Chapter 2: Now, He Has Nothing But Shameful Treatment

Aarav was at a loss for words when five policemen stood before him.

Everyone in the room was watching Aarav with shock and disbelief. They whispered to each other, and their talk was how bad Aarav was.

Unfortunately Aarav still can't understand what's really going on. Everything that happened was too shocking tonight. He didn't feel he had made any fatal mistakes. How could the police suddenly come to him?

"On what charge am I being held, sir?" asked Aarav in a slightly panicked tone.

"You were detained on charges of being involved in the illegal business of distributing liquid crystal methamphetamine via electric cigarettes produced by the Volkavert Group, where you work." A policeman explained firmly while preparing handcuffs.

When the cop in front of him asked to lend a hand Aarav was still silent. Of course Aarav didn't want to give in and just allowed himself to be subjected to such baseless accusations.

"Wait, I never did that" Aarav said trying to keep his hands away from the police.

The direction of Aarav's gaze shifted to Ella who looked disappointed and surprised. But Aarav shook his head, as if trying to convince himself that he had done nothing wrong.

"I didn't expect you to do illegal business, Aarav," said Ella, then laughed sarcastically. "You really can't coexist with a respectable family like me."

Aarav shook his head even more. He does not accept if he gets a claim as a perpetrator in an illegal business. Shouldn't Ella believe him because only Ella knows about his activities for days?

"You see me every day Ella" Aarav replied. "You should know best, I can't possibly do that."

With a confused expression, Ella replied, "Not when you went out in the middle of the night several times, bought me quite a lot of expensive things even though the salary from your company and your very quiet little restaurant wasn't great, or when you told me you were busy taking care of some business."

Aarav's brows furrowed instantly hearing Ella's answer. Aarav didn't think that Ella had harbored bad prejudice towards him all this time. Even though in reality, Aarav's preoccupation is to earn extra money so he can pay for his mother's treatment.

Aarav also doesn't want Ella to feel embarrassed among her friends. Because of that, he's trying to raise money just so he can buy Ella expensive things. Even Aarav is in debt at times.

Ella never appreciated her gifts. Now his wife suspects him?

"It doesn't make sense that I should be doing that illegal business, Ella!" Aarav couldn't stop himself from raising his voice. "I'm just someone who owns an ordinary small restaurant, and there's not the slightest—"

"Precisely because you are the owner of a small restaurant, often not even making a profit, it makes a lot of sense for you to do that," Ella argued cutting Aarav off without wanting to hear an explanation.

At that time Aarav knew it was useless if he had to explain his denial. No one will believe it. After all, what could Aarav expect from Ella and her family, who even hate the existence of people from a class like Aarav?

There was no way Ella would defend. Aarav realizes that his marriage was fake all along. Ella didn't love him, and couldn't be with someone like him.

Aarav just snorted while laughing sarcastically after seeing Ella trying to corner him.

"I didnt do anything wrong," Aarav argued to a policeman in front of him.

The police man before Aarav glared at him. He still held on to the handcuffs, as if preparing to snare Aarav's wrists.

"Don't try to run away as you will complicate the investigation process. You can explain at the police station later!" the police man said as he took one of Aarav's wrists by force.

Aarav is still trying to keep his hands out of reach of the cop in front of him. "No, I'm not going because I'm not the guilty one!"

"Mr Aarav, you cannot obstruct the investigation process or you can get additional charges."

"Give me proof that I'm guilty!" Aarav raised his tone.

After Aarav raised his voice he heard whispers from all around. Disgusting looks were given by the people standing near Aarav.

"I can't believe a madman like him could admit to loving Ella."

"He has a mental disorder."

"He shouldn't have dared to step foot in here. People from poor backgrounds don't deserve Ella."

"I really feel sorry for him. Was his life so miserable?"

"Lucky my son doesn't have a life like his. I'll throw my son away if it brings shame on the family."

Aarav could hear clearly the taunts the people were giving. The disgusting stares weren't just from members of Ella's extended family. But Ella gave him a disgusted look.

When Aarav turned to look at Ezraf, Ella's fiancé, the man smiled sarcastically at her. Somehow Aarav felt a bad feeling seeing Ezraf's cynical smile.

Mr Aarav come with us to the police station!

While Aarav was looking around he was completely unaware that the cops had put handcuffs on both wrists. The last 'click' of the handcuffs woke Aarav up.

"Okay" Aarav replied finally.

Aarav couldn't put up any more resistance. However, people already see themselves as the victim. What's the point of Aarav screaming in defense if no one believes him?

After being pulled away by two policemen from the right and left, Aarav walked hand in hand with the police. Everyone who had gathered immediately stepped aside to form a path. All the eyes of the people there could not leave the movement of Aarav's steps.

As he passed the people standing in a row, Aarav swore in his heart.

'I will find out who dares to engineer this mistake to the point of sacrificing my pride.'

***

"You can't arrest me without good evidence, sir!" Aarav spoke out loud as his body was forcefully pushed into the prison bars.

"SILENCE! Why were you so noisy earlier?!" The cop in front of Aarav shouted back.

Aarav clenched his jaw while tightly gripping the prison bars. His eyes were sharp, flashing with anger.

"Don't the police institution defend justice? How can you all arrest someone who is innocent?!" Aarav's tone was unsettled. Anger welled up in his chest.

A policeman who had just finished locking the lock snorted indignantly. His face showed disgust at Aarav's ramblings.

The policeman put his hands on his hips. "Don't you try to mention the institution of the police. What do you understand? You are already guilty as the perpetrator, now you are blaming us and talking about justice!"

Aarav doesn't reply to the cop. Not because he lost badly, but because he felt that he had run out of energy to prove himself. I don't know what made the police in front of him now so sure he was the perpetrator.

"Now you better just wait inside and wait for your prison term!"

After saying his lines, the constable leaves Aarav. As if not wanting to hear or care about his explanation.

"Hey, you got charged with distribution of narcotics?" A voice from behind Aarav is heard.

Aarav, in a semi-dazed state, turns his head without turning around.

A big and tall man, wearing a convict's uniform, walked up to Aarav.

"You talk about justice in a place like this?" the man asked, then laughed scornfully. "Are you innocent or stupid? Not everyone gets justice, idiot."

Aarav hasn't answered yet. But the convict man behind him forced one of his shoulders to turn.

"You must know that surviving here will not be the same as the luxurious life that spoils you," said the convict man.

His words offend Aarav a bit. Because of that, Aarav glanced at the hand on his shoulder, then brushed it off harshly.

"I never got the justice you mean," Aarav replied. "And I don't deserve to be in prison like you."