6. MINISTER'S WIFE

Har insaan ki kahani alag hoti hai, jab tak aap uske jooton mein chal ke na dekhein, uski zindagi ka ehsaas nahi ho sakta.

A black car came to a smooth halt in front of a beautiful house. The house was grand, with tall windows and a well-maintained garden that framed the entrance. The sun was shining, casting a golden on everything it touched.

The car door opened, and a young woman dressed in a sharp, tailored suit stepped out. She reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and glanced at the screen. Her brow furrowed slightly as she dialed a number and brought the phone to her ear.

The phone rang and rang, but no one picked up. With a sigh, she lowered the phone and muttered under her breath, frustration clear on her face. Shaking her head, she slipped the phone back into her pocket and made her way toward the front door.

She pushed the door open and stepped into the cool, welcoming interior of the house. The inside was just as elegant as the outside, with polished floors and a tasteful arrangement of furniture. As she walked in, the faint sound of a page turning caught her attention. She glanced to the side and saw an older man seated comfortably in a large armchair, a newspaper spread out in front of him. His eyes peered over the top of the paper when he noticed her presence.

"Uncle, Avni kaha hai?" She asked, walking toward him.

(Uncle, where is avni)

The man lowered his newspaper completely and smiled warmly at her. There was a glint of amusement in his eyes as he said, "She thinks she's a queen. Still hasn't woken up."

The girl couldn't help but laugh softly at his words. "Still sleeping, huh?" she said, shaking her head. "Some things never change."

He nodded, chuckling. "She was up all night watching something on her phone. Of course, she won't be up at a decent hour."

With a smile still on her face, the girl turned and headed toward the staircase, her heels clicking softly on the wooden floor. She climbed the stairs and made her way down the hallway, stopping in front of a familiar door. Without bothering to knock, she turned the handle and quietly pushed the door open.

There, sprawled across the bed, was Avni, still fast asleep. Avni had cocooned herself in blankets, her hair a wild mess around her pillow, completely oblivious to the world around her.

The girl crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe as she looked at her friend. "Avni," she called softly, then louder, "Avni, uto".

(Avni, wake up)

But Avni didn't stir. She was far too comfortable in her sleep to respond to the faint voice calling her name. The girl smiled to herself and shook her head again. She walked over to the bed and tapped Avni's shoulder gently.

"Avni, come on. It's time to get up. How long do you plan to sleep?"

Avni groaned softly but still didn't open her eyes. "Five more minutes," she mumbled, pulling the blanket over her head.

She stood up straight, looked down at Avni, and shook her head one more time before making her way toward the window. With a swift movement, she pulled back the curtains, letting the bright sunlight flood the room.

The sudden burst of light made Avni groan even louder, burying herself further into the bed. "Ugh! Why?" she whined.

"Because it's eleven!" the girl laughed, crossing her arms again.

Avni finally stirred, her eyelids fluttering open as she groaned softly. She rubbed her eyes and squinted against the bright light flooding the room. "What's the matter kritika?" she mumbled, still half-asleep, trying to gather her thoughts.

Kritika, who had been standing by the window, turned and faced her, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Oh, you're finally awake! Good morning."

Avni pushed herself up on one elbow, looking curiously at Kritika. "Why are you here so early? Is there something you need?."

Kritika stepped closer, excitement shimmering in her eyes. She pulled out a thick file from her bag and held it. "I worked really hard for this!"

Avni's eyes grew wider as she recognized the familiar folder. "What is it?" she asked, her voice suddenly alert. "You're not going to tell me you found something important, are you?"

Kritika nodded vigorously, her smile widening. "Yes! But I need you to promise me something," she said, leaning in closer, her tone turning serious. "Don't tell anyone yet. This is a secret."

Avni's expression shifted from excitement to concern. "Ok I won't tell to anyone."

"I know," Kritika replied, biting her lip, "but I want to ensure everything is solid before I tell anyone. I can't risk this getting into the wrong hands."

Kritika opened the file slightly to reveal documents and photographs, careful not to show too much. "It's information about the project you have been asking me. There are some shady dealings happening, and I need to gather more evidence before I do anything with it."

Avni leaned in closer, her eyes scanning the contents. Kritika looked at avni. "Avni, do you think you are ready to get into this mess."

Avni straightened up, determination in her eyes. "I have to. It's important, and I can't just sit back and ignore it. But I need your support. Can you promise me you won't breathe a word about this?"

Kritika nodded slowly, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "Okay, I won't say anything. But you have to be careful. If this is as serious as it seems, you could be putting yourself in danger."

