A Truth to Unfold

27 days ago

Mikky

@MidnightLibrary

A Truth to Unfold

Junior officer Ravinder approached his senior officer, ACP Zunaid, with a mix of determination and concern. "Sir, we have the details of the mastermind, but if he's as clever as we think, he's already anticipating our moves. He knows we've caught Rishi, the ex-reporter."

ACP Zunaid listened intently, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, Ravinder. In that case, send two officers to the bar where Rishi was drinking with his friend. See if they can gather any information about the mastermind's appearance. Review the footage from that night; anything suspicious must be caught on camera. Also, show the waiter the photo of the man who delivered the note to Rishi. We need to know everything, fast."

Ravinder saluted, his eyes locked on his senior officer. "Yes, Sir. Jai Hind." He swiftly dispatched two officers to the designated locations, following Zunaid's instructions to the letter.

As Zunaid coordinated the team to reach the mastermind's address, a nagging doubt crept into his mind. "Ravinder, one thing I couldn't understand..." he trailed off, his eyes narrowing in thought, his voice laced with a hint of unease.

ACP Zunaid's eyes narrowed, his voice tinged with scepticism, as he leaned back in his chair. "What's bothering me, Ravinder, is Rishi's claim of ignorance about his teeth surgery. How could he not know?"

Inspector Ravinder's curiosity was piqued, his brow furrowed in concern. "That does seem suspicious, Sir. Perhaps Rishi is hiding something?" The dimly lit room seemed to grow quieter, the tension palpable.

Zunaid's determination intensified, his jaw clenched in resolve. "Let's bring Rishi back in and uncover what he's concealing."

The interrogation room was tense, with Rishi surrounded by officers, his eyes darting nervously around the room like a trapped animal. The fluorescent lights hummed above, casting an eerie glow on the scene.

Zunaid leaned against the table, his arms crossed, eyes piercing as he bore into Rishi's soul. "Rishi, what are you hiding? Tell us the truth." His voice was stern, and unyielding, leaving no room for deception. The air seemed to thicken, heavy with anticipation.

Rishi stammered, trembling like a leaf, his eyes welling up with fear. "I've told you everything, Officer. Please, help me remove the ampule. I don't want to die young." His voice cracked, desperation creeping in like a slow-moving fog.

Zunaid's expression remained unyielding. "We will, but first, give us the last piece of truth. How did the KCN ampule get implanted in your teeth without your knowledge?"

Rishi's eyes widened in fear. "I really don't know, Officer."

ASP Zoya, who had been observing the interrogation, spoke up, her voice laced with a hint of humour. "Sir, laaton ke bhoot bato se nahi maanege... I must say, give me a chance to wash him on stone like local laundry, pura sach ek hi pal mein ugale dega " (Some people don't understand gentle ways... Let me handle him like a stubborn stain, and the truth will come out in no time).

The team chuckled, but Zunaid's expression remained stern, his eyes never leaving Rishi's face.

Ravinder rolled his right wrist around his left hand, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Sir, just give me the permission, waise bhi maine bahut dino se kisi ko dhoya nahi hai…into hathon mein nahi toh rust padh jayenge….ek baar mein hai ish Rishi ka muh khula dunga!" (Sir, just give me permission, and I'll make Rishi's mouth open once and for all!)

Zunaid chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Ravinder, by doing this, you'll send Rishi straight to the Yamraaj home."

Rishi's eyes widened in horror as he watched the police officers joking about his demise. "Sir, Ravinder is right! Why waste time? We already have the details of Rishi's so-called saviour. " ASP Zoya taunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Yes, Sir, aap yeh eh Rishi hamre kisi bhi kaam ka nahi hai" (Yes, Sir, this Rishi is of no use to us whatsoever).

Rishi's eyes widened in fear, his pupils dilating like black holes. "I really don't know, Officer." His voice cracked, desperation clawing its way up his throat. Sweat trickled down his forehead, his face pale as alabaster. The silence that followed was oppressive, punctuated only by Rishi's ragged breathing.

ASP Zoya said once again with a deadly threatening laugh 'So, Mr. Ex-reporter, be ready to become an ex-human on this earth'".

