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.
Chapter 21
Nisha
Standing outside Suman’s apartment, I stare at the locked door, trying to figure out how the hell to get inside. She used to live here alone as her parents were in Kerala. And ever since her death, the landlord hasn’t been able to find a new tenant. That’s the only reason I still have a chance to search this place, to see if there’s anything she might’ve left behind that could give me a clue about what she really found out about Prakash.
I know Sidharth and the police have already done their routine checks and found nothing, but I can’t just sit back. I need to check for myself. Not when that message on my wall clearly said Suman knew something. That alone is reason enough to bring me here.
Maybe it’s foolish, maybe I won’t find anything that they might have missed. But there’s this small, stubborn flicker of hope inside me that maybe this place still holds the truth she never got the chance to tell me.
“I think it’s a bad idea,” Karan says from beside me.
I glance at him, taking in the way his brows are drawn together, his jaw clenched tight. His usually sharp, guarded eyes sweep over the hallway with practiced precision. Hisdiscouraging words, the same ones he’s been repeating since we got here, make me frown. But I don’t comment on them. Instead, I let my eyes roam over him. Dressed in plain black clothes, an earpiece tucked discreetly in his ear, broad-shouldered and alert with an imposing build, he fits the role of a bodyguard to a T.
“I think we should at least inform Sidharth sir about this,” he adds.
Ignoring his suggestion, I ask, “Do you know how to break a lock?”
He stares at me with a look that silently questions my sanity, but he doesn’t say it out loud. He draws in a deep breath and says, “Ma’am, I think you didn’t hear me. I said Sidharth sir needs to know we’re here. He won’t be happy if he finds out I brought you here without informing him.”
