AN: Was busy with navratri and personal hell, then fell sick - fever and cold today too but managed to type this out. Any corrections -- I will check later. 😪🤒🤧

I still think the chapter came out well but do share your thoughts about it. Guess at this point asking for a feedback is ridiculous.😵😮

😟But silence doesn't help the spirit of the author who went through so much and literally split their brains while bringing a chapter out. So consider voting and commenting pls💗

Anyway appreciate those who voted and read, And hope I can see some comments as this story is ending. 💞💫I said this is the last chapter but there's a slight change in the plot. The next chapter is the last... hope you all are looking forward to it. see you next sunday. - pree.

Aran is glad that Kavya has resumed filming. The security around her is so tight that he can't even approach her outside of their scheduled shots together. New SIT officers Sarthak, Ulla, Ramya accompany Kavya everywhere, alongside her security personnel and two constables of the local police. The old SIT officers have not shown up yet. Nonetheless, everyone is doing their job of standing as the barrier.

Aran feels a deep anguish in his heart because he cannot talk to Kavya even when they are filming together. Mostly because Kavya refuses to acknowledge him, albeit with a complicated expression on her face!

As a stunt double for the antagonist, their shots together are short, almost non-existent after the chunk they already filmed prior to the hiatus. This day is supposed to be their last shoot together. Yet when he arrives, he's told by the crew director that another stunt double has been assigned to perform with Kavya.

"It's for security reasons," the director says with a wane, empty smile that was devoid of empathy. "Kavya's safety is important. I hope you understand this."

Aran curls his fists, pulls the badminton bat shaped sling bag tight against him and turns on his heel. The bag - he isn't a badminton player. He chose it because it was handy and had a cool sporty look. That was what he thought was important. Being cool, conquering things... It's why he began to do stunts. It worked! With his persistent urge to enter the film circle, he had got the job of a stunt double. It was mostly mundane kicks and chops and chokeholds in his early days. Now, five years down the lane, he's doing all the Bruce Lee-esque cool stuff. And it ends on this bitter note?

The suspicious eyes of the director stand in Aran's mind as he walks through the sets. It is not as if he wants to look around. He has to find his way out of the studio. Since what happened just now is equal to his dismissal from the film crew, he wanted to take the long route out, say a few goodbyes if possible. Like who'd care if he left? Would someone care? He can only hope they do. Just a little. But nope.

Haha, he should have expected this was coming. A week has passed now since the filming of the film began again. Throughout the week, he had this strange feeling. He could feel the difference in the air. The crew members' smiles, the minor exchanges with fellow stunt persons, nothing is the same. The atmosphere had been friendlier before. It was not like anybody said anything to his face. But the change was there. He carried the feelings of unease, pretending to not notice it. And the inevitable happens.

"Hello."

Nobody he has said hello to has replied. He still says hello to a fellow stuntman. How does he recognise, despite his constant mistakes in identifying people? He learned, of course. Learnt to pay attention. You care to identify and register in your brain so you won't be a laughingstock before others, won't you?

The dark clothes of the stunt person right before his eyes now are an immense help as well. Many thanks to this dress code employed in the ranks of the stuntmen. The earlier stuntman said hello breezed past, but this one lingers. Aran can't help but blink in surprise.

"Aran. Hello. Are you leaving?" The stuntman's tone is all business-like, closed up. Aran recognises his voice is Praneeth's. Even Praneeth has changed then.

Aran presses his lips together and nods. He doesn't intend to ask, but the question slips, "what is wrong with all of you? What's going on? I don't get it."

Praneeth, a stuntman the same age as him, only slightly taller, exhales. "You should know, Aran. It's because we don't trust you."

"Trust..." Aran can't help but snort inwardly. Trust is such a heavy word, associated with strong bonds, yet everyone in this world throws it around like it's nothing. They think trust is widespread? He never once thought it was. In fact he foresaw this cold behaviour. It had to come.

"You are suspected as the slasher. The word got around the set, Aran. It's better if you leave," Praneeth says coldly, though he adds, as if applying a soothing balm to the knife injury he just caused, "if you lie low. And if your luck is in favour, you might find job opportunities again."