Rishi's face paled, his eyes darting wildly around the room. He was about to shout, but Ravinder's gesture of punching him made him flinch. Rishi immediately covered his left cheek with his palm, shielding his mouth from the perceived blow, desperate to prevent the KCN ampule from bursting.

The room erupted in laughter, with ASP Zoya, Inspector Ravinder, and Constable Shuklaji guffawing loudly. Zunaid watched Rishi's every moment, a small smile playing on his lips, his eyes glinting with triumph.

ASP Zoya's smile was laced with a hint of sadistic pleasure. "Yes, Sir. Forget the formalities and court files. The postmortem report will already mention KCN poisoning as the cause of death." Rishi's eyes widened in horror, his gaze darting between the officers like a trapped animal.

He had never encountered a woman as charming and calculating as ASP Zoya, whose beauty belied a mind capable of plotting his demise. Rishi's voice trembled with fear as he shouted, "You're not police officers, you're goons hiding behind uniforms!"

Inspector Ravinder and ASP Zoya burst into laughter, their amusement echoing through the room like a cold, mirthless sound. Inspector Ravinder chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "We're more qualified than them. We're not goons, but we're definitely not saints either. We're the ones who keep common people in safe , unlike hypocrites like you, Mr. Ex-reporter."

As Inspector Ravinder raised his stout right hand, Rishi's jaw tightened with fear, his eyes fixed on the officer's imposing figure. Zunaid who sat down in front of Rishi, his gaze piercing and intense. "Dekh rahe ho, Mr. Ex-reporter, how are my officers planning your demise?" His eyes sparkled with taunting amusement, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure.

Rishi's forehead beaded with sweat, his heart racing with fear. Zunaid's gaze turned victorious, his eyes glinting with triumph. "It's better to come clean with us, Rishi. Unless, of course, you prefer the alternative." The air was thick with tension, Rishi's fate hanging precariously in the balance.

Zunaid's gaze bore into Rishi's soul, awaiting his response, but Rishi's fear had rendered him mute. His eyes were frozen in terror, his face ashen. ACP Zunaid's voice cut through the silence like a razor's edge. "Inspector Ravinder..."

Rishi's face paled further, his eyes darting wildly around the room like a trapped animal. The reality of his situation sank in, and his heart pounded faster than ever before. He felt his life slipping away, and his hands instinctively covered his face, as if to shield himself from the impending doom. One punch from Inspector Ravinder would be enough to snuff out his life.

In a desperate bid to save himself, Rishi Chawla shouted, "Bataa ta hoo... Telling telling..." His voice cracked with fear, his words tumbling out in a frantic plea.

Zunaid Yusuf Imam Mallick's lips curled into a victorious, clever smile, illuminating his face with a sense of triumph. The air was thick with tension, Rishi's fate hanging precariously in the balance.

Rishi hesitated, exchanging nervous glances with the officers present in the interrogation room. "Today, in the afternoon, I received a call from Shila..." he began, his voice trembling.

Inspector Ravinder snickered, "Which Shila? Shila ki jawani?" His joke was met with a stern gesture from ACP Zunaid, who raised his hand, signalling Ravinder to remain silent.

Rishi's gaze locked onto ACP Zunaid, who listened intently, his expression unreadable. "I met Shila on a dating app," Rishi continued. "She sent me a request a few days ago. One look at her profile picture, and I was hooked. I had to have her."

Zunaid's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the events unfolding before him. Rishi's words painted a picture of a man consumed by lust and entitlement.

"I sent photos to Sanyogita in the morning, gloating about my conquest," Rishi admitted, his voice laced with arrogance. "I was eager to celebrate by emotionally damaging Sanyogita's pride in her husband's loyalty."

ACP Zunaid's expression turned cold, his eyes flashing with disgust. He recalled how Rishi had insulted Sanyogita by questioning her character.

Rishi's words spilled out in a rush. "I reached the address sent by Shila, near a construction site. It was a seedy place, built for those who didn't want to get caught by the police. The hourly rates were cheap, and I knew I'd get what I wanted."

