Advik paced his room, the weight of the mysterious incident pressing heavily on his mind. The empty bottle he had found near the stairs seemed like a crucial piece of evidence, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister was at play. His thoughts kept returning to Nivik's accident, the inexplicable liquid on the steps, and the pitchfork positioned so dangerously. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together, but he needed more information.
Without hesitation, he picked up his phone and dialed Henry's number. Henry and Advik had been childhood buddies, their bond forged through years of shared adventures and unwavering trust. Henry now worked as a forensic scientist, his keen eye and analytical mind making him the perfect person to help unravel the mystery.
"Henry, it's Advik. I need your help," Advik said, his voice tinged with urgency as he explained the situation and his suspicions about the bottle.
Henry listened intently, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Send it over right away," he replied. "I'll look into it. But, Advik, if there's something dangerous going on, we should involve the police."
Advik shook his head, even though Henry couldn't see him. "I want to handle this personally. There's too much at stake, and I need to know who's behind this before we involve anyone else. Please, just keep this between us."
Henry sighed but agreed. "Alright, meet me at the café tomorrow morning. I'll see what I can find out by then."
"Thanks, Henry. I owe you one," Advik said, feeling a slight sense of relief. He ended the call and sent the bottle over immediately.
As Advik lay in bed that night, his thoughts kept drifting back to Leo. The name alone sent a shiver down his spine. Leo was known for his ruthless tactics and had a reputation that spread fear among many. Advik couldn't ignore the possibility that Leo might be involved. If he was, this situation was far more dangerous than he had initially imagined.
Advik clenched his fists, determination surging through him. If Leo was behind this, there would be a heavy price to pay. He wouldn't let anyone harm his family, especially not his brother. With that resolve, he finally drifted into a restless sleep.
.....
the next day.
When Levi and Daksh learned that Nivik was injured, they hurried back to his home to have a look.
Levi and Daksh burst into the house, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity as they made their way to the living room. The dim light cast long shadows, and the room was filled with the tense silence of a chess game in progress. Nivik and Anvika were seated across from each other, deeply engrossed in their match.
Nivik, propped up on the couch with his leg elevated, focused intently on the chessboard. His face was marked with a faint grimace of discomfort, but his eyes were sharp as he contemplated his next move. Anvika, seated opposite him, appeared equally absorbed in the game. Her leg was also elevated, a sign of her own recent injury.
Levi and Daksh stopped in their tracks as they took in the scene before them. Both Nivik and Anvika had their legs propped up, and it was clear that their injuries were in the same areas. Levi's gaze flicked from Nivik's bruised and bandaged leg to Anvika's, which bore a similar, if not identical, mark of recent trauma.
Levi's eyes widened in surprise as she exchanged a glance with Daksh. They had come to check on Nivik but were now taken aback by the sight of Anvika, who was clearly suffering from a similar injury. The two friends stood by the doorway, momentarily at a loss for words.
After exchanging glances, Levi and Daksh went inside the room.
Levi approached them and questioned, "How come you both had injuries on the same parts of your body?"
Anvika was ecstatic to see her pals.
"Hello everyone, happy morning" . She said hello to Daksh and Levi.
"Good morning, sweetie" .Daksh pointed to Nivik and questioned, "How did this idiot get hurt?"
Levi stepped closer, his voice low and concerned. "We heard about the accident. Are you both alright?"
Anvika's eyes flickered momentarily towards Levi, her expression betraying a hint of annoyance. "We're fine. Just dealing with it in our own way."
Nivik was so engrossed in the game that he didn't even glance their way.
"Check mate," he muttered, moving a coin on his chessboard.
Anvika was startled when Nivik stated that, and she turned to face the board with serious attention, disregarding her companions and getting back into the game.
Levi and Daksh were enraged. "You idiots, we came to check out your man, but you're preoccupied with your game and ignoring us. "
Anvika made her next move promptly, telling her that it was over.
Levi and Daksh hesitated, unsure of how to respond. They could see that Anvika's determination to continue the game was her way of coping with the pain, and they decided to respect her wishes.
As Levi and Daksh took a seat on the nearby sofa, they watched in silence as Nivik and Anvika continued their game. The room was filled with the quiet clinking of chess pieces and the occasional rustling of paper as they strategized their next moves.
Despite the injuries they both bore, the intensity of the chess game seemed to provide a welcome distraction. For now, the game was the focus, and the pain of their injuries was temporarily pushed aside.
Levi cleared her throat softly, trying to draw Anvika's attention. "Hey, Anvika. I didn't know you were here."
Anvika merely nodded without looking up. "Just playing a game with Nivik. It helps take my mind off things."
Levi and Daksh exchanged another look, their concern growing. They could see that both Nivik and Anvika were clearly injured, but it was evident that the game had become their focus, a way to distract themselves from their pain.