Beyond Suspicion

2 months ago

Mikky

@MidnightLibrary

Beyond Suspicion

As he emerged from the house, the bright sunlight of the late afternoon hit him like a slap in the face, making him squint. The sound of birds chirping and the gentle breeze rustling the leaves of the trees seemed to mock him, a stark contrast to the darkness that had consumed his life.

With a sense of purpose, Prithvi started walking towards his car, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his mind racing with the unknown dangers that lay ahead. The suspense was palpable, the outcome uncertain, as he drove off into the unknown, leaving behind the shattered remains of his love and life.

Prithvi's eyes sparkled as he gazed at the poem Sanyogita had sent him on WhatsApp, accompanied by a sketch of him as a fashion designer's muse. The delicate lines and curves of the drawing seemed to come alive, radiating a sense of tender intimacy. But it was the poem, written in Sanyogita's own flowing handwriting, that truly captured his heart.

"I long to be the candle that surrenders to your flame,

Melting into the warmth of your embrace, my waxen heart aflame.

I yearn to be the droplet of water that quenches your thirsty soul,

Swallowed by the depths of your desire, making you whole.

I aspire to be the dying Sun that kisses the first star of your sky,

A fleeting moment of beauty, our love forever to lie.

In the midnight library of our hearts, our love stories unfold,

A tale of passion, surrender, and forever to be told."

As he read the romantic verses, Prithvi's soul soared. The words danced across the screen, a gentle caress that left him breathless. He couldn't sleep for the entire night, his mind replaying the sweet nothings she had penned, his heart swelling with emotion. The thought of spending forever with Sanyogita was almost too beautiful to comprehend.

At that moment, Prithvi felt like the luckiest man alive. He envisioned their happily ever after: lazy Sundays together, whispered promises, and stolen glances. The future stretched out before them like a canvas, waiting to be painted with vibrant colours and bold brushstrokes.

Prithvi's mind wandered back to the night he visited Sanyogita in disguise, just a day before their wedding. He had sneaked into her bedroom, dressed as a woman, and was greeted by the sight of her beautifully decorated hands, adorned with intricate mehndi designs. As he approached her, she showed him the mehndi-stained palm of her hand, where his name, "Prithvi", was written in bold letters.

Prithvi's eyes sparkled with mischief as he led Sanyogita to the mirror. "Close your eyes, jaan," he whispered, his breath sending shivers down her spine. Sanyogita obeyed, her heart racing with anticipation.

When she opened her eyes, she gasped in surprise. A stunning diamond necklace adorned her neck, the sparkles dancing in the light. She couldn't believe her eyes - it was breathtakingly beautiful!

Sanyogita's eyes sparkled with mischief as she asked him to adjust the dupatta hanging from her shoulder, her hands being stained with mehndi.

Prithvi teased her with a naughty accent, "Aww, jaan, you want me to touch you? Okay, but just this once, because I'm a good boy." His warm breath caressed her skin, sending a pulsatile throbbing through her forehead.

As he gently adjusted the dupatta, his fingers brushed against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. Sanyogita's face turned shy, her eyes cast downward, but Prithvi's gaze was drawn to the tattoo on her left upper breast - his name, "Prithvi", surrounded by a black outline of a heart written in bold, cursive letters, with red ink, The tattoo was intricately designed, with tiny flourishes and patterns that added to its beauty.

As Prithvi's gaze fell upon the tattoo, his heart skipped a beat. He felt an overwhelming surge of emotions - love, gratitude, and possessiveness. Seeing his name etched on her skin, so close to her heart, made him feel like he was a part of her, like he belonged to her. He felt a deep connection, a sense of ownership, and a desire to protect and cherish her.

Prithvi's eyes welled up with tears as he gazed at the tattoo, his voice barely above a whisper. "Sanyo...jaan...why?" he stammered, his voice filled with awe and emotion. He couldn't believe she had done this for him, that she had permanently marked her body with his name.

Sanyogita smiled, her eyes shining with love. "Because I always wanted to carry you with me ," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Prithvi's eyes welled up with emotions but he held back himself as he pulled her close, the diamond necklace glinting between them. "I love you, Sanyo," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion.

Sanyogita's skin tingled as Prithvi's fingers brushed against her cheek, sending shivers down her spine. Despite their countless kisses, tonight felt different - pure, hypnotic, and intoxicating. Prithvi's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with desire, as he leaned in to claim her lips. But Sanyogita turned away, her face aflame with shyness. "Not tonight," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Prithvi's heart skipped a beat as he gazed at her, his mind racing with memories of their college days. Then I'll need a bonus tomorrow night," he teased, his voice low and husky. "Kal raat har cheez ka bade pyar se lunga JAAN , jo tumne mujhe college days pe diye thy" (Tomorrow night, I'll take everything with great love JAAN , just like you gave me in college).

