It was a dark night, with black clouds covering the Mumbai sky and not a single star visible. In anticipation of the approaching storm, the trees shook their branches, dancing. The gentle breeze was chilling her to the bone.

"Where are you, Dad? Is it nearly midnight, and you're still there?" Priya, frustrated, asked them on the phone.

"We're already on our way. Don't worry, we'll be back in an hour," her father replied with a smile, thinking about the lecture they were about to receive when they got home. He was aware of his daughter's concern for them and their safety. He didn't listen to her when she told them not to go to the relative's house at night because she had received threats asking her to step down from the high-profile case she was working on. He despised it when those criminals threatened his daughter using their names. He went out to show them that they didn't have to be afraid of the criminals.

The clouds that had caused the persistent drizzle earlier in the day had passed, leaving only the moon to light his path. As he drove with the windows open, the wind blew cold against his face. The road was deserted, with no sign of life insight.

"Are you wearing seat belts?" she inquired, her voice trembling.

"Yes, honey," her mother said this time.

"Stop stressing yourself out, dummy. We're on our way home," her sister replied, in her usual irritable tone.

"OK. Dad, drive carefully; you aren't drunk, are you?"

"No, darling..."

Thud

She was startled to hear a loud crashing sound.

The phone went dead.

"Hello, dad?" Her eyes welled up with tears. Her heart sank as she feared the worst...

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Little drops of water were landing on the window and then sliding down the glass, washing away the dust specks that had accumulated on it. A solitary ray of light passed through the silver threads of water.

That dreadful night had been two days ago. It was a disaster. It was sad. It was isolating, heartbreaking, painful, pitiful, and devastating. It was just so awful. She felt as if her life would never be the same again. Her soul had a void that could never be filled. She had suffered the loss of her family. She had become an orphan in the blink of an eye. She was unable to control her emotions. Her eyes were swollen and red.

Her phone rang, but she didn't answer it. It rang once more. Then it happened again and again... Finally, she attended. "Please call back later, whoever you are. I'm not in the mood to talk right now..." Someone interrupted her.

"Hey, sweetie, why are you in a hurry? You don't have anyone left? So, what's the rush?" Someone on the other end of the line said.

The voice was familiar to her. How could she ever forget the voice that told her to drop the case?

"Didn't I warn you, sweetie? You should've paid attention to what I was saying." The voice on the other end of the line spoke up, clearly pleased.

Her intuition was correct. It was a murder, not an accident. They murdered her parents in order to force her to leave the case.

"Did you murder them?" She inquired, unable to accept the truth despite knowing it couldn't be a coincidence. All she got in return was a chuckle.

"I always thought you were clever, sweetie."

She sobbed as the phone fell from her grasp. Kashi, her best friend, came over to check on her. When she saw Priya crying, she immediately hugged her and began to repeat soothing words to her. She knew Priya well, but she had never seen her so distraught.

"Calm down, Priya, calm down." She tried to calm her.

Priya stammered, "Y-you know... M-my parents were k... K-killed."

"What?! What are you saying? Why would someone do such a thing?" Kashi was bewildered.

"I-It's my fault they were... K-killed," Priya responded, still unable to process the truth behind the accident.

"Are you all right? Why would you say such a thing? It's not even logical!" With a puzzled expression, Kashi inquired.

"I should've taken his warnings more seriously... He killed my family as a result of that damn case! I lost them because of my irresponsibility!" Priya sobbed.

Kashi understood everything this time. She'd never forget the look in her best friend's eyes. Those eyes were lifeless, devoid of emotion.

"Priya, it's not your fault. You were carrying out your duties. They should be the ones to suffer, not you." As a matter of fact, Kashi stated.

"No, Kashi, I'm handing the case over to Arjun... I don't want to continue the case any longer." Priya's voice carried a sense of finality.

"No, you can't do that. You've already solved the case. You simply need to submit that file. He'll be locked up... That filthy man will finally get what he deserves. You can't drop the case right now."

"But I won't be able to..."

"Shh... Do you think your decision will please your father? You deny justice to your parents and sister by giving up. Don't do that, Priya; you'll regret it later."

Kashi walked away, hoping her best friend wouldn't make the wrong choice.

Kashi is correct... How can I even consider letting that jerk go? I'm not going to. I will do everything in my power to ensure that he rots in jail. I will exact vengeance on my parents. Karan Ahuja, you'll pay for it. She fell into an uneasy slumber with this determined thought.

Next day morning,

"Priya, how were your last two days? How was your sleep?" Karan inquired, sitting as if he owned the interrogation room. It was difficult for Priya to confront the man who had taken her family and turned her into an orphan. She wished to torture and slaughter him with her own hands.

"I told you I wasn't going to back down from the case, and now I'm not going to change my mind because I have nothing to lose," she said, giving him a deathly glare.

"Do you believe I'll let you live in peace? Never. You betrayed my trust and destroyed my empire. Priya, the game isn't over. I've only begun playing," Karan responded. Priya stormed out of the room before she lost control and killed him.

Two days later,

Priya sat in front of the television in her office, watching footage from the 24 Hours News Channel.

"Good morning, and welcome to '24 Hours News' on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2016. I, Preeti Sharma, is here to shock you with this breaking news! Karan Ahuja, a well-known young Indian entrepreneur, was arrested yesterday for being an active member of an underworld mafia group. The group was involved in drug trafficking from other countries and distribution in India. He was sentenced to life in prison. The investigation was led by IPS officer Priya Mehra. The city commissioner himself provided the details, expressing his delight at having such an outstanding female officer on his team. Stay tuned for more information with 24 Hours News Channel."

She stood up and walked to the commissioner's office. 'How come he only took my name? Arjun also assisted me and contributed equally to the investigation,' she thought.

"Good evening, Sir," she said as she entered the commissioner's office.

"Greetings, Mehra. Take a seat please," With a smile, he responded. "What happened? Is there a problem with your most recent cases?"

"No, Sir. I wanted to speak with you about the press statement you gave. You didn't mention Arjun's name and instead gave me all the credit, which isn't fair. Even he put in a lot of effort for this case."

"I know Mehra, but I can't take both names; the press will mock us by claiming that the Mumbai police had to use two brilliant officers to arrest a drug lord."

"But, Sir," he didn't let her finish.

"No buts, Mehra. The case has been solved and statements have been given; I can't change the statement now. You may leave," he politely told her to leave. She went out only to find an enraged Arjun.

"You proved your selfishness again, Mehra," he yelled angrily. She could see his jaw clenching. He felt betrayed. But it was not her fault.

"I did not make the statements to the press, Arjun," she retorted.

"You had the opportunity, to tell the truth, but you chose not to. Instead, you took full credit. Hats off to a cunning woman like you."

"I don't want to cause a scene here. I'm leaving," she responded. Even she was irritated because he didn't believe her.

"Get lost. We will never work together again. I'll handle my cases, and you'll handle yours. I thought we could be friends until you ruined it, Mehra." He yelled and stormed off. Tears welled up in her eyes and threatened to spill out. Why are you doing this to me, God? She rubbed her eyes harshly and vowed that she would never be weak again.

'Is this the end of our friendship?'

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