Through fire & silence - IPKKND FF

Chapter 41: Faultline

"Sometimes the hardest things to say are the things that really matter." - Maya Banks

May 27 2012

Dhruv sat cross legged by the open window of his apartment, a journal lay in front of him one he'd used for cases that demanded patience. The pages filled with slanted handwriting and clipped annotations.

The dinner had confirmed one thing clearly - Shyam Jha had built himself a fortress inside that house by affection, smiles, timely favors. The kind of manipulation that was invisible until it was too late.

Anjali looked at him with warmth in her eyes and that warmth would destroy her. He'd expected that part to be hard.

What he hadn't expected was... the rest of them. The way Nani had insisted he stay longer. The ease with which Payal had asked him if he wanted another helping. The way Akash had included him in conversation. Manohar's gentle, almost paternal presence, Manorama's theatrics but also the surprising softness in her eyes when she teased. NK who let you breathe a little easier just by being himself.

The one that stayed with him most... was Arnav. Silent, watching more than he spoke. There had been a moment when Arnav had glanced at Khushi. Dhruv had seen something deep, fierce and restrained.

He had walked into Shantivan as a stranger but everyone had made him feel otherwise.

He stared at the drawer that held a folder, one he'd kept hidden through his education, through his training. The name on it was just a name and yet... last night, when everyone had welcomed him...

No. They didn't need another truth detonating inside their already fragile world. They needed protection. They needed to see what Shyam really was and for him to remain unknown.

He closed the journal, slipped it back into his bag and sat for a long time watching the quiet street outside.

The corridor was quiet as he walked alone but NK's mind had started to churn. What am I doing?

At first, it had felt simple - follow a few clues, ask a few questions, solve the mystery behind the name Shyam. Now... every step felt like he was inching towards something far more dangerous.

If Dhruv's estimations were true what would that do to Di? She adored that man. Her whole world orbited around him, especially now when she was pregnant. Her eyes lit up every time she talked about him. How could she survive the kind of truth he was starting to glimpse?

Nani... how would she take it? Would her strength hold or would it crack under this betrayal?

Akash would break or worse turn cold. NK didn't want to imagine that version of his cousin.

What about Guptas? Why hadn't Buaji said anything? Or Garima Aunty? Why did they stay quiet all those months back?

Would everyone turn on them? On Payal? On Khushi?

His stomach twisted.

Would Arnav... blame her? He'd seen the way Arnav looked at Khushi last night, with something quiet and rare in his eyes but Di came first, always had. If this ripped the blinders off, if Di fell apart would Arnav forget everything else?

NK ran a hand through his hair. What kind of web had this become?

This wasn't just about digging up dirt anymore. This was fire and he was beginning to worry that it was going to burn through every corner of their lives.

NK found Manorama in her room, fussing over a tray of dry fruits while muttering something about almonds and lazy servants. He walked in casually.

"Maasiji, got a minute?"