As Prithvi's fingers brushed against Sanyogita's cheek, he felt an electric spark run through his body. He couldn't believe how much he loved her, how much he wanted her. He wanted to talk to her whole night without getting tired of .

Sanyogita's eyes widened in surprise, her face still flushed with shyness. "Raj, we can talk late at night, right?" she stammered. But Prithvi's response was laced with naughtiness. "Jaan,wll we only talk tomorrow, nothing more than that?"

Prithvi planted a soft peck on her cheek, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Intezar karna" (Wait for me), he whispered.

Sanyogita nodded, her voice caught in her throat. "Jaldi aana" (Come soon), she managed to reply.

As he covered himself in a veil and left, he couldn't help but feel grateful for this love, this connection that made him feel alive.

Flashback:

Sanyogita and Prithvi sat together in their spacious office, surrounded by sleek glass walls and modern furniture. The city skyline gleamed outside, a testament to their hard-won success. They had just won the best fashion company award, and the excitement still lingered in the air.

Sanyogita turned to Prithvi, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "I want to take a break from work for a few years," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I want to focus on our baby and spend quality time with our little family."

Prithvi's face lit up with a warm smile as he nodded in agreement. "I've worked hard enough, we have enough money," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "I don't want to miss out on our baby's first steps, her first words.. would be “Daddy”...I want to be there for everything."

As they spoke, they leaned in closer, their bodies almost touching. Sanyogita's hand rested on her growing belly, a gentle caress that spoke volumes about her love for their unborn child. Prithvi's eyes followed her movement, his gaze filled with adoration.

Sanyogita's giggles filled the air as Prithvi continued to express his excitement. "I'll spend my entire day with my princess," he said, his voice filled with mock seriousness. "I'll teach her everything, from walking to talking...she'll be the centre of my universe."

Sanyogita's eyes narrowed playfully, a hint of mischief dancing in their depths. "I want a baby boy," she declared, her voice laced with a hint of teasing. "And I'll give him all my attention never let him out of my sight "

Prithvi made a face, his eyebrows rising in mock horror. "Oh no, I don't think so," he said, his voice filled with the tinge of jealousy .” I'll play with my princess all day , and I'm sure she will choose her Daddy over her Mammy .”

Sanyogita pouted, her lips curling into a playful scowl. "No way, my baby boy will be my shadow.”

Their banter turned into a cute fight, with both of them laughing and teasing each other. In that moment, they were lost in their own little world, surrounded by the trappings of their success, but focused only on each other and their growing family.

***************

Prithvi stormed into the pharmacy, his long strides devouring the distance. His eyes scanned the room, his gaze piercing as he searched for answers. He approached the counter, his broad shoulders squared, and his voice firm but controlled. "I need to speak to the person in charge. Now."

The pharmacist, a middle-aged man with a nervous twitch, emerged from the back room. His eyes darted around, avoiding Prithvi's intense stare. "I-I'm the pharmacist. How can I help you?"

Prithvi's eyes locked onto the pharmacist, his jaw clenched. "I'm investigating a case of medical negligence. A parcel was packed with abortion pills instead of prenatal vitamins. Can you explain what happened?" His words were laced with a hint of accusation.

The pharmacist fumbled with the computer, calling up the security footage. Prithvi's eyes narrowed as he watched the grainy video. A young boy, no more than 20, was packing the parcel. But what caught Prithvi's attention was the boy's name tag: "Rahul, Pharmacist, St. Mary's Private Hospital".

Prithvi's mind raced. St. Mary's was the same hospital where Sanyogita had her prenatal test. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

As he watched the video, Prithvi's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white with tension. His eyes flashed with anger, his face inches from the screen. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but his body language betrayed his emotions. His shoulders were taut, his jaw clenched, and his eyes blazed with intensity.

After a gruelling 20-minute interrogation, Rahul finally cracked under Prithvi's intense questioning. The young boy's eyes welled up with tears as he confessed, his voice trembling. "I didn't do it, sir. I swear. Someone else must have switched the medicines."

Prithvi's expression softened, his eyes narrowing as he processed the new information. He believed Rahul; the boy's fear and innocence were palpable. But this revelation raised more questions. Who was behind the sinister plot to destroy his family?

Prithvi's gaze swept the pharmacy, his mind racing with possibilities. He apologised to the pharmacist and the staff, his deep voice filled with regret. "I'm sorry for the accusations. It's clear that Rahul is innocent."

Just then, his PA, Arjun, called, reminding him of the important meeting at the office. Prithvi reluctantly tore his gaze away from the screen, his mind still reeling with questions.

