|SERIAL WRITING ACTIVITY 3| :🖤 QUEST OF LOVE 2🖤 - Page 2

Originally posted by: AnonymouslyS

“WHATS HAPPENINGS HERE? I shouted as I went out of my cabin. There was an obnoxious person yelling outside. All the staff had gathered there for some reason and Pallaviji - our Manager - who was shouting a few moments back got quiet again. She seemed a bit startled before she covered it up with a helpless look on her face.

“Koi mujhe bataye ga ki kya ho raha hain yaha? Pallavi, aap chilla kyun rahi hai?” I asked her trying to maintain the calmness in my voice. The day had gone really bad, worse than I had expected. I was already worried about my meeting, the clients weren’t the nicest or easiest to deal with. They wouldn’t let me talk through their problems, rather started to call our company careless and rude. I immediately left the meeting there, giving them a formal goodbye. And guess what happens when I came here?

The staff were busy talking about their personal problems, completely ignoring their work and they weren’t done with their due projects either.

And now , again, it looks like the staff has gotten there personal problems in their profession.

“Dekhiye,” Pallaviji said while pulling the two files that Pooja was holding and handing it to me.

“Pooja ne contractors ke naam adla badli kardiye! Ab kya karengey hum! Yeh toh...” Pallavi was about to talk more but I interrupted her. There was such an easy solution to this and she decides to make an big deal out of this!

“Pallaviji and the rest of you, go back to your work. Aur hain, aaj ke liye main aaplogo ko maaf kardete hoon lekin agli baar, I shouldn't catch you guys slacking! Understand?” The staff’s nodded before rushing back to their desks.

“Mrs. Pooja, come to my cabin.” Pooja followed me to my cabin. I could see the worried look on her face.

“Don’t worry. Aap yeh docuemnts re-do karsakti hain. Is document ka soft copy aap edit karke mujhe desakti hai. Hmm?” I said.

“Yes, Sir” She said again and she still had the coldness in her voice. This coldness of her’s was only reserved for me I guess because I never see her using this tone with anyone else except me. Maybe I deserve it, I thought to myself.

“Main Jao, Sir?” She asked me. I sign her yes and she leaves that cabin.

I massage my temples, trying to calm myself.

Sometimes, I wish I could go somewhere far away from all this stress. Perhaps somewhere in the mountains. Away from all the problems in this business and life, detached from this merciless world which just takes things away from you.

I wanted to talk to Anmol, let him know all my problems. But will he be able to help me? Or atleast give me the comfort I so dearly want right now?

I walked to Abir Singhania's cabin. He was explaining to me the easy way to tackle my errors. I nodded yes to his briefings.

"Woh! Sorry Sir.. Aage se dhyaan rakhungi ke Mujhse aisi koi bhi galti naa ho. Main abhi yeh theek karke deti hoon", I uttered and went back to my counter.

It's nearly 40mins, I re corrected the errors in the document and went to his cabin. " Yeh lijiye Sir, maine theek kar diye. Dekh lijiye agar koi galti ho toh bata dena, aur 15mins hain mere paas files mail karne ke liye", I uttered.

Originally posted by: Home786

I walked to Abir Singhania's cabin. He was explaining to me the easy way to tackle my errors. I nodded yes to his briefings.

"Woh! Sorry Sir.. Aage se dhyaan rakhungi ke Mujhse aisi koi bhi galti naa ho. Main abhi yeh theek karke deti hoon", I uttered and went back to my counter.

It's nearly 40mins, I re corrected the errors in the document and went to his cabin. " Yeh lijiye Sir, maine theek kar diye. Dekh lijiye agar koi galti ho toh bata dena, aur 15mins hain mere paas files mail karne ke liye", I uttered.

“Hmm... “ I checked the document. It was perfect now. Finally, something good happened in this series of a bad day.

“Sab teekh hain, aap abh isko mail karsakti hai!.”

Originally posted by: AnonymouslyS

“Hmm... “ I checked the document. It was perfect now. Finally, something good happened in this series of a bad day.

“Sab teekh hain, aap abh isko mail karsakti hai!.”

"Theek hai. Thank you Sir. ", I reverted and walked out of the cabin.

