The Mirrage

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Summary

What if everything you see… everything you hear… and everything you believe… isn’t real? We often build fears out of shadows, mistaking illusions for truth. But truth—when it finally reveals itself—is absolute, unforgiving, and far deeper than we ever imagined. And in that moment, all our doubts, insecurities, and assumptions feel painfully shallow. Tanvi is about to learn this the hard way. Caught in a web of confusion, emotions, and unanswered questions, she finds herself questioning not just others—but her own judgment. Is what she feels real? Is what she fears justified? Or is she chasing a mirage? As love begins to fracture under the weight of doubt, and faith trembles on the edge of collapse, Tanvi must confront the one thing she has been avoiding all along—the truth. Because sometimes, the greatest deception isn’t the world around us… it’s the story we tell ourselves. The Mirage is a gripping emotional drama where love and trust are pushed to their limits—and only the truth can set them free. After this story, you won’t just believe that “love is all about trust”… you’ll understand why it must be.

Status
Ongoing
Chapters
14
Rating
n/a
Age Rating
16+

1

The clock at the city tower gonged, showing 11 pm on a rainy Monday night. There was a ‘Bandh’ announced in the city and all vehicles had to get themselves checked before crossing the check post. Team of CID was working hard to get all vehicles checked at the earliest. There were a few cars lined up waiting for their turn to clear the formalities and move on.

Divya, already tired after a hectic day at work was waiting for her turn in her car when her cell phone rang; it was her husband on the line.

Hello

Divya where are you? When are you coming home?

It seems there’s some problem in the city, some checking is in progress. I’m on my way once these formalities get over I will be there in 10 min. ok?

ohh is it... ok, come soon we are waiting for dinner.

yes, I will try to be there soon, Said Divya lowering her window glass as her turn comes. A tall man wearing black jacket , jeans and long boots gives her a blank stare and asks her to come with him with all documents for clearance by the time his subordinates do the thorough investigation of her car. Divya hangs up the call and with her documents follows him to a small tent. Within the tent there is a table some chairs, papers and papers everywhere and a few more car drivers like her getting their documents verified and waiting to reach home. Divya gave her documents to Daya, he goes through them in details.

Toh apka poora nam Mrs. Divya Mukharjee hai jee.

Jee

Kaha se ho? Bengal se?

Jee, what’s the issue , kya huwa hia yaha?? Yeh sab kyu ho raha hia? Bandh kyu hai city mian? Kab tak rahega yeh Bandh? Enquired Divya in her heavy Bengali accent.

Hmm… dekhiye madam Mumbai ke mayor Mr. Raul had logged complain that his wife is missing and he suspects this is a case of kidnap. We have strict orders, not to leave any vehicle without thorough inspection… explained Daya to Divya.. checking her documents.. Apke Gadi ka passing bhi Bengal ka hai, tour pe aayi ho aap?

Jee, mera official tour hai 5 din ka.

hmmm theek hia, Apke docs sab theek hai… Gadi ki checking ho jaye toh aap ja sakti hia… Waise ek salah dena chanunga… Aise akele itni raat ko anjan shehar main aap ghoom rahi hai yeh achi baat nahi hai. Waqt pe apne ghar jaya kijiye jise humko bhi taklif nahi hhogi aur aapko bhi. ..

Suddenly one hears a loud scream…

Sir.. jaldi aayiye.. yaha par … sir…

Everyone starts running towards the direction of the scream…

Kya huwa Fedrix? Aise cheekhe kyu jaise ki bhoot dekh liya ho… aur abb kuch bologe ya saap soongh gaya hai tumhe?

Sir.. udhar dekho.. dikkKki main …. laaasssh padi hai sir…

Aree … heyyy … ye toh sach main kisi ki lash hai… isse seedha karo.. (one of the subordinates turn the dead body) dekho jara kiski lash hai… palto body ko.. bahar nikalo isse bahar nikalo… sambhal kar jara…

Yeh gadi kiski hai?? Kiski gadi hai ye??? Daya keeps shouting

Yeh Meri gadi hai Sir… said Divya in a weak voice.

Sir… sir… yeh… toh… wahi hai sir… jinki tasvir lekar aaye the woh … lapata ki complain likhayi thi jinki…

Aree yeh toh Mrs. Ranjeet apne mayor ki wife hai... Sir… inhi ko toh Kidnap kiya hai.. inhi ko dhoond rahe hai sir hum….

Bahut khub Fedrixx… bahut khub… itne jaldi case solve karogo toh kaise chalega yaarr.. Says Daya in sarcastic way to Fedrix.. turning to Divya, Divya jee.. kya hume vistar main bata sakti hai ki ye lash apki gadi main kaha se aayi??

