Mihir POV

"Mihir."

I turned immediately.

Aayat was standing a few steps behind me.

Her expression had changed.

The anger was still there, but the exhaustion was stronger now.

I walked back toward her.

"What happened?"

She shook her head.

"Nothing."

I knew that wasn't true.

With Aayat, "nothing" usually meant there was too much happening at once.

I waited.

She looked toward the courthouse doors.

Then back at me.

"You handled that well."

I gave her a small smile.

"I was only talking."

"You know what I mean."

I did.

She was talking about Tej.

About the way I had stepped beside her.

About the warning.

"You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did."

Her eyebrows drew together.

"Why?"

I looked at her for a moment.

Because the real answer was too simple.

Because seeing Tej standing that close to her had made something inside me go cold.

Because I knew what he was capable of.

Because I couldn't stand the thought of her facing him alone.

"Because you shouldn't have to deal with him by yourself."

She lowered her eyes.

"I can handle him."

"I know."

"Then..."

"I know you can handle him."

I interrupted gently.

"But being capable doesn't mean you have to do everything alone."

She went quiet.

I could see the words reaching somewhere she usually kept locked away.

After a moment, she whispered,

"My whole life, I've had to."

"I know."

"You don't."

"No."

I shook my head.

"I don't."

She looked at me.

"But I'm starting to understand."

Something flickered across her face.

She looked away quickly.

"Papa asked you not to let me carry everything alone."

"I remember."

"And now you're actually doing it."

"I made him a promise."

A faint smile appeared.

"You take promises very seriously."

"Only the important ones."

Her smile grew slightly.

Then disappeared.

She looked toward the courthouse again.

"Do you think Papa is scared?"

I didn't answer immediately.

"Yes."

Her eyes lowered.

"He didn't look scared."

"He wouldn't."

"Why?"

"Because he spent twenty-one years learning how to hide it."

She swallowed.

I continued quietly.

"But today was different."

"How?"

"He wasn't hiding anymore."

She looked at me.

"He had you sitting there."

Aayat's eyes filled slightly.

"And for the first time, he knew someone was listening."

She took a slow breath.

"I wish I could take those twenty-one years back."

"You can't."

"I know."

"But you can give him the years that come next."

She looked at me.

I smiled faintly.

"That matters too."

She nodded.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then she suddenly laughed under her breath.

"What?"

I asked.

She shook her head.

"Nothing."

"You're smiling."

"I am not."

"You are."

She looked at me.

"I was just thinking about Papa."

"About what?"

"He actually liked you."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Actually?"

"Yes."

"I thought that was obvious."

She laughed softly.

"He was teasing me about you."

"That sounds promising."

"He told me you were a good man."

I looked away for a second.

That meant more than I wanted to admit.

"He is a good man."

"He is."

Aayat's voice softened.

"He deserves to go home."

"He will."

She looked at me.

"You're very certain."

"I have to be."

"Why?"

"Because if I start doubting..."

I paused.

"...you'll start doubting too."

She stared at me.

Then quietly said,

"Thank you."

I nodded.

"You're welcome."

She took another breath.

Then her expression suddenly became serious.

"Mihir."

"Yes?"

"What if tomorrow they try to destroy him again?"

"They'll try."

"And if they bring up everything from the past?"

"They will."

"And if they try to make him look guilty?"

"They'll fail."

Her eyes searched mine.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because this time, we're not relying on one person's memory."

I lifted the file slightly.

"We have evidence."

"And witnesses."

"And records."

"And your father's testimony."

A faint smile appeared.

"And Tej is no longer controlling the story."

Aayat nodded slowly.

For the first time since leaving the courtroom...

some of the tension left her shoulders.

I opened the car door for her.

She didn't get in immediately.

Instead, she looked at me.

"Let's bring Papa home."

I smiled.

"We will."

She nodded.

Then finally got into the car.

I closed the door and walked around to the driver's side.

As I started the engine, I glanced at her.

She was looking out the window.

Quiet.

Thinking.

But she wasn't alone in those thoughts anymore.

And somehow...

that was enough.

The case wasn't over.

Tej wasn't finished.

Tomorrow would bring another battle.

But today...

Aayat had found her father.

And I would make sure she didn't lose him again.

The room was quiet.

Aayat had gone to sleep.

I was still sitting on the sofa when my phone vibrated.

The name on the screen made me pause.

Advit.

My younger brother rarely called.

Advit wasn't the kind of person who called just to talk.

He didn't ask unnecessary questions.

He didn't explain things twice.

And he certainly didn't call late at night unless something mattered.

I answered.

"Hello?"

Silence.

Then his calm voice came through.

"Bhai."

I straightened slightly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

I frowned.

"With you, that answer usually means something is wrong."

A pause.

Then, completely nonchalant...

"I found some documents."

"What documents?"

"About Devang Kapoor."

My expression changed immediately.

"Where?"

"In the old archive."

"Which archive?"

"The family records."

I stood up.

"Advit, what exactly did you find?"

Another pause.

He sounded almost bored.

"A lot."

"How much is a lot?"

"I haven't counted."

I closed my eyes for a second.

Of course.

"Advit."

"Hmm?"

"Tell me what you found."

There was the sound of papers moving on his end.

Then his voice returned.

"Original police correspondence."

I went still.

"Continue."

"Financial statements."

"From when?"

"Twenty-one years ago."

My grip tightened around the phone.

"Anything else?"

"Vehicle records."

I stopped breathing for a moment.

"Original?"

"Looks like it."

"Anything connecting Tej?"

"Several things."

My eyes narrowed.

"What things?"

"Payments."

"To whom?"

"Investigators."

My jaw tightened.

"Names?"

"Three."

"Advit."

"Hm?"

"Send them to me."

"I already did."

I looked at my phone.

A notification appeared.

One attachment.

Then another.

Then another.

Then another.

My screen filled with files.

I opened the first.

A scanned document.

Old.

Yellowed.

Stamped.

My eyes moved across the page.

Vehicle Inspection Report.

I stared at the signature at the bottom.

Then opened the second.

Financial Transfer Record.

The recipient name was one of the investigators from the original case.

I opened the third.

Another transfer.

Another official.

Then the fourth.

My expression hardened.

"Advit."

"Yes?"

"These are serious."

"I know."

"How did you find them?"

"Looking."

I almost laughed.

"You found all this just by looking?"

"Yes."

Silence.

Then I heard him turn another page.

"There are more."

My eyes closed.

"How many?"

"Enough."

"Advit."

"What?"

"You're enjoying this."

"No."

He sounded completely serious.

"I just don't like throwing away paperwork."