Aran takes a deep breath, stopping himself from letting out a surprised noise. What he heard was a shock, of course. To hear what he'd been suspecting was behind this recent trouble, is troublesome. It is awful that those initial allegations that were levied against him when inspector Seyon Harith first met him resurfaced. Now it is out in the open at his workplace! At this rate, his stuntman career is finished. These gossip mongers! Why did they have to spread the word... before they could verify the truth?

Praneeth leaves. Aran chuckles to himself in slight disbelief. What did he expect? He had always been denied even basic empathy. It's the same now. No matter what he does, the outcome is the same.

But this is humiliation - to be ousted from the film crew! He could sue the SIT for this humiliation. But what will it lead to? The damage is already done.

Those who are supposed to be his friends in the film circle have already distanced themselves. Could an undergraduate tangle with cops? He could if he used his wit. Yet it's better if he lets this go.

For now... Aran smiles thinly, then exhales. On the positive side, staying in the same workline might be boring. Indeed, these new events can be taken in a positive light. All is okay, except that he can't be with Kavya. It doesn't surprise him why he misses her presence. But there is the least he can do about it. He shouldn't have let their bond deepen to this extent. It's a hindrance. But then it might be true, despite the iron control on life, that some things are still out of control. Like who you befriend, who you love... etc.

In his college, he tried to blend in, displaying his talents, hoping it would put him under the limelight but nope. At a tech symposium, one classmate said,

"We cannot trust you because you are too talented."

That's why. From that moment on, Aran concealed his true persona. He wasn't exactly open with those around him, but there were a few whose company he enjoyed while the job lasted. This last part is important. He never formed genuine bonds with anyone. Kavya shouldn't be an exception.

Shaking off his thoughts, Aran keeps walking. Bumps into a few more familiar people to whom he says hello. A few of them return hellos. One older man claps his back, "don't let it get you down. It's not as if everybody is suspecting you. They are just being wary. It is necessary in these modern times."

Aran nods and takes a step forward. Before he knows, he is near the studio gates. One more step, he leaves the Orion studio behind. How does he explain how colossal this step is? It cuts his ties with those who had worked with him for a few months now.

Impermanence is the trait of this world. So maybe it's okay. Maybe it's okay if things fade quickly before due time comes. If lives fade quickly too...

***

Seyon has dinner with Soham at a South Indian pure-veg restaurant close to the government hospital in Egmore. Probably because of the extreme weather, the little restaurant is less crowded. Served at the corner table, with just the two of them sitting across from each other, Soham feels lighter, the taste of good food lightening his mood.

Seyon observes this change and smiles to himself. He can't help but conclude chatter in the air and the aroma of various delicacies is soothing in ways his human brain can't understand. Therapy comes in the slightest unexpected ways possible. Look at Soham relishing the set of steamed dosas. All that is missing is his sunshine smile. Now what to do to bring that smile back? Seyon can't stop the thought in his head - he needs to do something both for Soham and the case.

Just then, his phone beeps. A message from Thiya reads she carried her work home. His lips quirk into a half smile. Not a bad idea to take Mira's phone home. Thiya can handle it. Thiya ... just reading her casual message makes him giddy, nostalgic again. As the images of their adventures in past cases flash in his mind, his smile turns into a grin. He has a plan now.

Soham, taking a bite of the dosa and tasting the extra serving of the coconut chutney, looks across the table. He noticed the change of expressions Seyon is undergoing is way too much. Seyon usually isn't this expressive. Especially while working on a case. This is technically a dinner break, but even so.

"Seyon? What are you thinking?"

Seyon smiles. "I will tell you. Now buck up. Tomorrow's gonna bring us surprises. Are you ready!? Finish your dinner and follow me."

Soham smiles in disbelief. He's curious to know what Seyon has planned. But as long as the chap is in high spirits, there's nothing to worry about. That's all he needs at this moment. For this moment is for both of them to unwind, to pretend their worries are objects in the rear-view mirror, only appearing closer than they actually are.

***

Aran is in the interrogation room. Thiya cannot believe the surprise Seyon mentioned in his messages this morning is this. She looks at Soham for answers. The two are with Seyon and a computer staff monitoring the footage, live streaming from various cameras setup in the interrogation room, telecasted on various screens.

Seyon shrugs with a cool smile on his face. Thiya can read it - the message his chill demeanour is screaming - Look. I finally brought Aran into custody. Earlier, we had no way of getting a warrant. But now after Mira fell prey at the cafe after meeting him... we ought to do this.

