f i v e
the missing piece

Sara was settled on the couch, her laptop in her lap while she worked. It was a work-from-home day for her. She stuffed a tiny sandwich which Shubman had made before he left, in her mouth, unaware of her surroundings.

"Arey aap ghar pe hai, Sara didi?" (You're at home, Sara?) she flinched at the sudden sound, shrieking.

"Acha aap hai Tai," (Oh, it's you) she breathed out as she looked at the house help- Usha Tai.

Usha Tai, an older woman, in her late thirties smiled at Sara as she scampered away to complete her chores.

"Aapko kuch chahiye toh bata dijiye didi," (Let me know if you want anything) she said and Sara nodded.

"Haa, bata dungi," (Yes, I will) she mumbled, her attention back to the e-mail she had gotten from Nalini.

The day progressed slowly as Sara kept on working without a break. She finally got a chance to get out of the couch as the sun rays blared at the windows, at midday.

"Usha Tai?" Sara mumbled.

"Andar hu!" (I'm in!) she heard her voice and quickly walked to Shubman's room, surprised to find Usha on a stool, cleaning the topmost shelf which was decorated with his trophies.

"Arey Tai,"

"Bass saaf kar rahi thi, bohot din hogaye," (I was just cleaning, it's been quite some days)

"I'm sure he'll appreciate this, Tai, just be careful," she said. "Wait, I'll hold the stool for you,"

But just as Sara could walk up to the stool, Usha moved a little and lost her balance, falling off.

"TAI!" Sara shouted, shocked as Usha fell on the cold, hard floor.

"Oh my god," Sara's voice was loud and high, as she crouched down to help her up. Usha yelped in pain, making Sara's heartbeat race.

"Let's get you to the hospital," she  muttered under her breath. Sara helped the wounded woman sit against the bed, quickly rushing to bring her some water.

Sara glanced at Usha's bruised leg as she handed her the glass of water.

"Aap pani pi lijiye phir hospital chalenge," (Drink water and then we'll go to the hospital) she gently said, wrapping her arm around her shoulder to support her.

"Nahi didi, kuch nahi hua mujhe," (No, I'm fine) Usha croaked out.

"Kya kuch nahi hua? Pair pe kitni moch aayi hai," (Your leg is bruised!) Sara interjected, widening her eyes at Usha's denial.

In forty five minutes, they reached the nearest hospital. Usha's arm had also started aching by the time she sat in the wheelchair, Sara wheeling her to the orthopedist. The next couple of hours were a whirlwind, as they went through X-Rays, scans and procedures.

To quote Sara Tendulkar-Gill, "Zindagi katt jaayegi inke forms bharte bharte!" (My life will get over filling these forms!)

As they settled in a V.I.P. room, nurses marched in, checking Usha. Sara settled down on a chair, sighing as she glanced out the window. Her brows knit as she glanced at the sunless sky, the sky darkening. Shubman!

She glanced at the watch, checking the time, panic setting in as she realised she hadn't shared her whereabouts with her husband.

"Shit, phone dead hai," (Shit, my phone is dead) she mumbled, quickly plugging her phone to a switchboard.

"He must be worried, "

🪷

"Sara! Sara, I'm home," Shubman called out his wife as soon as he stepped in. "Sara?" He called her out again as he removed his socks. "Usha Tai?"

Why is no one replying to me?

He quickly sauntered in Sara's room, cautiously opening the door to not disturb her. She's not here. Maybe she's in my room?

His footsteps were quick and fast as he scanned through his entire apartment, searching for his wife. Where is she?

He sharply inhaled, his heartbeat quickening. He pulled out his phone from his pocket, perhaps I missed her message. His inbox was empty, scaring him. He called her up, but it was like calling a wall. A switched off phone. His mind went blank, feeling hazy as he stared at the wall in front of him, seeing black spots.

Sara. Sara, where is she? Why is she not at home? Is...she okay? What if something? No, no.

No, she would be okay.

A message, she must've left me a message.

