Aradhana was walking to and fro waiting for Sparsh to arrive.

She had called him several times , but he wasn't picking up her call.

Aradhana : Mom...yeh Sparsh call kyu nahi utha rahe hai? Mujhe bohot tension ho rahi hai.

Rashmi : Thand rakh puttar , aa jayega voh.

Time skipped and it was 5 am in the morning.

"Mumma...papa..." Shravi exclaimed excitedly pointing at the door. She got excited because she saw soldiers and she knew her father serves in army.

The soldiers arrive at Sparsh's family home, carrying his body in a draped flag. The family members, including his wife, daughter, parents, and cousins, are waiting outside. The sight of the soldiers approaching immediately fills them with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. As the soldiers draw closer, the family members can see the flag-draped body and realize what has happened. A heavy silence falls over the group, shattered only by the sound of the soldiers' footsteps.

The Randhawa mansion, once filled with laughter, now echoed with cries of grief. The air was thick with sorrow, and every face carried the weight of a loss too great to bear. The tricolor-covered coffin stood in the center of the hall, surrounded by mourners, each whispering prayers, each hoping this was all just a nightmare.

Akarsh stood at the back, his body stiff, his heart… silent. He should have felt something. Pain, anger, sorrow. But all he felt was emptiness. A void so deep that it swallowed every emotion before it could even surface.

His eyes stayed fixed on the coffin, but his mind refused to process the reality in front of him. His elder brother, the man who had guided him, fought with him, protected him, was now lying lifeless under the national flag.

His ears picked up the voices around him, but his heart refused to respond.

Aradhana, Sparsh’s wife, collapsed onto her knees beside the coffin. Her fingers trembled as she reached out to touch the wooden surface, as if by some miracle, he would open his eyes.

"Aapne waada kiya tha, Sparsh… ki is baar Shravi ko park le jaoge…" Her voice cracked, her sobs uncontrollable. "Bas ek hafte baad uska birthday tha… kaise tod diya aapne apna waada?"

Shravi, their three-year-old daughter, looked up at her mother, confusion clouding her innocent eyes. She tugged at Aradhana’s dupatta.

"Mumma… Papa uth kyun nahi rahe?"

The room, already drowning in sorrow, shattered at her words. Women covered their mouths to suppress their cries. The men turned away, their own tears betraying them.

Ritika Randhawa, Sparsh’s mother, let out a wail so raw, so painful, that it sent shivers down every spine. She threw herself at the coffin, clawing at it as if demanding fate to return her son.

"Mere bête ko wapas do! Usse uthne do! Yeh jhooth hai, Sparsh uth jaayega!"

Several family members tried to hold her back, but she thrashed against their grip. Ajeet Randhawa, Sparsh’s chachu, held her by the shoulders, his own face lined with grief.

"Bhabhi, sambhaliye apne aap ko… Sparsh sirf hamara nahi tha, yeh poore desh ka beta tha…!"

Ritika turned to him, her tear-streaked face twisted with agony. "Mujhe desh nahi chahiye, mujhe mera beta chahiye!"

Ruhaan, Ajeet’s eldest son, stepped forward, his fists clenched, his eyes burning.

"Bhaiya sirf ek soldier nahi, hamare guru tha! Hum sabko sikhaya tha ki darna nahi chahiye… phir kyun chale gaya humein akela chhodke?" His voice cracked, his anger barely hiding his grief.”

Yuvraj, shook his head in disbelief.

"Humein kaha tha bhaiya ne… ki woh wapas aayenge, naye mission ke baare mein batayenge… par ab toh woh khud ek kahani ban gaye…" His voice dropped to a whisper. "Yeh sach nahi ho sakta, bas ek bura sapna hai, hai na?"

Karan, standing beside his brother, wiped his tears roughly.

"Bachpan se hum Sparsh bhaiya jaise banna chahte the… unki tarah strong, unki tarah fearless… par ab jab zaroorat hai, toh woh hi nahi rahe…" His voice trembled, then hardened. "Ab hum kise apna hero manenge?"

And then there was Ishita, the youngest of them all.

She walked slowly, her small steps hesitant, until she reached Akarsh. She tugged at his hand, looking up at him with eyes full of innocent confusion.

"Mujhe yaad hai bhaiya kehte the ki soldiers ko kabhi maut nahi aati… woh amar hote hain… toh sab ro kyun rahe hain?"

Silence fell.

No one had an answer.

And then, all eyes turned to Akarsh.

He had not shed a tear.

He had not uttered a word.

He had not moved an inch.

“Lekin how is this possible? Bhaiya Delhi aa chuke the…fir ye kaise ho sakta hai…koi mission me nahi hua hai kuch aur locha hai…” Karan pointed out.

Ruhaan took a step closer.

"Akarsh bhai… aap toh CBI officer ho na?" His voice was steady, but his eyes shone with suppressed rage. "Humein batao… hamare bhaiya ka sach kaun layaega? Aap?"

Akarsh’s throat went dry.

