CCTV? The cameras I had installed last time, did anything come up from that?”
“They haven’t been in use since we caught Prakash. Even after his escape, it slipped our minds to remind Nisha to reactivate them,” he says regretfully.
I clench my jaw, furious at myself. Damn me for letting something this important slip my notice. How could I have overlooked it? How could I have allowed this to happen?
Viraj places a steady hand on my shoulder. “Get a hold of yourself. I know what’s running through your head. But you’ve never been careless when it came to protecting her. None of us saw this coming. This isn’t on you.”
I shrug his hand off and glare at him.
“I don’t think so,” I bite out. “If I’d protected her the way I should’ve, she wouldn’t be sitting inside that house, terrified out of her mind. He got to her, Viraj. He scared her. So don’t stand there and tell me I’m not to blame, because I damn well am.”
“Blaming yourself won’t fix it. We need your head clear, Sidharth.”
I let out a tortured breath. He’s right. Nisha doesn’t need me angry. She needs me to be steady.
“Did you talk to the neighbours? Did anyone see or hear anything?” I ask, slipping back into detective mode.
He shakes his head, running a hand through his greying hair. “I spoke to a few of them. No one saw a damn thing.”
My fists clench at my sides. I’m frustrated as hell and completely blank, like every damn path that could lead me to those bastards is just out of reach. And the worst part? Nisha’s in there, shaken to her core, and I can’t even look her in the eye and promise that this nightmare is over.
“Make sure the cameras stay on from now,” I say, exhaustion bleeding into my voice. He nods, and I press on, “What do you suggest we do next?”
“I think it’s time we pay Akash a visit,” Viraj says, his tone measured. “He might not know much, but it’s worth checking. You never know what could slip through.”
Just then, Karan walks up and stands beside us.
“Sounds good,” I nod, then turn to Karan, jerking my chin towards Nisha’s house. “You stay with her. No one gets near that door unless it’s me. Got it?” My face hardens. “She’s not to be left alone. Not for a damn second.”
Karan straightens immediately. “You have my word, sir. I won’t leave her side.”
I hold his gaze for a second, making sure he knows I mean every damn word. “Good. Because if anything happens to her while I’m gone…” I trail off, my voice low with warning, “you and I will have a problem.” Without waiting for a response, I turn to Viraj. “Let’s go.”
I stride towards my car with Viraj following close behind. He slips into the passenger seat as I slide behind the wheel, slamming the door shut.
As I pull out and head towards Akash’s place, a part of me knows this might be a dead end. A total waste of time. But right now, even a shot in the dark is still a shot. And Akash being Prakash’s twin, makes him a thread worth pulling.
An hour later, we pull up in front of Akash’s house. Viraj rings the bell, and the same servant from last time opens the door, his face stiffening the moment he sees us.
“Akash sir is in the living room,” he says, stepping aside.
We don’t wait for directions as we walk down the hallway, heading straight towards that familiar space. I didn’t think I’d be back here again, dragged into this house by the same storm I thought we’d already weathered. But fuck, here we are.
Akash looks up from his phone on the couch, startled to see us, and scrambles to his feet, his brows furrowing. “Sidharth? Inspector Viraj? What—?”
I cut him off. “Your fucking brother has escaped from jail.”
I spit the words out through clenched teeth and catch the flicker of shock in Akash’s eyes. His body sways unsteadily before he drops back onto the couch.
“Fuck,” he breathes, the word barely leaving his lips. Then he looks up at me. “How the hell did he escape?”
I scoff. “Why are you even shocked? It’s Prakash we’re talking about. Your brother. You know exactly what kind of sick, twisted bastard he can be.”
“Damn him. Why the hell can’t he get his act together for once?” Akash snaps, his voice tight. He shakes his head, frustration etched into every line of his face. “I’ve spent half my life trying to clean up his mess. But now it feels like it’s completely out of my hands.”
Viraj steps forward, eyes hard. “We haven’t come for a casual chat about why your brother pulls the crap he does, Akash.
He’s out now, and you’re the last person he had any real connection with.
