''Good Morning Sir'' Armaan greeted Abhir who nodded his head. His words--how can we help you?' was plain and grave.

Armaan thought--it was common for the police officers to be this strict--because he had seen his father this way--before Abhira came to his house. He had changed after Abhira's arrival. A little lively he had become.

''Please have a seat'' Abhir said plainly and Armaan settled himself in the chair.

''So?'' Abhir asked looking in his eyes.

''Sir, I wanted your help for solving a case--a murder which happened three years ago in Girgaon. I wanted the case file of Late--Shyam Sundar Joshi from Kotachiwadi. Your help can punish the wrongdoers sir'' 

''I am new here--recently posted so I don't have any idea about the homicide that took place three years ago--but I will help you--as it concerns the law and order of the city.''

''THANK YOU SO MUCH SIR!''

''Samar!'' Abhir shouted and Samar came running.

''Yes sir?''

''Call Srinivas here'' 

''Ok sir''

''Salute Sir! Anything you need?'' Srinivas asked coming in.

''Srinivas take Mr...What is you name by the way?''

''Armaan''

''Take Mr. Armaan to the room where files are kept--he is an advocate and he wants a file--for his case-its necessary''

''Ok sir--this way please'' Srinivas took Armaan and led him towards the room where files were kept in stacks.

''What do you want sir? Which file?''

''Late-Shyam Sundar Joshi-- Of Kotachiwadi--2021.''

''Let me check'' Srinivas took out a pile of files kept under the tag--2021 and began searching. The dust was in the air, making Armaan sneeze multiple times, turning his ears and nose hurt and red.

''There are so many files here,it will take time sir-''

''I am here, I will wait--please take your time''

''It's already afternoon sir, when you will be late, your family will be tensed''

''I live alone''

''Oh! Ok then,I will find and give it to you''

''Ok''

Armaan waited outside the police station--sitting on the bench and it took 4 hours 26 minutes and 25 seconds for the file to reach him. 

''You were waiting till now! Looks like you are too dedicated for this case!'' Abhir saw Armaan taking the case file.

''What is a lawyer when he can't fight dedicated-ly for justice?''

''True!'' Abhir exclaimed this time his lips stretching to form a smile. A very faint smile.

With a heart full of gratitude for the officers, Armaan finally left the station and boarded an auto-rickshaw to head back home. He had high hopes of giving justice to the deceased's family.

As the auto weaved through the bustling streets, Armaan couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that crept up on him. It was as if someone was watching his every move, following him closely. Peering out of the auto proved futile, as the vehicles and crowds blurred past, obstructing his view.

Upon reaching his chawl, Armaan paid the driver and stepped out onto the dimly lit street. The feeling of being followed intensified, sending shivers down his spine. He quickened his pace, the weight of apprehension heavy in his steps.

Reaching his room on the top floor, Armaan hastily locked the door behind him. Just as he turned away from the door, a soft knock echoed through the silence of the night. Gripping the rolling pin he had bought for his culinary ventures, Armaan cautiously approached the door, his heart hammering against his chest.

With a surge of bravery, he swung the door open, ready to defend himself only to get stopped midway.

''ROHIT!''

 ''Brother you scared me!'' Rohit exclaimed shock palpable on his face.

''I am sorry, I thought it was someone else''

''I am here to tell you that mom has invited you for dinner. She will be making delicious himachali food tonight, so please come and join us and please don't deny, for you are like our family''

''Himachali food? You all are himachalis?''

''Yes''

''Even Abhira is from Himachal'' he whispered to himself.

'So see you tonight  in a few hours!'' Rohit patted on his shoulder and left.

After Rohit left, Armaan checked his phone for some moments. He had a new sim--he had no contacts and he had no tv either. So checking his phone was a habit now. He would read some news and read some good articles about health.

'Abhira Sharma's win against Sanjay Bansal--Kaamini Jindal fined heavily after trying to sexually harass her employee Shashank Mhatre'

Armaan widened his eyes in surprise. It was making him so happy. His heart was swelling up with pride.

''Abhira--won? ABHIRA WON AGAINST THE PODDARS! SANJAY BANSAL? YIPEEEE!'' 

Armaan nearly jumped in happiness.

''I am proud of you my mountain girl, always keeping winning like this'' Armaan said looking at the phone. After attempting not to cry and failing miserably, he tried to distract his mind by reading the content of the case he was fighting for.

It was almost evening when Armaan closed the file.

He had skipped his lunch--but it was a small thing. The important THING was the case. His mind imagined events which the father OF THE DECEASED had told him.

After eating some biscuits to fill his stomach--Armaan went outside to fetch some sweets.

The night came soon.

Armaan getting ready in a grey t shirt and black trousers went downstairs--towards Muskaan's house to eat dinner.

---------------------------------------------

 Abhir sat in his plush armchair by the window, lost in his thoughts. He heard a soft and gentle voice calling out to him, breaking his reverie. It was the voice of his daughter, Saisha, a bubbly 5-year-old with eyes that sparkled like the stars.

"Sanjana aunty, did Saisha do her homework" Abhir inquired of the caretaker, a kind-hearted woman who had been a pillar of support since his wife's departure.

Sanjana smiled warmly, "She was waiting for you sir, she told that she will eat dinner with you''

Abhir's heart clenched at the mention of his daughter's happiness. "Tell Saisha to do her homework and eat and sleep, I will not be eating dinner with her. I am busy" he instructed, his voice tinged with no emotion

"Papa!" Saisha chirped, her eyes lit with excitement seeing his father.

''There's a school fest day after tomorrow, will you accompany me?'' Saisha asked softly hoping that her father will accompany her.

Abhir's demeanor hardened as he replied, "I DON'T HAVE TIME. Sanjana aunty, accompany Saisha to the fest day after tomorrow"

With that, he rose from his seat and retreated into the solitude of his room, the door closing behind him with a resounding thud.

Inside, the echoes of Saisha's innocent voice lingered in the air, pleading for her Papa's attention, but received no response.

"Aunty is Papa angry with me? Did I irritate him?" Saisha's confusion was evident as she turned to Sanjana for answers.

"No Saisha Papa is a little tired because of work that's why," Sanjana gently explained, her eyes reflecting a deep understanding of Abhir's inner turmoil.

To Abhir, Saisha's laughter and resemblance to her mother were bittersweet reminders of a past marred by betrayal. His wife had left him for Alex, a wealthy businessman, shattering his world and leaving him with a wounded heart that had yet to heal.

As the night enveloped the house in a cloak of silence, Abhir sat alone in his room, grappling with his demons and the ghosts of the past that haunted him. In the darkness, his daughter's voice lingered, a beacon of light piercing through the shadows of his pain, beckoning him to embrace the love he had long denied himself. But he intentionally distracted his mind to other things.

He could never forget the pain.

----------

The next day, Armaan went to the court to work on his case as the atmosphere seemed productive.

On his way he collided with a person, wearing a face mask

''Sorry! Are you okay?'' He apologized

''No worries. I am all okay'' The person first exchanged a pleasant glance and then changed his tone when Armaan tried to pick up his bag which was fallen due to collision.

''And all will be okay if you drop the case you have taken''

Armaan's eyes widened in shock.

''Who..who are you?''

''Gaitonde''

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