Disclaimer: The events and characters in this story exist only in the realm of imagination. Any resemblance to real people or places is purely accidental. Proceed with caution—what unfolds in its plots may challenge your sense of reality, and nothing here should be taken as fact.
'Death is what every living organism deserves. Death doesn't see rich vs poor, kind vs rude, races, gender, or castes; it is an inevitable truth for everyone. Every human is greedy in various ways, and they deserve to die — either me or anyone. So what's the matter if I kill people for fun? Death is certain, now or then.' said Teer, with a smirk on his face hidden in the shadows. The reflection from the LED screen of his television made his evil smile faintly visible as he watched the news alone in his dark room.
[A Year ago]
31 May 2026
Huhhh...
Teer Jwala is sitting on the sofa, reading the newspaper while enjoying sips of his tea. Everything seems peaceful — his younger granddaughter Annu is drawing a family picture showing her father and mother, grandfather and grandmother, her aunt, her sister, and herself all together, sitting in a flower garden and smiling. Butterflies surround them as Annu hums a melodious tune with her eyes closed, feeling the essence of nature.
She gives the title to her drawing with bold red crayons — 'Mera Duniya Ka Sabse Pyara Parivar' (translation: My world's sweetest family). She sits on the carpet in front of Teer, carefully finishing her artwork.
Her father, Rava Jwala, has just left for his business, leaving the TV switched on. So far, everything seems calm, with the news still being broadcast on the screen.
News Anchor: This is all for today. We'll meet again tomorrow on the same channel, at the same time, with the same love we carry for our audience.
Next Segment (Reporter Nidin): Today's broadcast is being hosted by Katya Jwala. She is a well-reputed and young reporter who loves delivering crime reports to the public every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. only on ' Bharat ki khabar'.Katya, please proceed...
Host Katya: Yes, thank you, Nidin...
Annu's attention locks onto the screen the moment she hears that the segment is hosted by Katya.
Annu: Look, Grandpa, it's Aunt Katya!
Teer lowers the newspaper.
Teer: Hmm... yes.
Host Katya: A dreadful piece of news is coming in — it's about a 30-year-old woman who killed her own husband over a dispute regarding property registration in her name, which he had refused to do. A misconception has been spreading that he was secretly in a relationship with another woman, but the investigation is suggesting him as innocent. Let's see what our reporter Nidin has to say about the case...
Reporter Nidin: Yes, Katya. We've learned that the investigation is still in progress. Most of the evidence and witness statements suggest he was innocent, though a few sources still claim he was guilty...
The news was truly unimaginable for Annu. Her eyes remained fixed on the screen, her mouth slightly open in shock. Teer stood up and switched off the TV, saying, "A cute princess shouldn't watch this kind of stuff."
Annu immediately argued,
Annu: But Grandpa, it was Aunt Katya on TV, so I wanted to watch it!
Teer, who loved her like his own child, smiled gently and said, "It might make my princess feel upset. Don't you have to complete your drawing?"
Annu: Yes, I have to complete it!
Teer: Then go and finish it like a good girl.
Annu started walking toward her room, but paused for a moment and said, "Grandpa, I can't imagine how people who forget kindness and do evil must feel! But killing one's own family… that's like a nightmare."
Teer was truly surprised that a simple news story had made her think so deeply at such a young age. She then quietly went to her room.
A few minutes later, Teer went to her room to comfort her and calm her thoughts. To him, she was the kindest and most innocent child — one he never wanted to see touched by the world's corruption.
Teer slowly stepped into her room, carrying a glass of fresh orange juice for her. He sat on the bed beside her.
Teer: Drink it! It tastes good, it's healthy, and it'll refresh you.
Annu, with her wide, gleaming eyes, looked at his face and then at the juice. She took the glass and finished it in just a few sips.
Annu: Aaah…! Nothing is more refreshing than this, Grandpa!
Teer: Really, it is good. Aa… hum! Now show me what you've drawn.
Annu showed her drawing to Teer, describing everything she wanted to portray.
Annu: Grandpa, guess who she is?
Teer: Hmm… she looks like my wife!
Annu: Wow, Grandpa! You guessed it right — she's Grandma! Now guess who this is?
Teer: Let me think… is she Katya?
Annu: Absolutely! Now, guess the rest.
Teer: He's your father, she's your elder sister, your mother, and this one…
Teer smiled and decided to tease her.
Teer: I don't quite remember… but I've seen this beautiful and kind little princess many times. Is it you?
Annu: Oof! Grandpa! This time, you took a while to recognize me, but you still passed!
Teer laughed and tickled her.
Teer: So, what's my gift for winning?
Annu: Hahaha! Stop, Grandpa! I'm giving you the prize!
Annu giggled and kissed Teer on the cheek. Then she bowed her head, hugging her drawing tightly.
Annu: Grandpa, why didn't that woman care about her family when she did that? What made her do it — anger, frustration, or greed?
Teer: No more talking about that now. Katya just called me and said that when she returns, she'll tell you the whole truth about it.
Annu: Truth? What truth?
Teer: The truth that she wants only you to know. Even I don't know what it is.
Annu: Okaay!
Teer smiled and walked toward the kitchen, where his wife and daughter-in-law were preparing lunch together.
Teer: I think something great is being cooked!
Kamya and Sukhi (together): Yess!
Teer: Hmm-hmm!
Teer chuckled softly, then turned back and went upstairs...
Knock... knock!
Kaavi Jwala (from inside her room): Yes! Come in, Grandfather.
Teer opened the door and stepped in.
Teer: You're supposed to be studying, but you're playing chess alone.
Kaavi: Yeah. I think I'm feeling so frustrated after studying continuously for five hours, so I'm just solving a crime scene.
Teer: And what's that?
Kaavi: On March 16, a 17-year-old boy was found dead near a river. The river's name and exact location are important, but I'm leaving them out to make it harder to solve with only a few clues. Days before his death he told his mother, "I have nothing left to do in life." In the whole death scenario, the people related to him are mapped like chess pieces: his uncle is a white pawn, his mother is the black queen, his big brother (28) is the black bishop, his sister is the white queen, and his father is the white king. So the white side are the prime suspects, while those on the black side are allies or safe for him. The reason for his death is unclear, but his head was smashed ten times on a stone by the riverside. A note was found in his hand with only one sentence: "I have nothing left to do in my life." The fingerprints on the note match him — he wrote it. Now what can you analyze from the case?
Teer: Something's missing, but we can still make a conclusion... I think the sentence he told his mother and the one on the note suggest suicide, yet smashing one's head ten times by own on a stone is impractical. Let's consider the characters involved. Uh — you told me his uncle, sister, and father are on the white side, while he, his brother, and mother are on the black side. His uncle is the pawn; the king was his father; his sister acts like an advocate or protector for the white king. On the other side, his mother and brother are his allies. Hmm... one more detail: the note contains the very sentence he told his mother seven days before his death. So it's all about suspicion. Even if the white side is the prime suspect, I think the mother is the most reasonable suspect from my side. Although — it's just my assumption.
Kaavi: Correct. I mentioned that although the white side is the prime suspect, they are not necessarily guilty. Also, the mother recounted the sentence he told her days ago, but there's a catch: the sentence she repeated was meant for herself. She said, "He told me, 'I have nothing left to do in my life.'" The boy's biggest intention was to end her life...
[Chapter 1: Family Ends]
[Chapter 2: Holy Dictator...] will come soon.