I shook my head.

That was Advit.

Quiet.

Detached.

Almost impossible to read.

But when he decided something mattered...

he didn't stop until he had found everything.

"Send everything."

"Already doing it."

Another notification appeared.

Five new files.

Then seven.

Then three.

I opened one.

My expression changed immediately.

"Wait."

"What?"

"This document..."

I zoomed in.

A handwritten note appeared in the margin.

A name.

A date.

A location.

And beneath it...

Instruction received from T.K.

My stomach tightened.

"Advit."

"Hmm?"

"Where did you get this?"

"Same archive."

"You're sure it's authentic?"

"Paper matches the other records."

"You had it verified?"

"Not yet."

I nodded slowly.

"Good. Don't touch anything else."

"I already wore gloves."

I paused.

"Of course you did."

"I watch documentaries."

I almost smiled.

Even now.

Even with everything falling apart...

Advit sounded completely unaffected.

Then his voice changed slightly.

"Bhai."

I stopped.

"What?"

"There is something else."

His tone was still calm.

But I knew him.

That tiny change meant it mattered.

"What?"

"I found a letter."

"From whom?"

"I don't know."

"Why?"

"No signature."

"What's in it?"

A pause.

"It's addressed to Devang Kapoor."

My heart began beating faster.

"Read it."

"I don't think I should."

"Why?"

"It's personal."

I understood immediately.

"Send it to me."

"I will."

Another notification.

A scanned handwritten letter appeared.

I opened it.

The first line made my blood run cold.

If you are reading this, then they failed to keep you silent.

I stared at the screen.

Advit's voice came through the phone.

"Bhai?"

I didn't answer.

"Bhai?"

"I'm here."

"What does it say?"

I read the next few lines.

My expression hardened.

"It's from someone who knew what happened."

"Who?"

"I don't know yet."

Advit was silent.

Then...

"I think you should show bhabhi."

I looked toward the hallway.

Her door was still closed.

"She needs sleep."

"Then tomorrow."

I nodded.

"Tomorrow."

Another silence.

Then Advit spoke again.

"Bhai."

"Yes?"

"There's one more thing."

I sighed.

"Of course there is."

"This one isn't about Tej."

My expression changed.

"Then who?"

Advit answered quietly.

"Shruti."

I froze.

"What did you find?"

"A transfer."

"To her."

My chest tightened.

"When?"

"Six months after the accident."

"From Tej?"

"Yes."

"For what?"

"I don't know."

"Amount?"

He told me.

I went completely still.

That wasn't a small payment.

That was enough to change someone's life.

"Advit."

"Hm?"

"Send me the record."

"Already sent."

Another notification appeared.

I opened it.

The document was clear.

Official.

Stamped.

Signed.

And there was one line in the description.

Settlement payment.

I stared at it.

Settlement.

Not support.

Not expenses.

Settlement.

My mind immediately started connecting the pieces.

Tej.

Shruti.

The accident.

The investigators.

The altered reports.

The silence.

And now...

money.

Twenty-one years of secrets were beginning to unravel.

"Advit."

"Yes?"

"Don't tell anyone about this."

"I wasn't planning to."

I rubbed my forehead.

"You're surprisingly useful."

A pause.

"Thank you."

I smiled despite myself.

"That wasn't a compliment."

"I know."

Silence.

Then he added,

"Bhai."

"Yes?"

"There's still one box."

I looked at the screen.

"One box?"

"Unopened."

"Why?"

"It has Devang Kapoor name on it."

I went still.

"Where is it?"

"In my laptop."

"Don't open it."

"Wasn't going to."

"Keep it sealed."

"Okay."

I took a breath.

"I'll come soon."

"Fine."

The call should have ended there.

But Advit didn't disconnect.

I waited.

"Anything else?"

A pause.

Then, quietly...

"Bhai."

"Yes?"

"Be careful."

That was it.

The call ended.

I stared at my phone.

Advit had never been dramatic.

He never panicked.

He never spoke more than necessary.

So when he told me to be careful...

I listened.

I looked toward Aayat's room again.

Then at the mountain of documents on my screen.

Tomorrow was supposed to be about proving Devang innocent.

But now...

we had something much bigger.

Someone had been paying people.

Someone had been manipulating records.

Someone had been protecting a secret for twenty-one years.

And Advit had just found the trail.

I picked up the phone again.

Opened the first document.

Then the second.

Then the third.

My eyes hardened.

Whatever happened twenty-one years ago...

we were going to uncover every piece of it.

No matter how many names were buried underneath.

I looked at the clock.

10:00 PM.

The suite was silent.

Aayat was asleep.

The documents Advit had sent were still open on my laptop.

I read the same page again.

Then another.

And another.

There was one question I couldn't get out of my head.

Why had the same judge who presided over today's hearing also presided over Devang Kapoor's original trial twenty-one years ago?

Maybe it was coincidence.

Maybe it wasn't.

Either way...

I needed answers.

I closed the laptop.

Picked up my coat.

And walked out.

I didn't tell Aayat.

She had finally managed to sleep.

She didn't need another burden tonight.

⸻

Twenty-five minutes later...

I stood outside the judge's residence.

The security guard recognized me immediately.

"Sir..."

"I need to speak with him."

"It's late."

"I know."

The guard hesitated.

Then his phone rang.

A few seconds later, he stepped aside.

"He's expecting you."

I walked inside.

The judge was sitting alone in his study.

The same man who had sentenced Devang Kapoor twenty-one years ago.

The same man who had sat behind the bench today.

He looked up when I entered.

His expression changed.

"Mihir Raghuvanshi."

I closed the door behind me.

"Judge."

He gestured toward a chair.

"Please sit."

I remained standing.

"I didn't come here to sit."

His expression tightened.

"Then why are you here?"

I placed a thin folder on his desk.

He looked down.

"What is this?"

"Your past."

His eyes moved back to mine.

"What are you implying?"

"I'm not implying anything."

I opened the folder.

"I'm asking questions."

I slid the first document toward him.

"The original vehicle inspection report."

His face changed.

Barely.

But I saw it.

"You've seen this."

He didn't answer.

I placed another document beside it.

"Financial records."

Another.

"Payments made to investigators."

Another.

"Correspondence from the original case."

The judge slowly leaned back.

"Where did you get these?"

"That isn't important."

"It is very important."

"No."

My voice remained calm.

"What matters is that they exist."

He stared at me.

"You cannot come into my home at night and accuse me of corruption."

"I haven't accused you of anything."

I leaned forward slightly.

"Yet."

Silence.

The judge's expression hardened.

"You should be careful, Mr. Raghuvanshi."

