A/n: First of all, so so so sorry for leaving with a cliffhanger in the last update. Hope this update makes up for it. And going by my timelines, this is quite quick, don't you think.š Ok, no more chappals.š Here goes the next chapter. Do let me know how you felt.
CHAPTER 18
BETRAYAL AND CONSEQUENCES - SECTION 2
Sunday afternoon:
"Accha Anjaliji. Have a safe trip. We will meet again when you come here next time."
"I wish you guys could have stayed longer. Chotey would have dropped you home."
"Woh kya hain na Anjaliji, we have to drop Payal somewhere.
"Payal and her close friend made this trip together. That girl is visiting her Uncle's family. Since our PG doesn't allow us to entertain guests, we asked the Uncle if it was ok for Payal to stay with them. I am so glad they agreed to it willingly."
"They are going to pick her up in an hour. So we have to leave now."
"Theek hain Khushiji. It is so much fun meeting you all. And this time, it was all the more due to Payal. She is such a sweetie."
They all smiled and bid their goodbyes.
***
After dropping Payal, Khushi and Sarita went back to their room in the PG. Around 7 pm, Khushi casually called on the friend's Uncle's mobile number. She was told that the girls had gone out for some sightseeing. Khushi was worried a bit. Payal had not discussed any of it with her. But the aunt assured her that her own daughter was showing the two girls around. So it was not as if the young girls were on their own.
Being skeptical, she cut the call. Two hours later she called them again. The three girls had not returned as yet.
She called again at 10 PM. The girls had not returned. Khushi was worried sick by now.
At 11 PM, Sarita's cellphone rang. It was not Payal. But the Uncle of Payal's friend. He was dead worried. It was very unlike of his daughter to be not in touch with her mother. They spoke or texted each other pretty much all the time. And his daughter had not contacted her mother in more than 4 hours.
What does this mean... ? Does it...does it mean that the girls were in trouble...?
The Uncle said he will see what he can do.
They kept exchanging calls for the next one hour... No progress.
As the time progressed, Khushi's heart began to sink. The newspaper was full of bad things happening to girls. Had Payal become a victim to one of those incidents? She shuddered. She took the support of the nearest wall and sank to the floor.
"Khushi... Sab theek ho jayega...Don't worry..." Sarita tried to pacify her. But internally, she was worried too.
"Sarita... I am really really worried..what if something bad happens...?"
"Who is there to help us Khushi? Who will intervene in such a matter? Should we go to the police?
"That Uncle has already reported it to the police. And they shooed him away saying that they keep getting such cases of boys and girls disappearing and can't attend to them every day."
They both thought in silence.
"Arnavji..??" Khushi whispered.
"That's right, lets call Arnavji." Sarita clicked her fingers.
"Nahi Sarita. We shouldn't trouble him with personal matters."
Sarita forced her to dial his number. "If not Arnavji, atleast Kaka may be able to give some advise."
It was close to 12 AM.
Arnav saw his phone showing a number he did not recognize. He let it go to voice mail. Once the call was cut, he played the voice message
"Arnavji... Arnavji... Hello... Hello... Arnavji is not picking up the call Sarita."
"Try again Khushi. Try till he picks up..." The voice message got cut.
Worried, Arnav dialed the number back. "Khushi?"
"Ar..navji... Arnavji..." The moment she heard his voice, the dam of her distress broke open. Tears flowed endlessly...
Arnav could clearly make out she was crying at the other end. "Khushi... Khushi.. Kya hua? Where are you? Are you ok? Whose phone is this? Khushi, Talk to me."
"Khushi, you need to tell Arnavji what happened. Don't cry." He recognized the voice. It was her friend Sarita's.
"Khushi... talk to me dammnit... I am worried sick here..."
He heard her sniff...most likely wiping her tears...
"Arnavji...it is about Payal."
"Are you ok? Where are you? And whose phone is this?"
"We are ok Arnavji. We are in the PG. This is Sarita's mobile phone."
Arnav heaved a sigh of relief. "Now tell me clearly. What happened?"
She told him how the three girls have been missing. Payal, her friend, and the friend's cousin. The friend's cousin has not been in touch with her mother for almost 6 hours now. And it is already 12 AM. And they had no idea what could have happened? They are not able to trace the girls.
Arnav brain raced for solutions. It was at its sharpest best.
"Call that Uncle and get the phone numbers of his daughter and his wife. And text me all of their numbers."
"I will come to your PG and pick you up and let's go to that Uncle's house. Bring one of Payal's photo with you."
Arnav woke up his Lawyer in Delhi. Explained the situation. The Lawyer called the security agency he had hired to do the background checking of all the suppliers that Arnav's company was interested in. In 15 minutes they had located the local security agency, who luckily dealt with such cases too. Arnav texted them the three phone numbers. AR company was their major customer. The security company could not let its CEO down. And ASR had personally instructed to spare no expense. So, they got on the job immediately.
