The Twisted Knots

29.

The reporter's voice filled the café, commanding everyone's attention as she delivered the shocking news.

"Rajveer Singh, oldest son of the Singhania family, has been caught up in a scandal—one which could completely ruin his career forever," she announced, her words carrying a weight of gravity.

Yash's grip on my hand tightened as we both listened intently, our eyes glued to the television screen, disbelief etched on our faces.

"He's been accused of forcing himself on a girl," the reporter continued, her voice solemn. "He has been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing."

Yash's expression darkened with a mix of anger and concern as the implications of the accusations sank in. "I can't believe this," he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with disbelief.

Kabir, who had been sitting quietly beside us, remained silent, his jaw clenched as he absorbed the news. His gaze flickered briefly to me, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and apprehension.

"It's hard to believe," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the situation pressing down on me like a heavy burden.

Yash's sudden declaration jolted me out of my thoughts, his urgency evident as he announced, "I need to go, Tara."

Before I could even formulate a response, he was already heading for the door, his hurried footsteps echoing through the café. Panic seized my chest as I watched him leave without a second glance, leaving me torn between the desire to follow him and the uncertainty of what awaited us outside.

Riya's reassuring nod caught my attention, her silent encouragement giving me the push I needed to make a decision. With a determination, I followed Yash, my heart racing with each step.

As I stepped outside the café, I spotted Yash standing by his car, his expression tense with worry. His hand hovered over the door handle, poised to enter, but he froze when he caught sight of me.

For a moment, he seemed unsure, as if debating whether to speak. But before he could utter a word, I pleaded, "Please, Yash..."

His gaze softened at my plea, and he nodded in understanding. Without another word, he climbed into the driver's seat, and I followed suit, slipping into the passenger side of the car.

The engine roared to life as Yash hurriedly started the car, the sound filling the air with a sense of urgency. Without hesitation, he shifted into gear and pulled out onto the road, his foot pressing down on the accelerator with determination.

The car surged forward, moving with a speed that matched the racing of my heart.

As the car sped through the city streets, tension hung heavy in the air between Yash and me. His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel, his jaw clenched with worry.

"Tara, you have to believe me," Yash pleaded, his voice strained with emotion. "My brother, Rajveer, would never do something like that. It's just not true."

I gazed at him, searching his eyes for any hint of deception, but all I saw was genuine concern and disbelief. "I believe you, Yash," I replied softly, my own doubts nagging at the edges of my mind.

Yash's expression softened, relief flickering in his eyes. "Thank you, Tara. I knew you would understand. Rajveer is innocent, I'm sure of it."

But even as I nodded in agreement, a nagging sense of doubt gnawed at my conscience. After all, I couldn't ignore what I had seen on Rajveer's phone—the incriminating photos, the evidence that seemed to contradict Yash's unwavering faith in his brother.

Yash's phone rang, breaking the tense silence that had settled between us in the car. With a sense of urgency, he answered the call, his voice strained as he spoke to his father on the other end.

"Dad, which police station did they take Rajveer to?" Yash's tone was clipped, his brow furrowed with worry as he listened intently to his father's response.

A sense of gravity filled the car as Yash's father confirmed the location, his words echoing through the speakerphone. Without hesitation, Yash nodded, his jaw set with determination.

"Yes, I understand. I am on my way," Yash replied firmly before ending the call.

As we pulled up to the police station, the scene outside was chaos. Reporters and journalists clamored for attention, their cameras flashing as they jostled for position. With a sinking feeling in my stomach, I realized that the media frenzy was only just beginning.

As Yash and I stepped out of the car, we were immediately swarmed by a throng of reporters, their questions flying at us like arrows.

"Mr. Yash, do you have any comments on the allegations against your brother?"

"Miss Tara, did you know about Rajveer's actions? How could you marry into such a family?"

The questions came fast and furious, leaving me speechless and overwhelmed. This was my first time being thrust into such a high-pressure situation, and I found myself at a loss for words.

Yash's voice cut through the chaos like a knife, his tone sharp with anger and frustration. "Enough! My brother is innocent, and I won't stand for these baseless accusations. Now get out of our way!"

Grabbing my hand firmly, Yash led the way through the crowd, his determination unwavering as he pushed through the sea of reporters. The police officers stepped in to create a path for us, their authoritative presence providing a small respite from the chaos.

As we entered the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension wash over me. Rajveer sat in the chair, his demeanor calm and composed, a stark contrast to the chaos that had engulfed our lives in recent hours.

Mr. Singhania, the head of the police station, and a lawyer were also present, their expressions grave as they regarded us.

Yash wasted no time in crossing the room to embrace his brother, relief flooding his features as he pulled Rajveer into a tight hug. "I was worried, bhai," he murmured, his voice laced with emotion.

Rajveer returned the hug, his face betraying no hint of concern. "I'm fine, Yash," he reassured, his voice steady despite the turmoil surrounding us.

Yash turned to his dad, his frustration evident. "Have you found out who is behind these accusations?" he demanded, his voice tinged with anger.

The police officer shook his head, his expression grave. "Not yet. We are still investigating," he replied solemnly, his words a stark reminder of the uncertainty that hung over us like a dark cloud.

Rajveer's question hung heavy in the air, his gaze pleading as he turned to me for reassurance. "Tara, you believe me, right? I didn't do this."

All eyes in the room turned to me, their scrutiny intensifying the pressure weighing on my shoulders. My heart pounded in my chest as I struggled to find the right words.