I almost smiled.

"That's exactly what I came here to tell you."

He stared at me.

I straightened.

"My name is Mihir Raghuvanshi."

"I am one of the most respected political figures in this country."

"I have spent years building a reputation that people trust."

I placed my hand over the folder.

"And I don't intend to let that reputation be used as a shield for anyone."

His jaw tightened.

"You are threatening a judge."

"No."

I looked directly into his eyes.

"I'm warning you."

A long silence followed.

"You have held a position of authority for twenty-one years."

"You sentenced an innocent man."

"If that happened because you were deceived..."

"We will establish that."

"If it happened because you were pressured..."

"We will establish that too."

I paused.

"But if you knowingly participated..."

My voice became colder.

"...then you will answer for it."

The judge stood.

"You have no right—"

"I have every right to ask questions when an innocent man lost twenty-one years of his life."

He fell silent.

I continued.

"Today you sat in that courtroom and watched Devang Kapoor walk in."

"You saw his daughter sitting there."

"You heard him say he was framed."

"And you know..."

I tapped the folder.

"...that this isn't the whole story."

The judge looked away.

That was enough.

He knew something.

I lowered my voice.

"I am giving you one opportunity."

His eyes returned to mine.

"Tell the court everything you know."

He shook his head.

"You don't understand the consequences."

"I understand them perfectly."

"Tej Kapoor is not someone you can simply..."

"I know exactly who Tej Kapoor is."

The judge stopped.

I stepped closer to the desk.

"And he should understand something too."

I pointed toward the documents.

"The evidence is already moving."

"Advit has found records you thought were gone."

The judge's expression changed.

"Advit?"

"My brother."

I watched the realization settle over his face.

"He has archives."

"Financial records."

"Correspondence."

"And enough patience to keep looking until he finds every missing piece."

The judge slowly sat down.

I remained standing.

"You have a choice."

His voice was barely audible.

"What choice?"

"You can help uncover what happened twenty-one years ago."

"Or you can become part of the story we're uncovering."

Silence.

I closed the folder.

"I am not asking you to favor Devang Kapoor."

"I am not asking you to break the law."

"I'm asking you to stop hiding behind it."

The judge stared at me.

"You think your position gives you power over me?"

I shook my head.

"No."

"My position gives me access to people who can investigate this properly."

"The evidence will speak."

"The court will decide."

"And the truth will decide what happens to everyone else."

I turned toward the door.

Behind me, his voice stopped me.

"Mihir."

I looked back.

For the first time...

he didn't look angry.

He looked afraid.

"Why are you doing this?"

I answered without hesitation.

"Because twenty-one years ago, nobody stood beside Devang Kapoor."

I glanced toward the folder.

"Now his daughter has someone."

I opened the door.

"And I intend to make sure the truth gets the same protection the lie had."

I walked out.

The door closed behind me.

I stood outside for a moment.

The night was silent.

I checked my phone.

11:42 PM.

My phone vibrated.

Advit.

I answered immediately.

"What happened?"

Silence.

Then his usual calm voice.

"I found it."

I straightened.

"Found what?"

"The document that can get Devang released."

I stopped walking.

"What?"

"The original release order."

For the first time that night, Advit's voice carried the faintest hint of urgency.

"Twenty-one years ago, Devang's conviction was supposed to be suspended."

I stared at the darkness ahead.

"Supposed to?"

"Yes."

"Explain."

"I found the original court order."

My grip tightened around the phone.

"What does it say?"

"After reviewing the evidence, the court ordered a temporary suspension of Devang Kapoor's conviction pending investigation into procedural irregularities."

I went completely still.

"That means..."

"Yes."

Advit interrupted calmly.

"His imprisonment should never have continued under the original order."

My mind raced.

"Why wasn't it enforced?"

"I don't know yet."

"Where is the order?"

"In the archive."

"Original?"

"Yes."

"Signed?"

"Yes."

"By whom?"

A pause.

"The same judge."

My eyes widened.

"You're certain?"

"Very."

I started walking toward the car.

"Send me a photograph."

"You already have it."

I opened the file.

There it was.

An official court document.

A seal.

A date.

A signature.

And one line that made everything suddenly make sense:

The execution of the sentence is suspended until further investigation.

I read it again.

Then again.

"Advit."

"Hm?"

"This means Mr. Devang was never legally supposed to remain in prison."

"Yes."

My heart started pounding.

"Then why did nobody release him?"

"I found that too."

My expression hardened.

"What?"

"The order was withdrawn."

"By whom?"

"Not the judge."

I stopped.

"Then who?"

Advit's answer was quiet.

"Someone filed an emergency objection."

"Who?"

A pause.

"Tej Kapoor."

My jaw clenched.

"On what grounds?"

"National security."

I frowned.

"That's ridiculous."

"I know."

"What did he claim?"

"That Mr. Devang had access to confidential business and government information."

I almost laughed.

"Mr. Devang was a musician."

"Exactly."

"So the objection was false."

"Yes."

"Then why was it accepted?"

"I don't know."

"Advit."

"Yes?"

"Look at the signature."

"I did."

"Whose?"

"The acting prosecutor."

I stared at the document.

"Is he still alive?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Vladivostok."

I closed my eyes.

"Find him."

"Already did."

"Where is he?"

"Retired."

"Address?"

"Sent."

My phone buzzed.

I opened the message.

Advit had sent everything.

Name.

Address.

Telephone number.

And another document.

I opened it.

A withdrawal order.

The judge's signature was missing.

Instead...

there was an authorization from a senior official.

My eyes narrowed.

"Advit."

"Hm?"

"This isn't a judicial order."

"No."

"It's an administrative order."

"Yes."

"So they overruled the judge."

"Without legal authority."

Silence.

I slowly exhaled.

"Then we have it."

"Yes."

"This can get Mr. Devang out."

"Immediately."

I looked toward the hotel.

Aayat was asleep upstairs.

Her father had spent twenty-one years behind bars because someone had ignored a lawful release order.

And now...

we had the document that could change everything.

"Advit."

"Yes?"

"Send everything to our lawyers."

"I will."

"Tonight."

"Already sent."

I smiled faintly.

"You really don't wait for instructions."

"No."

A pause.

Then, in his usual calm voice...

"Bhai."

"Yes?"

"You should go tell bhabhi."

I looked at the time.

11: 57 PM.

"She needs sleep."

"She needs her father more."

I went quiet.

He was right.

For once...

there was no reason to wait until morning.

I turned toward the hotel.

"Advit."

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

A brief silence.

Then...

"Bring Uncle home."

I smiled.

"We will."