Avni smiled, grateful for kritika's concern. "I will be careful, I promise. But I needed someone to share this with, someone who understands."

Kritika smiled back, her earlier grogginess completely gone. "You can always count on me. Now, let's come up with a plan. We need to figure out how to proceed without drawing attention."

With that, Avni got out of bed, fully awake now and ready to dive into the mystery that lay ahead. "But first, you need to promise me something," she said with a teasing grin.

"What's that?" Kritika asked, tilting her head.

"Promise me you'll keep this file safe and not get too caught up in it without a plan!" Avni shot back playfully.

Kritika chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Deal! But only if you help me figure out our next steps."

As Avni and Kritika chatted about their plans, Avni's mom called out from the kitchen, "Avni! Kritika! Breakfast is ready!"

The girls exchanged looks and hurried to the dining room. The delicious smell of freshly made parathas and masala chai wafted through the air, making Avni's stomach rumble. They took their seats at the table, and her mom began serving the food, her smile warm and inviting.

"Good morning" her mom said, glancing at both of them.

Avni eagerly dug into her plate, enjoying every bite. Just then, her dad walked in and sat down at the table. Avni barely acknowledged him, her focus still on her food.

Her dad turned to Kritika, clearly curious. "Kritika, could you ask Avni what she's been doing on her laptop all night?"

Kritika hesitated for a moment. She was about to say "research" but caught Avni's warning look. "Oh, she's just getting ready for her college exams," she replied, choosing her words carefully.

Her dad nodded but didn't let it go. He looked straight at Avni and added, "You should tell her we're looking for matches for her. It's time to think about settling down".

Avni froze, her fork pausing mid-air. "What? Are you serious?" she exclaimed, staring at her dad in disbelief. "You can't be serious!"

Kritika felt the tension in the room and shot Avni a sympathetic look. Her dad leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "I am serious, Avni. You need to start thinking about your future. You can't just sit on that laptop forever."

"Dad, that's not fair! I'm not ready for marriage! I have my own plans!" Avni protested, her voice rising slightly.

Her mom chimed in gently, "We just want what's best for you, sweetie. You're at an age where these things start to matter."

Avni's frustration bubbled over. "What about what I want? You never ask me about my dreams or goals. It's like you just want me to accept someone else's choice!"

Kritika sat quietly, feeling the weight of the conversation. She wanted to support Avni but knew this was a delicate topic.

Her dad leaned forward, trying to be understanding. "Avni, we're not trying to rush you. But we want you to start considering your options. There's more to life than just college."

Avni sighed, exasperated, and pushed her plate away. "I need to focus on my studies right now. I can't think about marriage!"

Kritika decided to step in, hoping to ease the tension. "Uncle, she is just 22. Maybe we can talk about this later? Right now, it's breakfast, and Avni needs to eat."

Her dad nodded, sensing the shift in the conversation. "Okay, we'll talk later," he said, though he sounded a bit disappointed.

Avni picked up her fork again, but the food didn't seem appealing anymore. The pressure of expectations weighed heavily on her, and she knew this discussion wasn't over.

As they continued with breakfast, Kritika caught Avni's eye and offered a reassuring smile, silently promising to stand by her no matter what.

As the tension hung thick in the air, Avni's dad suddenly stood up from his chair, a resolute look on his face. "I'm serious, Avni," he said firmly. "You will get married soon, and that's final."

Avni felt her heart drop. "Dad, please"

But before she could finish her thought, he turned and walked out of the dining room, leaving behind a silence that felt even heavier than before.

Kritika glanced at Avni, concern etched on her face. "I'm so sorry, Avni. This is really unfair."

Avni ran a hand through her hair, frustration bubbling up inside her. "I can't believe this is happening! They're making decisions about my life without even asking me what I want!"

"I know," Kritika replied, biting her lip.

"But I want to make sure everything is ready before I tell anyone. I can't let this information get into the wrong hands." avni said.

Kritika urged Avni, "Hurry up! We need to leave soon."

Avni rushed to get ready, throwing on a comfortable outfit. As she grabbed her bag, her father called from the living room, "Avni! Where are you going?"

Avni paused at the door and replied, "I'm heading to college, Dad."

"Make sure to come home early," he said, concern evident in his voice.

"Of course, Dad," Avni nodded and stepped outside, meeting Kritika in the car.

As they settled in car, kritika drive and Avni pulled out the file she had been looking at earlier. Kritika raised an eyebrow. "What's that? You seem serious."