Zunaid's gaze bore into Rishi's soul, his thoughts screaming, "Hypocrite!" Rishi's words revealed a man who objectified women, using them for his twisted desires.

Rishi's voice trembled as he continued, "When I arrived, Shila was already waiting in the room. The boy at the reception gave me a knowing glance, and I was excited to indulge in my desires."

Zunaid's expression remained stoic, but his eyes betrayed a hint of disgust. "Do you engage in these 'exploring games' often?" he asked, his tone laced with scepticism .

Rishi nodded hesitantly, his eyes darting around the room.

ACP Zunaid leaned forward, his voice firm. "Now, tell me what happened when you met Shila."

Rishi swallowed hard, his words spilling out in a rush. "As I entered the room, I saw her wrapped in a costume, her curves accentuated by tight clothes. Her face was hidden behind a mask, but her red lips and hair were visible only. . She approached me, gave a peck on my cheek, and then threw me on the bed, locking the door behind her."

Zunaid's eyes narrowed, his hands turned into fist , tightening.

Rishi's voice cracked. "She blindfolded me, and I assumed she wanted to engage in rough sex as promised. But then she tied my hands and legs to the bed with cuffs. I was excited, but soon, I felt a strange, juicy liquid being poured down my throat. It tasted like wine, and I felt my senses dull."

ACP Zunaid's expression turned grim, his eyes flashing with anger.

Rishi's words tumbled out in a desperate bid to justify himself. "I heard her whisper in my ear in an undertone voice , her warm breath sending shivers down my spine. She pressed her curves against me, but my hands and limbs began to stiffen. I realised something was wrong, but it was too late."

Rishi's voice trailed off, his eyes downcast. "I don't know what happened after that. When I regained consciousness, Shila was gone, but I was left naked on the bed, covered in lipstick marks. Her lingerie lay beside me, with a note that read, 'Mr. Naughty, waiting for next season'."

Zunaid's gaze pierced through Rishi, his expression a mix of disgust and incredulity. Inspector Ravinder and ASP Zoya exchanged a sceptical glance, their faces reflecting their thoughts.

Zunaid's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "Is it possible for a dentist to perform surgery in that room and implant the KCN ampule in Rishi's molar while he was unconscious?"

ASP Zoya's expression turned thoughtful. "It's possible, Sir. If the dentist had the necessary equipment and expertise, they could have performed the surgery in that room."

Inspector Ravinder added, "And if Rishi was unconscious, he wouldn't have felt a thing. But we need to find out who this dentist is and how they're connected to Shila."

Zunaid nodded, his voice firm. "Get me the dental records of Mohini involved in this case. I want to know if anyone has a history of dental surgery or connections to dentists."

Ravinder nodded, making a note on his pad. "I'll get started on that, Sir."

The room fell silent, the only sound was Rishi's ragged breathing.

"Why didn't you tell us this before?" Zunaid asked, his voice firm.

Rishi hesitated, his eyes darting around the room. "I was worried about my reputation, what my family would think..."

Zunaid's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Your reputation? Your fiancée has already rejected you. Let's see how Mr. Malhotra reacts when I tell him about your escapades with Mrs. Malhotra."

Rishi's eyes widened in horror, his face pale. "You can't do that, officer! You're an honest cop!"

Zunaid's smile was cold, calculated. "Badh mein agye Honesty!!! Ha! Inspector Ravinder, please book Mr. Rishi Chawla for obstructing justice and withholding information."

Ravinder nodded, his expression grim. "Sir, yes sir."

Zunaid's eyes narrowed, his voice low and menacing. "If Mr. Prithviraj Malhotra finds out you're behind the viral videos and sends those photos to Sanyogita, insulting her...I don't know what he'll do to you, Mr. Ex-reporter. You should have known about the power of Mr. Malhotra before crossing him. Before you even reach the court, he'll send you to Yamraaj Lok."

Inspector Ravinder and ASP Zoya exchanged a surprised glance, their faces reflecting their thoughts. They knew ACP Zunaid was a strict and honest cop, who never condoned taking the law into one's own hands. But they also knew Zunaid was a master strategist, and this threat was just a ploy to break Rishi's ego.