As he turned to leave, Prithvi adjusted his cufflinks, his tailored suit rustling softly. He was a picture of calm, collected authority, but his eyes betrayed a hint of concern. His mind was still reeling with questions. Who was the mastermind behind this heinous act? And what was their next move?

Prithvi's jaw clenched, his fists tightening in his pockets. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he was missing something crucial, that the truth was still hidden in the shadows, waiting to be uncovered. His heart pounded in his chest, his thoughts consumed by Sanyogita's safety and the well-being of their unborn child.

With a sense of urgency, Prithvi strode out of the pharmacy, his eyes fixed on his sleek Mercedes-Benz S-Class parked outside. He slid into the driver's seat, his eyes scanning the crowded streets as he started the engine. He knew he had to get to the bottom of this conspiracy before it was too late. The fate of his family hung in the balance, and he was the only one who could save them.

******************

Sanyogita breathed a sigh of relief as her mother left for Guruji's Ashram that morning, and she also knew that Shambhavi, Prithvi's grandmother, would be away for a few more days. She felt a temporary reprieve from facing their inquiring eyes and concerned questions. But the weight of her secrets threatened to crush her. How could she reveal to her mother that her husband, the man she loved and trusted, had betrayed her in the most heinous way? That he had not only cheated on her but also conspired to kill their unborn child to cover up his extramarital affair? The thought of sharing this painful truth felt like a daunting task, and Sanyogita wondered if she had the strength to face it.

Sanyogita sat on the couch, her eyes fixed on the floor, her mind racing with thoughts of Prithvi's betrayal. She heard the door creak open and Radhika's voice calling out to her. "Sanyo,!!"

Radhika stepped into the room, her eyes scanning the space until they landed on Sanyogita. Her expression changed from concern to shock as she took in Sanyogita's dishevelled appearance. Sanyogita's hair was tangled, her eyes puffy from crying, and her skin pale.

Radhika rushed to her side, sitting down beside her. "What happened to you? Have you had a fight with Jiju?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Sanyogita remained silent, her eyes welling up with tears. She didn't know where to start, how to reveal the secrets that had been tearing her apart. Radhika's hand on her arm encouraged her to speak.

With a deep breath, Sanyogita began to tell Radhika everything - Prithvi's extramarital affairs, the abortion pills, the video message. Radhika's expression changed from concern to shock, her eyes growing wider with each revelation.

"What the f*ck!!!! Are you sure?" Radhika exclaimed, her voice shaking with worry and anger.

Sanyogita nodded, tears streaming down her face. Radhika pulled her into a tight hug, trying to comfort her. "Sanyo, if you told me Jiju was asked to jump off a 200-floor building to save your life , I could believe it, but him cheating on you is quite difficult to accept. In fact, it's impossible," Radhika said, her voice laced with disbelief.

As Radhika held her, Sanyogita's body shook with sobs, her eyes fixed on the floor. Radhika's mind reeled, confusion and anger warring within. Who could have sent this video to Sanyogita? And why?

"I don't know anything about the sender, it's an unknown number, even Truecaller is showing nothing about the caller ID," Sanyogita said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Radhika's grip tightened, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for answers. "We'll get through this, Sanyo. Together.”

Radhika paced back and forth on the spacious balcony of Sanyogita's master bedroom, her mind racing with thoughts of Prithvi's infidelity. The breathtaking view of the Arabian Ocean, usually a calming sight, was lost on her today. She stopped pacing and turned to Sanyogita, her hands on her hips. "Sanyo, who could have sent these videos and photos to you? You didn't hire anyone to stalk him , did you?"

Sanyogita shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. "Why would I? I trust him blindly. And I didn't find it necessary."

Radhika sighed, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. Sanyogita scanned the clips again, her curiosity turning to obsession. The sender's number was unknown, hidden behind a veil of anonymity. She searched Truecaller, but the number remained a mystery.

"Then who can send these videos to me?" Sanyogita whispered, her voice laced with desperation.

"Do you have doubts about anyone?" Radhika asked, her eyes narrowing.

Sanyogita shook her head. "No."

Radhika nodded. "Okay."

As the truth dawned on her, Sanyogita's heart raced with a mix of fear and determination. She would uncover the identity of the sender, no matter what secrets she might uncover. At the end, she decided to search for the number. Radhika called one of her known people , to track the details from the mobile number.

As the truth dawned on her, Sanyogita's heart galloped like a wild horse, racing with a mix of fear and determination. She was resolute to unmask the sender, no matter how deep the secrets ran. With a newfound sense of purpose, she decided to track down the mysterious number. Radhika, sensing her friend's resolve, quickly dialled a number and handed the phone to Sanyogita.

"Rohan, a forensic digital expert and an old friend, will help us trace the number," Radhika explained.

Sanyogita nodded, her eyes fixed on the phone as Rohan's voice came on the line. Radhika explained the situation, and Rohan assured them he'd do his best to track down the sender.

