Pratham

I return home late at night, exhausted after a long day of meetings and a site visit for our new factory. With the rain pelting down, it had made the visit as well as drive back to home more taxing.

As I step inside the apartment, I frown, because I am greeted by Shruti Bhabhi there. Her expression tense and worried.

Looking around, I neither see Naman Bhaiyya, nor do I see Nitya anywhere.

"What happened, Bhabhi? Is everything fine?" I ask her. "And where are Naman Bhaiyya and Nitya?"

"Your brother has gone to the police station," she answers.

At her words, I feel shock whirring within me. And the first thought in my mind is of Nitya.

She is not here. Has something happened to her?

With my heart pounding furiously against my chest, I take a few steps toward Bhabhi. "Nitya is not around. Where is she? And why has Bhaiyya gone to the police station?"

"Nitya and I had gone out today. First, I showed her around the city for a while, and then, I took her to the market to do some shopping," Bhabhi tells me. "Suddenly, out of nowhere, a group of people arrived there. They were rallying for some political agenda. Due to them causing the disturbance there, some people started to complaint, and soon a fight broke out there. It was so scary, Pratham. Even the guns were drawn out."

"What happened then? Is Nitya fine?" I ask, my heart racing. "She was not injured in the fight, right?"

The pressure in my chest rises within each passing second and I feel fear gnawing within me as Nitya's smiling face flashes in my mind.

Bhabhi shakes her head. "Seeing the gun, everyone, including Nitya and I, started running from there. But the market was too crowded. I did not notice when Nitya drifted away while we ran.

"After I got a safe distance from the market, when I turned to check on her, I found she was nowhere near me. I shouted her name, also looked around for her, but I could not find her," she continues. "Not knowing what to do, I took a taxi from there and went straight to our office to find Naman. When I told him about what happened, he immediately came out with me to search for Nitya. I wanted to inform you too, but Naman told me that you were gone for the site visit and there was no way to contact you. So, we two went to the market again, hoping for Nitya to be there, but she was not.

"That is when Naman decided to go to the police station. He has a friend there, and he is now with him, searching for Nitya."

After Bhabhi finishes speaking, I take a few moments to process her words.

Panic surges through me when I realize she can be anywhere now, all alone in this city. She does not even know the names of the places here. And she also does not know the location of our apartment. So, she cannot return on her own too.

"How many hours has passed since she went missing?" I ask, wanting to know.

"It's been almost five hours, Pratham," Bhabhi replies. "Don't know where that poor girl is right now. She also does not have any money. So, she should not have eaten anything too."

I frown at that. "But Nitya had told me that she had money."

"When that rally had come there, we were buying shawl. Nitya was choosing one for herself, that is why she had given me her bag to hold for some time. Since then, her bag is with me."

I am about to turn to rush out of the apartment to search for Nitya. But before that, I needed to know one more thing. "Has Bhaiyya called you since he went to the police station?"

Bhabhi nods. "He called about fifteen minutes back. They are still searching around the market, but have not found Nitya yet."

After taking the location of the market from her, I run out of the apartment, hoping to find Nitya soon.

*****

Driving through the streets near the market, my eyes scan every corner, every shadow. It is still raining, making it difficult to see clearly, but I am determined to find her.

The thought of her alone and scared in this city and this weather is unbearable.

Where are you, Nitya?

Tightly gripping the steering wheel, I drive through the streets, hoping to get a glimpse of her.

"Wherever she is, I hope she is fine, and also hope that I find her soon," I say aloud as I dart my eyes everywhere around the street.

After driving for what feels like an eternity, I stop my car in front of an abandoned building.

I don't know how and why, but I suddenly get a feeling that Nitya is somewhere nearby.

Immediately climbing down from the car, I hurry inside the building.

"Nitya," I call out, my voice echoing through the empty hallways of the building.

When I do not get any answer, I call out again, louder this time, "Nitya." All the while running around, looking for her.

I abruptly halt when I hear a faint whimper, which seems like hers.

"Nitya? Where are you?"

I dare not breathe as I wait for a reply.

After a few seconds, I hear a faint voice.

"Prathamji."

It was coming from the right corner of the building.

As I walk further, I spot a figure slumped by the wall there.

It's her. It's Nitya.

With relief flooding within me, I call her again, "Nitya."

She looks up, her face pale, streaked with tears, and her wet clothes clinging to her body. The sight of her in distress causes a pinch in my heart.

In an instant, she straightens, and runs toward me.

The moment she collides with me, wrapping her arms around me, I hold her tightly, feeling her body tremble against mine.

"Prathamji," she sobs, her voice shaking. "Main... woh... main... kho gayi... thi. Bohot... darr gayi... thi. Lagne laga tha... ki kuch... bura... hone wala hi."

("I.... umm... I got... lost. I was... so scared. I had started.... feeling as if... something bad... was about.... to happen.")

I hold her closer, running my hands up and down her back to soothe her.

"Main aagaya hoon tumhare paas. Ab darr.ne ki jarurat nahi hai."

("I am here with you. There is no need to be scared anymore.")

She nods against my chest, clutching me even tighter.

Feeling her shivering and hearing low chattering of her teeth, I realize she must be feeling cold. And why not? She has been out here in these wet clothes for hours now.

Slightly loosening the hug, I step back, take off my jacket and wrap it around her.

"Let's go home," I say when she tightly clutches the jacket, trying to draw warmth for it.

She smiles tearily at me, her eyes shining with gratitude and something else that I can't quite decipher.

When she nods, I lead her back to the car.

*****

Once we get inside our apartment, Shruti bhabhi rushes toward us.

"Are you fine, Nitya? Where did you go suddenly? We all were so scared for you. You are fine, right?" She showers Nitya with the questions, who does not seem in the condition to answer.

Although she has calmed down since I found her, she still is shivering, and her face looks too pale.

"You can ask her everything tomorrow, Bhabhi. Let her take hot shower now, eat something, and rest."

Bhabhi nods at me. "Hmm, you are right. I will prepare soup for her. Make sure she drinks it all before sleeping. I'll also call Naman and let him know that Nitya is home."

Once Shruti Bhabhi leaves, I take Nitya to our room.

"Do you need help in taking shower?" I ask her and completely still when I realize how it must have sounded to her.

I turn to look at her and notice her staring at me wide-eyed.

"I meant if you need any help, I can call Bhabhi," I clarify, averting my gaze from her.

"N-nahi. Main kh-khudse nahalungi," she says, her voice still shaking due to cold.

(N-no. I w-will manage.")

*****

Sitting on the bed, I am waiting for Nitya to come out of the bathroom when I hear her scream.

Hurriedly climbing down from the bed, I reach the bathroom's door, but hesitate to open it.

"Nitya, are you fine?" I knock on the door.

"Prathamji...," she trails off and screams again.

Concerned about her, I finally open the door and step inside, only to freeze in shock, because standing in front of me is Nitya, with only towel wrapped around her body.

*****

Sneak peak has been posted on my Instagram, but it is not of Chapter 24. It's rather about what to expect in the upcoming chapters.

I am trying my best to update this story daily, but on days I am unable to publish the chapter due to any reason, I will make sure to post it on the following day.