UNIDENTIFIABLE

UNIDENTIFIABLE Chapter 2

Puthanpurakkal House

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The living room was completely quiet and serene. Seeing no one around, he walked straight to his bedroom. But the person he was looking for wasn't there either. As he turned to head toward the kitchen, he noticed someone sitting at the dining table. With a sly smile playing on his lips, he walked over and sat directly across from them.

​The moment she saw him sit down, she stood up abruptly, slammed a plate down forcefully in front of him, and turned to leave. But he quickly blocked her path, stopping her in her tracks, and forced her back into the chair before him.

​Naval: "Look, I've already eaten."

​(Sensing that the look on her face spelled trouble, he leaned forward slightly, gazed intently into her eyes, and spoke softly in a calm, measured voice.)

Hearing those words, she stood up in a fit of anger. Picking up the plate and the food he had pushed aside, she started heading back toward the kitchen. But a voice called out to her from behind.

​Naval: "Lidiya."

​Lidiya: (Marching back furiously, she slammed the food down on the table and looked him straight in the eye) "It's Lidiya Paul."

​From the way she said that, he understood exactly what the problem was. He realized she had overheard what he said to Neethi earlier at the crime scene.

​Lidiya: "Why are you quiet all of a sudden? Speak up! What's the matter, did the food you ate on your way back get stuck in your throat? I guess I'm the fool here for sitting up and waiting for you without eating a single bite..."

​Naval: "You haven't eaten anything yet? Couldn't you have eaten with them?"

​Lidiya: "Oh, absolutely. And just for waiting up for you, I'm the one who ends up being the bad guy now."

​Naval: "Come on, Lidiya, come here. Let's eat together, come."

​(He took her hand and tried to pull her down to sit next to him, but she brushed his hand away aggressively.)

Lidiya: "What was with that attitude back there? Fine, let's forget that. But I left long after you did and still made it home ages ago. You left way before me, so how are you only getting back just now?"

​Naval: "I had to drop by the office before coming home... And besides, when we're out there, I can't exactly go around calling you 'my wife, my wife,' can I?"

​Lidiya: "Oh, as if it would have killed you if you did!"

​Naval: "Alright, let’s drop it for tonight. I'm absolutely starving. Come on, let's eat."

​Lidiya let out a small smile and finally sat down. The two of them chat about this and that as they had their dinner together.

MORNING

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Naval was sitting outside, relaxing after finishing his morning jog. Lidiya handed him a cup of tea and sat down right beside him.

​Naval: "Hey, can you hand me the newspaper?"

​( Stared blankly back at Naval)

​Naval: (Turning to Lidiya) "Oh God!, why are you looking at me like that just because I asked for the paper?"

​Suddenly, a newspaper was dropped right into his hands. He looked up at the person who had handed it to him.

​"Read this for now. It doesn't necessarily have to be in his hands, right?"

​Naval: "Swetha Bhabi, I’m starting to wonder if you're just trying to self-promote your own news channel here."

Swetha: "Go ahead and assume that if you want..."

​Naval: (Still looking down at the paper) "Is there actually anything believable in here? Or is it all just sensationalized fluff?"

​Swetha: "Hey, watch it! Only what you people report to us gets printed in there... they haven't written anything extra."

​Naval: "When will brother be back?"

​Swetha: "He said he’ll be here tomorrow... By the way, don't you both have to head to the office? Why are you still sitting around here? I'll go set up breakfast... make sure everyone gets ready."

​Neethi: "Lidiya, get me a coffee."

​Everyone’s attention shifted toward the sound of her voice. Someone was hurrying downstairs, slinging a bag over her shoulder and strapping on her watch in a rush.

​Lidiya: "Where are you off to so early? Can't we go together?"

​Neethi: "No, I have some work to finish up first. Now go make that coffee."

​Lidiya left the room.

Naval: "Hey, she’s older than you. The least you can do is address her respectfully and call her Bhabi."

​Neethi: (In a teasing tone) "Look who's talking! Didn't you literally call me 'uncle' yesterday?"

​Naval: (Still staring intently at his newspaper) "Govind Bro, look at this... she's openly mocking me."

​Neethi: "Well, you're my mom's brother, so what else am I supposed to call you? Uncle is exactly what you are."

​Naval: "Listen here, I'm really not that old, okay?"

​Neethi: "Oh, how brilliant. The same guy who just lectured me about using proper respectful titles is now crying about his age when I call him 'uncle'... Incredible logic."

​Lidiya: "Will you two stop bickering for a second? Here, Neethi, here's your coffee."

​Neethi: "Thank you!"

​She drank it down quickly and handed the empty glass back to Lidiya.

​Neethi: "Dad, I'm heading out..."

Govind: "Can't you eat something before you go?" (he asked, without looking up from his newspaper)

​Neethi: "I told you, I don't have time!"

​Govind: "Don't forget that there's a meeting today."

​Neethi: "I won't, I won't! Lidiya..., can you bring my car later? I'm hitching a ride with Amegh..." (she shouted over her shoulder as she dashed out the door)

​Swetha: "Look at that girl run. Slow down! Don't trip and fall!"

​Govind: "As if she ever listens to anything she's told..." (he muttered, walking back inside with an exhausted expression)

​Lidiya: "Bhabi, come on, let's go set the table for breakfast."

​Swetha and Lidiya left for the kitchen.

​Meanwhile, Naval went upstairs to freshen up since he had to head to the office soon.

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That's for Today!!!

Hey there! Did you manage to catch all the relationships between these characters? If not, let me break it down for you quickly:

• ​*CI Naval Krishna: He is the younger brother of Janaki, who is married to Govind. Because Naval was born quite late to Janaki's parents, he is the pampered, darling younger brother of the family. He is only about two years older than his niece, Neethi.

• ​*Neethi: She is the daughter of SP Govind and Janaki Govind. She works in the Forensic Department. (We will get into more details about her later).

• *Lidiya Paul: She is Naval Krishna’s wife. She comes from a traditional Orthodox family . Their marriage took place with the full blessing and consent of both families, and they share a very happy life together. Conveniently, she is also Neethi's best friend—they are the same age and work the same job.

• ​*The Naval-Neethi Dynamic: Because of their tiny age gap, Naval and Neethi have always behaved more like siblings. Since childhood, they have constantly bickered and fought, only to patch up and become best friends again immediately. That's just how the two of you are.

• ​*Swetha Nishanth: She is a journalist. She is married to Janaki’s other brother (we will introduce her husband later), making her Naval's sister-in-law (Babhi). She has a son who is currently studying abroad.

​We will get to know the rest of the characters as the story progresses!