Part 9

In the evening:

Khushi and NK chitchatting in the hall with their evening tea when they heard a car sound outside. Khushi looked from the window and saw Arnav getting down from the car.

"Arnavji is coming" said Khushi and went outside to receive him.

NK welcomed Arnav who came into the room. Khushi went to bring Coffee for him while NK and Arnav talked about some random things.

After sometime, Khushi and Arnav took leave from NK to leave for RM. Both of them exchanged few words in the car.

In the Night:

Arnav entered his room and saw Khushi standing at the poolside looking at the sky. He went and stood behind her. But Khushi was soo lost in her own thoughts. Arnav cleared his throat to make her aware of his presence.

Khushi came out of her trance and looked at him.

"You like watching Stars"asked Arnav.

"I like talking with stars" said Khushi.

Arnav looked at her confused.

" I believe that whoever dies will become stars. So, even my parents, Buaji and Mishti Didi too became stars. I will talk with them and share my heart" said Khushi.

Arnav looked at her rather amusingly.

" I know you would be confused by my words. I lost my parents in an accident when I am 8 years old. Then Buaji took me and Bhai under her care. Even Pupaji too died in the same accident along with my parents" Said Khushi then showing him the stars, "Those two are my Mumma and Papa, then the next two Buaji and Pupaji, then beside them Mishti Didi"

"Mishti Didi ?"asked Arnav.

"Oh.. You don't know Mishti Didi naa. She is Buaji's daughter. She is three years younger to Bhai and two years elder to me. We three are always a gang. Bhai loves us both a lot" said Khushi smiling continued, " But five years back, Mishti Didi too died leaving us"

"How did she die ?"asked Arnav.

"Even I don't know exactly Arnavji. I went to Mumbai to participate in inter college competition. The tour went for a week. I won in the competition and came back to share it happily with family but everything was over by then. When I came home expecting Mishti Di's happy face hearing my winning but what happened is exactly reverse. I saw Mishti Di's picture garlanded with flowers and everyone paying tribute to her( Crying). I was too shocked and fainted on the spot. When I woke up, NK Bhai said to me what happened. Mishti Didi died two days back. She went to Shimla with her college mates. There accidentally she fell into the pool of the hotel they are residing and died. I didn't even got to see her for last time.(Choking) By the time, I came her funeral was over. I fought a lot with Bhai for not informing me but he said he doesn't want me to effect for competition. After Mishti Didi's death, Buaji became ill and she left us two years back. Me and Bhai both became Orphans again" Khushi cried sitting on her knees.

Arnav felt sad seeing Khushi crying and sat on his knees hugged her. Khushi cried out in his embrace.

In GH:

NK sat alone seeing the picture of his family especially Lavanya.

NK was living in Delhi doing job while Buaji, Khushi, Lavanya stays in Lucknow. Khushi and Lavanya both are still studying.

"Sir. You sister met with accident. You need to come"

NK, on hearing this call immediately rushed along with Buaji to Shimla. When they reached there, they handed over Lavanya's dead body to them.

NK stood motionless while Buaji fainted seeing her daughter's dead body.

"What..How did this happen ?"asked NK to one of the police officer.

"She fell into the pool accidentally and died" said the officer.

NK sat there crying and he went towards Buaji who is being treated. Everything changed in a day. Lavanya talked with him before sometime and now she is dead.

"We are going for postmortem. We need your sign" came one of the nurse. NK signed it with heavy heart.

Soon, the post mortem was done and they handedover the Lavanya's body to them. NK and Buaji decided not to say anything to Khushi as she is in Mumbai for competition for which she is preparing from months.

Two days after Lavanya's death, Khushi came from the tour and she made a huge fuss for not informing her. She didn't talked with him and Buaji for two days.

Then, after one week, he got a call from Rupa, a friend of Lavanya. She asked him to meet her. NK went to meet her confused of why she is calling him. They both met in a coffee shop

"Bhai. I think something is missing in Lavanya'a death" said Rupa. NK looked at her confused.

"I know Bhai you are in deep grief due to Lav's death. Even I am also. She is my best friend but don't you think the police took extra care and hurry to send us away from there. The Pool in which Lav is hardly six feet depth. Also, the hotel management didn't even informed us when they found Lavanya dead in the pool. They directly took her to hospital and informed us later. I think this is not normal death Bhai" said the friend of Lavanya.

NK stood there thinking deeply hearing Rupa's words.

"Do you mean to say there is more than that ?"asked NK. Rupa nodded her head.

" I just came here to share my doubts Bhai. Also, I have seen some marks of fingers on her body. But before I could examine more, the ward boys came and took away her body" said Rupa.

NK was startled hearing it. Now, if he think then he too finds something fishy. All these days, in his grief he didn't thought about it.

"Thank you Rupa. I will look into the matter" said NK.

Then the next day, NK went to Shimla and tried to know more about the death of Lavanya but inspector said that the death was accident. When NK expressed about his doubts, the inspector shrugged them off saying NK is overthinking.

NK, tried for two days but in vain. Then he directly went to commissioner of police in Shimla. He explained the commissioner his doubts about death of Lavanya. Then, the commissioner promised him to help.

After an hour, when NK is in his hotel room, his mobile rang. He saw the caller Id is from an unknown number. He lifted the call and as soon as he lifted the call, he heard a woman's voice.

" See Mr. I know you are Lavanya's brother. But stop trying to interfere more into her death. She is dead and won't come back now. If you want to be in peace, then stop whatever you are doing and return back to your town. If you go more than this, your whole family have to suffer" said the woman and disconnected the call.

NK was perplexed by this call. It made him damn sure that Lavanya's death is not normal. The next day NK returned back to Delhi leaving Khushi and Buaji in Lucknow.

In Delhi, he had a friend who is in Police department. NK contacted him and asked to know about what happened exactly on that day. He wanted to know what happened that day. His friend promised him to find about the details.

After two days, his friend met him in his house.

"Ravi. Did you find out what happened ?"asked NK. His friend, Ravi nodded his head.

"Say me. What happened ?" asked NK.

"I don't know how to say you NK but you were suspicions are true. Your sister is murdered. The post mortem report which the hospital gave you is fake one. Your sister was drugged heavily and threw into the pool when she was unconscious. Before that.." Ravi stopped saying anything.

"Before that what happened ?"asked NK.

"She was gang raped" said Ravi not looking into NK's eyes.

NK was numb hearing it. His hands and legs shivered hearing it. Ravi placed an assuring hands on NK's shoulder.

"Who did this ?"asked NK with tears in his eyes.

"I couldn't trace it NK. But I came to know that rich and influenced people are involved in it. I, even tried to trace the number which you got a call from some woman threatening you but it is untraceable. I am sorry NK" said Ravi.

" It's Ok. You atleast gave all these information. Thank you Ravi" said NK.

The, Ravi took leave from there while NK sat thinking how to find out about the culprit.

Precap: A leap.

Thanks to those who have voted and commented on previous update.

Next Part of the story is already available in Inkitt.