Ravinder leaned in, his voice whispering, "Sir, are you sure about this approach?"

Zunaid's gaze didn't waver, his eyes fixed on Rishi. "I know what I'm doing, Ravinder. This...man needs to understand the gravity of his actions."

Zoya nodded in agreement, her eyes locked on Rishi's trembling form. "He's a disgusting, egoistic womaniser, Sir. He needs to be taught a lesson."

Zunaid's expression remained stern, his voice firm. "I'm not teaching him a lesson, Zoya. I'm just making him understand the consequences of his actions. Now, let's see how he reacts to this."

Rishi's eyes widened in terror, his face pale and sweaty. He trembled, his voice barely above a whisper. "N-no, please...you can't tell him... Prithviraj will kill me , ... please show some mercy on me Officer"

Zunaid's expression remained stern, his voice firm. "I can't show mercy, Rishi. I'm showing you the consequences of your actions. Now, let's see how you react to this."

Inspector Ravinder chuckled, "Sir, ish ko na, ghagra and choli pehna ke Sheela ki jawani song pe dance karwate hai. Waise bhi iski Shila nahi, iski maut ta kabar (graveyard) khod ke gayi hai.. I'm Gaya hai."

ASP Zoya added, laughing, "Ravinder, you forgot to add one thing... without Gazra, how could this Rishi do the Shila ki jawani... Chal tujhe blindfolded dance karwati hoon."

The room erupted in laughter, even Zunaid cracking a smile.

Zunaid composed himself, his expression turning serious. "Enough. Let's focus on the case. Junior officers scrutinise the CCTV footage and track Rishi's movements throughout the day. I want to know every detail."

He turned to Ravinder and Zoya. "Also, bring in the old red light hotel manager and question him about Shila. Go undercover, disguise yourself as a woman, and gather information."

Ravinder nodded, still grinning. "Sir, I'll get started on that. But just for clarification, do I get to wear ghagra and choli for the undercover operation?"

Zunaid rolled his eyes, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Just focus on getting the job done, Ravinder." His voice was laced with a mix of amusement and annoyance.

Ravinder nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Okay, Sir. Jai Hind, Sir!" He saluted his senior officer with a crisp nod before turning to leave.

As Ravinder exited, ASP Zoya turned to Zunaid, her expression inquisitive. "Sir, now what will we do with Rishi?"

Zunaid's gaze lingered on the door before responding, "Send him to the doctor. We need to get that ampule removed ASAP."

With that, he strode out of the interrogation room, his long strides devouring the distance. His mind was already racing ahead, thinking about the update he needed to give Prithvi. At least that would bring some relief to the worried businessman.

But as he walked, a nagging thought crept into his mind - what if the ampule burst during surgery? Rishi's fear-filled eyes flashed before him, and Zunaid's gut tightened. He quickened his pace, his determination to save the reputation of Prithvi and unravel the mystery intensifying.

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

Sanyogita's heart raced with anticipation as she pulled into their residence, eager to clear up the misunderstandings between her and Prithvi. But her excitement was short-lived. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Prithvi's car slip out of the entrance gate, its taillights disappearing into the night.

"Prithvi, itni raat ko kahan ja raha?" she wondered, her voice barely above a whisper. The clock on her dashboard read 11:47 PM. Where was he going, alone and without bodyguards, at this ungodly hour?

Her curiosity piqued, Sanyogita swiftly started her own car, secretly halting outside the large entrance gate of their multicomplex building residency. She trailed behind Prithvi's car, maintaining a safe distance to avoid detection.

As she drove, her mind raced with suspicion. Her phone, still clutched in her hand, showed a string of unanswered calls to Prithvi's number. His silence only added to her growing unease, like a slow-burning fire.

The city lights blurred together as she followed Prithvi's car, her heart pounding in her chest. The darkness seemed to close in around her, amplifying her fears.

“What secrets was Prithvi hiding? And where was he headed, alone and under the cover of night?

