(Jeevika, betrayed and determined to rebuild, begins pursuing justice after spotting the fake lawyer who organized her sham marriage. Inspector Abhay supports her while battling guilt and rage. He confronts criminals tied to the conspiracy, tracing a video to a mansion where Vishambhar—who once kidnapped her—sits smug with political protection. Abhay surrounds the estate, probes rivals, and orders surveillance; tension mounts when Vishambhar calmly aims a pistol at him and vows slow revenge. Undeterred, Abhay steels himself to expose Vishambhar’s empire. As threats tighten and loyalties blur, both Jeevika and Abhay prepare for a dangerous showdown that could shatter their lives. Now forwarding)
Threads of Truth
The day’s tension still clung to Abhay when he pushed open his front door of his house. He expected silence, maybe his mother humming in the kitchen. Instead, voices floated from the living room.
A family sat neatly on the sofa—father, mother, and a young woman in a pastel saree. Her eyes flicked up for only a second before dropping shyly to the floor.
Abhay’s jaw tightened. He didn’t need anyone to explain. A marriage proposal.
His mother’s voice rang with pride: “Meet my eldest son, Inspector Abhay Singh.”
The man stood, extending a hand. Abhay shook it politely, his gaze slipping once more toward the girl. Her cheeks flushed pink; her fingers toyed nervously with her dupatta.
Something inside him twisted. His life was full of guns, danger, and unfinished wars. The thought of dragging an innocent girl into it… unbearable.
“Excuse me,” he muttered abruptly, stepping back. Without waiting for a response, he strode upstairs to his room, shutting the door behind him.
He leaned against it, exhaling hard. “Mom, why now?” he whispered to himself.
.....
Abhay showered quickly, trading his dusty uniform for a plain T-shirt and track pants. He had just sunk onto the bed when the door creaked open.
His mother stepped inside, voice soft but urgent.
“The guests are waiting in the hall. Come and—”
“Mom!” Abhay groaned, rubbing his temples. “I’m exhausted. Can I rest for just—”
She cut him off with pleading eyes. “Only ten minutes, son. Please.”
He sighed, defeated, and followed her downstairs.
The living room buzzed with polite conversation. Abhay sat on the edge of a chair, listening half-heartedly while the two families exchanged niceties. He thought he had survived the worst, until his mother suddenly chimed in brightly:
“There’s a big mall nearby. Why don’t you two go for a little shopping?”
Abhay snapped his gaze toward her. His eyes said it all—This is cheating, Mom.
Her own eyes fired back a silent command—Go.
Abhay forced a smile that felt heavier than his bulletproof vest. Rising reluctantly, he gestured toward the girl. “Shall we?”
Inside, he muttered to himself, I’d rather face Vishambhar’s gang than this awkward outing.
....
Abhay sat stiffly in the restaurant, nursing his coffee as though it could save him from the silence. Across the table, the shy girl’s downcast eyes made him even more restless.
Finally, she broke the ice. “I’m Aruna. I’m doing B.Com from—hey, what happened?”
Abhay sprang to his feet. “Washroom. Sorry. Excuse me.”
Aruna tilted her head in confusion as he hurried away, muttering under his breath, I need to get out of this somehow.
Near the lift, his eyes froze. "Jeevika."
She was juggling a phone call and a bundle of documents, completely absorbed. For a moment, he forgot why he was here at all. He strode over, unable to stop himself.
“Hey! What a surprise,” he blurted.
She turned, her tired face lighting with a smile. “Inspector! Hi. What are you doing here—police round?”
Abhay chuckled. “I’m not only a policeman. I have… personal matters too. I’m here because—”
Then it hit him. Aruna.
“Shit,” he muttered. He quickly pointed back at the café. “I’m here with… a friend.”
“Oh.” Jeevika’s smile faded slightly.
“And you? What are you doing here?”
Her eyes sparkled. “I got a job here.”
“Oh, congratulations!” he said, genuinely happy.
“Thanks. Now go—your friend must be waiting.”
“Sorry,” Abhay whispered.
She frowned. “What?”
Before he could stop himself, he clasped her hands, eyes intense. “My family isn’t approving our love… so I have to marry—”
Jeevika froze, startled.
“Excuse me!” Aruna’s voice cut in. She stood there, trembling with anger. “You already have a lover? Then why—”
Abhay put on his best wounded-lover act. “My parents aren’t ready to accept us. That’s why…”
Aruna’s face crumpled. Without another word, she turned and walked away.
Abhay released Jeevika’s hands, suddenly aware of what he’d done. She was smiling now, half amused, half exasperated.
“I told you I wanted to repay your help,” she teased softly. “But I didn’t expect you to make me pay back like this.”
He scratched his head. “Sorry… I didn’t—”
Jeevika looked down, then turned away, heading toward the exit.
“Wait—where’s your office?” he called.
She pointed to a tall glass building beside the mall. With one last smile, she walked off.
Abhay watched her go, his heart strangely lighter.
Abhay checked his watch. “When will you get off?”
Jeevika glanced at hers. “Ten, maybe fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll drop you,” Abhay said quickly.
She shook her head. “No, no thanks. I’ll take the bus.”
“I’m heading to the police station anyway,” he countered smoothly. “Your shelter’s on the way. Come on. I’ll wait in the parking lot.”
She hesitated, then smiled faintly. “Okay.” She disappeared into the shop.
Abhay exhaled, leaning against the wall.
Abhay, why did you lie? Your shift ended an hour ago.
A small smile tugged at his lips. He shook his head and walked toward the lift.
...Abhay glanced at his phone again.
"Ten minutes, she said… it’s been half an hour."
Frustration prickled his chest. He muttered under his breath, “Did she forget? Or… did she change her mind about me?”
He pulled out his phone to call her, then froze. “Damn. I don’t even have her number.”
With a sharp sigh, he turned back toward the mall. The place looked empty, echoes of footsteps fading into the night. No sign of Jeevika.
"Strange… she wouldn’t just vanish."
A sudden touch on his shoulder jolted him. Abhay spun around.
A woman, her eyes swollen from crying, shoved a photograph in front of him.
“Do you know this girl?” Her voice cracked, desperate.
Abhay’s gaze landed on the picture. His pulse skipped. "Jeevika…"
He almost blurted “Yes”—but Vishambhar’s warning flashed in his mind like a knife. “If anyone finds out… her life is finished.”
He forced his expression blank. “No. I’ve never seen her.”
The woman’s face tightened. “Think again. She’s missing. I need to know.”
Abhay’s jaw clenched. His eyes flickered past her——and there she was. Jeevika. Pressed against the mall’s shadowed wall, eyes wide, silently begging him not to expose her.
A bead of sweat slid down his temple. He swallowed, masking his shock.
“I can…” he paused deliberately, stealing one more glance at Jeevika’s terrified face, “…help you to find her.”
The woman’s eyes lit with hope. Abhay forced a small, controlled smile. Inside, his heart thundered. "Hold on, Jeevika. I’ve got you."
.....
1. Why is Jeevika hiding in the mall shadows—and who is this mysterious woman desperately searching for her with a photograph?
2. Can Abhay keep his lie intact long enough to protect Jeevika, or will the truth slip and place her life in greater danger?
3. What secret connection ties this grieving woman, Vishambhar’s warning, and Jeevika’s sudden disappearance together?
Want to know what happens next? Keep reading "Courage of Heart”
