an: wahhh it's a miracle that I updated this chapter today. Really unwell this week dealing with lots of stress headaches 😫 migraines, even fevr today... it's awful... I couldn't double check this update but it was my determination that I had to post this and somehow here I am. This chapter is highly unedited... hopefully I can edit it later. 🤧🤧 I am at the lowest of low so your comments and votes will definitely help me to try to keep up my writing streak which is very hard at present...

I would love to hear your genuine thoughts on the story because I already said, I am clueless whether this story is entertaining or confusing or both lol

So please vote and comment. I wish you stay healthy and happy. Sincerely hope you like this chapter because I worked super hard on it. yep, despite fever, allergies and what not. Sorry I am whining and venting but I just have to😭😤 okay I will stop. go on, read the story. thank you so much for reading this author's note💞

Seyon and Thiya were unfazed by the bug in the cowboy doll incident. Sarthak couldn't trace back the bugs to anyone. Soham said it was an expected outcome. Despite everyone's reassurances, Mira couldn't help but be overburdened by guilt. Soham came to her rescue when those feelings felt out of control.

Despite being sure that she schooled it all in, he could sense her unease. His methods of cheering her up seemed like regular routine on the surface — buying her favourite blended coffee, showing his sunny smile that she loves more often — there was a deeper kindness attached to it. One she could feel and was grateful for.

His brightness illuminated his heart but there was still remnant darkness. Darkness that could only be overcome by succeeding in her upcoming actions.

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The following few weekdays were a blur. The SIT, now including, Ulla, Sarthak and Ramya (minus Seyon and Thiya) joined the security team at Kavya's mansion in turns, maintaiing constant vigil.

The actress health has seen significant improvement. It’s the only good news amongst the daily stagnation that weighed heavily on everyone.

One fine afternnon, Soham finds the opening to talk to Kruthi. Alongside Mira, within the confines of Kruthi’s room, they reveal that Aran could be the potential slasher. Kruthi is astonished, speechless.

Bam! In the deafening silence, the door is thrown open. Kavya's parents enter the room, having overheard the conversation from the hallway.

“Why were we not informed of this? Why only kruthi?”

Their accusatory glares find Soham as their sole target but soon burn with bright resentment towards the entire SIT. As silence falls once again, post their departure, Mira shakes her head in disbelief. “They are crazy. Why do they always have the most violent reaction of all?”

The mayhem has only begun. Soham, Mira can only pretend they didn't hear the yelling echoing within the Krishnan Mansion walls. Mr and Mrs Krishnan indeed headed to Kavya's room where they got into a nasty spat yet again with the actress, until it exhausted her and brought back her fever.

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“D day. This case is a mess!” Mira mutters under her breath a few days later. Another day ended. She and Soham are leaving the Krishnan mansion, returning home after a long day for some much needed rest. “There's a mystery surrounding us but we don't even know if it's a mystery… What if this whole theory of slasher is a figment of imagination by all? What if Aran is innocent? Then all this investigation would be for nothing. Are we wasting our resources? Like the ACP said… our skills could be of use elsewhere?”

Hearing her muttering, Soham gives her an encouraging shoulder pat. “We're going to find out, Mira. We'll at least find a clue today, I'm sure.”

***

“Would you like to pick a new gift for me?”

Mira blinks at Soham. That Sunday afternoon, Soham met her outside her home. They rode his bike here to a chic antique gift shop in the back alleys of Egmore. She thought he was driving them to the cafe they chose, the meeting spot of her and Aran for the psychotherapy session. Yet…

“Soham do we have time for this? It's 12.30 but…”

“That cowboy charm was bugged, wasn't it? It sure holds a bitter memory now.”

“No, no. I would remember our team celebration from morning bikeride your smile from that day… so…”

“You never spoke of it, Mira. I never broached it, but you were pretty down about it, weren't you?”