"It's about him? Avni replied, flipping through the documents. "He's involved in some really shady stuff, killing people and dealing with black money."

Kritika's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Are you serious? Are you sure it's him? That sounds dangerous!"

Avni nodded, her expression tense. "Yes. I am sure. Rudra Raishinghani is beyond what we think. That's why I need to figure out what's really going on. This could lead to something big."

"Do you really think you can handle this?" Kritika asked, concern in her voice.

"I have to. I can't just ignore it," Avni said, determination shining in her eyes. "But I'll need your support, Kritika. I can't do this alone. You are a journalist and I am a common person and you know I am doing this investigation secretly. I can't let anyone know that I am doing all this for everybody's good."

Kritika sighed, considering the weight of the situation. "Alright, I'm with you. But we have to be careful. If anybody finds out we're digging into his past, it could be dangerous for both of us."

"Agreed," Avni replied, grateful for her friend's support. "I just wish we could find a way to expose him without putting ourselves at risk. He is a popular politician with dark background and I am going to put that dark background infront of the world and let people know what kind of a minister he is."

Kritika thought for a moment. "Maybe we can gather more evidence first. If we can find solid proof, we can go to the authorities."

"Exactly! But we need to keep this under wraps," Avni said. "No one can know what we're up to."

As they drove, Kritika glanced at Avni, worried. "What if your parents find out? They won't let you get involved in something like this."

Avni bit her lip. "I'll figure it out. Right now, I just need to focus on this. I can't let fear hold me back."

Kritika nodded, admiration in her eyes. "You're really brave, Avni. Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," Avni said, a determined smile spreading across her face. "Together, we'll uncover the truth about Rudra Raishinghani."

As they pulled into the college parking lot, Avni felt a mix of excitement and anxiety.

■

After a few minutes of driving through the busy streets, Kritika finally pulled the car up to the venue for the press conference. The imposing building loomed ahead, its sleek glass facade reflecting the bright sunlight

Kritika turned to Avni, excitement sparkling in her eyes. "We made it! Are you ready for this?"

Avni took a deep breath, her heart racing with a mix of exhilaration and nerves. Kritika handed her a fake press badge that read "Avni Mehta, Freelance Journalist." "Here you go! This is your new identity. Just act confident, and we'll be fine."

"Thanks! I hope I can pull this off," Avni replied, adjusting her jacket and trying to smooth out any wrinkles. She felt a surge of adrenaline as they stepped out of the car and made their way toward the entrance.

As they entered the venue, they were greeted by the bustling sounds of chatter and the clinking of coffee cups. The meeting hadn't started yet, giving them a bit of time to gather themselves. Kritika spotted a coffee stand nearby and said, "I'll grab us some coffee. You stay here and keep an eye on the entrance."

Avni nodded, her gaze scanning the room filled with reporters, photographers, and officials. She took a moment to soak in the atmosphere, the tension, the excitement, the palpable energy. This was it. This was the moment she had been preparing for.

Kritika returned a few moments later, expertly balancing two steaming cups of coffee. "Here you go! This should help keep you alert," she said, handing one to Avni. The rich aroma filled the air, and Avni took a grateful sip.

"Thanks! I definitely need this," Avni replied, her nerves beginning to ease slightly.

They found a quiet corner to sit and drink their coffee, stealing moments to observe the crowd. After a few sips, Avni looked over at Kritika, her curiosity piqued. "So, do you have any personal information about Rudra Raishinghani? Anything apart of his political carrier, I mean family or something."

Kritika nodded thoughtfully, placing her coffee down on the table. "Well, here's what I've gathered. He's 32 years old, married, but his wife died about two years ago."

Avni's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? I didn't hear about this! That's so tragic!".

Kritika leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Yeah, it is. The media didn't cover it much, and he hasn't really spoken about it publicly. He's kept that part of his life very private."

"Why would he do that?" Avni wondered aloud, feeling a mix of empathy and intrigue. "It must have been devastating for him. But keeping it a secret... it feels like he's hiding something."

Kritika shrugged, her expression turning serious. "Exactly. Sometimes personal loss can drive people to make questionable decisions. We should be cautious. This man is not just a politician, he's a person with a complex background."

Avni nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "You're right. But it also makes him more interesting, doesn't it? I wonder if his wife's death has anything to do with his involvement in these shady dealings."

"Potentially," Kritika agreed. "It could impact how he operates, especially if he's feeling vulnerable. Just remember, if he gets defensive, it could lead to trouble."

