Chapter 8

[MEMBERSONLY]

[NOCOPY]

This one is a short update. Will have the next one up by weekend hopefully!

Chapter - 6

Virat reached their secret haven, their little paradise. He had missed Sai, and was excited to meet her after almost 48 hours. With their growing relationship, it was becoming more difficult and torturous to stay apart. The pressure on the professional and academic front and the demanding state in their respective fields lately had been taking a toll on them personally and they felt like being pulled in all directions. But in all this struggling and juggling they found peace and contentment in each other's company. Just a few words, a few hours together would refresh them, to face the world again with more rigour! 

Virat went around looking for Sai, but couldn't find her. She had informed him that she had reached early, and was waiting for him. He tried reaching her on her phone, but it went unanswered. He went around asking people if they had seen her. But the area was less frequented, hence no one could give him any leads. With every passing minute, Virat was getting restless. He knew Sai wasn't irresponsible, and it was only a while back he had spoken to her. She would definitely not leave without informing him. After having thoroughly searched the entire area, he went ahead with his investigative instincts. He had already asked for a phone trace to track down her location. All this while fearing and praying for her safety. 

He called up his Aai, and tactfully checked if Sai had gone to meet her or if she had any clue about her whereabouts. Virat didn’t want to create unnecessary panic before he finished his initial investigation. He next went to her Hostel, but was disappointed when he was informed that she had not returned from college. Virat spotted Aniket and some of the other friend's of Sai on his way to the college to inquire further. But the conversation opened up some unexplained and puzzling discoveries. He realised that Sai spent less time with her friends now, since she tried to spend her free time to catch-up with Virat. Though she was always friendly with them, but that was limited to college hours. Things had changed  since Sai and Virat had come back together. And there was a distance, though not intentional, because she barely spent any time with them outside college. So none of them including her roommate knew about her schedule or whereabouts. But in this, what Virat picked up, set off the red alert. And he cursed himself for not following his intuition. Was it late? He would never forgive himself if his negligence would cause any harm to Sai. Aniket had mentioned that since past few days Sai seemed to be lost in thoughts and they had often seen her panic, or get scared without any reason. Though they had credited it to the hectic routine, something was unusual about her recent behaviour. That had caught Virat's attention. On his way back from college, he recalled their last vacation, when he had sensed something troubling Sai. Just as Aniket mentioned, she would be lost in thought, and slightest of noise, would make her alert. And then she had mentioned about someone following them on their return journey. He had brushed it off at that point, but he was now connecting the dots. Why had Sai not disclosed her fears to him? He now knew there was definitely something that was troubling Sai and he hated himself for not having picked up on her behaviour. They had traced and recovered Sai's phone from a place closer to the where Sai and Virat were to meet. But there was no sign of Sai. 

It had been 4 hours since Sai was missing, and Virat was yet to find a clue. As night fell, Virat's trepidation knew no bounds. He was turning frantic, running around to every possible place that he got tip off from his sources. The fright piqued from his unsuccessful attempts to locate Sai, were leading to impetuous actions from his end. He was trying to be more focused and strategic, but his heart was bleeding, leading to desperate moves from his end.

Chavan Niwas

Ashwini was inconsolable, after she was informed about Sai. The entire Chavan family was worried, after realising that despite all the efforts from Virat, he had been unable to find her. Though some of the members did try to accuse Sai for being irresponsible and impulsive, but one stern look from Virat had silenced them. Virat was furious, and they knew, better to mess with him at this point. No one had seen this side of Virat before, he was on the verge to either explode or break down. Either was not a welcome state, as they wanted him to stay strong to get through this situation. Eveb though the elders blamed Sai, they were concerned for her safety as well. But out of nature, this was the only way they could express their worries. Pakhi tried to soothe Virat, but he brushed her off. He couldn't deal with her now. The uncertainty, the thought of any prospective danger that Sai could be in, was killing him. He was blaming himself for not noticing the signs, warning signals. He felt guilty and the anger was as much directed inward as much as towards whatever or whoever that was the possible reason for Sai's disappearance. While Sonali and Mansi were trying to console a hysterical Ashwini, Mohit was trying to get Virat to talk to him. He knew Virat needed to vent out, to be able to think through this. Ninad walked upto his son, and hugged him. Virat just let himself into his father's embrace trying to compose himself and get in control of his overwhelming emotions.

Just then the door opened and Ashwini looked up with hope. But then she let out a scream that reverberated not just through the walls of CN but through the veins of the people around her.

Chapter 7 - Fear does have a face!

[MEMBERSONLY]