"Aap toh emotions nahi dikhate… toh chalo, emotions chhodo… par kya justice bhi nahi doge?"

His heart pounded. But he still couldn't react.

Ruhaan grabbed him by the collar, shaking him.

"Kuch toh bolo, bhai! Koi hamare Sparsh bhaiya ka gunehgaar hai… aur aap bas yun chup rehoge?"

Akarsh finally blinked.

Justice.

That word shattered through the fog in his mind.

Justice for Sparsh. Justice for his grieving family.

His numbness started to crack.

His hands curled into fists.

His jaw tightened.

The heavy silence in the Randhawa mansion was deafening. Only the sound of soft sobs and the rustling of mourning clothes filled the space. The family had still not recovered from the shock of Sparsh’s death when the television screen flickered with breaking news.

"Breaking News!"

The sharp voice of the news anchor sliced through the grief-filled air, making everyone’s heads turn toward the screen.

The red headlines flashing at the bottom of the screen sent a fresh wave of shock crashing over the family.

"Major Sparsh Singh Randhawa’s Body Found in Chauhan Enterprises’ Storehouse; Vivek Singh Chauhan Arrested!"

Gasps echoed across the room. Akarsh, who had been standing near the corner, his hands clenched into fists, suddenly straightened.

His sharp gaze fixated on the screen as the news anchor continued.

"According to CBI reports, Major Sparsh Singh Randhawa’s lifeless body was discovered last night in the storage room of Chauhan Enterprises. Vivek Singh Chauhan, the company’s director, was found at the scene and immediately taken into police custody. Sources suggest the investigation is still underway, and foul play has not been ruled out."

A heavy silence followed. Then…..

"Vivek Singh Chauhan…" Ritika Randhawa’s voice barely came out as a whisper.

The name was too familiar. The realization dawned upon them like a slow, creeping nightmare.

Vivek Singh Chauhan.

Agraja’s elder brother.

The atmosphere turned suffocating. No one knew what to say.

Ruhaan was the first to react, his voice filled with disbelief. "Vivek bhaiya...? Yeh kya keh rahe hain?"

Aradhana, who had been sitting lifelessly, finally lifted her teary gaze. Her voice trembled, raw with pain. "Mera Sparsh kisi aur ke business ke store room mein kya kar raha tha…?"

No one had an answer. No one could even process what was happening.

Then, before anyone could say anything more, Akarsh abruptly turned on his heels. His movements were swift, precise, like a soldier on a mission. Without a single word, he strode toward the door.

"Akarsh beta…?" Ritika called out, her voice weak.

But Akarsh didn’t stop. He didn’t look back.

Because right now, he wasn’t just Sparsh’s younger brother.

He was a CBI officer.

And he had a job to do.

The front door slammed shut behind him, leaving the Randhawa family drowning in grief, confusion, and a storm of unanswered questions.

•~•~•~•~•

Akarsh’s grip tightened on the steering wheel as he sped through the empty roads of Delhi. His mind was in turmoil, but his actions remained calculated. The words from the news anchor echoed in his ears.

"Vivek Singh Chauhan arrested..."

His jaw clenched. He couldn't afford to let emotions cloud his judgment—not as a brother, not as a CBI officer. His duty was to the truth, no matter where it led him.

Without a second thought, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Agraja Singh Chauhan speaking."

Akarsh’s voice was sharp. "Where are you?"

There was a pause. "Main CBI headquarters pe hoon. Kya hua?"

Akarsh inhaled sharply. "Tumne news dekhi?"

A moment of silence stretched between them before Agraja finally spoke, her voice laced with confusion and urgency. "Haan… but ye sab galat hai, Akarsh sir. Mere bhai yeh nahi kar sakte!"

Akarsh ignored her protests. This wasn’t about what she believed—it was about facts.

"I want all case files related to Sparsh’s death on my table in the next ten minutes. Also, get the forensic team’s latest reports. I’m heading to headquarters now." His voice was cold, professional.

"Akarsh sir, listen….”

But he had already disconnected the call.

Next, he dialed his senior, ACP Rajveer Sinha.

"Sir, mujhe Vivek Singh Chauhan se interrogation ke liye permission chahiye."

"Tum personal ho rahe ho, Akarsh," Rajveer’s voice was firm. "Yeh case tumse juda hai."

"Mujhe sach chahiye, sir," Akarsh replied, his voice unwavering. "Agar mera bhai maar gaya hai, toh mujhe pata lagana hoga kisne maara."

There was silence, then a resigned sigh. "Fine. But I’m sending Inspector Khanna with you. Tum akele nahi interrogate karoge."

Akarsh didn’t argue. He only cared about results.

Cutting the call, he sped toward the CBI headquarters, his mind racing through possibilities. If Vivek was innocent, then who had framed him? If he was guilty… then why?

He needed answers.

And he wouldn’t stop until he found them.