The darkness seemed to press in around her, the only sound the soft hum of her car's engine and the distant thrum of Prithvi's vehicle. Sanyogita's eyes darted between the rearview mirror and the road ahead, her senses on high alert. She knew she had to be careful, to stay one step ahead of whatever danger was unfolding.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Prithvi's instincts were screaming at him, warning him that Dheeraj was the mastermind behind the abortion pills mystery. His gut told him that Dheeraj was the key to unravelling the sinister plot.

"Find him," Prithvi growled, his voice low and menacing, sending a chill down the spines of his men. "I want him here, now!!"

The men scurried out of the room, their footsteps echoing through the hallway like a death knell, as they rushed to carry out Prithvi's orders. Prithvi's eyes narrowed, his mind focused on one thing - uncovering the truth behind Dheeraj's sinister actions. With a heavy heart, Prithvi realised he had to confront the truth, no matter how painful it might be. He had to find Sanyogita and clear up all her misunderstanding.

But as he turned to leave, his mobile phone started ringing, shrill and insistent. Prithvi's heart skipped a beat as he saw the unknown number flashing on the screen. He hesitated for a moment before answering, his instincts screaming at him to beware.

"Prithvi," a cold, detached voice spoke on the other end. "If you want to see your sister alive, come alone to the old warehouse at midnight. Don't bother trying to track this number or bringing your goons. I'll be watching."

Prithvi's blood ran cold as a video popped up on his screen. Anushka's terrified face stared back at him, her head held in the crosshairs of a gun. Her mouth was gagged with a cloth, and her eyes pleaded for help. Prithvi's heart stopped as the sender threatened, "Come alone, or she dies."

The line went dead, leaving Prithvi shaken and furious. He knew he had to act fast, but the thought of walking into a trap alone was daunting. Yet, he had no choice - Anushka's life depended on it. With a steely determination, Prithvi vowed to rescue his sister, no matter the cost.

As Prithvi emerged from his house, his men exchanged worried glances, sensing something was amiss. He ignored their concerns, his jaw set in determination, and slid into the driver's seat of his car. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine.

Prithvi's phone had been ringing nonstop, but he'd ignored calls from his family, friends, and even his younger brother. The only call he'd answered was the chilling one from Anushka's kidnapper. Now, his mind raced with dark thoughts, fear clawing at his gut like a wild animal. He cursed himself for not being more vigilant, for not protecting his sister.

The memory of Mohini's tragic fate in custody haunted him, fueling his anxiety. Who was behind Anushka's kidnapping? Dheeraj, the mastermind, seemed the most likely culprit.

First, he'd manipulated Mohini to drive a wedge between Prithvi and Sanyogita. Then, he'd drugged Prithvi, taking advantage of his unconsciousness to humiliate and harass him. The abortion pills were the final straw, a heinous attempt to destroy Prithvi's family.

But who is this Dheeraj? What did he want from him? Was it mere revenge, or something more sinister? Prithvi's thoughts swirled, his emotions in turmoil. Part of him screamed to call ACP Zunaid, to reveal everything and beg for help. Yet, fear held him back, the risk of losing Anushka too great to bear.

Where was Sanyogita? Please, God, let her be safe with Radhika, her best friend. Prithvi's heart ached, his mind consumed by the thought of losing those he loved. As he drove, he avoided calls from both Sanyogita and ACP Zunaid, unsure of what to do next. The darkness closed in around him, threatening to suffocate him.

Prithvi's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he drove through the deserted streets, his mind racing with thoughts of Anushka's safety. He knew he had to act fast, but the fear of losing her held him back.

He decided to head to the old warehouse, the location specified by the kidnapper. Prithvi's heart pounded in his chest as he contemplated the dangers that lay ahead. He knew he was walking into a trap, but he had no choice.

As he drove, Prithvi's phone continued to ring, but he ignored the calls. He couldn't afford to be distracted, not now. His focus was on rescuing Anushka, no matter the cost.

Prithvi's eyes scanned the road ahead, his senses on high alert. He knew Dheeraj's goons could be lurking anywhere, waiting to strike. He slowed down, his car crawling through the darkness, as he approached the warehouse.

With a deep breath, Prithvi steeled himself for what was to come. He would face Dheeraj, no matter what horrors lay ahead. For Anushka's sake, he had to be brave. He parked his car and stepped out into the darkness, his heart heavy with foreboding.