He rushed out, searching her room, the kitchen. His eyes fell on the laptop on the couch, adding to his concerns.

"Why is her laptop just lying on the sofa? Where did she go off in a haste?" Alisha.

"Boliye jeejaji," (Say, brother-in-law) Alisha's voice boomed from the other line.

"Alisha," his voice was shaky as he spoke. "Is Sara...Sara with you?"

"What?" Alisha softly whispered. "What do you mean? Sara was supposed to be at home today," Alisha's voice faltered as Sah heard his trembling voice, instantly concerned about her best friend.

"She's not here,"

"Does Usha Tai know?" She asked and Shubman's heart froze.

"She isn't here either," he somehow formed the words. "Deshpande," his voice croaked. "I'll find her, I know you must be at the clinic right now. Just...just call me if you get to know something," he somehow reassured her.

"Yeah yeah," Alisha tried to seem optimistic. "She must be here somewhere, you know how absent minded that girl is,"

🪷

An hour passed.

Shubman had called all the people they knew in Mumbai. Sara's colleagues had also contacted him, reporting her sudden disappearance. He had skimmed the nearby shops, the park in front of their society, asked the neighbours- she was nowhere. He felt dizzy, tears pooling his eyes when the doorbell rung. He managed to get up of from the sofa, his legs trembling as he walked to the door. The door opened to reveal familiar faces.

"Bhaiyya," his voice was a soft, earnest whisper as he saw Virat and Anushka.

"Shubi," Virat's voice was warm and brotherly as he embraced him. "Shant hoja," (Calm down)

"Sara," was all he could say.

"Shubi, we'll find her don't worry,"

The couple heard some sniffs as they noticed that he had broken into sobs, heart aching at the thought of his wife.

Just then, he got a call. He hastily pulled away from Virat. Usha Tai's husband.

"Hello," Shubman managed to speak normally, wiping away his tears.

"Hello saahab, you called?"

"Woh Usha Tai aayi nahi isilye," (I called because Usha isn't here) he trailed off.

"Arey kya mazak kar rahe hai? Aap hi toh use hospital leke gaye na," (Why are you joking? You took her to the hospital)

Shubman's eyes widened.

"Hospital?"

"Saahab, aapko kaise thank you bolu woh bhi samajh nahi aaraha, aap Usha ka dhyan rakh rahe hai, kaam khatam karte hi aajayunga," (I don't even how to thank you for taking care of Usha. I'll be there as soon as I finish work)

Shubman remained confused, but the puzzle began to solve itself as Mangesh narrated the events of the afternoon.

Sara's okay.

"Mangesh dada, I was at practice, I didn't know...I'll go to the hospital right away,"

Virat and Anushka looked alert as soon as they heard the word 'hospital'. The stared at Shubman, waiting for him to hang up.

"Shubi, kya hua hai?" (What has happened?) Anushka's voice was tense.

"Our househelp- Usha Tai got hurt, so Sara's with her, at the hospital," he said and the couple sighed, relieved that Sara was okay.

"Let's go," Virat said. "I'll drive,"

Shubman and Anushka nodded, following him.

🪷

"Where's Sara Gill?" Anushka quickly hurried to the reception, Shubman still a little hazy to talk to others. He just needed to see her.

"Uhm," the receptionist hesitated. "I can't,"

"Okay, we know you can't. But you do realise that is her husband, yeah?" Anushka replied. "Do you not know any one of us?" She asked, her voice stern and the receptionist shook her head, glancing at the three famous personalities.

"You're right, just Shubman sir; show me an id and I'll let you go,"

"Thank you," he said, pulling out his Aadhar card. "Thank you so much for understanding,"

"Patient's name is Usha Kamat, and the room is booked on the name of Mrs. Sara Gill, room number 237, just go down the hall," she said.

"Thank you," Shubman repeated.

As they walked, Shubman's eyes landed on a room, labeled as 'Prayer room'.

"Uhm bhaiyya bhabhi, I'll be back...Gotta use the washroom," he quickly muttered.