“I was upset … but I'm fine, really…”

Soham smiles and shakes his head. “I want you to overwrite those bitter feelings and dispel the last of your despair. So…. Which one will you pick?”

Mira chuckles again, meeting his expectant gaze and looks around the rows of charming gift items made of various metals and glass, each one elegant and classy, reminding the watchers of the yesteryear.

Alarm clocks, miniature musical instruments, musical boxes. There are so many mechanises dolls. It's hard to chose. Something in the back of her mind was asking her what if it was bugged?

She couldn't choose any. After making several rounds around the store and not deciding on a gift, Soham suggests she make me a diy charm.

“We can make those?”

Soham responds to her question with a nod. As
Mira loses all her tension and makes him a charm which according to Celtic culture brings luck prosperity and protection to its wearers, he smiles out of relief that he has finally made her relax. Two birds, one stone. He took the stress off her shoulder about her upcoming psychotherapy session, and the bitter feelings that lingered since his birthday thanks to the bugged dolls.

“Oh the moonstone is pretty! These beads in the colour of sunset? Oh they sparkle when held against light. These jade stones and trinklets. What do you think of my handywork? I tried not to make it too girly. But at the same time, it's not too manly.”

Mira stops rambling her thoughts. Looks away from her handmade charm bracelet and to meet Soham's affectionate eyes. He's already looking at her, unblinking causing her heartbeat to quicken.

“It's pretty.” Soham smiles, glancing at her artwork. “You love making craft work. What else did you expect but perfection. Are you satisfied with the outcome?”

“Oh you remembered that part!” Mira lets out a giggle, watching the sunlight sparkle on the charm that will soon be bound to Soham's watch with an elegant black cord.

“I'm satisfied beyond words. Thank you, Soham.”

That little thanks in her small, soft voice thick with endearment, coupled with her smile, her soulful eyes boring into his, have Soham stumped. He coughs and looks away to compose himself. If anyone were to ask, he won't deny that it's his turn to fall love-sick. His heart is racing often around Mira Tanvesh. Whose fault is that? Hells, this talented young woman does make him blush.

***

La Cafe Italia presents a sombre atmosphere. Spread over several yards, the single storey building is classy european style. The sparsely occupied interiors are every reflection of elegance and poise. It's so quiet, it’s easy to fall asleep. Such a cosy cafe.

Mira leaves Soham to wait in the lobby and enters the cabin number 14. One of the distinct features of La Italia is this — it offers small, private chambers to its patrons to work, play, eat and enjoy to their heart's content. Though quite expensive, the ambience is worth the price. Most techies and creatives frequent the place for this reason. It's astounding how a same serene place can be used to fulfill productive work and unwind at the same time.

Mira checks her watch. 1.50 pm. She presses the remote in her hands, (the remote to the automatic doors given by the cafe staff), and takes a peek at Soham. He gives her a gentle, encouraging thumbs-up before the automatic doors fall shut. She's now alone inside the cabin built of glass.

The two way glass, like they verified a couple of days ago, shows her reflection. Soham from outside can keep an eye on her. If anything happens just run…

That was desperate plea which he repeated all along their ride here.

“Oh Soham you're such a worrywart. It only makes you more cute!”

Mira breathes in murmuring her thoughts and smiles at her reflection, very well knowing that Soham is watching her. “Funny how you can see me but I can't. Phew!  Don't worry. I'm calm now. I got this. If something happens… I'm brave enough to take it on.”

Beep! Her phone beeps in the quiet, jolting her. There's a message in the newly made SIT chat group. Sarthak, who has been tapping Aran's phone over the week, has sent a new update.

“No suspicious activity from sus. He didn't even text or call K, sticking to the request he received earlier.”

Mira knows decoding the message would go like — sus: Aran, K: Kavya.

“Didn't think he would be this docile. But it's good if Aran isn't reaching for Kavya and is respecting her parents wishes.”

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“I don't understand. How will interviewing me help Kavya?”