I ended the call.

For twenty-one years, Devang Kapoor had been sitting in a prison cell because people had buried the truth.

Tonight...

we had found something they had forgotten to destroy.

An official order.

A lawful suspension of his sentence.

A document that proved one devastating fact:

Devang Kapoor had been kept in prison long after the law had ordered otherwise.

I walked toward the hotel.

This time...

I wasn't thinking about tomorrow's hearing.

I was thinking about one thing.

The moment Aayat heard those words:

Your father is coming home.

I had barely stepped back into the suite when I heard a voice behind me.

"Mihir?"

I stopped.

Aayat was standing in the hallway.

Her hair was slightly messy, and she looked half-asleep, but the moment she saw me, her expression changed.

Concern.

Then irritation.

Then both.

She crossed her arms.

"Kahan gaye the itni raat ko?"

I glanced at the clock.

12:19 AM.

"I had to go somewhere."

"Somewhere?"

"Yes."

"At 12  at night?"

I said nothing.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Mihir."

I sighed.

"I went to meet the judge."

Her expression immediately changed.

"The judge?"

I nodded.

"Why?"

"I had questions."

"And you couldn't tell me?"

"You were sleeping."

"That doesn't answer my question."

I looked at her for a moment.

"I didn't want to wake you."

She stepped closer.

"You went to meet the same judge who handled Papa's case twenty-one years ago?"

"Yes."

"And?"

"I found something."

"What?"

Before I could answer, my phone vibrated.

Advit.

I answered.

"Bhai?"

His voice was as calm as ever.

"I found it."

I straightened.

"Found what?"

"The document."

"What document?"

"The one that can get Mr. Devang out."

Aayat's eyes immediately went to me.

I put the call on speaker.

"Advit, explain."

There was a short pause.

"I went through the last box."

"And?"

"I found an original court filing."

My expression hardened.

"From twenty-one years ago?"

"Yes."

"What does it say?"

Advit's voice remained completely matter-of-fact.

"The prosecution's key witness formally withdrew his statement."

Aayat covered her mouth.

"What?"

Advit continued.

"Not verbally. In writing."

I looked at Aayat.

"Why wasn't it in the case file?"

"It was never submitted."

Silence.

I stared at the floor.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"How do you know?"

"Because it has the court receiving stamp."

My eyes widened.

"Meaning the court received it?"

"Yes."

"And it disappeared afterward?"

"Looks like it."

Aayat stepped closer to the phone.

"Advit..."

"Yes?"

"Does it have Papa's name?"

"Yes."

Her eyes filled with disbelief.

"What exactly does it say?"

Advit paused.

"The witness says he was pressured into identifying Mr. Devang."

Aayat froze.

I felt my hands tighten into fists.

"Who pressured him?"

"I haven't finished reading."

"Continue."

"He says he was threatened with losing his job."

Aayat whispered,

"Oh my God."

"And," Advit added calmly, "he says he was given a different description of the person involved before identifying Mr. Devang."

My blood ran cold.

"So the identification itself was manufactured."

"Looks that way."

I looked at Aayat.

For twenty-one years, her father had been living with the weight of a conviction built on that identification.

And now we had proof that the identification had been compromised.

"Advit," I said quietly.

"Yes?"

"Can this get him released?"

Another pause.

"Potentially."

Aayat looked at me.

"Potentially?"

Advit answered,

"If the document is authenticated and the court accepts it, it could fundamentally undermine the original conviction."

I exhaled.

"Can we get it to the lawyers tonight?"

"Already sent."

I blinked.

"You sent it?"

"Yes."

"To whom?"

"The legal team."

A tiny smile appeared on my face.

"Of course you did."

"I also sent copies to the appropriate court records department."

I stared at the phone.

"Advit."

"Hm?"

"You just said all that like you ordered dinner."

"I was hungry."

Aayat actually laughed.

For the first time that night.

Advit continued, completely unfazed.

"There is one more thing."

I looked at the ceiling.

"Of course there is."

"The another witness is still alive."

Aayat's smile disappeared.

I went completely still.

"What?"

"He's alive."

"Where?"

"Sochi, Russia."

"Do we know where exactly?"

"Yes."

"Advit..."

"I'll send the address."

The line went quiet.

Then he added,

"He also signed a second statement."

My heart started pounding.

"What does that one say?"

Advit's voice became quieter.

"He says who ordered him to change his testimony."

Aayat looked at me.

I looked back at her.

Neither of us spoke.

"Who?" I asked.

Advit answered with three words.

"Someone from the prosecution."

The call ended.

For several seconds, the room remained completely silent.

Aayat finally whispered,

"So Papa really can come home."

I looked at her.

This time, I didn't hesitate.

"Yes."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"But we have to do this properly."

She nodded.

Then she looked at me with sudden realization.

"You went to the judge because you already suspected this."

"I suspected something was wrong."

"And now?"

I looked down at Advit's files on my phone.

"Now we have proof that something was wrong."

Aayat wiped her eyes.

"Mihir."

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

I shook my head.

"Don't thank me yet."

She looked confused.

"Why?"

"Because tomorrow..."

I held up the phone.

"...we bring your father home."

______

I knew the moment I entered the courtroom that today was different.

This wasn't just another hearing.

This was Mr. Devang's hearing.

The Russian courtroom was packed. Lawyers, journalists, court officials...everyone seemed to understand that something significant was happening.

Aayat sat beside me.

She hadn't said much since we arrived.

Neither had I.

Across the courtroom, Mr. Devang was brought in.

The moment he saw Aayat, his expression softened.

She whispered,

"Papa..."

He smiled at her.

I looked away for a second.

Twenty-one years.

Twenty-one years of him seeing his daughter through glass, photographs, and memories.

And today, maybe...

just maybe...

that would end.

The judge entered.

Everyone stood.

I didn't move my eyes from him.

The same judge.

Twenty-one years ago, he'd presided over Devang's original trial.

Yesterday, I'd stood in his house and told him exactly what I thought.

Now he was sitting behind that bench again.

But this time, I wasn't afraid of what he could do.

Because Advit had found something.

Something that could change everything.

The judge nodded.

"Proceed."

Devang's lawyer stood.

"Your Honour, the defence has submitted newly discovered evidence."

I glanced at Aayat.

She looked nervous.

I quietly said,

"Trust me."

She looked at me.

"I do."

The lawyer placed a sealed folder before the judge.

"The original withdrawal statement of a key witness from twenty-one years ago."

The courtroom immediately erupted with whispers.

I watched the judge's face.

For the briefest moment...

he froze.

He recognized it.

I knew it.

The lawyer continued.

