“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 rightnow, 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.