"Yeh lijiye Pallavi ab aap isse time pe mail kar sakti hai. Aur haan sorry mere wajah se itna khasth uthane pada aapko"..

It's evening 7 and as soon as the office time gets over, without even informing Abir Ji, I went to court hiring a RickShaw…

The scene shifts to the court.

The day looked so normal but it was quite abnormally silent inside the court..

As if everyone was finally waiting for the final judgement.....

"Based on the 6 months long detailed investigation as well as based on the evidences provided on behalf of the victim the court has come to the conclusion that the little girl was clearly attempted to be molested by the accused ....and he is proved guilty...

Our nation has always been fighting against girl child abuse but it's still so painful and disappointing to acknowledge that such cruel people still exist.This is still a matter of major concern for our girl child's safety , even when we claim that women empowerment has revolutionised each and every field. ...Taking into consideration the age of the child as well as the evidences provided against the guilty, According to IPC section 354A, charges against sexual harassment, vinod Kumar has been found guilty and sentenced to jail for 3 years with a monetary fine...

Let's hope that someday we would be able to achieve zero rape or molest cases in our country, a day that will create history in the whole world. With this, the court is adjorned.....Jaihind"

Everyone seems contented from their faces and their glance shifted to the lawyer who fought so bravely for that little girl...

Rajeev kapoor , the lawyer slowly moving out of the court

I slowly stood up and walked towards the corridor to finally have a breath of fresh air after months of battle but I was unexpectedly surrounded by the crowd of media people....They shot me with a bullet of questions.

"Adv Rajeev Kapoor..... Sir what do you finally feel after all these months of battle? Are you satisfied with the final verdict? When many such cases are still pending what would you like to say about the safety of girls?"....and many more such questions came out of the blue so randomly that I had to finally interrupt them.

"Eventhough I have got an opportunity to fight for a small girl today ,honestly it's still dissatisfying but a sad fact that many such girls are fighting such circumstances everyday not just girls even women.....I'm satisfied for a moment that I could give justice to atleast one ....but it's still a long journey to ensure justice to many such young girls....I hope I will be able to fight for each and everyone of them.....it's no more about fighting and winning its more about whether there will come a day when our children would be free from all such evil and lead their life without any fear.....thank you"

I just left the crowd ignoring any more questions and just then realised all these have been witnessed by someone so familiar and close to me....

"Pooja bhabhi....aap yaha? What a pleasant surprise....if you wanted to meet me why didn't you just called me? I would have reached your office for sure...."saying this I checked my mobile phone only to realise that it had been switched off for quite sometime....

"I'm sorry bhabhi. ...Aaj itni badi case ka final judgement tha....I forgot that I switched it off before entering the court...."

But she was so happy to see me there and even thanked me to switch off the phone unintentionally otherwise she would have missed such a proudful moment in my life...

I requested her to follow me to my cabin...she followed me

"Bhabhi, sirf wishes and happiness? No way.....you have to give me your handmade gajar ka halwa.....yum....." I continued my blabber without even realising that she was very silent....I turned around and looked at her.

She was visibly disturbed....

" coffee or tea"I asked but she politely rejected my offer

After my continous insistance she displayed her worries regarding the case.

"Bhabhi, I know you are very much worried about it ....and you can't be blamed either.....it has almost been 3 years....and we are still battling it....but you are a matured person....as far as I know you also know the fact that the court procedures and trials in such complicated cases are never easy.....even your business rivals would never leave even a single chance to take advantage of these if you go weak like this amidst..."

She assured me that it was never about her doubts on my capabilities or my friendship with her or Anmol but she feared the more it takes time to bring the truth which is still like a puzzle infront of the world, the more she is unable to be herself infront of her own eyes...

With a deep sigh I replied"bhabhi main aapse kuch kahoon toh bura mat maaniye, I need not remind you that you have always been very strong throughout your life....as far as I know you through Anmol, you always had that patience to fight for your justice even if it took a very long time.....you have to be strong .....Anmol is with you....and he will always be with you....so you don't have to worry about the case now.....all i can assure you now is that it may be a long path but at the end you will get what you deserve....at least have this small faith in your friend na bhabhi. .....I will try whatever it is possible to ensure you justice....."