Aran's first question after a brief exchange of greetings is something Mira expected to come her way. Mira squares her shoulders and straightens her posture. Inside the cabin, there's a charging port against the wall. Next to a water dispenser, in the centre is an oval shaped table where she sits now, facing Aran who's seated across from her. Their coffee arrives, interrupting whatever she's about to speak. Not two minutes passed ordering their coffees on the chic digital cafe menu attached to the table, and viola! Here a humble server brings two steaming cups of cappuccino, perfectly balanced atop a bamboo tray, aided with two complimentary cookies.

“Enjoy.”

The server leaves with a polite smile. The automatic doors close. Under the table, Mira turns on the recorder on her smartphone. Once finished, the specialized recording app will send the audio file of the recording to the SIT chat group which is reassuring. She consulted Thiya on the matter and came up with this. So it's a collective effort.

Mira purses her lip, as her thoughts go, this is a backup in case I can't give my team face to face communication. Am I imagining the worst? But a cop needs to be prepared for the worst!

Ah, well, if anything happens, I have to run out. Headbutt Aran or something and make way to safety while protecting the evidence. In any case, Soham will rush to my rescue.

Mira steers her mind clear of these thoughts and clears her throat. Aran looks away from eyeing the tray of coffee and cookies, neither of them eager to try anything served.

“So I was saying… This is my way of brainstorming ideas to help Kavya.”

Aran blinks and throws her a dubious look. Mira explains further, “I'm roping in all her friends to do this. I will be talking to all of them.”

A lie. Mira thinks inwardly but maintains a polite smile on the surface. Huh, sometimes cops have to lie to bring out the truth. Huh, funny. Did Aran buy my explanation?

“Wow! You are going about and beyond for your duty, Ma'am. That's commendable.”

“Yes, it is for duty. I’m duty-bound to all the citizens of the state. That was my oath when I took up this job.”

“Wow.” That's all Aran says. After a moment's silence, bursts out laughing. “Strange. It’s amusing that sincere officers like you exist. I guess all you lot in the SIT are so sincere, you're actually weirdos.”

“You talk like you have seen a lot of corrupt ones. There are honest ones too, and some bordering on both. The world is black and white and also grey, Aran.”

Aran falls into thought. Though his gaze is forwards, his eyes are vacant, far away. Mira supresses a sigh. Despite rehearsing countless scenarios inside her head, she has no way of guessing how this conversation will unfold. But hey, maybe this is working? Maybe what she is witnessing is a crack in Aran's demeanour. His earlier words sure seemed to carry a lot of deeper meaning. What does he mean? Can she unlock the mystery he is by the end of the session? By luck, if he is related to the slasher case, unlocking his secret could mean unlocking the secret to solving the case.

“Uh, Aran. I’m glad that Kavya has someone like you who is desperate to help her. Can I ask a generalised question?”

Aran nods.

“What do you think of love?”

Aran cannot hide his perplexed expression. His eyes go wide at the weird question unfit for a psychotherapy session. “Unfit,” Mira scoffs at the term that popped in her mind. Candid questions like this bring out reactions which are essential to analyse the psychological state of a person. This is still a psychotherapy session and very much essential.

“Love?” Aran cracks a smile. He doesn't seem to sense there is anything suspicious going on. To Mira, his responses seem unguarded. “Love is nothing but a hurdle in the path of one's goals, Ma'am.”

Mira frowns. What does this mean? For a millisecond, there is a strange light in Aran’s eyes. Is he talking about himself? Most likely.

“Aran, if love is a hurdle then does it mean you don't love anybody? Your mentor, your friends? Isn't Kavya your dear friend? Isn't that why you are here to help her? Because you love her, as a friend of course.”

Aran falls silent once more. Unlike before, he seems to be struggling to keep his composure. Mira wonders why that is.

“Ma’am, can I ask you a question in return?”

