My hands clench into fists in my lap. I need to know who it is. And there’s only one person who can give me that answer—the devil himself.
Adrenaline rushes through me as I swing my legs off the bed. It’s time I paid Prakash a visit. I know he won’t give up the truth easily, but I can’t stand by and do nothing — not after that email. I won’t wait this time; not if it means someone I love gets hurt or, worse, if I lose someone again.
I glance at the wall clock. It’s two in the afternoon.
Two hours. That’s all I have before Sidharth shows up for his usual check-in. But these two hours should be enough.
Moving to my cupboard, I slide on a loose hoodie over my tank top and pull my hair into a messy bun. Grabbing my sling bag, I step out of my room.
As I reach the living room, my eyes fall on Sunita Aunty, seated on the sofa with a newspaper in hand.
She looks up at me. “Going out, beta?”
I nod, keeping my pounding heart in check and masking the tension with a calm I don’t feel. “Yeah… just thought I’d get some fresh air. Maybe grab a coffee at the place down the road.”
Her brows pull together, concern flickering in her eyes. “Wait, I’ll come with you. I could use a break too.”
I freeze for a second. “No, no need, Aunty. I won’t be long. I just need a breather,” I say, hoping she doesn’t catch the waver in my voice.
She still looks unconvinced. “Are you sure, Nisha? You look a little tense.”
I force a light laugh. Walking towards her and give her a quick hug. “I’m fine. Just tired of staring at the walls. I’ll be back before you even miss me.”
Before she can say more, I slip out the door.
The warm afternoon air hits my face as I step onto the street. I pull out my phone and quickly book a taxi. My fingers tap nervously on my bag as I wait for the cab.
When the cab pulls up, I slide into the back seat and mutter, “Police Station.”
The driver nods before pressing the accelerator.
As the city rushes past, everything outside turns into a blur. The weight of what I’m about to do presses heavily on my chest. I don’t know if this is brave or just plain stupid. Or maybe it’s both. But I have to see him. I have to try to find the answers to the email.
Forty minutes later, the cab halts outside the police station. I pay the driver with shaky fingers, mumble a thank-you, and step out, my heart pounding in uneven beats.
For a moment, I just stand there, staring at the building. The cream paint is chipped in places, and the signboard above the entrance has faded with time. But it’s not the worn-down structure that unsettles me; it’s the man inside.
I square my shoulders, take a deep breath, and walk in.
The moment I step past the heavy iron gates, I spot him… Inspector Viraj.
He’s sitting behind his desk, scribbling into a file, until his eyes flick up to see me. For a split second, confusion flashes across his face before he rises to his feet.
“Nisha?” he says, coming around the desk. “What are you doing here?”
I hesitate for a beat before the words leave my mouth. “I need a favor. I want to meet Prakash.”
His expression shifts instantly. The confusion deepens, then hardens into concern.
“Prakash?” he repeats. “I’m not sure that’s wise. Does Kavya or Sidharth know you’re here?”
I shake my head. “No. And I’d prefer it stays that way. Please, Inspector Viraj. I just… I need to see him. Just once.”
He studies me for a long moment, his eyes narrowing slightly, as if trying to read the thoughts I’m not saying out loud.
“I’m not sure I understand,” he says at last. “He’s behind bars. There’s nothing more to—”
“Just one meeting,” I cut in, keeping my voice steady and calm without breathing a word about the email. Because if he finds out about that, he’ll loop in Sidharth, and I’m not ready for that storm. “It’s something I need to do for myself. Closure.”
