Kishan decided he needed to confirm his suspicions about Jiya. He devised a risky plan. He told Jiya that Rohan had successfully decrypted the recording and the files, and that the evidence was damning. He proposed a meeting with her and Rohan to discuss the next steps, suggesting a location that was slightly isolated but still had some public presence - a less crowded section of the same park where they had first met.
He also subtly hinted that he would be bringing the original pen and a backup of the decrypted data to the meeting. This was a calculated risk, designed to see if Jiya would alert anyone.
He didn't tell Daya the full details of this plan, only that he was meeting Jiya to finalize their strategy. Daya, sensing the increased danger, urged him to be careful.
On the day of the planned meeting, Kishan arrived at the park early, accompanied by Daya, who insisted on being nearby, posing as a casual park-goer. Kishan had a small, non-functional device disguised as the camera pen and a dummy USB drive with fake data. The real pen and the true decrypted data were hidden securely elsewhere.
Kishan waited at the designated spot, his heart pounding. Jiya arrived, looking more nervous than usual. Rohan was not with her.
"Where's Rohan?" Kishan asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"He...he got cold feet," Jiya stammered. "He said it was too risky. But I came. I want to help, Kishan. I want justice for Kavita."
Kishan's suspicion intensified. Jiya's eyes darted around, and she seemed overly anxious. "You said he was committed," Kishan pressed. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
Before Jiya could answer, Kishan saw them. Two men, burly and expressionless, approaching from different directions. They weren't subtle. They were clearly looking for someone. Kishan recognized one of them from his brief time at the de-addiction center.
This was a setup. Jiya had betrayed him.
"It's a trap, Jiya," Kishan said, his voice low and dangerous.
Jiya's face paled, but she didn't deny it. "I... I had no choice, Kishan. They... they threatened me. My family..."
Kishan didn't wait for more. He turned and ran, weaving through the park, shouting for Daya. The two men immediately gave chase. Daya, seeing the commotion, quickly joined Kishan, his surprising agility belying his age.
A frantic chase ensued through the park and into the surrounding streets. Kishan and Daya, familiar with the area, used narrow alley sand crowded markets to their advantage, trying to lose their pursuers. The dummy pen and USB were a distraction, confirming to the men that Kishan was the target and likely had the evidence.
They managed to evade the men for the time being, but it was a close call. They returned to Daya's house, shaken but safe.
"She set you up, beta," Daya said, his voice grim.
"Yes,"Kishan replied, the betrayal stinging. "But why? And what was Rohan talking about, the other transactions?"
Kishan realized that Jiya's involvement was more complex than just revenge or betrayal. There was another layer to her actions, possibly linked to the financial transactions Rohan had found.