Thiya chuckles a little and scans Soham's expression. He still can't believe it, thinking it was impossible. Soham opens his mouth to explain, "I truly did not say this would be possible. The CC cameras didn't catch any footage of Aran. Except at the entrance. There was just the footage of mirror and Aran walking in and out separately and wasn't any specific footage of them together. Because inside the private chamber there is no CCTV for privacy reasons." Soham looks between Thiya and Seyon. "Truly, Sey, how did you do it?"

Seyon removes his blazer with a shrug and drapes it over one arm. His eyes on the screens, he says, "this is still tricky. But I tried to prove our point before the DCP. He is back in town just this morning, you see. As one of the very few customers at the cafe when the mishap happened, we can at least bring Aran for questioning. That's what I did."

"You did great," Soham, Thiya respond in unison. Seyon smiles, although under his breath he adds, "I hope this brings out some clues. If it's not for the DCP, we would not have produced a warrant... So yes, things are looking positive."

Soham, Thiya look at the screens with the same positive hopes. On the multiple screens is the footage of Aran seated in his chair in an empty interrogation room, awaiting some detective to join him.

Not a sound can be heard from him. He's sitting so casually, but the blank expression on his face has Soham and Thiya on edge. Seyon is still enjoying himself. The elation that he could bring Aran to custody surpasses all other feelings. He rubs his palms together and sits in the swivel hair next to the computer operator with a soft smile. Draping a casual arm around the guy, he encourages him to take a break. The questioning will not start soon.

The computer operator happily obliges and leaves the monitor room. Now Seyon, Thiya and Soham are the only ones inside. (The rest of the SIT are busy guarding Kavya. Mira is still in the hospital.)

After a few minutes of silence, Soham turns to Seyon. "What's going on? Aren't you going to question Aran? I thought you would run to him in the interrogation room."

Thiya snickers. Seyon doesn't take offense to the teasing he's subject to and laughs. "Nope. Didn't you hear what I said? The questioning will not begin anytime soon."

Soham hums in understanding. "Hmm."

Thiya throws Seyon an impressed look. She's sure he's employing a tried and tested formula used during most interrogation, keeping the suspect waiting in a locked room with absolutely nothing to do and no technology or contact whatsoever available to them. This is a basic practice that tests the patience and character of the suspects. Interrogators monitor from a separate room and join the suspect at a much later time. Most times, this brings out unexpected reactions from the suspects. The psychological pressure they are subjected to is immense inside that cold, empty interrogation room. But Aran is unlike the regular suspects, so will he break?

Seyon gazes at the screens, unblinking. If he is honest, he doesn't know if this would get a reaction out of Aran, but still this is a part of the procedure that is being employed, and that is something.

Fifteen minutes roll by. Aran's blank expression and composure do not alter. Fifteen minutes is too early, Thiya thinks, but knows she's running late and has to return to work. "Guys, I'm leaving," she tells Seyon and Soham. "I have to process Mira's phone. I cannot wait here."

Soham nods at her. Seyon gives a cheery wave. "Okay, I will call you if something interesting happens."

Thiya responds with a wan smile before walking out. Soham takes a chair next to Seyon. On a smaller screen, with the touch of a mouse, he placed the CCTV footage in which Aran and Mira got inside the cafe separately.

"Seyon, this footage was not available in the cafe's CCTV because it malfunctioned. Then where did you get this?"

"From the store across."

"Gosh. Why did I not think of that? Sarthak didn't suggest either. Ah, he's busy watching over Kavya and leading Ulla and Ramya, but what happened to me? I have got dumb after Mira got hospitalised."

Seyon claps Soham on the shoulder. "It's fine. Happens sometimes."

Soham exhales slowly. The two of them turn to observe Aran on the screen. Interrogation sessions like this one may be dud. But they set the stage for something intense to come up. Something interesting may soon happen or it might not...

Two hours later, Aran's composure is praise worthy, Soham thinks. Seyon thinks Aran must be aware of the cameras. That is why his expression is showing no cracks. But how long will he remain rigid? There has to be a way out of this rabbit warren of a case. Nonetheless, what happens, a ray of light has long pierced the dark interconnected paths. The SIT will emerge out in the open, victorious.

***