C H A P T E R - 0 2

Forced Partnership

The hum of fluorescent lights filled the sterile forensic lab as Parth stepped inside. The room smelled of chemicals and meticulous order, a sharp contrast to the chaos of the crime scene. Parth's gaze swept the space until it landed on Jiya, who was hunched over a microscope, her brow furrowed in concentration.

For a brief moment, he allowed himself to watch her, noting the way her hair fell in soft waves around her face despite being tied back. She was engrossed in her work, a faint crease between her brows.

"Malhotra," Jiya's clipped voice broke his thoughts. She straightened, turning to face him with a tablet in hand. "I assume you're here for updates."

"Direct as always," Parth said, stepping closer. "What have you got?"

Jiya handed him the tablet, keeping her tone professional. "The fingerprints found at the crime scene have been partially analyzed. They're smudged, but the unique ridge pattern suggests a match with someone... interesting."

Parth raised an eyebrow. "Define 'interesting.'"

Jiya hesitated before responding. "The fingerprints match those of Ravi Shekhar, a criminal mastermind who was declared dead five years ago. He was known for his elaborate schemes and connections to high-profile figures."

Parth's jaw tightened. "Declared dead? That doesn't mean much in our line of work."

"It's unsettling, though," Jiya admitted, her voice softer now. "If he's alive, it means we're dealing with someone who faked their death and managed to stay under the radar all these years."

Their eyes met briefly, the weight of the revelation sinking in. The room felt heavier, the stakes of the case rising exponentially.

As they worked through the details, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. Parth turned to see Rajat Verma, his former friend and now Jiya's fiancé, entering the lab.

"Jiya," Rajat said warmly, his smile broad as he walked over to her. Without hesitation, he placed a hand on her shoulder, the gesture both possessive and affectionate.

Parth's stomach twisted. He forced himself to maintain a neutral expression, but the tension in his posture was unmistakable.

"Rajat," Jiya said, her tone polite but strained. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd stop by and see how things are going," Rajat said, glancing at Parth with a smirk. "And make sure you're not overworking yourself."

Parth folded his arms, his voice laced with sarcasm. "How thoughtful of you."

Rajat chuckled, ignoring the barb. "Jiya's been working tirelessly, but she tends to forget to take care of herself. Someone has to look out for her."

Jiya shifted uncomfortably, stepping away from Rajat's touch. "I'm fine, Rajat. And I'm in the middle of something important."

Parth caught the flicker of annoyance in her eyes and felt a small, petty satisfaction.

"Well, don't let me interrupt," Rajat said, leaning down to kiss Jiya on the cheek before leaving. "I'll see you tonight."

As the door closed behind him, the silence in the lab was deafening.

"Your fiancé seems... attentive," Parth said, unable to keep the bitterness out of his tone.

Jiya shot him a sharp look. "Don't start, Parth."

"I didn't say anything," he replied, though his voice carried the weight of everything left unsaid.

The lab blurred as Parth's mind wandered to a night years ago, a simpler time when their love had been new and untainted.

It had been a rainy evening, and they'd found themselves at a small café after getting caught in the downpour. Jiya had laughed as she wrung out her hair, her cheeks flushed from the cold.

"Do you ever stop planning?" she teased as Parth scribbled on a napkin, mapping out his future goals.

"Not when it comes to you," he'd replied, meeting her gaze. "I want to build something real with you, Jiya. A home, a life... everything."

Her laughter had softened into a smile, and she'd reached across the table to take his hand. "You're my everything, Parth. Don't forget that."

The memory cut through him now like a blade, the weight of what they'd lost settling heavy on his chest.

Jiya's voice pulled him back to the present. "We need to stay focused on the case."

Parth nodded, pushing his emotions aside. "Agreed. Ravi Shekhar's reappearance changes everything. If he's alive, we're dealing with someone who's always ten steps ahead."

"Which is why we'll have to work together," Jiya said, her tone reluctant but firm. "I don't like it any more than you do, but this case takes precedence."

"Fine," Parth said, his gaze steady. "But don't expect me to ignore the elephant in the room."

Jiya frowned. "Parth-"

"Let's just do our jobs," he interrupted, his voice low. "We'll deal with everything else later."

As they left the lab together, neither noticed the figure lurking in the shadows outside the building. Hidden in the dim light, the man watched their every move, his expression unreadable.

The mysterious observer waited until they were gone before slipping away into the night, leaving behind no trace of his presence.

Later that evening, Parth reviewed the case files in his office, his mind spinning with possibilities. Ravi Shekhar being alive wasn't just a complication-it was a game-changer.

His phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen to see Jiya's name. Answering, he heard her voice, hesitant but urgent.

"The lab results are back," she said. "We confirmed the fingerprints belong to Ravi. But there's something else."

"What?" Parth asked, his grip tightening on the phone.

"There's evidence suggesting he's been in contact with someone in the judiciary," Jiya said. "We're not just dealing with a ghost, Parth. We're dealing with someone who has allies in high places."

Parth's pulse quickened. The clock was ticking, and the puzzle was growing more complex by the hour.

But as much as he tried to focus on the case, his thoughts kept circling back to Jiya-her voice, her presence, and the impossible question of whether their broken pieces could ever fit back together.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•

Let me know if the plot is interesting or not.

Words in italics are Flashback

List of Ongoing Stories.

1) Sunn Yaara (RagLak)
2) Fallior my Wife (RagLak)(os) ✓
3) The Twist of Fate (TeZain)
4) You're The One For Me? (TeVin).
5) When We Meet Again (TeVin).

Niha🖤