Shishir's POV.

I sat staring at my computer screen not really paying attention to what was written on the screen. I had initially decided not to come to office today but too much had happened since I had landed in London.

I heard a knock and the door opened as Danny, my friend and colleague walked in. I smiled and got up to greet him.

"Hey! You are back already! I thought you would not be back for at least another ten days." He said clasping my hand for a shake and we gave each other a man hug.

"That was the original plan." I said sitting back. Danny is my senior and I trust his opinion. Should I ask his help? No I cannot, not directly and not so soon when I hardly know anything myself.

"So what brought you back?" He probed as he sat opposite me.

"A case. About - some missing documents- some letters actually that never reached the actual recipients, and he found them by chance years later." I said not divulging the details.

Danny frowned "That seems a simple case. Manipulation or maybe vendetta against the concerned." He said "That simple a case brought you back?"

"It's not that simple. The letters were important and since they were not delivered a lot of damage has been done. Plus the motive and the culprit needs to be found out." I said, still not giving away any details.

He nodded in understanding.

"I already have our regular investigators trying to dig out clues and though it is complicated, I am sure we will get things rolling soon." I said believing every word I had said. I know for sure I will figure this out sooner or later.

"Then what is bothering you?" Danny asked, seeing through right away I had something in my mind.

"Another case." I said looking away from his intense stare.

I told him the details, without disclosing it was about me and my best friend being involved.

He looked at me intently and asked "How do you know for sure the boarding pass does not belong to the person whose name is written on it?"

Because it has my name I told in my head. To him I said "Because I know for sure that person had not travelled to -his home country - in years. And he had most definitely not travelled then."

He nodded. "And the button also belongs to him, right?"

"Yes it does. And the shirt that the button is missing from is still with him, hanging in his cupboard."

Danny whistled softly. "It is clear someone is intentionally trying to frame him, though the job does seem amateur, it could put the man in enough trouble till he proves himself not guilty. And attempt to rape is a very serious crime."

I twitched my lips as I looked at him "That much I figured out, simple enough."

"May not be as simple." He said making me frown. "If someone did travel using a fake identity and the boarding pass is not fake and is actually in this person's name in the airline's records, then this could be far more serious."

I drew in my breath sharply. Yes the boarding pass could land me in trouble, and I may have to figure out my alibies of that time, which may not be so easy since three years have passed and I may not remember the details.

Danny pushed his chair and got up "I will never pry Shishir, upto you to share details, but if you remember few years back your passport had been misplaced, and you never did figure out how and since when exactly it was missing." He gave me a mock salute and turned around and walked out of the door.

I slumped back into my chair, not because my friend had guessed I was the one in question, but because of the realisation of what the situation was.

About three years back I was supposed to attend a conference in New York and while making the travel arrangements, I had realised my passport was missing. I had been surprised since I always kept it securely in a drawer in my room at my apartment. However it was nowhere to be found. At that point of time we had assumed it had got lost somewhere and had lodged a complaint so that we could get a new one issued.

The fact of the matter was, I had no idea since exactly when it was missing. It could have been days, weeks or maybe even a couple of months before I had realised it was lost.

Now I am almost sure it was not lost or misplaced but someone, who had access to my apartment had stolen it.

And the shirt- I got up and moved towards the window and stared out. The button belonged to a shirt that I never wore, never intended to wear.

It was a gift from - my mother. My mother who I have never forgiven for walking out on me when I was still a child. She has been trying to connect with me since the past few years but I have never warmed up to her efforts.

No one, not even my family knows about her attempts because I have never mentioned it to anyone. She had gifted the shirt to me on my birthday few years back. Though I never wanted anything to do with her I did not have the heart to throw it away and had simply put it in a corner in my closet.

Danny was right. This seemed pretty amateur job, planting a button in an attempt to show evidence. However along with the boarding pass it could actually lead up to a vital clue if a case is booked against me.

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. Things did not make sense. But by now I am pretty sure that someone close to me is involved. But who? And why would anyone want to frame me? That too against Suvi?

A sigh escaped me as I thought about Suvi. Whoever the person was, had obviously not accounted for Suvi's trust in me.

I ran my hand in my hair in frustration thinking about how stubborn she was being right now.

Ever since she had disconnected our skype call I have called her twice but to no avail. Each time she disconnected when I brought up the topic of her coming to London. And now she was simply not answering my calls.

But I need to get her here and soon. I smiled as I thought of a way. I picked up my phone and dialled a number.

"Hey! I have something you need to do for me. It's very urgent and needs to be done right away."

I smiled as I heard the enthusiastic response of the person I had called, knowing what his reaction would be once he knows what he has to actually do.

"You have to not only convince her to travel, but accompany Sumo to London." I chuckled to myself on hearing his reaction. "You need to." I said seriously "This is connected to- what she faced three years back. I will share details with you when you reach here."

I knew I could depend on him when he knew it was something so vital.

"No" I spoke into the phone, "No Paresh we don't have time. Already too much has been wasted. I am booking both your tickets for tomorrow night."

Suvarna's POV.