"This document bears the official receiving stamp of this court from twenty-one years ago."

My jaw tightened.

So it had been here all along.

Twenty-one years.

Buried.

Ignored.

Hidden.

The judge asked,

"Why was this document absent from the original record?"

The lawyer looked directly at him.

"That is precisely what the defence intends to establish."

I glanced at Aayat.

She was gripping the edge of her seat.

Then the lawyer turned toward the witness area.

"And there is another development."

The doors opened.

An elderly man walked into the courtroom.

I immediately recognized him from Advit's information.

The witness.

Aayat looked at me.

"Is that him?"

I nodded.

"Yes."

He stepped forward slowly.

The judge asked him to take the stand.

The man looked terrified.

But he didn't turn back.

The lawyer approached him.

"Twenty-one years ago, did you identify Devang Kapoor?"

The witness swallowed.

"No."

Aayat's hand flew to her mouth.

I felt my heartbeat increase.

The lawyer continued.

"Then why did you identify him?"

The witness looked toward Mr. Devang.

"I was pressured."

The prosecutor immediately objected.

The judge raised his hand.

"Let him continue."

The witness took a breath.

"I was told what to say."

My eyes moved toward the prosecution table.

The witness continued.

"I knew the identification was false."

Aayat's stared at the judge.

Mr. Devang stared at him.

Neither man spoke.

Then the witness said quietly,

"I'm sorry."

Mr. Devang's expression changed.

Twenty-one years of anger.

Twenty-one years of confusion.

And now, finally...

an apology.

The lawyer placed the old statement in front of him.

"Is this your signature?"

The witness looked down.

"Yes."

"Did you write this?"

"Yes."

"Why wasn't it heard?"

The witness looked toward the judge.

"Because nobody wanted it heard."

The courtroom went completely silent.

I felt Aayat's hand find mine.

I held it.

The witness looked at Mr. Devang again.

Then he said the words that I'd been waiting to hear since Advit called me last night.

"Devang Kapoor was not the man I identified."

Aayat hands shivered a little.

I leaned toward her.

"He's coming home."

She looked at me.

"You promise?"

I looked toward Devang.

Then toward the judge.

Then at the evidence sitting on the bench.

"I promise."

The judge picked up the original document.

He read it carefully.

Then looked toward the lawyers.

"This court will examine the newly discovered evidence immediately."

My heart pounded.

The judge continued.

"Given the implications of this evidence, the court will also consider whether the original conviction can stand."

Aayat squeezed my hand.

I finally allowed myself one small breath.

For twenty-one years, Devang had been waiting for someone to believe him.

Today...

the court was finally listening

The courtroom barely had time to settle before Tej's lawyer shot to his feet.

"Objection, Your Honour."

His voice was sharp.

"The defence is attempting to introduce an unverified statement from twenty-one years ago. There is no guarantee this document is authentic, and the witness's memory cannot be considered reliable after such a long period."

I looked at Aayat.

Her lawyer didn't even flinch.

He slowly stood.

"Your Honour, the document isn't being presented as a memory."

He lifted the original paper.

"It's being presented as a court-received document bearing the official stamp of this very court."

The prosecutor's lawyer immediately responded.

"The receiving stamp doesn't prove the contents are truthful."

Aayat's lawyer nodded.

"Correct."

He turned toward the witness.

"That's why we have the person who wrote it."

The courtroom went silent.

I saw Aayat's lawyer place the original statement beside the witness's current testimony.

"Twenty-one years ago, this witness signed a statement withdrawing his identification of Devang Kapoor."

He pointed toward the document.

"And today, under oath, he has confirmed that this is his signature."

Tej's lawyer stood again.

"Your Honour, the witness could have been pressured then...or now."

Aayat's lawyer immediately replied.

"Then let's examine the circumstances."

He turned toward the witness.

"Were you paid to make today's statement?"

"No."

"Were you threatened?"

"No."

"Were you promised anything in exchange for your testimony?"

"No."

The lawyer looked toward the judge.

"Now let's compare that with the original investigation."

He placed another document before the court.

"Bank records show a payment to this witness shortly after his original identification."

Tej's lawyer stood sharply.

"Objection! The defence is making an accusation without establishing the source of the payment."

Aayat's lawyer didn't back down.

"Then let's establish it."

He produced another document.

"The account receiving the payment belonged to an intermediary who was working with the original prosecution team."

A murmur spread through the courtroom.

I watched Tej's lawyer.

For the first time, he looked uncomfortable.

Aayat leaned toward me.

"Mihir..."

"I know."

Her lawyer continued.

"And that's not all."

He placed another record on the bench.

"The original case file contains a description of the suspect."

He pointed toward it.

"The description given before the witness identified Devang does not match Devang."

The prosecutor immediately objected.

"That is irrelevant."

"No," Aayat's lawyer said firmly.

"It is extremely relevant."

He turned toward the judge.

"The defence isn't simply saying the witness changed his story. We are demonstrating that the original identification process itself was compromised."

The judge looked carefully at the documents.

Tej's lawyer stood again.

"Your Honour, twenty-one years have passed. Documents can be misinterpreted. Memories change. The court cannot overturn a conviction based on speculation."

Aayat's lawyer smiled faintly.

"We agree."

He placed another folder on the bench.

"Which is why we aren't asking the court to rely on speculation."

He opened it.

"We have the original statement."

Another page.

"The court receiving stamp."

Another.

"The financial records."

Another.

"The conflicting suspect description."

Then he looked directly at the judge.

"And finally, the witness who signed the statement twenty-one years ago, standing here today and confirming every essential part of it."

The courtroom went completely silent.

I looked at Aayat.

She was staring at her lawyer.

Hope was slowly replacing the fear in her face.

Tej's lawyer tried one last time.

"Your Honour, even if the identification was flawed, that does not automatically prove Devang Kapoor's innocence."

Aayat's lawyer nodded.

"Agreed."

Then he turned toward the judge.

"But it does mean the foundation of the conviction has been seriously compromised."

He paused.

"And if the prosecution's primary identification evidence is unreliable, the court must examine what evidence remains."

The judge looked down at the original case file.

Then toward Devang.

Then toward the witness.

Finally, he spoke.

"Both sides will submit their arguments regarding the validity of the original conviction."

He paused.

"But given the new evidence..."

His eyes moved to the defense file.

"...this court will not treat the original conviction as settled."

Aayat's hand tightened around mine.

I leaned closer and whispered,

"We're getting closer."

She looked at me, tears still in her eyes.

"For the first time..."

She looked toward her father.

"...I actually believe it."

I looked at Mr. Devang.

