As Nayak sat in the car with Aadhvi, the weight of his feelings for her bore heavily on his mind.
Despite knowing Aadhvi's aversion to discussions about relationships, he felt compelled to express himself, spurred on by the intimacy of their shared mission.
However, before he could gather the courage to broach the subject, Aadhvi's sudden announcement of a breakthrough in the case snapped him out of his reverie.
Her declaration refocused his attention on the task at hand, reminding him of the importance of their mission and the urgency of finding the missing girls.
Though his feelings for Aadhvi lingered in the background, he pushed them aside for the time being, prioritizing the investigation above all else.
As they embarked on their next lead, Nayak resolved to remain steadfast in his commitment to the case, knowing that their success would help him get closer to her.
Nayak's determination to assist Aadhvi in the sensitive case stemmed from his desire to establish himself as someone she could rely on.
By supporting her in a situation where others were unwilling, he hoped to earn her trust and favor, thus improving his standing with her.
When Nayak inquired about the lead, Aadhvi's response was deliberately vague, a common practice in law enforcement to safeguard sensitive information.
She directed him to a specific location without divulging further details, adhering to protocol to prevent any potential leaks that could jeopardize their investigation.
Despite Nayak's curiosity, he understood the importance of maintaining secrecy in such matters and trusted Aadhvi's judgment.
As they neared the location, Aadhvi's phone rang, and she couldn't ignore it.
It was her father, the ACP, and a senior in the police force.
Despite the urgency of their current mission, she took the call, her expression darkening as the conversation progressed.
On the phone, her father told her to drop the case of the missing girls because she hadn't found any suitable suspects, so I've decided to refer the case to your supervisor.
She tried to reason with her father, desperately explaining their progress in the case and how close they were to catching the suspect and rescuing the missing girls.
As Aadhvi listened to her father's stern voice on the other end of the line, frustration and disappointment welled up inside her.
"But Dad," she protested, "we're so close to cracking this case.
We've been working tirelessly, day and night, to find those girls.
We can't just hand it over now!"
Her father's response was firm.
"I understand, Aadhvi, but this decision comes from higher up.
We have to follow protocol. Trust me, it's for the best."
Aadhvi could sense the concern in her father's voice, knowing all too well the dangers that lurked beneath the surface of their investigations.
"But Dad," she persisted, her tone laced with urgency, "we're so close.
We can't just let it go now. Those girls need us."
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before her father responded, his voice softer now, tinged with worry.
"I know you're dedicated to this, Aadhvi, but there are bigger forces at play here.
I've received some concerning information from a colleague.
(He didn't specify the name of the person who wanted her removed from the case.)
We can't risk your safety."
Aadhvi's heart sank at her father's words, the weight of his concern settling heavily on her shoulders.
Despite her own determination to see justice served, she couldn't ignore the gravity of the situation.
With a heavy heart, she reluctantly accepted her father's decision, knowing that sometimes, even the strongest convictions must yield to the demands of the greater good.
With a heavy heart and a sense of defeat weighing down her every step, Aadhvi ended the call.
There was no way forward, no room for negotiation or compromise.
The decision had been made, and she had no choice but to comply.
"We need to report back at the station," she announced to Nayak, her voice tinged with frustration and disappointment.
"The case has been handed over to a new inspector."
Nayak glanced at Aadhvi out of the corner of his eye, his heart heavy with empathy for her.
He knew better than to prod her with questions, understanding all too well the ferocity of her temper when she was upset.
Instead, he focused on navigating the streets, the silence between them heavy with unspoken frustration.
Aadhvi's frustration bubbled to the surface, her hands clenched into fists as she unleashed a torrent of curses upon their situation.
The Jeep rattled with each thump of her palm against her lap, the rhythmic percussion a testament to her mounting agitation.
Despite his own inner turmoil, Nayak remained stoic, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.
He knew that in moments like these, it was best to offer silent support, allowing Aadhvi the space to process her emotions in her own way.
Nayak's mind wandered back to the previous instance when Aadhvi had been forcibly removed from a case.
It had been related to a notorious gangster, and her family had intervened out of concern for her safety.
Now, faced with yet another withdrawal, Nayak couldn't help but wonder what had prompted her family's decision this time.