Jeeeee?? Hum kaise batayein… lash who bhi humari gadi main.. hum toh yaha official tour par aaye hai Sir bataya na humne aapko… hum kuch nahi jante iss sab ke bare main.. yeh toh gadi bhi meri nahi hai…

Just then Divya’s cell rings…

Before Divya could speak anything her husband starts enquiring…

Divya jaan where are you? You are still stuck in the clearance? Should I come there?

Rudra… I’m in big trouble... There is a dead body in my car. My driver is on sick leave today. These people think I have to do something with this case. I’m just not able to figure out what should I do.

What… are you out of your mind.. Deaaaaaadddd Booody??? In YOUR Car?? OMG…

After a long silence … Ok you don’t worry I will be there, just be there and wait for me. Don’t worry I will be there. OK? Do you hear me? I’m coming just keep your cool.

By the time Rudra reaches the spot… Divya is taken back to the tent for enquiry. Divya is tired telling them nth time that she has nothing to do with the dead body. She doesn’t even know the person. When Rudra reaches there Daya tells him that the dead body is that of Mayor’s wife whom they suspected to be kidnapped and though he wants to believe Divya, he cannot believe her cause the dead body was in her car.

Ye case solve hone tak Mr. Rudra Divya jee ye shehar nahi chod sakti. Ordered Abhijeet

Sir, hum log yaha official tour par aaye the.. hum toh yaha kisi ko jante bhi nahi… hum kyu kisi ko kidnap karenge aur marenge… please leave us sir we have nothing to do with this.

Dekhiye Rudra jee hum samajte hai par hum bhi majboor hia.. hume har kisi par shak karna padta hai.. aap please co-operate kijiye. Agar aap ko iss case ke bare main kuch bhi pata ho toh bata dijiye. Hume asani hogi ye case solve karne…

Sir kya baat kar rahe ho aap agar kuch pata hota toh hum khud hi aap ke paas aa jate.. ya lash ko thikane laga dete.. aap gadi main lash dekhe iss liye toh gadi aapke pas lekar nahi aate na?

sir, ye baat bhi theek hai.. muzhe lagta hai inko kuch nahi pata. Whispers fedrix taking abhijeet to a corner.

Tum chup karo… Fedrix.. apna kam karo.. lash ko post martum ke liye bhejo… finger prints le lo aur car seal kar do… ye madam ke bhi finger prints lo. Turning to Rudra… dekhiye ye case solve hone tak aap log ye shehar chod kar nahi ja sakte aur aap ko kabhi bhi bureau main aana padega agar jarurat padti hia toh.. aap apna nama aur pata iss register main likhwa kar ja sakte hia… Hum jante hai aap ko pareshani ho rahi hia par please cooperate. It’s too late aap log abhi ghar jaiye.. hum log kal subah baat karte hai tab tak post matron ke reports bhi aa jayenge…

After writing their details in the register Rudra takes Divya home... she is very scared Rudra consoles her

Rudra, I have done nothing.. I don’t know from where that dead body came in my car. You believe me na? right??

What nonsense is this Divya.. offcourse I know and I believe you.. You don’t worry... Whatever happens I’m with you…

They have their dinner and try to go to sleep. It’s 3 Am. when they are finally able to get some sleep but early morning the door bell rings, Rudra opens the door to find CID team at the door. He greets them and politely invites them inside. Divya is tensed seeing the CID team at their home.

Hello Divya, I’m ACP Praduman, please be comfortable, we are here only on routine enquiry. I was told that last night Mrs. Ranjeeth’s dead body was recovered from your car.

Yes sir. But I have no idea how that dead body came in my Dikki…

We know you are not from this state and you have nothing to do with this case but right now we have only you who can help us in investigation of this case so please cooperate and tell us whatever information we need. Can you tell us in detail which places did you visit yesterday.

PS: Confused?? Me too  Haha.. Don’t worry…

I know you are wondering how is this a sequel to “The Wrong Number”? When Tanvi and Madhav are nowhere in picture? Where are Tanvi and Madhav? They are in TVM and the story happening in Mumbai.

Hint :: Where did “The Wrong Number” start?? In Pune right.. Where was Madhav from – Mumbai right?? Yeah.. you got it right you are picking up the right strings…

So does this case has to do something with their past?? Tanvi and Madhav’s past? What is it now?? After so many years?? What will it be. They are settled for more tha 3+ years in TVM now?

Hold on… all the questions are going to be answered Wait till the entry of our hero or/n heroine... what they have to do with this case? Do they know the killer or Will they be the witness? Or is tanvi involved in this? How are Madhav and Tanvi related to this case? What is going to happen next??? Is this getting interesting? Yes? Yes.. right?? So hold on.. see you tomorrow.. OOOpss… See you on Monday!!  till then Enjoy…