Part 1
The wedding venue was bathed in golden light, shimmering under the night sky. Strings of fairy lights twinkled against the backdrop of intricate floral decorations. The scent of mogra and rose petals infused the air, mixing with the distant beats of dhol. Guests in extravagant lehengas and sherwanis moved about, laughter and conversations blending into a rich symphony of celebration.
Shireen, the bride, was radiant in a crimson and gold lehenga, seated under the grand canopy as guests showered her with blessings. Standing nearby was Raghu Sir, ex-police commissioner and Arjun’s mentor, his expression a blend of joy and nostalgia. Among the crowd stood a man with a quiet but imposing presence—Arjun Rawte.
Dressed in a sharp black sherwani with subtle embroidery, his piercing gaze moved across the crowd with practiced vigilance. The weight of his past still clung to him, but tonight, he was here for Shireen—the sister he never had.
The rest of the ETF team was already scattered around, enjoying the festivities in their own way. Rathore stood conversing with DIG Dustin Coelho, their senior, both engaged in an animated discussion. Chotu hovered near the buffet, sampling kebabs. Shree, ever the curious one, seemed more interested in the event’s photography setup, while Riya...
Riya had just stepped into the venue, and the air shifted.
A hush fell around the entrance as heads turned.
She was a vision in silver.
Her lehenga, a masterpiece of delicate embroidery and shimmering sequins, caught the light with every step she took. The blouse was intricately designed, its neckline daring but elegant, the sheer dupatta draped lightly over her shoulder, teasing rather than concealing. Her long hair cascaded in soft curls, framing her glowing face. Kohl-rimmed eyes, a hint of pink on her lips, and the confidence in her stride made her look ethereal.
Arjun’s jaw tensed. His gaze swept over her, lingering a fraction too long.
And then, just as quickly, he turned away.
Riya noticed.
She smirked, stepping closer. "Agar mujhe ghurne ka mann hai toh khul kar dekhiye, sir."
Arjun exhaled sharply, his lips curling into a smirk. "Mujhe kaam ke alawa kuch aur dekhne ki aadat nahi hai, Riya." His voice was low, taunting.
"Toh phir ye kaunsi nazar thi jo mujhe entrance se yahan tak follow karti aayi?" She arched a brow.
Arjun narrowed his eyes but didn't respond.
Before he could formulate a comeback, a loud burst of laughter from the crowd made them both turn. The groom had arrived, and the wedding rituals were about to begin.
But just as the dhols picked up their rhythm—
A scream pierced through the air.
A woman’s shriek, raw with fear.
The music stuttered to a halt. Guests froze. The laughter died, replaced by a hush of confusion.
Arjun was already moving. His instincts kicked in as he pushed through the crowd, reaching the source of the commotion near the garden area. The ETF team followed, hands near their weapons.
A young woman, a guest, stood trembling near the floral arrangements. Her hand pointed toward the ground, her face pale.
Arjun’s gaze dropped.
A lifeless body lay there.
Blood seeping into the earth beneath.
A murder. At a wedding.
Rathore exhaled sharply. "Toh shadi ka jashn ek crime scene ban chuka hai."
Arjun’s expression hardened. "Shuru karte hain."
***
This was no ordinary case. The murder had occurred in a heavily secured venue, with high-profile guests—including top-ranking officers like Raghu Sir and DIG Coelho.
Riya crouched next to the body, her silver lehenga pooling around her, but she didn’t care. "Koi struggle marks nahi hai… body ke haalat dekhkar lagta hai ki poison ya asphyxiation ho sakti hai."
Arjun, standing beside her, glanced down. "Forensics ke bina confirm nahi kar sakte, but possibilities hai." His tone was all business, but his gaze flickered for a second to how effortlessly Riya had slipped into investigator mode, unbothered by her attire.
"Identification?" Rathore asked.
Shree was already working on it. "Name: Rohan Malhotra. Groom ka close friend. NRI hai, kuch mahine pehle hi India aaya."
Dustin Coelho stepped closer. "A murder here... bina kisi commotion ke, bina kisi weapon ke... Yeh koi amateur nahi kar sakta."
Raghu Sir's face darkened. "Kisi ko bhi shak hai?"
Riya bit her lip. "Murder yahan kisi guest ne hi kiya hai. Itna discreet crime… culprit koi inside person ho sakta hai."
Arjun’s voice was firm. "Koi bhi bahar nahi jayega. Sab guests yahan rukenge." His eyes met Rathore’s. "Quietly, bina chaos create kiye investigation chalani hogi."
Rathore nodded. "Undercover mode on."
And just like that, the ETF blended into the crowd, the wedding celebrations continuing, the music picking up again—while in the background, a murder investigation unraveled.
***
As Riya moved through the crowd, questioning guests discreetly, she felt eyes on her. Arjun’s.
He was watching her again.
Not obviously, not openly. But she could feel the weight of his gaze, tracking her every movement.
She turned, catching him mid-stare. "Agar nazar rakhni hi hai toh bata dijiye, sir. Main aapko updates de dungi."
Arjun’s lips twitched. "Tum updates kam, distractions zyada deti ho."
Riya stepped closer, her voice a husky whisper. "Distraction? Main?"
Arjun smirked, leaning in just enough to let his breath brush her ear. "Haan. Aur mujhe distractions pasand nahi."
Riya's heart skipped a beat. But before she could reply, a sudden sound of glass shattering pulled them apart.
Another disturbance. Another clue.
The mystery was far from over.
enjoyed reading this start!
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