Taking a deep breath, Avni steeled herself. "I will. I need to stay focused and not let my emotions cloud my judgment. This is important, and I can't afford to mess it up."

As they finished their coffee, the atmosphere in the room shifted. More journalists began to arrive, filling the space with discussions and flashes from cameras. Avni felt the weight of her mission settle on her shoulders. She was about to confront one of the most powerful ministers in the country, and every word she said could have significant consequences.

Kritika glanced at her watch and stood up, her determination mirroring Avni's. "It's almost time for the press conference to start. Are you ready?"

Avni stood, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's do this!"

They made their way toward the front of the room, where a podium awaited, adorned with the minister's name and the event's title. Avni's heart raced as she took her place among the other journalists, each of them eager to get their questions answered.

Just then, the atmosphere shifted as the sirens of multiple cars echoed in the distance. Kritika's eyes sparkled with excitement. "He's here!" she exclaimed, her voice barely containing her thrill. Avni could feel her heart racing in sync with Kritika's energy. They both turned their heads toward the entrance, eager to catch a glimpse of the man who had become a subject of their investigation.

Avni's eyes locked onto the entrance as a sleek black car pulled up, and out stepped Rudra Raishinghani. He was dressed impeccably in a sharp kurta and a half-sleeve coat, exuding an air of authority and charisma. Avni couldn't help but be captivated; he looked like a movie star stepping onto a red carpet.

"Wow, he looks even better in person," Kritika whispered, nudging Avni playfully. Avni felt her cheeks warm, aware that admiration wasn't the mission here, but she quickly brushed off the thought. "Focus, Avni," she reminded herself.

Rudra made his way through the crowd, confidently acknowledging the journalists and supporters alike, a charming smile gracing his lips.

As he approached the podium, the room fell into a hushed silence, all eyes trained on him. Avni's heart pounded in her chest. "Remember, you're a journalist now," Kritika reminded her quietly, handing Avni her microphone. "This is your chance to ask the tough questions."

Avni nodded, gripping the microphone tightly, feeling the weight of the moment. Rudra began his address, discussing community initiatives and his vision for the future. His words flowed with confidence, yet Avni was keenly aware that there was more to the story than he let on. She pulled out her camera, snapping pictures while trying to maintain her composure.

As the questions from other journalists started pouring in, Avni knew it was time to make her move. She raised her hand, feeling the adrenaline rush through her veins. "Mr. Raishinghani," she called out, her voice steady but filled with purpose, "there have been allegations regarding your financial dealings in the past year. Can you comment on that?"

Rudra turned his gaze toward her, and their eyes met. Avni felt a jolt of electricity, but she quickly shook off the distraction, reminding herself why she was there. "That's a serious accusation," he replied, maintaining his calm demeanor. "I assure you that I've always operated within the law and have nothing to hide."

Avni pressed on. "But can you explain the money in your financial reports? Many believe they point to corruption."

Avni could sense the weight of the moment, she could feel Kritika's excitement radiating next to her, urging her to continue.

Rudra's smile faltered slightly, and Avni noticed a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. "I believe in transparency and accountability. Any claims you have should be directed to the appropriate authorities," he stated, trying to deflect the question.

Kritika leaned closer, her excitement evident. "Don't back down, Avni! Keep pushing for the answers we need!" she whispered urgently.

Avni took a deep breath, steeling herself for the next question. She was aware of the stakes, this was about more than just a press conference, it was about exposing the truth behind the man who held so much power. "But the people deserve to know the truth about your actions. How can we trust you if you don't address these concerns openly?" she pressed, her voice rising above the crowd's whispers.

The atmosphere shifted again as more journalists began to pay attention to Avni's line of questioning. She could feel the eyes of the room on her. This was what she had come for, to shine a light on the shadows surrounding Rudra Raishinghani.

Rudra glanced around the room, maintaining his composure, but Avni could sense that her questions were hitting home. He responded coolly, "I appreciate your passion, but I assure you that any allegations against me will be dealt with appropriately. I encourage you to seek the facts before jumping to conclusions."

As he finished his statement, the audience erupted into applause, but Avni remained uninterrupted. She exchanged a look with Kritika, who nodded in silent support, acknowledging the risk they were taking.

■

While Rudra Raishinghani stood confidently at the podium, answering questions and charming everyone, Avni was determined to gather as much information as possible.

Watching him closely, Avni discreetly pulled out her camera, making sure it didn't draw attention. She held it close, framing her shots carefully. With each click, she captured Rudra's expressions, the way he furrowed his brow when faced with tough questions and the slight shifts in his smile that hinted at something deeper.

