Chapter 3

7 months ago

Anushkaa

@nushhkiee

Chapter 3 -

The days following Ranjit Singh Khurana’s death passed in a blur. The mansion, once a place of vibrant energy and lively conversation, now felt like a cold shell, haunted by the absence of the patriarch who had ruled the family with an iron fist. Even the servants moved quietly, speaking in hushed tones, as if the air itself was thick with suspicion.

Maan, however, did not falter. He was determined to uncover the truth, though the more he investigated, the more complicated things seemed to become. Every person in the house...every family member...was hiding something. There were too many secrets, too many lies woven into the fabric of their relationships, and Maan had to pull apart each thread until the truth came tumbling out.

As he paced in the study, sifting through the papers his father had left behind, his mind constantly returned to one central question: Who in this family stood to gain the most from Ranjit’s death?

Geet stood in the doorway, watching him quietly. She had become more than just a support for him; she had become his partner in this investigation. Her insight, her intelligence, her ability to see what others couldn’t...she had proven invaluable in the last few days. But it wasn’t just her sharp mind that kept Maan grounded. There was something about the way she looked at him, the way she trusted him, that soothed the storm brewing in his chest.

“MaanJi,” Geet’s voice broke through his thoughts, soft but firm. She stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. “You’ve been at this for hours. You need to rest.”

He didn’t look up immediately, his focus still on the pile of documents before him. But when he did, his gaze met hers, and for a brief moment, the tension in his eyes softened. There was a weariness there, one that had settled deep within him. He hadn’t let it show, but it was clear that the weight of his father like figure's death...and the possibility of betrayal within his own family...was taking its toll.

“I can’t stop now, Geet,” Maan said, his voice rough with exhaustion. “I need to find the answers. I need to know why Ranjit Chacha was killed, and who did it.”

Geet moved closer, her presence a quiet reassurance. She placed a hand gently on his shoulder, her fingers brushing against his skin in a touch that was warm and comforting. For a brief moment, Maan closed his eyes, leaning into her touch.

“You don’t have to do this alone,” she whispered, her voice filled with empathy. “I’m here, Maan Ji. I’ll help you. We’ll find the truth, together.”

Her words, simple yet full of sincerity, made his chest tighten. He had always prided himself on being in control, on handling things on his own. But in that moment, as he looked into her eyes, he realized that he didn’t want to carry the burden alone. Not anymore.

“Thank you,” Maan said softly, his voice betraying the vulnerability he rarely allowed to show. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Geet.”

Geet smiled gently, a soft blush coloring her cheeks at his words. She had known for some time that her feelings for Maan ran deeper than just friendship as a newly married couple. But hearing him say those words, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, made her heart race. This was no longer just about the murder. This was about the two of them...about the growing connection between them that neither could deny.

---

The next morning, the family once again gathered in the dining room, though the atmosphere was tense. No one spoke much, their conversations reduced to murmurs as Maan entered, his gaze scanning the room. He could sense that everyone was on edge, unsure of what he was planning, unsure of what he had discovered.

Maan didn’t waste time with pleasantries. He took his seat at the head of the table, his eyes sharp as he surveyed the room. “I’ve gone through everything,” he said, his voice carrying authority. “The investigation is progressing, but I don’t believe the police will find the answers as quickly as we need them.”

Arjun sat across from him, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. There was a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead, though his expression was carefully neutral. “What do you mean, Maan?” he asked, his voice betraying just a hint of nervousness.

“I mean,” Maan said, his gaze fixed firmly on Arjun, “I believe someone in this room is hiding something. And I’m going to find out what it is.”

The room fell silent. Geet could feel the shift in the air, the growing tension that everyone else was trying so hard to conceal. But she knew that Maan wasn’t making baseless accusations. He had always been the type to observe, to dig beneath the surface until the truth emerged. And if anyone in this family was guilty, he would find out.

“Maan,” Naintara spoke up, her voice smooth as always, though there was a sharp edge to her words. “This is unnecessary. We don’t need to start pointing fingers at each other.”

Maan’s eyes flicked toward her, and for a moment, there was a coldness in his expression. “I’m not pointing fingers. I’m looking for answers. The truth.”

Dev shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “But what if there is no truth to find?” His voice cracked slightly, and Geet could see the strain in his face. He had always been the more easygoing of the two brothers, but now, his demeanor suggested that something was weighing on him. “What if this was just… a robbery gone wrong?”

“Then why was Chacha Ji shot at point-blank range?” Maan shot back, his voice firm. “This wasn’t a random crime, Dev. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing.”

Geet’s heart skipped a beat. The tension in the room was palpable now. It felt like everyone had something to hide, something to protect.

“And what about you, Geet?” Naintara’s voice cut through the silence like a knife. “Are you hiding something too?”

Geet felt her breath catch in her throat. Naintara’s words were calculated, designed to provoke, and yet they still had the desired effect. All eyes turned to her, suspicion clouding their gazes.

Geet glanced at Maan, who was watching her intently, but there was no accusation in his eyes...only trust. He believed in her, and that was all that mattered.

“I’m not hiding anything,” Geet said calmly, her voice unwavering. “I’m here to help find the truth, just like the rest of you.”

Maan’s hand moved subtly beneath the table, his fingers brushing lightly against hers. It was a simple gesture, one that only they understood. In that moment, with the weight of suspicion heavy in the air, his touch grounded her. She wasn’t alone. And neither was he.

---

The rest of the breakfast passed in tense silence, the family members lost in their own thoughts. Afterward, Maan and Geet retired to his study to continue their investigation. They worked side by side, sorting through the evidence and discussing potential leads. As the hours passed, their connection deepened, not just as partners in the investigation but as two people who had come to rely on one another in ways they hadn’t expected.

And through it all, Maan couldn’t shake the feeling that something was changing between them...that the bond they shared was growing into something more than just friendship.

“Geet,” Maan said, his voice soft but filled with an intensity she hadn’t heard before. “Thank you. For everything. For standing by me. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Geet met his gaze, her heart skipping a beat. “You don’t have to thank me, Maan,” she replied, her voice steady but her emotions betraying her. “I’m not going anywhere.”

In that moment, with the truth still elusive and the family’s secrets beginning to unravel, Maan realized that, for the first time, he wasn’t just fighting for justice. He was fighting for something even more important...something he wasn’t ready to fully admit to himself yet.

The future was uncertain, but with Geet by his side, Maan knew he could face whatever lay ahead.