After my assuring words finally pooja had a small relieving smile on her face....I realised I was able to win her trust through my words....

She appreciated me wholeheartedly for my fight for the little girl....she was feeling too helpless for that little girl's situation....I could imagine her state since she has gone through such tortures in one or the other way throughout her past.....at the same time she is mom to Aditi too....so her concerns and sympathy was relatable ...

But she was happy that I could help that girl atleast by punishing the guilty....

Pooja's transformation from a vulnerable soul to a very strong ,independent yet pure soul was easily noticable from her concerning words......

A phone call interrupted our conversation...I took the call:

"hello , mishraji, kya baat kaha rahi hain aap....I am fighting for you and we are at the verge of winning our part but you can't pay me at the promised time still?

Rajeev kapoor is not like any other lawyer who will simply fight.....just enquire is there a single case that failed in my hands....if i ever take anyone's it only means that he /she has already won....I won't take any case without surety of winning it....but i don't give a damn to those who try to bargain with me or buy me the way they want....just deliver my fees by sharp 1.30 pm at my office or else just search for your next lawyer......bye"

For a second I forgot pooja is sitting infront of me.....but I came back to my senses watching her shocked expressions

I answered her concern" arre bhabhi nothing to bother about ....he is one of my clients vikas mishra....the notorious estate owner.you might have heard of him....I'm fighting for one of his property case and when we are just an inch away from winning the case , he is refusing to pay my fees...."

Pooja was shocked to see me demanding huge remuneration while I was refusing the same a while ago from the abused girl's family....

"Bhabhi un logon ko hamari zaroorat hain un logon keliye nyay dilwaana kahina kahi mera bhi farz tha. ....un logon ke paas paise the ya nahi mujhe koi pharak nahi padta.....Lekin mishra jaise lootere logon ko lootne ka ek bhi mauka main yoohi nahi Jane doonga.....just understand I get some kind of sadistic pleasure irritating these kind of people......arre itni badi lawyer hai maanta hoon kabhi kabhi samaj seva bhi karta hai lekin apni living expenses aur earning keliye in laalchi logon ki paseena hi mereliye satisfying hai.....ab kya Karen.....sab log aapki tarah har kisike liye achi nahi bansakthi haina bhabhi , Rajeev kapoor style....."

She was always against such kind of people and advised me to be aware of such people..I was used to get advice but promised her to remember her words....

Suddenly she got aditi's call....she seemed worried about her and since it was getting too late ,she just opted to leave. But before rushing out she invited me to Puja taking place in the singhania mansion tomorrow and I nodded yes..

She shortly left my office leaving me busy with my own case studies and schedule. ...

Originally posted by: Rudhitafan

The scene shifts to the court.

The day looked so normal but it was quite abnormally silent inside the court..

As if everyone was finally waiting for the final judgement.....

"Based on the 6 months long detailed investigation as well as based on the evidences provided on behalf of the victim the court has come to the conclusion that the little girl was clearly attempted to be molested by the accused ....and he is proved guilty...

Our nation has always been fighting against girl child abuse but it's still so painful and disappointing to acknowledge that such cruel people still exist.This is still a matter of major concern for our girl child's safety , even when we claim that women empowerment has revolutionised each and every field. ...Taking into consideration the age of the child as well as the evidences provided against the guilty, According to IPC section 354A, charges against sexual harassment, vinod Kumar has been found guilty and sentenced to jail for 3 years with a monetary fine...

Let's hope that someday we would be able to achieve zero rape or molest cases in our country, a day that will create history in the whole world. With this, the court is adjorned.....Jaihind"

Everyone seems contented from their faces and their glance shifted to the lawyer who fought so bravely for that little girl...

Rajeev kapoor , the lawyer slowly moving out of the court

I slowly stood up and walked towards the corridor to finally have a breath of fresh air after months of battle but I was unexpectedly surrounded by the crowd of media people....They shot me with a bullet of questions.