” He pauses, letting that sink in. “So if there’s even the slightest chance he’s reached out, or will reach out, you need to tell us. ”
Akash lets out a heavy breath. “He won’t reach out. He knows where I stand.” He looks between the two of us. “I didn’t visit him while he was in jail. Not even once. He got the message loud and clear that this time, I’m done with his acts and will never forgive him.”
“He left a message for Nisha,” I say, my voice tightening around her name.
I force to compose myself, refusing to break as I lock eyes with Akash.
“He tore her place apart and left a message saying Suman knew his secret, and that’s why he silenced her.
And he’s also made it damn clear that he’s not done yet. ”
Akash’s face drains of colour. “Oh my God.”
Viraj nods grimly. “We also know he’s not acting alone. Someone’s helping him.” He studies Akash carefully, his every word deliberate. “So think, Akash. Where would he go? Who would he turn to? Anyone… old contacts, favours owed, places he used to hide out. We need something.”
Akash rubs his temples. “He never talked much about anyone with me.” He pauses, his brows drawn tight as he thinks.
“But there was one guy, Manav. They’ve been close since childhood, and had even got into some shady stuff together when they were younger.
My guess is, if anyone would help him without asking questions, it would be him.
” He doesn’t look away, his eyes locked on ours as he continues, “Last I heard, he was living somewhere on the outskirts of Bangalore. Prakash used to say that if he ever wanted to disappear, Manav’s place would be the first one he’d think of. ”
Viraj quickly scribbles the name down.
“What else?” I prompt, crossing my arms over my chest.
“That’s all I know,” he says quietly, helplessness smeared across his face. “I swear, Sidharth, if I had more, you’d have it.”
I clench my fists. I want to scream. But I can’t afford to lose it.
Viraj places a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll find him.”
I nod once, my eyes still on Akash. “If you hear anything… anything at all, you call me. Not later. Not after the damage is done.”
Akash nods silently, looking devastated. But I don’t have the space to care about that. My focus is on one thing: to keep Nisha safe. Not on consoling a broken brother.
Without another word, I turn to leave. Viraj falls into step behind me, and we walk out.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, we don’t say much. Both of us know there’s a pile of work ahead. I drop Viraj off at the police station, then head straight to Nisha’s, needing to see her and make sure she’s okay.
By the time I reach her house, it’s past nine.
I notice Karan leaning against his car, his eyes glued to his phone.
The second he sees me pull in, he straightens and gives a small nod that says everything’s under control.
I return the gesture with a lift of my chin and step out of the car, heading towards the door.
I ring the bell, and a moment later, the door creaks open.
“Hey,” Nisha says softly. “You came?”
I bend down and press a kiss to her forehead. “Of course I came.” I reach up and brush a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You really think I’d be anywhere else right now?”
Her eyes glisten just a little. “I knew you would, but a part of me was still scared you’d get caught up with work after everything that happened today.”
“I’m here,” I say, cupping her cheek, my eyes locked on her face. One look and I see it all… the exhaustion etched into every line and the fear she’s trying so damn hard to hide.
“You okay?” I ask, my voice rough around the edges.
She nods, biting her bottom lip. “I’m… now that you’re here.”
I nod and drop my hands. “How’s Sunita Aunty?”
“She’s good. Resting now,” she says softly, stepping aside. “Come in.”
I follow her inside as she closes the door, and we move into the living room. I sink into the couch, but Nisha remains standing.
“Nisha, sit,” I say, catching her hand and giving it a light tug. “Talk to me, sweetheart. Don’t hold it in.”
She lowers herself beside me but stays silent. I don’t push. I wait for her to speak about what’s weighing her down. I already know what’s eating her up inside, but she needs to say it, to let it out, even a little, just to feel a bit lighter.
“I’m… I’m okay,” she murmurs after a moment. “Just… still a little scared, I guess.”
I tighten my grip on her hand. “You don’t have to be scared. Not when I’m here to take care of everything. You just focus on keeping that pretty head of yours clear of any trouble.”
She nods, her lips quivering slightly, but the trust in her eyes speaks volumes.
“Okay,” she whispers, leaning into me and resting her head on my shoulder, as if it’s the only place she feels safe. I wrap my arm around her and pull her close.
And damn, if that trust doesn’t hit me right in the chest and make the words burn on my tongue. No way am I letting anything break her faith in me.