“Go ahead.” Mira nods, though on the inside she is disappointed that Aran dodged answering her question. She cannot put pressure on him. One step at a time. Slow and steady, that is how investigations and psychotherapy sessions go. It's a win as long as she keeps the flow going. Yeah.

Aran takes a sip of his coffee, puts the cup down and begins,

“It surprises me that you are a cop but here you are trying a psychoanalysis session, ma'am.”

“Well, I was a psychologist. I guess I have not lost that trait. I still use what I learnt to help people around me. Because let's be honest, a lot of people in the 21st century are in need of mental health assistance. And about 90% of crimes can be avoided if the populace is in their right state of mental health.”

“True…” Aran nods gravely. Not once he does look away or drop eye contact. Mira assesses this as a symbol of confidence. Normally if this were a clinic, she would write down her observations. But here, she can only feed it in the memory of her brain.

“I decided since Kavya doesn't have a friendly relationship with her parents, Aran, I was accessing her ties with her friends. I believe this might help Kavya and also those around her.”

“Fantastic. You are a nice person, ma'am.” Aran’s smile carries a hint of sadness. “If only everyone was like you…”

The last of his words are a whisper. Mira cannot catch it.  She blinks, “What?”

Aran shakes his head, “nothing. What do you want to know about me and Kavya?”

Mira is surprised by how complying Aran is being. This is a plus, in favour of her. Whoa, she tries not to show her excitement,

“How did you two become friends, Aran? Kavya seems to trust you a whole lot. In such a short time, you have become her close confidant. From what I heard, she is very picky and doesn't let just anyone get closer.”

“Haha. She is picky. She's funny and brave,” Aran chuckles fondly, “you can say we are two peas in a pod, ma'am. As an orphan, I don't know what it means to have loving parents or someone to support my dreams. Yes, Professor Arindam tries his best but we have some… differences. Kavya is the same. She has struggled on her own despite having influential parents.”

Mira nods. Aran goes on,

“She struggled to become a star. Our friendship doesn't date back to her distant past, but I can imagine what she went through. I had the privilege to hear about it during our chats.She modelled during her college days which didn't settle well with her parents. She later worked herself to the bone, searching for opportunities in the industry and ended up falling sick. Only when she had been critically sick did her parents come to her rescue. Her father finally agreed to help her. With his backing, her life became a bit easier, but it was nonetheless a struggle. A war of sorts. It still is.”

“I understand.” Mira takes a sip of her own coffee. So many new things are coming to light in this conversation and she might need a bit of caffeine to keep her focus intact. “It is good they finally came to her rescue. That is something. Don't you think, Aran?”

Aran sighs in response. “That should have been there for her at every step of the way. What about their current actions? Aren't they trying to ruin everything their daughter built? How can they ask Kavya to give up her film career?”

“Yeah. You are right. But as a psychologist I will say that not everyone is perfect. Life becomes easier if not sing positive things becomes easier.”

“Hmm…”

Aran hums. The conversation falls with that. Mira is not sure how she can pick it back up. Then it strikes her,

“Do you have any idea, Aran? You said you want to convince Kavya's parents. How will you do that?”

Aran shrugs. “I don't know. Just talk to them, maybe. Sorry, I don't have any brilliant ideas. But I do want to help her. I cannot let her give up her dreams which she worked so hard to achieve.”

Aran falls into thinking. Mira smiles softly touched by what she heard. Aran sounded so genuine yet again, almostsounded like he cares for Kavya way more than a friend does. Wait— Aran is still a suspect !

“Dreams! You know, Aaran? The greatest threat to Kavya career is the slasher! Isn't he responsibile for runing her career if she gives up? We cannot just blame Kavya's parents. Kavya is being targeted by the slasher because she is a famous actress. Naturally, her parents think that if she gives up her career, she might remain safe. That's not wrong… perhaps even my parents and your parents would have wanted the same.”

