"Death is inevitable; you cannot prevent it by any means. When the time comes, you will die anyway, and I am merely a catalyst in this process." ~ Teer Jwala
31 May 2026
It was late noon when Teer Jwala (56) sat on the sofa, his legs crossed elegantly over one another. He was taking a pleasant sip of tea while reading the newspaper. It was Sunday, so he carried no worries about work. Rava Jwala (33), Teer's son, who runs a chocolate bakery named "The Darling Chocolates," had left for work just a few minutes earlier, leaving the television switched on. While Teer savored his tea, the news was being broadcast on TV.
Annu Jwala (10), Rava's daughter and Teer's beloved granddaughter, was sitting on the carpet directly in front of him. She was drawing a picture of her family. In the drawing, everyone was together—happy and energetic—at a picnic spot.
The news (on TV): Today we conclude our broadcast here. Tomorrow we will meet again with the same energy and love, on the same channel—"Bharat Ki Khabar."
The segment ended, and the next program began.
Anchor Katya (on TV): Now you are watching "Sunday Crucials." Hello, I am Katya Jwala (18), hosting "Sunday Crucials" every Sunday exclusively on "Bharat Ki Khabar."
Annu (excited): Look, Grandpa! Aunt Katya is on TV!
[Katya Jwala is Teer's daughter, currently a college student and a part-time news reporter because of her excep tional communication skills and passion for anchoring.]
Teer lowered his newspaper.
Teer (smiling): Of course! She is doing well.
Anchor Katya (on TV): Today, we have Reporter Nidin with us, who will introduce today's topic. Reporter Nidin, please proceed.
Reporter Nidin (on TV): Thank you, Miss Katya. Nowadays, cases of homicide are increasing in India. Two days ago, a wife ended her husband's life just for—
Teer quickly switched off the TV. Annu had heard enough to feel unsettled. As a child, she could not comprehend why anyone would kill their own partner or family member. It was her first time hearing such a thing. Though she was neither terrified nor saddened, she felt disturbed, unable to process the reasoning behind it.
Teer gently tapped her shoulder and asked her to continue drawing in her room, on her bed. Annu stood up and walked to her room, carrying her unfinished drawing.
Teer then went to the kitchen, where his wife Kamya Jwala (53) and his daughter-in-law Sukhi Jwala (30) were pre paring lunch together. Kamya and Sukhi (Rava's wife) were both homemakers.
Teer: Hmm! The aroma is quite attention-seeking. Something remarkable is being cooked. Kamya was peeling potatoes while Sukhi was kneading dough.
Kamya (smiling): Yes, dear. It's Sunday, so we thought our family should enjoy a grand lunch.
Sukhi (enthusiastically): So we're preparing Egg Biryani with Shahi Paneer and Aloo Dum.
Teer: Well then, I suppose all of you will starve today.
Kamya and Sukhi: Why?
Teer: Because this old charmer will eat everything alone.
Kamya ( 😏 ): Then I shall switch on my MasterChef mode and prepare it in unlimited quantity. You will regret it—after all, you are the man who keeps his word, aren't you?
Teer (laughing): Hahaha! You will never change.
Kamya ( 😁 ): And neither will you.
Teer took a glass from the kitchen, poured orange juice into it, and went straight to Annu's room. He sat beside her and offered the glass.
Annu: So sweet of you, Grandpa! Thank you!
She drank the juice in a single breath.
Annu (relieved): Nothing can beat this in summer.
Teer: So, my little princess, what were you drawing? Won't you show me?
Annu ( 🙄 ): Um! Sorry, Grandpa, but… I will show you ! .
Teer ( 😩 ): Oh! For a moment I thought you wouldn't.
Annu: See this, Grandpa.
Teer (astonished): Oh! So this is our family. Everyone is so clearly visible. You are such a talented artist, Annu.
Annu (proud ): Thank you, Grandpa. 😤
Teer: I can also see how beautifully it symbolizes a family's happiness.
Annu (hesitating): Grandpa… what is homicide, and why did she—
Teer (sympathetically): Oh, come on. Don't jump to conclusions based on what you hear. There is a secret behind it —one that only Katya and I know. If you stop thinking about it, I'll ask her to share the secret with you as well.
Annu (confused): Really, Grandpa? What's the secret? You can tell me too!
Teer (softly): No, because I promised her I would never reveal it to anyone. And I am a man who keeps his word.
Annu (unsatisfied): Hmm… okay. I'll ask her.😑
Teer (thinking): Annu is a curious child with a kind and sensitive heart. She thinks deeply. But every new question alters her mood. Teer then went upstairs to Kaavi Jwala's (16) room.
[Kaavi Jwala is Teer's elder granddaughter—the elder daughter of Rava and Sukhi Jwala. She is a secondary high school student who dreams of joining the CID. She is always eager to solve crime-related riddles.]
Teer knocked on the door.
Kaavi (from inside): Yes, come in.
Kaavi's room was decorated in shades of black and pink—her favorite combination. When Teer entered, Kaavi was playing chess alone.
Teer: I thought you were studying, but you're playing chess again.
Kaavi slowly raised her eyes upward, forming a calm and innocent expression.
Kaavi: But Grandpa, I studied for six hours just a minute ago. I'm only taking a short break while reading this book.
She showed the book to Teer.
Teer: Oh, another new riddle book?
Kaavi (sincerely): Yes, Grandpa. This is one of the best-written riddle books, closely resembling extreme real-world crimes. It's called "Kreepy Files" by Kreepy Clowns, published on the 15th of every month.
Teer examined the book.
Kaavi (eagerly): It contains 36 cases, and every case is solved. Even without concrete evidence, almost every case is reasoned with 95 to 98 percent accuracy. I solved all the riddles in a similar manner to the author—but in 12 cases, I even discovered one or two additional clues.
Teer silently appreciated her enthusiasm through his expression.
Teer: Alright. But what about this arrangement on the chessboard?
Kaavi (eyes shadowed, gaze lowered): Only one riddle remains—the easiest one. It should have taken only two minutes to solve.
Teer: What was it?
Kaavi: On June 24, 2015, a lady arrived at a police station, panting and crying. Her 16-year-old son was missing. During the investigation, his body was found near the Oshiwara River, his head repeatedly smashed against a stone nearby. The police found no evidence of murder. When investigators asked if she had ever noticed signs of guilt, depression, or anxiety in him, she said he once told her, "I hate you. You are the worst for giving birth to me." He died without any clear physical evidence pointing to homicide. It was suspected to be suicide—but his head had been smashed against the rock nearly ten times, which is practically impossible for someone to do to himself.
Kaavi inhaled deeply. Her lips tightened inward, her jaw clenched in silent frustration.
Teer: I see.
Kaavi: Moreover, the suspects are his father, uncle, and sister. Publicly, he shared a good relationship with his mother and elder brother, who taught him chemistry experiments. So on the chessboard, I divided the pieces into two groups—suspects (white) and allies (black). Who do you think killed him?
Teer (exhaling): Anything else?
Kaavi: Um… no. Teer: I don't care who the apparent suspect is. Most likely, his mother is the mastermind.
Kaavi: How can you conclude that?
Teer (smirking): You said the book solves cases with 95% accuracy even without evidence. That means suspicion isn't limited to visible proof—it lies in placing the pieces correctly.
Kaavi (teasingly): Alright, alright. Go on. I'm listening.
Teer: She claimed he once said he hated her for giving him birth, yet witnesses say he had a good relationship with her. Everything suggests she planted that statement deliberately—to make it appear like suicide…
[Chapter 1: Family End]