I sat staring at my phone. Shishir had been constantly calling but I have not been answering. Why does he not understand? How can I agree to go to London out of the blue?

He has not called for over two hours, but knowing him, he is not someone who will be giving up. I am sure he is thinking of ways to convince me. But no matter what I am not going.

Besides I don't see a need for me to travel to London. He did say he will be coming back. Then what is the point of me going over? I do miss him and would really love to be near him, but traveling to London for that is not practical at all. What would I tell my family?

"Hey di. How is your foot now?" Prema said as she came into my room.

I smiled at her as she sat down in front of me. "Better. Infact almost completely fine now. I was just about to come out and help for the evening tea." I said knowing it is almost four in the evening.

She nodded smiling then asked "Do you know why Paresh is here?"

"Paresh is here?" I asked in amazement.

"Yes, and ever since he came in over half an hour back he is in Nanu's room, talking. Infact now even Mummy and Papa have gone in there." She said frowning.

"What?" I said as I got down from the bed. Luckily my foot was okay now and i couldfeel barely any pain. "Why doin't you tell me before?" I asked moving towards my door.

"I did not think too much about it when he had come in. But now it seem they are discussing something serious." Prema said following me out of the room.

I walked up the stairs to Nanu's room. I am almost certain this has something to so with Shishir's attempt to get me to travel to London.

Well, let him try. I am not going and that is final.

"Oh there you are Suvarna. I was about to call you." Nanu said as soon as I entered his room. I smiled at him in response.

I narrowed my eyes at the grinning monkey sitting beside him. "Paresh? What are you doing here?"

"He has come with a very good news for you. A very good opportunity indeed." Nanu answered for him, beaming broadly.

I got a funny feeling in my stomach right then. I knew between these two Mehrotra brothers, they had already put me in a spot by some trick.

"Oh?" I managed to say as I started getting a headache at the thought.

"If she is leaving for London tomorrow night then we need to make the arrangements right away." Anju Mami said leaving the room?"

"WHAT?" I could not help but scream. "London? Tomorrow?"

"Yes, yes tomorrow. There is a Lawyer's conference later this week and then there is a training programme right after." Nanu said standing and coming up to me.

He placed his hands on my shoulders "This is a great opportunity Suvarna. This will help you a lot in future."

I gulped knowing this meant a lot to my Nanu. I never really aspired to be a lawyer but was studying it primarily for Nanu's sake, since I knew it would make him happy.

"But- the tickets. Visa? How can I get a Visa so soon?" I asked feeling my hopes rise a bit. There was no way I could get a Visa in such a short notice.

"I have an open Visa, and you are coming as my assistant. It has been taken care of since it is for a conference sponsored and attended by eminent lawyers from world over, it will not be a problem." Paresh said giving me a cheeky grin. "Shishir  bhaiya has already taken care of the paper work and we will have her Visa by tomorrow afternoon." He said the last bit looking at Nanu.

"He is really a very capable and thoughtful person." Nanu said, obviously impressed.

I groaned inwardly knowing that I had already lost the battle. Not only that, I was supposed to be thankful to Shishir for this opportunity.

He had played a masterstroke and this monkey had helped him, I thought directing a glare at Pushkar.

"I need to discuss the details with you Paresh for the conference. Come with me to my room." I told him directing a sweet smile in his direction. I smirked seeing him gulp. Good! He knows he is in trouble!

I smiled warmly at Nanu and left the room, dragging a reluctant Paresh with me.

"What the hell is this? You think you and your smart ass of a brother will get away with this?" I hissed at him as soon as we were out of Nanu's earshot.

""Anju Mami!" Paresh called out making me look around in surprise. I saw Mami stop in her track as she was about to enter the kitchen and look in his direction. She did not look too happy about the whole scenario.

Paresh almost bounced upto her as he went towards her. "What gift do you want from London?"

I groaned in despair as I saw my Mami's disapproving look change to a one of happy anticipation.

&&&

I hope some things have started making sense now. I know still a lot of questions and confusions are there, but all will be sorted in the next few chapters.

And Yes Suvi is on her way to London. SuShi are going to have a thrilling time together as they try to put things together and solve the mysteries and find the guilty.

Please do vote and comment.

Love from me to you.:)

Pre cap Chapter 25.

Suvarna's POV.

I gasped as I opened the door to the room Shravan had disappeared into. I know he had been angry. I had been telling about the details of that night and he had got up, his face livid with anger and marched out of the room.

I saw him now as he relentlessly punched at the punching bag in front of him. I stared wide eyed as I entered. I have never seen him this angry.

I moved to turn around and leave when I suddenly felt my hand being yanked and I was pulled into the room.

I stared mesmerised as Shishir  pinned me to a wall and loomed up close to me. He was panting heavily and had beads of sweat running down his forehead.

He put both his hand on either side of me, making it almost impossible for me to move, without pushing him. "I had wanted to wait." He said slowly. "But now I think we have already missed out a lot in the past years due to situations not entirely in our hands."

I looked on confused. He bent his head closer, his mouth near my ears. "Suvarna Sharma, will you be my girlfriend?" He whispered into my ears.

Enjoy guys, Buh bye till next time.:)