"Adv Rajeev Kapoor..... Sir what do you finally feel after all these months of battle? Are you satisfied with the final verdict? When many such cases are still pending what would you like to say about the safety of girls?"....and many more such questions came out of the blue so randomly that I had to finally interrupt them.

"Eventhough I have got an opportunity to fight for a small girl today ,honestly it's still dissatisfying but a sad fact that many such girls are fighting such circumstances everyday not just girls even women.....I'm satisfied for a moment that I could give justice to atleast one ....but it's still a long journey to ensure justice to many such young girls....I hope I will be able to fight for each and everyone of them.....it's no more about fighting and winning its more about whether there will come a day when our children would be free from all such evil and lead their life without any fear.....thank you"

I just left the crowd ignoring any more questions and just then realised all these have been witnessed by someone so familiar and close to me....

"Pooja bhabhi....aap yaha? What a pleasant surprise....if you wanted to meet me why didn't you just called me? I would have reached your office for sure...."saying this I checked my mobile phone only to realise that it had been switched off for quite sometime....

"I'm sorry bhabhi. ...Aaj itni badi case ka final judgement tha....I forgot that I switched it off before entering the court...."

But she was so happy to see me there and even thanked me to switch off the phone unintentionally otherwise she would have missed such a proudful moment in my life...

I requested her to follow me to my cabin...she followed me

"Bhabhi, sirf wishes and happiness? No way.....you have to give me your handmade gajar ka halwa.....yum....." I continued my blabber without even realising that she was very silent....I turned around and looked at her.

She was visibly disturbed....

" coffee or tea"I asked but she politely rejected my offer

After my continous insistance she displayed her worries regarding the case.

"Bhabhi, I know you are very much worried about it ....and you can't be blamed either.....it has almost been 3 years....and we are still battling it....but you are a matured person....as far as I know you also know the fact that the court procedures and trials in such complicated cases are never easy.....even your business rivals would never leave even a single chance to take advantage of these if you go weak like this amidst..."

She assured me that it was never about her doubts on my capabilities or my friendship with her or Anmol but she feared the more it takes time to bring the truth which is still like a puzzle infront of the world, the more she is unable to be herself infront of her own eyes...

With a deep sigh I replied"bhabhi main aapse kuch kahoon toh bura mat maaniye, I need not remind you that you have always been very strong throughout your life....as far as I know you through Anmol, you always had that patience to fight for your justice even if it took a very long time.....you have to be strong .....Anmol is with you....and he will always be with you....so you don't have to worry about the case now.....all i can assure you now is that it may be a long path but at the end you will get what you deserve....at least have this small faith in your friend na bhabhi. .....I will try whatever it is possible to ensure you justice....."

After my assuring words finally pooja had a small relieving smile on her face....I realised I was able to win her trust through my words....

She appreciated me wholeheartedly for my fight for the little girl....she was feeling too helpless for that little girl's situation....I could imagine her state since she has gone through such tortures in one or the other way throughout her past.....at the same time she is mom to Aditi too....so her concerns and sympathy was relatable ...

But she was happy that I could help that girl atleast by punishing the guilty....

Pooja's transformation from a vulnerable soul to a very strong ,independent yet pure soul was easily noticable from her concerning words......

A phone call interrupted our conversation...I took the call:

"hello , mishraji, kya baat kaha rahi hain aap....I am fighting for you and we are at the verge of winning our part but you can't pay me at the promised time still?

Rajeev kapoor is not like any other lawyer who will simply fight.....just enquire is there a single case that failed in my hands....if i ever take anyone's it only means that he /she has already won....I won't take any case without surety of winning it....but i don't give a damn to those who try to bargain with me or buy me the way they want....just deliver my fees by sharp 1.30 pm at my office or else just search for your next lawyer......bye"

For a second I forgot pooja is sitting infront of me.....but I came back to my senses watching her shocked expressions

I answered her concern" arre bhabhi nothing to bother about ....he is one of my clients vikas mishra....the notorious estate owner.you might have heard of him....I'm fighting for one of his property case and when we are just an inch away from winning the case , he is refusing to pay my fees...."

Pooja was shocked to see me demanding huge remuneration while I was refusing the same a while ago from the abused girl's family....