He was sitting completely still.

But I could see it in his face.

After twenty-one years...

he finally had hope.

The courtroom had become completely silent.

Both sides had finished presenting their arguments.

Tej's lawyer had fought hard.

He had challenged every document, questioned the witness, and repeatedly argued that twenty-one years of history could not simply be undone.

But Aayat's lawyer had answered every objection with another piece of evidence.

Now there was nothing left to argue.

The judge looked down at the files in front of him.

Then he slowly removed his glasses.

I felt Aayat's hand tighten around mine.

The judge spoke.

"After reviewing the newly discovered evidence, this court finds that the original identification of Devang Kapoor was fundamentally compromised."

Aayat stopped breathing.

I stared at the bench.

The judge continued.

"The court-received withdrawal statement was not properly considered during the original proceedings."

He looked toward the witness.

"The witness has now confirmed, under oath, that his original identification was made under pressure."

A pause.

"And the financial records presented before this court raise serious questions regarding the integrity of the original investigation."

Tej's lawyer stood.

"Your Honour..."

The judge raised his hand.

"I have heard your objections."

The lawyer slowly sat down.

The judge turned a page.

"Furthermore, the original description of the suspect conflicts with the identification used to convict Mr. Kapoor."

Aayat's eyes filled a little.

I whispered,

"Listen."

The judge looked directly at Mr. Devang.

"Mr. Kapoor."

Mr. Devang raised his head.

"For twenty-one years, you have remained imprisoned based upon a conviction whose evidentiary foundation has now been seriously undermined."

The courtroom was absolutely silent.

The judge continued.

"This court therefore finds that the original conviction cannot safely stand."

Aayat covered her mouth.

I felt her hand trembling in mine.

The judge delivered the final words.

"The conviction is set aside."

Aayat let the tear slide.

Mr. Devang closed his eyes.

For a few seconds, he didn't move.

Then the judge added,

"Mr. Devang Kapoor is to be released, subject to the necessary administrative procedures."

I looked at Aayat.

She was 

Relieved.

The judge's final words echoed through the courtroom.

"Devang Kapoor is hereby released from custody. This court has found sufficient grounds to overturn his conviction."

For a few seconds, nobody moved.

Then the judge continued.

"As this matter concerns individuals and alleged criminal conduct that may fall under the jurisdiction of India, this court cannot directly impose criminal proceedings against Mr. Tej Kapoor or Ms. Shruti Kapoor here due to jurisdictional and legal protocols."

Aayat looked at me.

The judge turned toward the relevant authorities.

"However, the evidence presented before this court will be formally communicated to the Government of India. The appropriate Indian authorities may initiate proceedings and take strict legal action against those responsible, in accordance with Indian law."

He paused.

"Any appeal or further proceedings concerning the individuals involved must be pursued through the appropriate authorities and courts."

Then he looked toward Devang.

"Mr. Kapoor, you are free to leave."

Aayat's eyes immediately filled with tears.

"Papa..."

Devang looked at her, almost unable to believe what he had just heard.

After twenty-one years...

he was finally free.

The judge struck the gavel.

"This matter is concluded."

The courtroom fell silent.

For the first time in twenty-one years, Devang Kapoor walked out of that courtroom not as a prisoner, but as a free man.

Twenty-one years of waiting had finally ended.

Mr. Devang looked toward his daughter.

"Aayat..."

She immediately stood.

"Papa!"

The court officers allowed her to approach him.

She wrapped her arms around him.

I stayed where I was.

This moment belonged to them.

I watched Mr. Devang hold his daughter tightly.

I saw his shoulders shake.

He whispered something to her that I couldn't hear.

Aayat kept saying,

"Papa, you're free."

Over and over.

"You're free."

I looked down for a moment.

Advit's work had found the evidence.

Aayat's lawyer had brought it into the courtroom.

The witness had finally told the truth.

And now...

the court had listened.

Tej's lawyer gathered his papers in silence.

The prosecutor looked defeated.

The judge left the courtroom.

The case was over.

I looked at my phone.

One message from Advit.

Told you I'd do the job perfectly.

I couldn't help smiling.

I typed back:

You did.

A second later, his reply came.

Good. I'm going back to sleep.

I actually laughed.

Of course.

Aayat looked over at me through her tears.

"What?"

I shook my head.

"Advit."

She smiled.

"Of course."

Then she turned back toward her father.

For the first time in twenty-one years, Mr. Devang Kapoor wasn't looking toward a prison door.

He was looking toward his daughter.

And this time...

he was going home.

The courtroom suddenly felt enormous.

Only five of us remained.

Aayat.

Me.

Tej.

Shruti.

And Aayat's lawyer.

Tej slowly stood from his seat.

He looked at Aayat.

There was no sympathy in his face.

Only bitterness.

"Well," he said coldly, "looks like your father escaped."

Aayat didn't respond.

She was staring at the closed doors.

Tej continued.

"Twenty-one years, Aayat. Twenty-one years and you still believe he was some innocent victim."

I stepped forward.

"Tej."

He ignored me.

"You spent all this time defending a man who couldn't even protect himself."

Aayat finally turned toward him.

"Stop."

Tej smiled.

"Why? Does the truth hurt?"

Her face went pale.

He kept going.

"You should've accepted reality years ago. Your father lost. And now you're going to watch him stay in prison while you..."

"Enough."

My voice was quiet.

Tej looked at me.

Then he deliberately continued.

"Or what, Mihir?"

He looked back at Aayat.

"You think he'll save you? He couldn't even save his own family."

Aayat froze.

I saw her expression change.

She couldn't even process what he'd just said.

Tej took another step.

"You should be ashamed of..."

I stepped between them.

My voice dropped.

"Maafi maago inse warna aisa kantaap lagaenge na zameen ke 10 feet neeche miloge."

The entire courtroom went silent.

Tej stared at me.

I didn't move.

Aayat stood behind me, completely stunned.

Tej's lawyer immediately rose.

"Mr. Raghuvanshi, that's an inappropriate threat..."

I turned toward him.

"He was speaking to her."

I pointed toward Aayat.

"And he crossed the line."

Tej scoffed.

"You think your political position makes you untouchable?"

"No."

I looked directly at him.

"I think basic respect should make you think twice before speaking to someone like that."

Tej said nothing.

I turned slightly toward Aayat.

She was still staring at the courtroom doors where her father had disappeared.

I lowered my voice.

"Don't listen to him."

She looked at me.

"Your father isn't finished."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"And neither are we."

We walked out of the courtroom together.

Aayat was quiet for a few moments.

Then she looked at me.

"Mihir... you shouldn't have behaved like that."

