Crystallized Truth

Chapter 19 - First Step

Ava continued to stare her with wide eyes without giving away any feelings and this brought Amelia to edge. They had been together like forever but Ava never gave her such silent treatment. She would scold her for her stupidity but would never go in silent mode. This was peculiar tonight.

"Well, I must say you two are going on same level of intelligence. I didn't expect this from you little tigress." Ethan broke the silence in an eerie tone and sat back on the coach.

It was first time someone spoke after Ashley and Amelia declared that they accepted the proposal of Honey and Dhruv respectively. The two didn't dare to look at each other but somehow it was clear the two didn't like the other being in relationship, the reason unknown.

The two now in relationship.

She with Dhruv.

And,

Ashley with Honey.

Amelia ignored the bitter taste on the thought of Ashley with Honey. Maybe she was just concerned for her friend, wasn't she?

"My life, my choice." Amelia said dryly. "Shall we get on what we find about Azaad and whatever?"

Ava glared her almost snatching her breath and looked away angrily, finally gave a sarcastic smile as if saying that yeah they should forget the two had just doomed themselves.  Did they? Really?

"Cool. Congrats to you two." Archie smiled tightly and sat beside Ava.

Amelia looked at Ashley who seemed grumpy. She sat beside Ethan and waited for him to sit too but he kept on standing. Amelia looked away angrily.

Why should she care? Just because he is now in relationship with her friend? Nah!

Amelia herself was shocked that Honey proposed Ashley and he accepted was another level of shock but she ignored the truth by trying to bring Dhruv in their meeting of finding about past but Ashley strictly denied.

Her stubbornness didn't work either. His eyes held strange rage and determination regarding this matter that she had to bow for first time.

"So what did you guys find apart from a person who can handle your attitude?" Archie asked looking at Ashley with a glint.

Ashley glared Archie. "I think that's an achievement that shall last for week. So spit what you found."

"Fancy way of saying you failed in your mission." Archie said with a smirk.

Ashley looked away.

"I found nothing either." Ethan mumbled with disinterest before anyone could question him.

"But I did find something." Archie pulled out his smartphone proudly.

He started the hologram and showed the articles that seemed to be part of old newspapers. Amelia edged forward to see the picture and read the headline.

The Massacre of Elites of Dehradun: A Cold Case with Blazing Questions.

They all exchanged glances before directing their attention in reading the article.

There were three long paragraphs on the biography of Azaad family: explaining how they shifted to Dehradun and reached the heights within short period; their life and their popularity; their kids and their success.

Second last paragraph consisted of their sudden demise in a peculiar manner; a sudden fire in Azaad mansion that killed the elders while youngsters were on a trip; the kids along with Armaan Malik, fiance of Mahira, rushing back to their home only to die in an unfortunate accident on a dangerous turn of mountain.