"Bhabhi un logon ko hamari zaroorat hain un logon keliye nyay dilwaana kahina kahi mera bhi farz tha. ....un logon ke paas paise the ya nahi mujhe koi pharak nahi padta.....Lekin mishra jaise lootere logon ko lootne ka ek bhi mauka main yoohi nahi Jane doonga.....just understand I get some kind of sadistic pleasure irritating these kind of people......arre itni badi lawyer hai maanta hoon kabhi kabhi samaj seva bhi karta hai lekin apni living expenses aur earning keliye in laalchi logon ki paseena hi mereliye satisfying hai.....ab kya Karen.....sab log aapki tarah har kisike liye achi nahi bansakthi haina bhabhi , Rajeev kapoor style....."

Since it's getting too late,she just opted to leave. She shortly left my office leaving me busy with my own case studies and schedule. ...

After leaving the office, I went straight to court. There, I see an advocate getting huge applause for winning such a great case. Getting justice for a victimised girl falling prey to some monsters is not less than achievement. I am proud of Advocate Rajeev Kapoor, yes Rajeev, my best friend and good well wisher to me. With happy tears, I went towards him to wish him. But it seems difficult amidst the huge crowd gushing over there. As soon as he saw me, he broke the media's interaction and signed me to follow him to his cabin with a smile. We both entered his cabin.

"Baithiye na Bhabhi. Koi kaam tha toh mujhe bula liya hota", he greeted with utmost respect.

"Rajeev mujhe sach mein aaj bahut khushi huwi aapko yuhn nyaay ke liye ladta dekh. Warna aaj kal yeh swarti duniya mein aachai naam ki cheez kahan? Haina… aapko yeh jeet uss har ek darinde pe laga thapad hoga aur ek ladki ke liye himmat. Aap aur Anmol Ji dono ek jaise hai. Nyaay ke liye apni jaan jhoke pe laaga kar bhi jeet haseel karna aap dono se seekhe. Aap toh Anmol Ji ke saath saath mere bhi ache dost hain. Aur mujhe apni dosti pe pura bharosa hai aur aapki Khabiliyat par bhi. Dekh na ek din aise har ek insaan apne nyaay ke liye ladega bina kisi darr ke. Aur mujhe toh zarur nyaay milne se koi nahi rokh sakta", I exclaimed to him with a happy tone. But, suddenly he got a phone, upon listening to his phone conversation, I was a little surprised and shocked.

"Yeh kya hai Rajeev aapne phone aise kyun? Mere matlab hai ke paison ke liye kaam Karna? Rajeev main jaanti yeh log bahut bure and dusht hai lekin zaruri nahin haina ke hum bhi unn ke level pe ghir jaye. Shayad woh log hamari aachai se badal jaye.! Aap mujhse zyada jaante hai yeh nyaay anyaay ke baare phir bhiaapki dost hone ki khaatir main aapse kehna chahungi Rajeev kabhi bhi aisa kuch mat kijiye ga jisse hamaari taraf se dusro ko taklif ho. Kabhi hamaari muskan ke liye jaane anjane mein bhi aansu nahi aane chaahiye. Aur mujhe pura vishwas hai ke mere dost hamesha sab ki khushiyon ke liye ladenge aur iss desh ki aachai ke liye hamesha khade honge..

I got a phone from Aditi crying. I stoop up immediately, " Rajeev mujhe ghar jaana hoga, Aditi roh rahi hai. Pata nahi batao mein Kaise 8.30 baj gaye.. Baaki baatein kal karenge. Waise kal ki Puja pe toh aa rahe ho aap haina.. Ab mein chalti hoon Rajeev", I rushed back to my home. I reached home where Aditi ran towards me and hugged me tightly.. Everyone looked at me disappointed..

I stretch my arms, tired of sitting in my office and checking files the whole day. I decided to go home early today, the only important work due today had been done, I was free from the work now. I looked outside and frowned at what I saw.

Pooja’s desk was empty, that was strange. She usually doesn’t leave till 8:30. I checked my watch, it was just seven o’clock. She didn’t even inform me! Maybe she left to home?

I called Bua to check if she was there.

She wasn’t. Where could she have went? Maybe she is still on her way?