Arnav picked up Khushi and updated her what he had done in the last half an hour. Just as they reached the Uncle's house, Arnav got a call from the security agency. He put his phone on speaker.
The security agency had reached out to their contact in police and the Mobile Phone company. And were trying to trace the mobile phone of the Uncle's daughter. That was the only ray of hope in this entire situation. Now, they should only pray that the phone of the girl is switched on and it was near her. Else, locating them would be next to impossible.
The parents' and Khushi's heart sunk. The next two hours were the most torturous moments that Khushi had every felt till now. The news could sway in any direction.
When Arnav's phone rang next, they all jumped from their seats. The phone of the girl was switched on and they were able to locate the area. Apart from her mother, the girl had contacted two other numbers. Of the two numbers, the address of one of them matched the area in which the girl's phone was traced. They were heading to the place as of now. Arnav could join them if he wanted to identify the girls. So, Arnav and Khushi left in his car and the Father joined them in his own.
They reached the spot indicated by the security agency. And a person approached his car. Arnav got down. Looking at a lady inside the car, the security person assured Arnav towards the house, to update him. Khushi stepped out of the car. She shivered in the winter chill. The security personnel was updating Arnavji something. He finally patted Arnavji on the shoulder. Arnavji looked at her with his lips pursed. The dread returned. It was surely not good news.
Arnav walked to Khushi to give the bad news. "Khushi. There was a rave party here. They have located only the Uncle's daughter. Umm... she wasn't found in an... how shall I say it."
"What is it Arnavji? Please, please say it clearly."
"That girl was not found in a decent state Khushi."
"Whaaat? And Payal?" Khushi paled.
"They were not able to locate Payal and her friend."
Slowly, the full implication of the information sunk in. The heaviness in the heart returned. Tears formed. She cocooned her face with her palms and wept.
Arnav gently held her by the shoulder and tried to console her.
"Khushi. Don't lose heart. This is not over yet. We will keep the search on. Once the Uncle's daughter comes to consciousness, we will know where Payal is." He knew the hopes were bleak. What would an intoxicated girl remember?
Khushi silently nodded a no. Heart of heart, she knew there was no more hope. Her worst fears had come true. Having no energy left to support herself she leaned on to him. Grabbing his sweater for support and she hid her face further into him.
***
Arnav had gotten himself through many rough situations with his never-say-die attitude. And what made him take notice of Khushi, in the first place, was this very virtue. And to see her so defeated and beaten, broke something in him too.
He felt her lean on to him and shake with sobs. His arms spontaneously wrapped around her.
He knew that the current situation was hopeless. And Khushi was not the one who could be cajoled with false hopes. His eyes misted. No matter how hard you try, sometimes, life finally gets you.
He cocooned her further into himself and patted gently on her head.
As the hue of the morning sunlight shown in the sky, the two of them stood there in the middle of the road, drowned in the utter sense of despair.
***
After what seemed like a long time, Arnav's phone rang in his pocket. Khushi moved to make space between them, but he firmly held her to himself with one hand, and fished the phone from his other.
It was the security personnel.
Khushi arched her head to look at him. Arnav held the phone to his ears and looked at her anxiously.
"ASR here."
<<Silence. The security personnel speaking>>
"I will be there in a moment." He cut the call.
"Khushi, the security personel found some boys and girls locked inside a room. They have asked me to come over to check if one of them is Payal. They have asked me to come alone, Khushi."
He walked her gently to the car and settled her in. "I will be right back." He gently squeezed on her palms before leaving.
***
If someone had to describe the pain of hell, this had to be it. After 15 torturous minutes, Khushi saw Arnav walking towards the car at the corner of the road. And in his tow were two girls. She couldn't make out their faces, which were covered with scarves. And dresses were too short for them to be Payal. Both she and Payal always dressed modestly.
Khushi got down the car and walked towards Arnavji. Half way through one of the girls removed her scarf, and it was indeed Payal.
Khushi's pace quickened. Payal was elated to join her family. As they met midway...
SLAP!!
"Jiji" Payal gasped. This was the last thing she expected.
SLAP!!! SLAP!!!
"Jiji" Payal wept
"Khushi... Khushi Stop it. Kya kar rahi ho tum?" Arnav held her waist and pulled her back.
"Chodiye hamein Arnavji. If she is not already dead, then I am going to kill her right now."
"Jiji." Payal stood a few steps away, scared of her sister.
"Is this what you came to do hear? Tell me. Tell me." She screamed at her.
Arnav didn't let go of her, fearing the magnitude of her rage.
"Jiji, I swear on you, I had no idea we were coming to this place. Ask my friend, even she had no idea. Her cousin told us that we were attending a birthday party for a short while. And then would return home."
"Don't you dare lie to me Payal. Your clothes are revealing the entire truth."