Prithvi arrived at the abandoned warehouse, his heart racing with anticipation and fear. He had followed the kidnapper's instructions to the letter, his mind consumed by thoughts of Anushka's safety. As he stepped out of the car, the darkness seemed to swallow him whole, like a living entity.

What did the kidnapper want? Money? Prithvi would give him his entire fortune, his life, anything to save his sister. The thought of losing Anushka was unbearable, and he prayed silently, pleading for her safety.

"Please, God, keep her alive," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Give me the strength to protect her, to get us out of this alive."

Prithvi's eyes scanned the deserted area, his senses on high alert. The only sound was the creaking of old wooden beams and the distant hum of a lonely engine. He moved cautiously, his footsteps echoing off the walls.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

The police team, led by Zunaid, set out in a Scorpio, determined to track down the elusive Sheela, Rishi's fake girlfriend. They followed the digital trail, poring over footage and scrutinising every detail. The hotel, "Phool aur Kaante" (Roses and Thorns), where Rishi indulged in his pleasures, had no CCTV, but the team meticulously analysed the time slots and surrounding areas, leaving no stone unturned.

Zunaid's strategic mind kicked in as he deployed two officers to surveil the mastermind's house, obtained from Office Sharma's bank records. Disguised as a mentally disordered person, they blended into the surroundings, gathering intel without arousing suspicion. The team knew they had to tread carefully, aware of the mastermind's cunning and potential danger.

As they closed in on Sheela's location, the tension mounted. Zunaid's eyes narrowed, his focus unwavering. "We're getting close," he muttered, his voice low and steady. ASP Zoya nodded, her eyes scanning the surroundings, while Inspector Ravinder and Constable Shuklaji stood ready, their faces set with determination.

"Sir, what's on your mind?" Inspector Ravinder asked, breaking the silence. "We finally have a lead on the mastermind's identity."

ASP Zoya glanced at her colleagues, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Perhaps we should bring 32 ampules of Potassium cyanide as a gift for our surgeon doctor, Mr. Game opener?" she joked.

Constable Shuklaji chuckled. "Or maybe we can just bring some popcorn and watch the mastermind's next move. I hear it's going to be a blockbuster!"

Inspector Ravinder playfully rolled his eyes. "You're such a rookie, Shuklaji. This isn't a movie."

But Shuklaji continued, undeterred. "I'm telling you, sir, the mastermind is going to pull off something epic. Maybe a giant laser beam or a team of ninja warriors."

Zunaid remained stoic, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his mind racing with possibilities. But a hint of a smile played on his lips, despite himself.

ASP Zoya chuckled. "Well, let's hope we're not walking into a trap. I don't think our department budget covers ninja warrior insurance."

The team shared a laugh, momentarily breaking the tension. But as they turned onto the mastermind's street, Zunaid's expression turned serious once more. This was it – the moment of truth. Were they finally closing in on the mastermind? Only time will tell.

Zunaid's gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, his eyes narrowing as if trying to pierce through the darkness. His silence was palpable, a stark contrast to the banter that had filled the Scorpio just moments before. Inspector Ravinder, sensing his senior officer's unease, asked, "Sir, what's wrong? Worried about something else?"

The silence stretched out, thick and heavy, before Zunaid's lips finally parted. "I'm just thinking about the mastermind's next move," he said, his voice low and gravelly.

ASP Zoya placed a reassuring hand on Zunaid's arm. "Don't worry, sir. We'll catch him this time."

Just then, the Scorpio's silence was shattered by the shrill ringtone of Zunaid's mobile. His left thigh buzzed with the vibration, and he reached into his khaki pants to retrieve the phone. A single glance at the screen was all it took for a deep frown to crease his forehead, his tiger eyes narrowed into slits.

"Bhabhi..." he growled, his voice a low warning.

The team exchanged curious glances, sensing a sudden shift in Zunaid's demeanour. Who was on the other end of the line, and what did they want? The tension in the Scorpio ratcheted up a notch, as if the very air was charged with anticipation.

MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

To be continued…..