I stopped.

"Aayat, please."

She shook her head.

"You scared him."

"He was disrespecting you."

"That doesn't mean you had  to..."

"Aayat."

I spoke more softly this time.

"He was disrespecting you, and I couldn't just stand there and watch."

She looked away.

I continued,

"No one gets away with disrespecting my wife."

She looked back at me, surprised by the words.

I took a breath.

"But I should've handled it better. I don't want you thinking I'll solve every problem by intimidating people."

Aayat's expression softened.

"I just don't want you getting into trouble because of me."

"You're not trouble."

She smiled faintly.

"Still..."

"I know."

I nodded.

"But when someone crosses a line with you, I'll stand beside you."

She looked toward the courthouse doors.

"And now we need to bring Papa home."

I nodded.

"Now that's what matters."

Two hours passed.

The courthouse had nearly emptied by then.

Aayat and I were still waiting in the corridor when her lawyer finally came toward us, holding a thick folder.

He smiled.

"Everything is completed."

Aayat immediately stood.

"What does that mean?"

He looked at her.

"Your father has been released."

For a second, Aayat just stared at him.

"Yes. The paperwork is complete. The order has been processed."

Her eyes immediately shined.

"Papa is coming out?"

"Yes."

She covered her mouth, overwhelmed.

I put a hand gently on her shoulder.

"He's coming home."

A few minutes later, the doors at the end of the corridor opened.

Two officers walked out.

And between them was Mr. Devang.

No handcuffs.

No restraints.

Just a tired man finally walking freely after twenty-one years.

Aayat froze.

"Papa..."

Mr. Devang looked up.

The moment he saw her, his entire expression changed.

"Aayat."

She ran toward him and hugged him tightly.

Mr. Devang held her for a long moment.

"I told you," he whispered. "I would come back."

Aayat couldn't speak.

She just held him.

I stood a few steps away, watching them.

Mr. Devang eventually looked over Aayat's shoulder at me.

His eyes met mine.

He gave me a small nod.

I walked toward them.

"Welcome back."

Mr. Devang smiled faintly.

"Thank you, Mihir."

Aayat wiped her tears.

"Let's go home."

Mr. Devang looked toward the courthouse one last time.

Then turned away.

For the first time in twenty-one years...

he walked out of those doors as a free man.

The car moved quietly through the night.

Mr. Devang sat in the back beside Aayat. He had been released only a couple of hours ago, yet he still seemed to be processing the fact that he was finally free.

For several minutes, nobody spoke.

Then Mr. Devang looked toward me through the rear-view mirror.

"Mihir?"

"Yes?"

"I want to ask you something."

I nodded.

"About your family."

My hands tightened slightly around the steering wheel.

Mr. Devang continued gently.

"I know you've done so much for Aayat and for me. But I realized today that I know almost nothing about you."

Aayat looked at him.

"Papa..."

Mr. Devang shook his head.

"I'm not trying to pressure him."

Then he looked at me again.

"Where are your parents?"

Everything inside me went silent.

The road ahead blurred for a second.

My mother's face flashed through my mind.

Her death.

The person responsible.

My father.

The years of confusion.

Twenty years without Naina.

And Advit...

believing they were  dead for all those years, only to discover one day that everything I had believed was a lie.

I tried to speak.

Nothing came out.

Mr. Devang waited.

Aayat noticed my silence.

"Mihir..."

I swallowed hard.

"My mother..."

I paused.

"She passed away."

Mr. Devang's expression softened immediately.

"I'm sorry."

I nodded.

"And my father..."

My voice became quieter.

"He died too."

The car fell silent.

Mr. Devang didn't ask anything else for a moment.

Then, gently,

"When?"

I stared at the road.

"A long time ago."

I couldn't say more.

Not about what happened to my mother.

Not about my father.

Not about Naina.

Not about Advit.

Not tonight.

Aayat quietly reached forward and placed her hand on my shoulder.

"You don't have to explain everything."

I nodded.

Mr. Devang understood.

"I shouldn't have asked."

"No."

I glanced at him through the mirror.

"You were just asking."

He gave me a small, understanding smile.

"Whenever you're ready, Mihir."

I looked back at the road.

"Thank you."

And the car continued toward the hotel.

But inside my head, the past had already returned.

——-

We reached the hotel and went straight upstairs.

I checked the time.

"Guys, we have an hour before our flight to India."

Aayat looked at me.

"Already?"

"Yeah."

Mr. Devang slowly sat down.

"So we're going back?"

I nodded.

"Yes. Everything else will take place in India now."

Aayat smiled faintly.

"Finally."

I picked up my phone.

"I'm calling Naina."

Aayat smiled.

"She'll probably complain that we didn't tell her earlier."

I laughed.

"She always does."

I dialed her.

She answered almost instantly.

"Bhai?"

"Hey, Naina. We're coming back."

"I know."

I raised an eyebrow.

"How?"

Aayat laughed.

"She lives with us, remember? She probably already saw the travel details."

Naina laughed.

"Exactly."

I shook my head.

"Anyway, Mr. Devang is coming with us."

There was a pause.

Then Naina's voice became softer.

"Really?"

"Yes."

Mr. Devang looked toward the phone.

"Hello, Naina."

"Uncle!"

He smiled.

"Hello."

"I'm really happy you're coming home."

"Thank you."

Aayat joined the conversation.

"Naina, we'll be there soon."

"I'll be waiting."

"We'll all be together again."

Naina laughed.

"That's what matters."

I looked around the room.

Aayat was beside Mr. Devang.

Naina was waiting for us back home.

And for the first time in a long time, it felt like our family was actually coming together.

I ended the call.

"One hour."

Aayat nodded.

"Let's go home."

Mr. Devang smiled.

"Yes."

And this time, nobody was leaving anyone behind.

The moment we stepped out of the airport, the familiar warmth of India hit me.

After everything that had happened in Russia, being back felt strangely comforting.

Naina was waiting for us.

The moment she saw us, her face lit up.

"Bhai!"

She walked straight toward me and hugged me.

I smiled.

"Missed you too."

Then she turned toward Aayat.

"Bhabhiii!"

Aayat hugged her.

"Finally."

Naina laughed.

"And Uncle..."

She turned toward Mr. Devang.

"Welcome to India."

Devang smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Naina."

For a moment, he simply stood there, taking everything in.

He was finally back.

Aayat looked around.

"Where's Advit?"

Naina shrugged casually.

"Where else? In his office."

Aayat laughed.

"Of course."

I shook my head.

"Typical Advit."

Naina smiled.

"He's been working since morning. I told him to take a break."

