FLAMES chapter 9 *UPDATED* by Ghost Hale - Page 4

She saved his mother once. Why would she hurt her next time? Unless there was some agenda.

He is getting her arrested. What evidence do they have?

Good question. U r a good question.

Chapter 9

The cabin door closed behind the police officers.

Silence settled over the room.

The file Aditi had been working on remained open on Aryan's desk. Her notes stopped halfway across the page, the pen still resting where she had left it.

Aryan reached for the next file.

Ishita looked at him.

"...That's it?"

He opened the file.

"The police arrested a suspect."

"A suspect?"

A quiet, disbelieving smile crossed her face.

"You already had the statement prepared."

"I had the evidence prepared."

"No."

She shook her head.

"You had your conclusion prepared."

Aryan finally looked up.

"I heard enough."

"You heard part of one conversation."

"I saw enough."

"You saw one moment."

"You saw her standing inside the flames."

Her voice remained calm.

"That cannot be the whole truth."

"It was enough."

"It was enough for you."

Silence returned.

Then Ishita spoke again.

"She was my friend."

"So was my mother."

Neither of them looked away.

"I know."

Her voice softened.

"I want answers too."

"I've wanted them for three years."

"But I can't let someone stay behind bars simply because your anger has decided the rest of the story."

Aryan's expression never changed.

"The law will decide."

"The law only knows what you gave it."

Another silence settled between them.

Then she picked up her bag.

"If you won't do anything..."

"...I will."

She walked out.

Aryan remained where he was.

A few seconds later...

He quietly turned the page.

---

The police station smelled faintly of damp paper and disinfectant.

A constable unlocked the visitors' room before stepping outside.

Aditi sat quietly on the other side of the table.

She looked up as Ishita entered.

Neither of them spoke immediately.

Ishita pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down.

For a long moment...

She simply looked at Aditi.

Then—

"Why are you behaving as though you don't know us?"

"I'm sorry, Ishita ma'am..."

"...I don't know what you're expecting me to say."

"You don't know me?"

"No."

"You don't know Aryan?"

"No."

"You don't know anything about the Dance Academy?"

"No."

"You don't remember the fire?"

"No."

"Then why are you here?"

"I was brought here by the police."

"They believe you're connected to the fire."

"I know."

"If you're really who you say you are... how can any of this be happening?"

"I don't know."

Ishita held her gaze for a few seconds before reaching into her bag.

She took out a folded sheet of paper and placed it on the table.

"I'll read it."

Her eyes dropped to the page.

"'My name is Aditi Sharma.'"

"'I have never met Aryan Malhotra or Ishita Kapoor before joining Malhotra Infrastructure.'"

"'I have no connection to the Dance Academy, the fire that took place there three years ago, or the people involved in that incident.'"

"'I have been wrongly identified and falsely accused.'"

She lowered the paper.

"If you're really who you say you are..."

"...every word on this paper is true."

"I'll submit it before the court."

"I'll get you bail immediately."

"You only have to sign it."

Silence settled between them.

Aditi lowered her eyes to the statement.

Her fingers slowly reached towards it...

...then gently pushed it back across the table.

"I won't sign it."

The words settled quietly between them.

Ishita didn't reply.

She remained where she was, her eyes resting on Aditi. A moment passed. Then another. The silence stretched between them, unhurried, as though both of them were waiting for something only the other could give.

A faint smile slowly found its way to Ishita's lips.

Then she said—

"Save him, Aditi."

Aditi slowly lifted her eyes.

Their gazes met and held.

The silence lingered for another heartbeat before Aditi looked down.

Without a word, she drew the paper back towards herself.

Her fingers closed around the pen.

The tip rested above the empty line for the briefest moment.

Then...

She signed her name.

Did she not want to sign because the statement was not true? What did Ishita mean by saving Aryan? How does her signature do that?

Aryan believes she is guilty. Ishita thinks there is more to it than what they know. Aditi is not giving much explanation. Not that Aryan will listen. But Ishita will.

U r asking all d right questions but i think i hv answered all in chapters till now. U might have read my older work. I always give all answers mostly before hand itself. Its just comes to light when people read it again once fiction is complete. But i can confirm dt all ur questions are already answered.

Just so you know, I just ask the questions. I don't expect them to be answered. The story will answer in due time.

Usually feels u hv all answers. If u get time do read my other work. U will get wt i meant.