"Nahi Jiji. Believe me. Please. They cut our clothes and forced these clothes on us. When we tried to get out of the house, some strong boys locked us in a room. We have lived through any girl's worst nightmare Jiji."
"Please Jiji. Believe me. Please."
"Khushi, she is telling the truth. The other kids with her are also saying the same thing."
"The team I hired wants us to leave ASAP. Let's go. Before police or anyone else arrives."
Despite her seething anger, Khushi reigned on her emotions. This was not the time and place to drive sense into Chutki.
Payal and her friend took the rear seat. The Uncle had already left with his unconscious daughter. So, dropping the girl back at her Uncles house, and collecting Payal's luggage, they headed towards the PG.
When they arrived at the PG-
"Khushi, i am saying again. Let's go to my place. Payal can stay there for the rest of the week."
"No Arnavji. Payal will be going back. I would like a day off to make arrangements for her return."
"If you can please wait for few more minutes, then I can get permissions from the warden to let her stay during day time. She will take the next available bus or train back home."
"Chutki you wait here." Khushi walked towards the warden's office.
***
There was a pregnant pause in the car after Khushi left.
"Sir" Payal said softly.
Arnav looked over his shoulder to acknowledge that he was listening.
"I am really sorry Sir. I swear on my Jiji. My friend and I were misled into the party. Once inside, strong security guards didn't let us out. When we made too much noise, they pushed us into that room."
"Don't swear on your Jiji Payal. She virtually died this morning when we were told that there was no hope of finding you. Do you think she deserves this?"
"I know Sir. My Jiji must have gone through hell. And she is upset with me for putting her through it. I am ok if anyone else accuses me of lying. Even my Amma. But I can't live knowing that my Jiji doesn't trust me anymore. I have never lied to her. I have been naughty as a child, but have always confessed the truth to my Jiji. You don't know me. But my Jiji does. I want her to have faith in me again." Silent tears flowed from her eyes.
"Payal, what happened this night was no ordinary thing. I hope you realize what could have happened if we had not found you."
"Yes sir. I do." She admitted.
"Then promise me you will do everything possible to regain your jiji's faith back. And atleast from your end, you will try to make her happy."
"I promise Sir."
"And call me Arnav. Somehow, Sir does not suit you." He faced her completely and smiled.
"Thank you Sir, I mean... Arnavji."
"Take my mobile number and personal email id. Call me anytime you want. Ok?"
"Ji"
***
Khushi stepped out with a paper in hand and walked to the window on Arnav's side.
"Sir, the warden has given permission for the day. Chutki, go inside and wait for me in the lobby."
Payal walked towards the entrance with her bag.
Khushi bent her head down and fidgeted with her fingers.
"Thank you Arnavji." Her lips quivered and the voice hoarse.
"Khushi... Arnav stepped out of the car. Don't..."
"Nahi Arnavji. Please don't undermine what you have done today. But for you, my Chutki wouldn't have seen the light of the day. And the word thank you is too small to express my gratitude."
"Khushi... No... No... Dont cry..." Arnav covered her fidgeting fingers with his palms to calm her. Tears flowed down her cheeks, with a few drops falling on his hand.
"Can you put this incident behind you and go on to live normally? Payal was duped into entering that house Khushi.
"People like Chutki and I have no margin for erring Arnavji. We are already in a hole. And have no scope to dig deeper. At a certain level, she has betrayed me."
"Betrayed? Arent you being too harsh on her, Khushi?"
"The word betrayal has several shades and levels to it Arnavji. In my world, with the kind of person my mother is, and the kind of father that... I had, Chutki was and has been my only source of sanity. And today, by breaking my trust, she has betrayed me at a certain level. I will not love her any less. That I am sure. But I may no longer be able to visiualise her as a bankable person, when she grows up."
"From where you stand, you are justified. But she is still a child. Don't forget that."
She nodded a yes. She knew Payal was young and inexperienced about the ways of the world. It was about time she saw the real world.
"Thank you Arnavji" she looked up to face him with tear stricken eyes. "And will you let me know the fees of the security company."
"Don't worry about that ok?"
"Now go and relax." He gently pushed on her shoulders.
She wiped her tears and nodded.
Payal stood at the steps of the PG and looked at the two of them. Tears were flowing for many reasons. Guilty ones for putting her Jiji through this distress, sad ones thinking how her Jiji must have lived those hours of horror, and happy ones for seeing someone pacify her Jiji, for the first time ever.
NEXT CHAPTER : BETRAYAL AND CONSEQUENCES CONTINUED...
"WHEN YOU ARE A NO ONE TO A CERTAIN SOMEONE"
Disclaimer: My knowledge about tracing people with the help of phones is limited. So please excuse if I have erred there.
A/n: How was it? Please please let me know. COMMENT or hit the LIKE BUTTON. I may not be able to reply to your comments, but it really helps me to know where my readers stand. Thankyou again. Will see you soon with the next update.
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