Chapter Four ' Phone Call
A ray of sunshine shone through the crack of the curtain as Maanvi awoke. She had forgotten where she was until she remembered last night's conversation with Jeevika about her accident. The pain in her leg and head was numb and she felt much better, even if she was not completely cured. She looked at the clock in the room nearing 8am, not knowing what to do. She didn't know if she could simply get up and leave or whether to wait for someone to get her. She was curious about the Vadhera's, after all Maanvi's middle name was curious!
Maanvi opened the door and crept out, looking left and right for anyone. If anyone was to arrive, she'd rather that be Jeevika, she was the only one who checked up on her. Then again, the others might have done that whilst she was asleep. Maybe only Jeevika and her husband lives here, Maanvi thought. No, Jeevika did say that this was the Vadhera's house, meaning more than one.
She held onto the railing of the stairs for control as she walked down the cream stairs. The Vadhera's seemed to be wealthy but the house wasn't over the top or in your face; it looked elegant, as if a lot of thought had gone into the decorations.
"Maanvi," a voice spoke from behind.
Maanvi turned around to see Jeevika looking at her in concern. "Thank God you're here, I thought you might have gone."
"I, I didn't know whether to wait for you or to just go, so I.." stuttered Maanvi.
Jeevika stood near Maanvi on the stairs and took her hand in hers, helping her to get down. "It's 8am, the time where everyone eats for breakfast, that time is strictly compulsory so I got busy with the cooking. Sorry, I'm late."
"No, no. It's not your fault. I'm the burden."
"Maanvi, how can you say that? You're like my sister if I had one, don't worry it's not your fault."
"Okay, we'll put this blame on your devar okay?" Maanvi grinned with Jeevika joining in.
The duo arrived in the hall, where everyone sat for breakfast. The whole Vadhera family looked on as Maanvi limped into the scene, looking agitated to see the pain Maanvi was in.
"Everyone, this is Maanvi." Announced Jeevika whilst making Maanvi sit on the chair on the corner.
"Hi," Maanvi spoke, trying to not making any eye contact with the family.
"I'm so sorry we couldn't meet you last night, it was quite late and we didn't want to disturb you." Spoke an elderly man, sitting at the head chair of the table. He had worn a black suit, and looked pristine and high classed.
"It's okay, no problem." Maanvi said, she really didn't like it when elders apologized to her.
"Maanvi, this is Dadaji. My mother-in-law Vanshika, Inder Chacha, Kadambari Chachi, their son Shlok, Swamini Bua, my husband Viren and my devar Viraat." Jeevika introduced her family to Maanvi who smiled back until she saw Jeevika's devar, known as Viraat. It was because of him that she was in this mess, meaning that she was behind her time limit to find her mother's friend.
"Er, I'm sorry that I entered your house like this. I mean, it must be strange having an unknown person in your house but I'll leave soon."
"Nonsense, child! It's our fault that you're in this problem, you can leave as soon as you're better." Dadaji said.
"But sir," Maanvi protested.
"Sir? You can call me Dadaji, there's no need for this politeness child."
"Okay, Dadaji. I have to leave, I can't stay here."
"Maanvi, you're hurt. You'll get ill this way, you can't leave." Vanshika said.
"Yes, Maanvi. Mom and Dadaji are right. You can't leave now." Viraat spoke. Maanvi glared at him. First he tries to kill me and now he tells me what to do? She thought.
"Maanvi please." Jeevika pleaded.
"Okay, I give up. But only when my wound has healed okay?"
"Okay. Promise." Jeevika said.
The next few minutes went by in silence, with the odd occasion of Viraat looking across at Maanvi whilst she shunned him, no need to be polite to him, she thought.
After breakfast, Jeevika took Maanvi back to her room'well, the room that she woke up in.
"Your family are really nice." Maanvi said.
"I know, they are the best sasural that a girl can wish for!" replied Jeevika, taking Maanvi to the bed.
"No, I'm fine. If I rest too much I'll get ill." Joked Maanvi.
"But if you don't rest, how will you get better?"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I don't like being in bed when the day is so nice."
"Okay, if you say so. I'll just come. Okay?" Maanvi nodded whilst Jeevika went out of the room. Just then her phone rang and Maanvi cursed quietly. She looked at the caller I.D, "Beeji" was calling. Maanvi shut her eyes and bit her lip, she wasn't even close to her destination and Beeji was going to stop her. She decided to man up and answer the phone.
"H-Hello?" Maanvi asked with a hint of fear.
"Maanvi! Maanvi where are you!" Exclaimed Beeji. "We are going crazy looking for you. If you didn't pick the phone up, we would have called the police!"
"Beeji'"
"What Beeji? Come home, Maanvi!"
"NO, Beeji I can't."
"Why not? Where are you, I'll tell your Madan Chacha to pick you up."
"No Beeji, you can't. I have to do this. I have to find out about my parents if you won't tell me."
"Maanvi, beta. Please."
"No, Beeji. I'm tired with all these secrets, I'll come home when I'm ready I promise."
"Maanvi, you can't do this."
"I'm sorry. I'm fine Beeji, and I'll be fine when I come back. Don't worry about me."
"Maanvi'"
"You lot won't tell me about my past, so I have to go."
"I think it's better that you find out about it yourself, I did whatever I could to keep you away from the truth. But if that's what you want, then fine. Go. Find it. But you have to promise me, you won't let the truth change your thinking about us, okay?"
"Okay, Beeji. I promise, I'll be home soon."
"Where are you anyway?"
"Chandigarh, Beeji. Chandigarh."
"Okay, promise to call every day okay?"
"Yes. I will." And with that the phone disconnected, leading Maanvi her freedom to find the truth. What had happened to her parents, why were the Chaudary's so discreet about it? She had to find it. Just had to.
Financial markets and global economy
Ishaani
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