Rohan is not only a digital forensic expert but also a talent hacker, his fingers flew across his keyboard as he worked his magic. He started by using public databases and APIs to gather basic information about the phone number, such as its location and network provider. The number was registered in Mumbai, but the name and address were fake.

Next, Rohan used digital forensics to analyse the email headers and metadata associated with the sender's email address. He identified the sender's IP address and used IP address tracking to determine the location and internet service provider.

With this information, Rohan used specialised software to analyse the phone's call patterns and identify any other numbers that had been in contact with it. This led him to a few suspicious numbers, which he further investigated.

After some digging, Rohan discovered that the mysterious number was linked to a prepaid phone purchased at a local store. He visited the store and, using his charm and technical expertise, convinced the store owner to share the buyer's details.

Rohan then used his knowledge of telecommunication systems to identify the phone number's IMSI and IMEI numbers. These unique identifiers helped him track the phone's activity and location.

With all the pieces in place, Rohan finally uncovered the sender's identity .

The wait seemed like an eternity. Nearly one and half hours passed before Rohan finally sent the details. Radhika's phone buzzed, and she opened the message. Her eyes scanned the screen before locking onto Sanyogita.

"The sender's name is Rajdeep Monohar ," Radhika said, her voice low and even.

**************

*****************

As he sat in the meeting, Prithvi's gaze drifted out the window, his thoughts consumed by the mysterious person and the pharmacy's possible connection to Sanyogita's case. The sleek glass tower across the street seemed to blur into the distance as his mind wandered. He couldn't focus on the presentations or discussions, his thoughts racing with possibilities like a runaway train.

Arjun, his trusted PA, noticed Prithvi's distant gaze and asked, "Boss , is everything okay? You seem worried." His voice was laced with concern, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Prithvi hesitated, then shared the details about the abortion pills and the mysterious connection to St. Mary's Hospital. He spoke in hushed tones, his words barely audible over the hum of the air conditioning. Arjun listened intently, his expression growing concerned, his brow furrowed.

"Boss , I think you should check your home too," Arjun suggested, his voice low and urgent. "Maybe someone has tampered with something there." He leaned in, his eyes locked on Prithvi's.

Prithvi scoffed, a hint of dismissal in his voice. "My house is a fortress, Arjun. It's impossible to breach the security." He waved his hand, his cufflinks glinting in the fluorescent light.

But Arjun persisted, his expression unyielding. "Still, Boss, please check. We can't take any chances." He paused, his eyes darting around the room before focusing on Prithvi again. "Think about Ma'am and the baby, Sir."

Prithvi nodded, making a mental note to investigate further. His mind was already racing with possibilities, his thoughts consumed by the need to protect his family. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off, that a storm was brewing on the horizon.

Just then, his phone rang, shrill in the silence. Prithvi's heart skipped a beat as he saw ACP Zunaid's name flashing on the screen. He answered, his voice firm, but his gut tightening with anticipation.

"Prithvi , " we have a problem," Zunaid's voice was grim, his words dripping with urgency.

In the midst of the chaos, a bond was forged between Prithvi and Zunaid. Despite the brief time they'd known each other, they'd developed a sense of trust and camaraderie. Prithvi, who'd always been formal, surprised Zunaid by saying, "Zunaid, from now on, I'd like you to address me as Prithvi, no “ Mr.Malhotra "as that was too formal and no 'Bhaiya as we are in same age " or 'Sala Shahab as I hated to addressed with that name."

Zunaid's eyes lit up with a warm smile. "Of course, Prithvi. And I'd like you to call me Zunaid, no 'ACP' or 'Officer' prefix. Let's keep it simple."

"Someone has uploaded video clips of you online, and... Mohini's death during interrogation has been leaked too."

Prithvi's world began to crumble, his mind reeling like a top spinning out of control. His reputation, his family's safety – everything was at risk. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him.

- Status: His position and influence would be tarnished, his credibility shattered like broken glass.

- Family: His sister, grandmother, younger brother, Mamsy, wife, and father would face the consequences, their lives exposed to the harsh glare of public scrutiny.

Prithvi's eyes widened, his grip on the phone tightening as if it was a lifeline. He could feel the weight of his secrets bearing down on him, the walls closing in. His mind raced with questions, his thoughts a jumbled mess of fear and panic.

"How did this happen, Zunaid ?" Prithvi demanded, his voice low and deadly, his anger simmering just below the surface.

"I'm investigating, Prithvi," Zunaid replied, his tone firm. "But we need to act fast. This is a crisis, and we need to contain it before it's too late."

Prithvi nodded, his mind already racing with damage control strategies. He knew he had to act fast, to protect his family and his reputation. The question was, where to start?

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]