Chapter 9

"How could you do this Payal?"

Anjali gazed at her sister-in-law, anger boiling inside her. NK and Lavanya held onto Anjali from two sides, in fear that she might launch herself on Payal in a fit of rage.

"How could you do this to your Bhaiya?!"

Khushi looked alarmed as the voices from downstairs started escalating. She nudged Arnav and asked her to go down and try and get a grip on the situation. Arnav was hesitant as he didn't want to leave Khushi alone even for a little bit. But he could hear the situation getting worse downstairs and grudgingly made his way downstairs but not before kissing Khushi softly on her forehead.

Once downstairs, he was greeted by the most startling sight.

Payal was standing at the doorway with a wedding garland around her neck, sindoor in her parting and a mangalsutra around her neck. Akash was standing next to her, clearly shaken by the entire scene unfolding in front of his eyes. He was a quiet person and he barely ever raised his voice. This was definitely a new experience for him and Arnav felt sorry for him. Now that he no longer had an irrational grudge against Khushi, he saw Akash as a good person – someone who Payal was ideally suited for. He felt guilty for trying to convince his Di and Jeejaji against him. He was definitely responsible for what was going on right now.

"Di, please calm down."

Anjali looked towards the stairs and relief flooded her as she saw her brother coming towards them. Finally she would have someone to completely support her.

"Congratulations Payal. Congratulations Akash."

He smiled at the newly married couple, fully aware of the astounded looks he was getting from everyone around him.

"Chote? What are – "

"It's time we accepted Payal's choice Di. Akash is a good guy and frankly I think they make a great pair."

Payal gave him a bright smile while Akash looked relieved. NK gave him a thumbs up and Lavanya nodded her head in approval.

Anjali was just about to retort when the front door swung open revealing a smartly dressed man in uniform – Detective Inspector Kashyap.

"Mrs. Jha, I think we can leave the family disputes aside for a while. I have something to discuss with you all."

He walked in and was followed by two more officers and NK's sister.

"I will begin the discussion as soon as everyone arrives. Where are Ms. Gupta and Ms. Joshi?"

"Malini just texted me saying that she's on her way here."

Inspector Kashyap nodded at NK's reply and turned towards Akash, hoping to get some news of his sister's whereabouts. But he received the answer from a different source.

"Khushi's in her room. I'll go and get her."

Everyone gaped in astonishment as Arnav walked up to the third floor and soon returned with a slightly pale looking Khushi. He was supporting her by the shoulder as she leaned against him. Inspector Kashyap raised his eyebrow slightly but made no comment while Anjali's mouth was wide open. NK, Lavanya, Payal and Akash just stared at them and Parvati kept clenching and unclenching her hands, all the while muttering curses under her breath.

By the time they had come down to where everyone was sitting, Khushi had began to blush slightly. Everyone's eyes were on them and she felt very conscious against Arnav's masculine form.

Before anyone could comment, the doorbell rang and in walked in NK's pretty fiance.

"Let us begin."

…

"I have gathered everyone here because I have just gotten hold of some valuable information. A perfect motive for murder has been found and it helps us tie up a lot of facts. Frankly this theory is flawless and I'm pretty sure we'll be able to unmask the murderer now."

Shocked and apprehensive looks were exchanged and Arnav squeezed Khushi's hand reassuringly.

"Shyam Manohar Jha was working on a top secret case when he was murdered. He was fighting a case of embezzlement against Mehras Inc. And he was winning. So it stands at this – on the night of the murder the case was poised in such a position that one more court date and Mr. Jha would have won the case against the company. This would mean that the company would face ruin. Now who would be most affected by that? Quite obviously Mr. Mehra. But Mr. Mehra was not on the crime scene."

Arnav could feel the tension growing as he watched a frown settle on NK's face.

"True but his son was definitely there. In fact, Mr. Nand Kishore Mehra happens to be a close family friend and he often comes here for dinner. Now we have the motive. Let's consider opportunity."

"Frankly, everyone in this room had the opportunity to murder Mr. Jha. So we can skip that part. Now coming to the means. Ms. Gupta, would you kindly show us what you found in Mr. Mehra's room a couple of days ago."

Arnav watched in astonishment as Khushi calmly got up and took out a small bottle from her pocket. She handed it over to the Inspector who held it up for everyone to see. It contained colorless crystals.

"Strychnine."

One word and a deathly silence filled the room. Payal, Akash, Anjali and Laxmi looked at NK in shock. Khushi's face was grim while Parvati's had gone pale. Arnav could feel his temper rising as the implications of the Inspector's words settled into him. Lavanya had an incredulous look on her face while NK just stared at the Inspector as if he had gone mad. It was Malini who broke the silence.

"I'm sure I'm mistaken but it seems as if you're trying to say that NK murdered Mr. Jha?"

"That is correct Ms. Joshi."

Everyone watched, stunned, as the neat and trim Malini Joshi lost her cool.

"You are insane Inspector! NK couldn't do such a thing!"

"You have the facts before Ms. Joshi. We are sure beyond a doubt that Mr. Nand Kishore Mehra murdered Mr. Shyam Manohar Jha."

Anjali started shaking and Payal quickly began comforting her. Both of their eyes were welling up with tears as they stared at NK unbelievingly.

Arnav clenched his fists, finding extremely difficult to believe that his best friend had murdered his brother-in-law. Lavanya was uncharacteristically quiet and she kept shaking her head in disbelief. Parvati once again proved what a selfish sister she was and gave her brother a disgusted look.

"I don't believe you for a second! NK say something! Tell them that you're company was in trouble but you would never kill someone to fix the problem! I know you're not that kind of person who would stoop so low and kill his best friend's family just so that your company doesn't face ruin!"

Malini was speaking quite hysterically now and Arnav was very surprised. He had always thought her to be a person who kept her composure and nothing much could affect her. So why was she behaving like this now? Did she love NK that much that her love for him was blinding her?

Two police officers came up and proceeded to handcuff NK. He had remained quiet all this time and Arnav wondered why he was saying nothing in his defense.

"No! You can't do this! He's my fianc! He couldn't have murdered someone!"

"You're quite right Ms. Joshi."

…

Congrats to everyone who guessed that Payal had eloped 👏 I guess I wasn't too good at keeping it a secret 😆

Chapter ten soon!