"And?"

"He ignored me."

That sounded exactly like Advit.

Mr. Devang smiled slightly.

"I'd like to meet him."

"You will," I said.

Then I turned toward him.

"sir."

He looked at me.

"Yes?"

"We should head home first. Advit can meet us there when he's done."

Aayat smiled.

"Papa, you're going to love Advit."

Mr. Devang looked curious.

"I've heard quite a bit about him."

Naina laughed.

"Mostly from Mihir complaining that Advit never talks."

I looked at her.

"He talks when something important needs to be said."

"Exactly," Naina replied.

We all laughed.

I picked up my bag.

"Come on."

We started walking toward the cars.

After everything we'd been through...

we were finally home.

The cars were waiting outside.

Naina opened the back door for Devang.

"Uncle, you sit here."

Mr. Devang smiled.

"Thank you."

Aayat got in beside him, while Naina sat in the front.

I took the driver's seat.

As we pulled away from the airport, Mr. Devang looked out at the city.

"It feels strange."

"Being back?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Twenty-one years is a long time."

Aayat reached for his hand.

"You're home now."

Mr. Devang smiled at her.

"Yes."

The drive was peaceful for a while.

Then Naina turned around.

"So, Bhai... how bad was everything in Russia?"

I glanced at her through the mirror.

"Complicated."

"That means very bad."

Aayat laughed softly.

"You have no idea."

Naina looked at Mr. Devang.

"And Uncle survived all of it?"

Devang smiled.

"I had some very determined people fighting for me."

His eyes briefly moved toward me.

I shook my head.

"We all did our part."

Naina smiled.

"Still, I'm glad you're back."

A few minutes later, we reached home.

As we entered, Mr. Devang stopped near the doorway.

He looked around quietly.

Aayat noticed.

"Papa?"

He smiled.

"It's just been a long time since I've felt like I was entering a home."

Aayat hugged him.

"You are."

Naina smiled and walked inside.

I placed my bag down.

Then checked my phone.

One message.

From Advit.

Leaving office. Be home soon.

I showed Naina.

She smiled.

"See? He does know how to communicate."

I laughed.

"Only when necessary."

Mr. Devang looked at us.

"I'm looking forward to meeting him."

"You'll understand him in five minutes," Naina said.

Aayat laughed.

"He's very quiet."

I nodded.

"Very."

Then the sound of a car stopping outside reached us.

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

Naina smiled.

"That'll be him."

I looked toward the door.

After everything that had happened...

Advit was finally coming home.

Naina smiled at Mr. Devang.

"Uncle, come. Let me show you your room."

Mr. Devang looked surprised.

"My room?"

"Yes."

He glanced at Aayat.

"You prepared a room for me?"

Aayat smiled.

"Of course, Papa."

Naina led him upstairs.

Aayat followed, and I walked behind them with Advit.

Naina opened the door.

Mr. Devang stopped at the entrance.

He didn't say anything.

The room was beautifully decorated with a peaceful music theme. Soft lighting, framed musical notes on the walls, and carefully arranged decorations gave the entire room a warm, welcoming feeling.

On one wall hung a large guitar.

Mr. Devang stared at it.

"A guitar?"

Naina smiled.

"I remembered you loved music."

Mr. Devang slowly walked inside.

His fingers lightly touched the edge of a small framed photograph.

"I haven't had a room like this in twenty-one years."

Aayat's expression softened.

"Now you do."

Mr. Devang looked around again.

Everything had clearly been prepared with care.

The bed was neatly arranged, a small music system sat on the side table, and several records and books had been placed on a shelf.

He looked at Naina.

"You did all this?"

Naina smiled.

"We all did."

Mr. Devang looked toward Aayat.

Then Mihir.

Then Advit.

For a moment, he seemed unable to speak.

Finally, he whispered,

"Thank you."

Aayat walked over and hugged him.

"Welcome home, Papa."

Mr. Devang closed his eyes for a moment.

When he opened them again, he looked at the guitar hanging on the wall.

"Maybe..."

He smiled faintly.

"...I should play again."

Naina immediately smiled.

"That's exactly what I was hoping you'd say."

Advit, standing near the doorway, quietly added,

"The guitar is tuned."

Everyone turned toward him.

Naina laughed.

"Of course you checked."

Advit simply shrugged.

Mr. Devang smiled.

"I think I'm going to like this family."

I smiled.

"You already are part of it."

And for the first time that night, Mr. Devang looked completely at home.

Naina looked toward Aayat and Mr. Devang.

"You two talk. We'll meet downstairs for dinner."

Advit nodded.

Mr. Devang smiled.

"Thank you, both of you."

Naina smiled and gently closed the door behind them.

I walked down the hallway with Advit.

"You really tuned the guitar?"

Advit shrugged.

"It was out of tune."

"That was your first priority?"

"It took two minutes."

I laughed.

"Fair enough."

We reached my room.

The moment I opened my laptop, reality hit me.

Dozens of emails.

Briefings.

Official reports.

Pending files.

Messages from my office.

My chief ministerial schedule had practically exploded while I was out of the country.

I stared at the screen.

Advit glanced over my shoulder.

"That's a lot."

"You think?"

He looked at the notifications.

"Probably more than yesterday."

"Very helpful."

He nodded seriously.

"I try."

I sat down at my desk.

"Go eat something. I'll join everyone later."

Advit paused at the door.

"Don't work all night."

"I won't."

He gave me a look.

I sighed.

"Fine. I'll try."

He left.

I opened the first file.

Then the second.

Then the third.

Meetings that needed approval.

Government reports waiting for my signature.

Briefings I'd missed.

Decisions that couldn't wait simply because I'd been in Russia.

I leaned back for a moment.

Being away had meant putting my official responsibilities on hold.

I smiled faintly.

Maybe I could finish a few things first.

I turned back to the laptop.

"Let's get this done."

And I started working.

I was halfway through a stack of government files when a new notification appeared.

URGENT — PARLIAMENTARY NOTICE

I opened it.

My expression immediately changed.

The notice was official.

The upcoming Chief Ministerial election process had been formally announced.

Election scheduled in three months.

I leaned back in my chair.

"Three months..."

I read the notice again.

The parliamentary committee had issued the formal election schedule, and every eligible candidate would now have to prepare.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

1. What do you think about the Chief Minister election being only 3 months away?

2. Did you expect Devang to be welcomed so warmly by the whole family?

3. What was your favorite moment in this chapter?

4. What was your favorite Mihir–Aayat moment in this chapter?

5. Give me your prediction for the NEXT chapter

Tell me how was the chapter?

DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE AND COMMENT