I immediately left that place and started my car, going back to my house. While driving, I looked around the road, hoping to see her somewhere but I couldn’t find her. She should have reached home by now, I tried to pacify my heart which was starting to beat rapidly.

I drove the fastest I could. When I reached my house, I literally ran to the door.

“Papa,” I heard the sweet. voice of my little angel calling out to me. My worried subsided a bit. I hugged Aditi tightly. I was usually really busy and barely got to see her except for a few hours in the night.

“Baccha, tum teekh ho na? School kaisa raha?” I asked while lifting her up. She gave a little kiss in my cheeks.

“I am fine, Papa. Aur school bhi thik tha.”

I sat her down on the chair to drink some water.

“Tumhaari Mama kahan hain, mujhe unse kuch zaroor baat karni hain.”

“Mama toh abhi tak nahin aayi,” Aditi said a little sadly.

“What?!” I said. She didn’t come yet? She was here by this point, where could she have left? I started getting very bad thoughts. What if she got kidnapped... what if.. what if she got into an accident? No - no - I can’t lose another person. I have lost every one that I loved before. If I lose her, I won’t be able to live.

“Papa, Mujhe na need nahin arahi. Usually, Mama mujhe kuch stories sunakar sula deti hain. Par woh toh abhi tak nahin aayi. Aap sunaoge mujhe stories.” Aditi innocently asked me.

“Teekh hain.” I said smiling. But deep inside, the horror I felt was tremendous.

I kept looking at the clock, one hour had passed, and she still hadn’t come. As the time passed by, my fear grow more and more.

“Mujhe Mama se baat karni hain” Aditi whined as she got up from the bed. It was now 8:300 and she still wasn’t home.

“Main mumma ko call karoonga na apke liye,” I got my phone and called Pooja. Partly for Aditi and partly for me too.

Originally posted by: AnonymouslyS

I stretch my arms, tired of sitting in my office and checking files the whole day. I decided to go home early today, the only important work due today had been done, I was free from the work now. I looked outside and frowned at what I saw.

Pooja’s desk was empty, that was strange. She usually doesn’t leave till 8:30. I checked my watch, it was just seven o’clock. She didn’t even inform me! Maybe she left to home?

I called Bua to check if she was there.

She wasn’t. Where could she have went? Maybe she is still on her way?

I immediately left that place and started my car, going back to my house. While driving, I looked around the road, hoping to see her somewhere but I couldn’t find her. She should have reached home by now, I tried to pacify my heart which was starting to beat rapidly.

I drove the fastest I could. When I reached my house, I literally ran to the door.

“Papa,” I heard the sweet. voice of my little angel calling out to me. My worried subsided a bit. I hugged Aditi tightly. I was usually really busy and barely got to see her except for a few hours in the night.

“Baccha, tum teekh ho na? School kaisa raha?” I asked while lifting her up. She gave a little kiss in my cheeks.

“I am fine, Papa. Aur school bhi thik tha.”

I sat her down on the chair to drink some water.

“Tumhaari Mama kahan hain, mujhe unse kuch zaroor baat karni hain.”

“Mama toh abhi tak nahin aayi,” Aditi said a little sadly.

“What?!” I said. She didn’t come yet? She was here by this point, where could she have left? I started getting very bad thoughts. What if she got kidnapped... what if.. what if she got into an accident? No - no - I can’t lose another person. I have lost every one that I loved before. If I lose her, I won’t be able to live.

“Papa, Mujhe na need nahin arahi. Usually, Mama mujhe kuch stories sunakar sula deti hain. Par woh toh abhi tak nahin aayi. Aap sunaoge mujhe stories.” Aditi innocently asked me.

“Teekh hain.” I said smiling. But deep inside, the horror I felt was tremendous.

I kept looking at the clock, one hour had passed, and she still hadn’t come. As the time passed by, my fear grow more and more.

Raat ke 9 baj rahe hain

Aisa konsa kaam yaad aa gaya ussey?

Aur upar se Aditi bhi uski mumma ke bina ek pal nahi rukh ti.

Phone laga rahi hoon woh bhi bandh aaraha.