He could sense Aadhvi's frustration, her disdain for the small cases she would inevitably be assigned in lieu of the more challenging investigations she craved.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that her family's protective measures often hindered her professional growth and left her feeling stifled.
Despite his own reservations, Nayak understood the delicate balance between duty and familial obligation that Aadhvi grappled with.
As they returned to the station, he couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that lingered in the air, a silent reminder of the sacrifices they made in the name of safety and security.
Aadhvi's determination burned brighter than ever as they made their way back to the station.
Despite the setback of having to hand over the case, she refused to let injustice prevail.
While outwardly complying with the orders to transfer the investigation, inwardly she resolved to continue her pursuit of the truth, albeit covertly.
As they approached the station, Aadhvi's mind raced with plans and strategies.
She knew she couldn't rely on the system alone to solve this case.
Instead, she would take matters into her own hands, conducting her own investigation off the books.
She would gather evidence, follow leads, and pursue justice, all without the knowledge of her superiors.
It was a risky move, but Aadhvi was willing to take the chance.
She was determined to see the case through to the end, no matter the obstacles in her path.
Aadhvi pondered her next move as they neared the station.
She knew she couldn't trust anyone, not even Nayak.
While he may have been assigned to accompany her by her father, she sensed his ulterior motives.
Nayak's intentions were transparent to her; his desire to impress and win her was evident in every action.
But Aadhvi couldn't afford to be distracted by Nayak's advances.
She had a mission to accomplish, and she needed to do it alone.
Covert operations required secrecy and discretion, qualities that Nayak lacked.
If she were to inform him of her plans, she risked him betraying her trust and reporting back to her father.
She would proceed with her investigation solo, without involving Nayak or anyone else.
It was a risky move, but she was determined to see it through.
With steely resolve, she prepared to embark on her covert mission.
—
—
Shivam's concern was palpable as he glanced at his reflection on the phone's screen, the abnormal sight of blood vessels protruding from his skin leaving him unsettled.
He knew he couldn't risk being seen like this by his family.
With a sense of urgency, he unlocked his phone and opened the Dot application, eager to consult the Red Band for answers.
"Red Band," Shivam typed hastily, his fingers trembling slightly.
"When will my skin return to normal?
The pain has subsided, but these blood vessels..."
Upon posing the question, Red Band's response was a beacon of hope in the dimness of Shivam's predicament.
With a few minutes of absorbing vitality and the assistance of the Kundalini Optimizer Stone, his skin would heal, freeing him from the grasp of the chakra bite.
However, he needed to find a secluded spot, away from people, to avoid inadvertently sapping their life energy, similar to the situation that happened when he was doing breathing exercises on the train while reaching the Thane station in the morning.
Shivam nodded, a sense of purpose fueling his steps as he sought out a serene locale, rich with greenery, where he could rejuvenate without risking others.
This was his chance to banish the lingering effects of his ordeal and emerge whole once more.
Knowing the streets would be crowded with the evening rush, Shivam sought refuge in a quieter spot: the park.
He figured it would be less hectic there, with most people heading home for the day.
As Shivam entered the tranquility of Khar Garden, he felt the weight of the world lift from his shoulders.
Surrounded by verdant foliage and the soothing sounds of nature, he immersed himself in the task at hand, following Red Band's guidance with a sense of determination.
With each breath, he felt vital energy coursing through him, gradually restoring his body to its original state, as whenever he enters a meditative or breathing state, his absorption of the kundalini stone doubles.
Lost in the serenity of the moment, Shivam's reverie was abruptly interrupted by the insistent chirp of his phone.
An urgent notification reminded him of his familial duties, pulling him back to reality with a jolt.
With a resigned sigh, he reluctantly ended his rejuvenating session and prepared to face the bustling world outside the sanctuary of the garden.
He quickly checked his phone for the notification—it turned out to be just another spam ad.
Dismissing it, he hurriedly opened his phone's camera app to assess his condition, relief flooding his features as he observed the return of normalcy to his skin.
With renewed vigor, Shivam set off in search of a rickshaw, his determination to reach home palpable in each hurried step.
(Rickshaw is a type of small transport fare that is very much used by many people in Mumbai or all over the India.)
"Author's Note: Sometimes, you'll see brackets like () or {} in the text. These are used to help explain tricky words or situations in the story. For example, if there's something important about Shivam or another character that needs clarification, you'll find it explained in these brackets."
*****