Aran doesn't respond though his jaw tightens. Mira continues,

“How fair is it for us to blame their parents? The blame should fall on this slasher. God knows what his agenda is, but he's ruining lives and careers of actors and actresses across the state. If there is a slasher, I wonder if he's someone without a conscience. What do you think, Aran? Is there a slasher… or is there not? Am I wrong with my statements?”

There, Mira looks at Aran, satisfied for shedding the light on the question she wanted to ask from the beginning. What's Aran's response? Maybe more prodding is needed.

“Aran, the slasher is reprehensible if he is the one behind this chaos. Why does he do it? How does he manage to getaway? The previous SIT report says the slasher does not seem to have any vendetta against those he targets. Isn't that awful? He's such an awful being for doing these crimes for no reason—”

“You think he's a nutjob who would do it for no reason???”

Aran's tone is suddenly cold, menacing. Mira stiffens noticing the change though deep down she's proud of herself for breaking his shell. This is it… she needs to push some more.

“Aran…” she speaks calmly, meeting his eyes. “Do you think the slasher's actions are justified with a proper vendetta as his background? What reason do you think he has? Crime cannot be justified.”

Aran purses his lips. His skin reddens around his eyes, temples and ears. Mira can sense he is furious. Now what?

It happens in an instant. Aran rises from his chair so quickly, almost knocking the table off. A beep echoes in the stillness that follows. Mira keeps her eyes peeled for incoming danger. Dense fog fills the chamber, the source of which she can not locate despite her alertness. Aran is gone in a flash, disappearing behind the mist. But she has a feeling she's not alone inside. Especially with a foreboding voice with a sinister cackle announcing their presence and relation to the slasher the SIT is investigating. So the slasher exists? The voice now has almost confirmed it. But who's behind the voice? Aran? Or someone else? The electronic voice could as well be a recording using AI. Who done it? Doesn't matter right now, she has to find safety.

Mira wracks her brain, thinking while rising to her feet. She wants to run to the door but the smog is so thick. She somehow struggles and jogs to the door. Multiple presses on the remote go in vain. The door won't budge even if she pushes. As her panic threatens to mount, she hears Soham's voice saying he's coming. Wait, it might be hallucination. Her brain is feeling fuzzy now.

Before she can process her further steps, the acrid smell she inhales makes her feel nauseous and dizzy at once. “What, is it a chemical? Some poisonous gas? Oh, god's the other customers and the cafe staff and Soham…?”

Worry for the others’ well-being rather than her own grips Mira’s heart. She tries to check her phone to see if the audio file is sent but can't see its display. Huh, the rugged surface in contact with her fingers — is it broken? A glass shard nicks her finger and she hisses. Now confirmed it's broken.

Who did it? The slasher? Asterix/Aran? The voice she heard was distinctly robotic. The fog was thick but she has a feeling it's Aran.

“I'm gonna die maybe at this rate. My head hurts … but I should tell Soham that Aran maybe… Asterix … The probability is now  what? Aran must be linked to Asterix, the slasher someway.This wouldn't have happened to me if he isn't… Soham, I'm sorry… I may not tell you this… Nor can I ever tell you how much I love you.”

That's the last thought in her mind. Her consciousness fades. Alas she can't see, can't even recall Soham's sunny smile she loves so much. She falls into an abyss of nothingness as her eyes fall shut.

…

“Mira!!”

Soham cries her name more violently than before. The glass is so tough. Not even his gun can break the door. He has taken steps to rescue her as soon as he noticed something was wrong. Aran got away. Hut his priority is Mira. Using all his bullets has caused significant damage. Repeated thrust kicks to the broken material have finally created a dent from which he can get in.

Mira's limp form on the floor shocks him to his core, but he lifts her up to safety. What happened here is ghastlier than what he imagined. What a cruel cruel fate, ugh I don't care about fate.. Just let Mira be okay…

❣tbc❣

💫 upnext: Seyon, Thiya finally meet Rameswaran and find some shocking truths. Mira is in hospital.  Will she be fine? How does Soham compose himself? What steps will he and the SIT take against ARan?