If only the family weren’t around.
Mishti realised that these days she was reading him far too well. But the truth was, every time she read what he didn’t say aloud… she was right. He did want to kiss her. Right now!
****************
Lunch had just ended, and the family was getting ready to leave when Maria informed them that the police commissioner had arrived with his team.
Karan asked her to have them seated. He was surprised they were here, but at the same time, he knew one thing clearly…if the police had come in person, it meant there was an update about the man who had shot him.
He, along with the others, moved into the living room, greeted the commissioner, and soon everyone settled onto the sofas. Mishti sat beside Karan, close enough to feel the tension in him even before the details were out.
Commissioner Shinde cleared his throat and said, “We have arrested the man who shot you, Mr Wadhwa.”
Karan’s jaw tightened, his fists almost clenching, as the commissioner continued. “He was arrested in Alibaug. He was attempting to flee Mumbai through the Alibaug port. The plan was to escape by sea to Middle East using an illegal cargo vessel, from where he would have disappeared further.”
Everyone listened intently, including Mishti, who remained still beside Karan, her attention fixed on every word.
“Did he confess?” Karan asked, desperate to know further.
The commissioner nodded. “Yes. He is merely a shooter. Hired for the job. He is not part of any local gang. Just an individual who was paid to do this. Andyouwere the target.”
He went on, “He knew you were attending your sister’s wedding in Jaipur. That information was already out in the media, given how grand the wedding was. He tracked your movements from there. When you returned, he had everything planned. The private airport was the location where he decided to execute the act.”
The commissioner paused briefly before adding, “But he missed the shot by barely an inch. Otherwise, it was a clean shot.”
Silence settled in the room. Mishti’s fingers trembled as she recalled that moment when Karan was shot. Karan noticed it immediately and pressed his hand over hers, calming her. Neither of them looked at the other. Their eyes remained fixed on the commissioner, but that silent handhold gave her the strength she desperately needed.
Karan finally asked, keeping his voice steady despite the storm inside him, “And who paid him to do this?”
The commissioner exhaled slowly before answering. “The one you suspected, Mr Wadhwa. You were right when you mentioned it in your initial statement. Dilip Goel paid him to carry this out, using his outside connections.”
The moment that name left the commissioner’s mouth, Mishti froze.
Around her, the rest of the family, including VK, Rajat, Abhimanyu, and even Avni, erupted into angry murmurs, drawing conclusions, questioning why that man was still interfering in their lives.
But Mishti felt only guilt. Heavy, suffocating guilt. And she couldn’t bear it.
Karan was furious too, but the instant he noticed Mishti’s sudden stiffness, her quiet withdrawal, and her guilt, he chose silence. He did not say a word.
The commissioner continued, “We are still taking everything into account in this case. Once we have all the required details, we will update you.”
Karan nodded. He then rose as the commissioner, and his team were escorted out. His gaze then shifted to Mishti again, who couldn’t meet his eyes. In fact, she couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes.
As the others continued discussing and cursing Dilip Goel, Karan immediately asked them to stop.
“Enough,” he said firmly. “We don’t need to take that man’s name anymore in this house.”
Mishti still did not look at him.
Rajat understood what Karan left unsaid and finally spoke. “I think he is right. And now we should let Karan rest, too. We’ve troubled him enough today. We’ll come again.”
Avni agreed. VK did too.
As they prepared to leave, Mishti immediately put a soft smile on her face and held it there until they were gone.
Even Abhimanyu said he would head to the office, as things were pending. Karan asked him to take the guards along and stay safe.
And then, it was just the two of them.