•~•~•~•

Akarsh strode into the CBI headquarters, his body moving on instinct while his mind remained tangled in the chaos of the past few hours. Outside the interrogation room, Agraja was already waiting. Her face was pale, eyes searching his for any sign of relief.

"Akarsh, please... mera bhai yeh nahi kar sakta." Her voice held desperation, a plea that came from the depths of her heart.

Akarsh’s gaze was cold, detached. "Main kisi ko bachaane ya phasane nahi aaya hoon, Agraja. I need truth."

Before she could protest, ACP Rajveer and Inspector Khanna arrived. Without another word, they stepped inside the interrogation room.

•~•~•~•

Inside the Interrogation Room :

Vivek sat with his hands cuffed to the table, his face blank, but the darkness under his eyes and the stiffness in his posture betrayed the storm raging inside him.

Akarsh took a seat across from him, sliding a file onto the table.

He leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with him.

"Sparsh Randhawa... tumhari company ke store room mein mila. Marne se pehle woh wahan kya kar raha tha?"

Vivek inhaled deeply, his voice rough. "I dont know"

Akarsh’s stare didn’t waver. "Dont lie. You have been caught red handed there."

Vivek clenched his fists but kept his voice calm. "I am not lying. Jab main store room gaya, tab tak woh mar chuka tha."

Rajveer spoke next, his tone sharper. "Toh tum wahan gaye hi kyun the?"

Vivek hesitated, then exhaled. "Mujhe ek anonymous call aaya tha... kisi ne kaha ki mujhe wahan jaana chahiye. Maine bina soche wahan jaana zaroori samjha kyunki pehle bhi wahan illegal activities ki complaints aayi thi. Lekin jaise hi main store room ka darwaza khola... Sparsh sir wahan pade the."

Akarsh’s fingers tapped lightly against the table. "Aur phir?"

Vivek swallowed. "Main shock mein tha. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kya karun. Aur tabhi police siren ki awaaz sunai di. Maine bhaagne ki koshish nahi ki, lekin tab tak police wahan aa chuki thi."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Akarsh leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Vivek, you know that ki main sirf sach sunna chahta hoon. Are you afraid to tell me something?”

Vivek’s jaw tightened. "Maine jo dekha, woh bata diya. Ab tumhe jo karna hai, karo."

Akarsh observed him carefully. Vivek was holding something back. He wasn’t outright lying, but he wasn’t telling the whole truth either.

After a long pause, Akarsh stood up. His voice was composed, but his words carried.

•~•~•~•

His hands clenched into fists as he

stormed out of the interrogation room. The moment he stepped outside, he found her—Agraja—standing there, waiting.

The second their eyes met, the air crackled with unspoken words, with suppressed emotions that neither of them had the time to acknowledge before.

Agraja took a deep breath, straightening her shoulders.

She knew what was coming. She had seen the storm in his eyes long before he even realized it himself.

"Mujhe aapse baat karni hai, Akarsh," she said, her voice calm yet firm.

Akarsh let out a hollow chuckle, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "Baat? Tumse? Mera bhai mar gaya hai, Agraja, aur mujhe tumse baat karni chahiye?"

She took a step closer. "Main aapke dukh ko samajhti hoon, lekin aap mere bhai pe ungli nahi utha sakte bina kisi proof ke."

That was it. That was the breaking point.

Before she could react, Akarsh grabbed her wrist and slammed her back against the cold wall. His grip was firm but not painful—just enough to cage her in, to stop her from escaping the storm raging inside him.

Agraja gasped, her breath hitching at the sudden proximity.

Akarsh leaned in, his face inches from hers, his dark eyes burning into hers. "Sach mat chhupao mujhse, Agraja." His voice was low, dangerous.

She refused to back down. Her chin lifted defiantly. "Mujhe jo kehna tha, maine keh diya. Bhai yeh nahi kar sakte."

Akarsh’s jaw clenched. "Agar woh nirdosh hota, toh woh Sparsh ke saath wahan milta hi nahi."

Agraja met his fury with unwavering resolve. "Aur agar woh nirdosh hai toh? Agar kisi aur ne yeh sab kiya aur sirf bhai ko fasaya ja raha hai?"

Akarsh exhaled sharply, his fingers tightening around her wrist for a brief second before he suddenly let go, stepping back as if her words had burned him.

"Mujhe farq nahi padta tum kya sochti ho." His voice was quieter now, but just as intense. "Agar tumhare bhai ne yeh kiya, toh main usse chhodunga nahi. Aur agar nahi kiya..." He paused, looking straight into her eyes. "Toh bhi sach saamne laaunga. Kisi bhi haalat mein."

Agraja didn’t flinch. She had expected nothing less from him. "Toh phir jao, Akarsh sir. Aapko jo karna hai karo. Main bhi chup nahi baithungi."

For a moment, they just stood there, breathing hard, eyes locked in an unspoken battle.

And then, Akarsh turned on his heel and walked away.

Agraja watched him go, her heart pounding, her resolve hardening. If he was going to fight for the truth, so was she.

No matter what it cost either of them.