"Keep it low-key, Avni," Kritika whispered, sipping her coffee as she kept an eye on the event. Avni nodded, her focus unwavering. She wanted to document everything, from how Rudra interacted with other journalists to the small gestures he made when he thought no one was looking.

Just then, Avni caught a candid moment of Rudra laughing at a light comment from another reporter. She felt a mix of admiration and curiosity. He was more than just a politician, there was a whole big story behind his public image, and she was determined to uncover it.

Suddenly, Rudra paused and glanced in Avni's direction. For a brief moment, their eyes locked, and she froze, her heart racing. Did he notice her taking pictures? But he simply smiled and turned back to the audience, leaving Avni both breathless. She quickly resumed her task, feeling adrenaline rush through her.

"I can't believe you're capturing all of this," Kritika said, glancing at Avni with a smirk. "You're like a real journalist!"

Avni chuckled softly, keeping her voice low. "I guess I am! This is all part of the research, right?" She snapped a few more pictures, capturing Rudra.

Kritika leaned closer, whispering, "What do you think he's really like?"

Avni thought for a moment, reviewing the images in her mind. "I think there's more to him than he shows. The way he handles questions... it seems like he's hiding something beneath that charm."

"Just be careful, okay?" Kritika warned. "We don't want to attract too much attention. Remember, we're here for research, not to become part of the story."

■

As the conference wrapped up, Avni quickly tucked her camera away, her heart still racing from the thrill of the experience. "We need to review these photos later," she said to Kritika, excitement in her voice. "I think we've got some great shots for our investigation."

Kritika smiled, pride gleaming in her eyes. "Let's get out of here before anyone notices. We have a lot of work ahead of us!"

In the washroom, Kritika stood in front of the mirror, carefully setting her hair, while Avni paced back and forth, her frustration bubbling over.

"I can't believe him!" Avni exclaimed, her voice rising. "Rudra Raishinghani is just another politician who thinks he can get away with anything! The way he uses black money, money that actually belongs to the people."

Kritika glanced at avni through the mirror, adjusting a stray hair. "I get it, Avni. But you have to be careful. It's one thing to be angry; it's another to let that anger get us into trouble."

"I know, I know," Avni replied, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "But how can he sit there, smiling and charming everyone, while he's destroying lives? It's not right!"

Kritika finished styling her hair and turned to face Avni, crossing her arms. "It's not right at all. But we're here to gather evidence, remember?"

Avni took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "You're right. I just can't stand the thought of people like him profiting off the suffering of others. It's sickening! We need to expose him for who he really is."

"Exactly!" Kritika encouraged, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Let's use this anger to fuel our research. We'll find a way to show everyone the truth about him."

Avni nodded. "Yeah, we will. I won't let him get away with this. We'll make sure the public knows what's really going on."

"I really think Rudra Raishinghani involved in some serious crimes. I've read reports that link him to several murders."

Kritika's eyes widened in alarm. "Avni, you need to stay out of this! This isn't just gossip; these are serious accusations. If he's really involved in that, you could be putting yourself in danger."

"But I can't just ignore it!" Avni insisted, her brow furrowing in frustration. "What kind of villain is he? How can someone like him just walk around freely while people suffer?"

Kritika sighed, clearly worried. "I get that you want to find out the truth, but diving into this could have serious consequences. We don't know what he's capable of."

"I know, but think about it," Avni said, her voice lowering to a whisper. "If he's truly a murderer, what if he's planning something worse? What if he's a threat to others?"

Kritika shook her head. "That's a lot of 'what ifs.' You need to think this through, Avni. We should gather more evidence before you decide to confront him or dig deeper. This could be more complicated than you realize."

"Maybe you're right," Avni admitted, her mind racing with thoughts of Rudra. "But I can't help but wonder what kind of person he really is. How can someone become so twisted?"

"Sometimes, people get caught up in their own darkness," Kritika replied softly. "But that doesn't mean you should expose yourself to it. We need to be smart about this."

Avni nodded slowly, still deep in thought. "You're right. I just feel like this is bigger than us, and if we don't act, who will?"

Kritika placed a reassuring hand on Avni's shoulder. "We will figure it out together, but let's be cautious. Our safety comes first."

After finishing in the washroom, Avni and Kritika walked down the hallway, still thinking about their earlier conversation. Suddenly, they heard a voice call from behind them.

"Hey ladies, I hope you are talking about me."

To be continued