The Twisted Knots

33.

Leaning in closer, Shrestha's voice took on a note of urgency. "Tara, be careful," she warned, her words laden with a sense of foreboding. "The Singhania family is not what they seem. They are very dangerous people."

Her words hung in the air like a dark cloud, casting a shadow over our conversation. And as I sat there, grappling with the weight of her revelations, I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets lay hidden beneath the facade of respectability that the Singhania family presented to the world.

My mind buzzed with questions as Shrestha's warning echoed in my ears. "What do you mean by 'dangerous people'?" I pressed, my voice tinged with urgency and curiosity.

Shrestha's expression grew somber, her gaze flickering with a mixture of fear and determination. "The Singhania family... they have power," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper. "Power that can make things disappear, that can silence those who dare to speak against them."

I felt a chill run down my spine at her words, the implications sinking in with a heavy weight. "But why would they...?" I began, but Shrestha interrupted me with a shake of her head.

"It's not just about my mother," she continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "There have been whispers, rumors of their involvement in other... questionable activities."

I leaned in closer, hanging on to her every word. "Like what?" I prompted, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and intrigue.

Shrestha hesitated, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for unseen threats. "Like manipulation, coercion, even... violence," she confessed, her voice barely audible now.

My breath caught in my throat at her revelation, my mind reeling with the implications of what she was saying. Could it be true? Could the seemingly respectable Singhania family be hiding such dark secrets beneath their polished exterior?

Images flashed through my mind – photos of me, taken without my knowledge, capturing every moment of my daily life. How long had Rajveer been watching me? How had he managed to obtain such intimate details of my life?

A shiver ran down my spine as I glanced around the cafe, suddenly hyper-aware of the possibility that someone could be watching me even now. What if Rajveer had someone following me, documenting my every move? The thought sent a wave of fear coursing through me, and I couldn't help but scan the room anxiously, searching for any signs of suspicious behavior.

But the cafe remained as peaceful as ever, the other patrons oblivious to the turmoil raging within me. I breathed a sigh of relief, but the unease still lingered, a nagging sense of vulnerability that refused to be ignored.

Sensing my distress, Shrestha's expression softened with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine worry.

I hesitated, torn between the urge to confide in her and the fear of revealing too much. But the weight of Rajveer's betrayal hung heavy on my shoulders, and I knew I couldn't keep it bottled up any longer.

"Rajveer..." I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "He's been...obsessed with me, for a long time."

Shrestha's eyes widened in shock, a look of disbelief crossing her features. "But why?" she questioned, her voice tinged with confusion.

I shook my head, unable to comprehend it myself. "I don't know," I admitted, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "But how could he do this, knowing that I'm engaged to his brother?"

As I poured out my fears and doubts to Shrestha, she listened in silence, her expression unreadable. When I finally finished speaking, a heavy silence settled between us, broken only by the soft hum of conversation from nearby tables.

"I saw all the proof in his phone," I reiterated, desperation creeping into my voice. "My images, captured without my knowledge, and... how he manipulated me into breaking up with Kabir."

Shrestha's eyes softened with understanding, and she reached out to place a comforting hand on mine. "Tara, I believe you," she assured me, her voice gentle yet resolute. "It's just... hard to believe that someone could be so... malicious."

I nodded in agreement, my heart heavy with the weight of betrayal. "I feel scared sometimes," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what he's capable of."

But Shrestha shook her head, determination shining in her eyes. "You don't have to be scared," she insisted, her voice filled with conviction. "I'll help you, Tara. We'll put him behind bars, where he belongs."

Her words filled me with a glimmer of hope, but a nagging doubt lingered in the back of my mind. "Do you really think Rajveer is involved in... in the crime you're investigating?" I asked hesitantly, unsure of what her answer would be.

Shrestha paused, her brow furrowing in thought. "I... I'm not sure," she admitted reluctantly. "But he's connected to the Singhania family, and... they're involved in some shady dealings."

My mind flashed back to the image of Rajveer's violent outburst at the club, and I shook my head, disbelief washing over me. "I might be wrong," I confessed, uncertainty gnawing at my resolve.

But Shrestha squeezed my hand reassuringly, her gaze unwavering. "I know what I'm doing is right, Tara," she said firmly. "Believe me, we'll get to the bottom of this. And whoever is behind it... they'll pay for what they've done."