Kuch pata karna. Dekh kahan hai bahu.

Mujhe chinta ho rahi hai.

Originally posted by: RoyalDreams97

Abir beta sunn bahu kab tak aayegi.

Raat ke 9 baj rahe hain

Aisa konsa kaam yaad aa gaya ussey?

Aur upar se Aditi bhi uski mumma ke bina ek pal nahi rukh ti.

Phone laga rahi hoon woh bhi bandh aaraha.

Kuch pata karna. Dekh kahan hai bahu.

Mujhe chinta ho rahi hai.

“Chinta toh mujhe bhi horaha hain, Bua. Abhi tak toh unhe aana chahiye tha. Maine unhe call kardiye hain, Aditi se baat ho rahi hai unki. Abh toh zaroor ayengi.”

I looked intently at the door, waiting for Pooja to come out the door at any given time.

Originally posted by: AnonymouslyS

I stretch my arms, tired of sitting in my office and checking files the whole day. I decided to go home early today, the only important work due today had been done, I was free from the work now. I looked outside and frowned at what I saw.

Pooja’s desk was empty, that was strange. She usually doesn’t leave till 8:30. I checked my watch, it was just seven o’clock. She didn’t even inform me! Maybe she left to home?

I called Bua to check if she was there.

She wasn’t. Where could she have went? Maybe she is still on her way?

I immediately left that place and started my car, going back to my house. While driving, I looked around the road, hoping to see her somewhere but I couldn’t find her. She should have reached home by now, I tried to pacify my heart which was starting to beat rapidly.

I drove the fastest I could. When I reached my house, I literally ran to the door.

“Papa,” I heard the sweet. voice of my little angel calling out to me. My worried subsided a bit. I hugged Aditi tightly. I was usually really busy and barely got to see her except for a few hours in the night.

“Baccha, tum teekh ho na? School kaisa raha?” I asked while lifting her up. She gave a little kiss in my cheeks.

“I am fine, Papa. Aur school bhi thik tha.”

I sat her down on the chair to drink some water.

“Tumhaari Mama kahan hain, mujhe unse kuch zaroor baat karni hain.”

“Mama toh abhi tak nahin aayi,” Aditi said a little sadly.

“What?!” I said. She didn’t come yet? She was here by this point, where could she have left? I started getting very bad thoughts. What if she got kidnapped... what if.. what if she got into an accident? No - no - I can’t lose another person. I have lost every one that I loved before. If I lose her, I won’t be able to live.

“Papa, Mujhe na need nahin arahi. Usually, Mama mujhe kuch stories sunakar sula deti hain. Par woh toh abhi tak nahin aayi. Aap sunaoge mujhe stories.” Aditi innocently asked me.

“Teekh hain.” I said smiling. But deep inside, the horror I felt was tremendous.

I kept looking at the clock, one hour had passed, and she still hadn’t come. As the time passed by, my fear grow more and more.

“Mujhe Mama se baat karni hain” Aditi whined as she got up from the bed. It was now 8:300 and she still wasn’t home.

“Main mumma ko call karoonga na apke liye,” I got my phone and called Pooja. Partly for Aditi and partly for me too.

I reached home by 9. I rushed inside the home. Aditi came running to me and hugged me, " Mumma, aa gayi aap? Kahan thi aap itni der, main aapko yaad kar rahi thi", she said sadly.

"Mumma aa gayi haina baccha. Ab aapko sad hone ki koi zarurat nahi hai. Aur mujhe maaf kar dena late aane ke liye", In apologized holding my ears.

I stood up and noticed others. Abir Ji and Bua ji was looking at me with an utmost disappointment out of fear and anxiousness..

Originally posted by: AnonymouslyS

“Chinta toh mujhe bhi horaha hain, Bua. Abhi tak toh unhe aana chahiye tha. Maine unhe call kardiye hain, Aditi se baat ho rahi hai unki. Abh toh zaroor ayengi.”

I looked intently at the door, waiting for Pooja to come out the door at any given time.

Kya karti rehti hai yeh ladki re baba.

Jaan mein jaan nahi bachti jab tak tum log ghar wapas nahi aate.

Yeh lo aa gayi bahu.