"Don't get lost, jaldi aana," Anushka glared at him. "I don't need more wanderers today,"

"I'll be back soon,"

He inhaled, twisting the cold doorknob, opening the door. The room didn't seem anything different, just a silent little room with some people sitting.

He sat in one corner, folding his hands as he closed his eyes. He focused on his breathing, calming his nerves. In. Out.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you for keeping her safe. Okay.

And as I am on it, please heal Usha Tai soon.

Thank you for everything.

His eyes opened, as he felt his eyes moistening. He wiped away his eyes, getting up. Room 237 was quite close to the prayer room. He opened the door, his eyes landing on his wife.

Sara.

She was pulled in a hug by both Virat and Anushka, only her face visible.

As Sara saw him, her lips automatically curved into a smile. His mind went blank, confused on how to react. His throat was stuck, mind clouded with thousands of thoughts.

Virat and Anushka left Sara, and she breathed out. She glanced at Shubman, opening her mouth to say something, but he quickly tore his gaze away, walking up to the bed.

"Usha Tai, aap theek hai?" (Usha Tai, are you okay?) he asked softly. Sara gulped, the fact that he didn't even talk to her first stung her a little.

"Kuch nahi hua hai mujhe," (Nothing has happened to me) she tried to smile but the wince in her voice narrated a different story.

"Mangesh dada is on his way, I talked to him," he let her know and she just nodded, still in pain.

"When will Tai get discharged?" Shubman asked, without looking at Sara. She walked over to him, standing right beside her before she answered.

"They want to run a few other tests and everything. She's also in pain so they just want to make sure there aren't other problems. They're making her stay overnight,"

"Alright, and the insurance thing? That's sorted,"

"Uhm...not yet,"

"Okay," he said. "I'll get to it right away," he curtly informed, exiting the room. Sara sighed, her gaze on the door her husband just closed.

"Give him a moment," Virat softly said. "He's had a long day too," Sara nodded.

"I'm sorry again," she mumbled and Anushka lovingly smiled at her.

"It's okay sweetheart, I'm just glad you're okay," she said, placing her hand on Sara's shoulder. "We were all just very concerned, you know? And he, he went through hell for the past couple of hours. Couldn't talk, walked around with shaky legs, he almost crumbled down Sara," Anushka said with a sad smile.

Sara felt a knot in her stomach, guilt gnawing at her. She stared at the floor, her vague reflection visible on the marble. I didn't mean to.

"Just make sure you don't disappear in thin air again, Sara," Virat said. "We were all scared- oh I should let Ritsy know! She must be tensed, that's not good for her," he faintly spoke, exiting the room to call the worried woman.

"Oh god, I...I, what have I done?" Sara mumbled and Anushka sympathetically embraced her, pulling her closer.

"It's not your fault, it's just an unfortunate incident," Anushka whispered. "Anyway, we should let Usha Tai rest, enough of our dramatics!" Anushka joked, trying to cheer up the younger woman she had grown very fond of in the past year.

Just then, Usha's husband and son walked into the room, grateful smiles on their faces.

"AAI!" (Mom!) her son exclaimed, seeing his mother after a long day; running up to the bed.

"Thank you so much didi," Mangesh folded his hands in front of Sara, voice laced with immense gratitude.

"It's not a problem, dada," she warmly smiled. "Tai, we'll go now, it's quite late, and bhaiyya bhabhi have to return to the kids,"

Usha just nodded, the painkillers making her feel drowsier as seconds passed.

Anushka and Sara exited the room, the day had been taxing for everyone.

"Virat texted, those two are near the reception,"

Sara just nodded, nervous to face her husband. How can I face him after troubling him so much?

A/N: Hi. So this was low-key a little unrealistic chapter but overcharged with emotions, definitely. I hope I could write it though, I would love your feedback, just trying to get better! There's some more angst in this story so I would looove to improve in the next chapters!!

Next chapter's so bittersweet ngl :) can't wait for you all to read it!!