One Week Later

The final examination bell had rung almost an hour ago. Yet the relief still lingered everywhere across the campus.

The canteen was unusually crowded that afternoon. Yet, Revant managed to find a table for his group.

The sunlight streamed through the glass panels and fell across the tabletop. Water bottles, phones, food trays, bags, everything without any order.

Nobody cared enough to arrange anything today.

The aroma of butter, spices and fried food filled the air. Fresh dosas continuously arrived from the kitchen.

The sound of steel utensils slinking, food ordering by students, order announcements by the canteen staff filled the atmosphere.

And in the middle of all that chaos sat six exhausted students.

Two giant Masala Dosas occupied almost half the table. Their crispy golden edges extended beyond the plates.

Beside them sat a steaming bowl of Pav Bhaji glistening under a generous layer of melting butter.

A plate of noodles rested near Taarini. Meanwhile, Lavanya had already claimed the Aloo Dahi Bara for herself.

But the real star of the table, Bara Ghughuni, sat right in the centre of the table.

Revant looked at his plate of Dahi Bara Aloo Dum proudly as if he had cooked it himself.

"Now this," he announced dramatically, "is what a proper celebration looks like."

"Looks like we've ordered enough food to feed a family of twelve," Karthik pointed out.

All of them laughed and began eating from their respective plates.

Taarini carefully broke a piece of the dosa from Ipsita's plate and dipped it into the sambar. The first bite instantly earned her approval.

Meanwhile, Revant had already started stealing noodles from her plate.

And the moment she noticed? She smacked his hand real hard.

"Excuse me?"

"I was just checking the taste," Revant whined quickly.

"Starting with my food?"

"Consumer feedback is important. What if you don't like the taste and something happens to you?" Revant continued with his made-up innocent voice.

Taarini did nothing but glared him.

Revant looked completely unbothered.

In fact, he stole another forkful, which earned him another glare.

"Oh by the way," Lavanya turned a bit toward Ipsita. "Your uncle and aunt arrived?"

"They missed their flight that day. Hence, they booked another one, which is tomorrow afternoon," Ipsita answered, while breaking a piece of her crispy dosa.

"One more day for you to live peacefully," Taarini added.

"What you guys are talking about?" Revant asked, leaning onto the girls a little and casually taking a bite from Taarini's plate again.

Before Taarini could snatch the fork from his hand, the noodles already entered his mouth.

"You wanna join? Aww, we have our new Girliepop!" Lavanya clapped her hands in excitement.

Revant looked at her antics awkwardly but anyway leaned onto their space to hear what they were talking about.

"Actually, Ips's paternal uncle and aunt were about to arrive day before yesterday," Lavanya began to explain. "But they missed their flight. So they've booked another flight which is of tomorrow afternoon."

"And as typical dad's side family, they are not so good people," Taarini said, moving her index finger as 'no'.

"Aah, that hurts," Revant fake groaned in pain as he put his hand on his chest.

"Good," Taarini answered without any sympathy.

"As it should be," Lavanya added, snapping her fingers.

Across the table, even Hridayansh was smiling slightly looking at the girls and Revant gossiping together.

And somehow, Ipsita's eyes found him automatically.

She quickly looked away outside at the trees before anyone noticed. Her heart still reacted exactly the same way as it used to, since he became her 'teeny tiny' crush.

Simultaneously, she remembered - she wanted to confess to him right after the examinations end.

Examinations were over. Hence, the pressure too. And hence, the excuse she had been using for weeks was gone.

The thought alone made her stomach twist. Her fingers tightened around the spoon in her hand.

Maybe I can do after lunch, after everyone leaves and I get a moment with him.

She thought.

But she thought... What if he responds with a 'no'?

Not only she would be embarrassed, but also it would hurt her the most; as she was planning of this confession since very long.

She knew very well that Hridayansh had no other girl in his life. Neither as a girlfriend, nor as a crush or situationship. So, the only reason that could make him answer with a 'no' shall be about his future.

The flow of her thoughts stopped right there.

Everyone around here were still busy snatching food from each other's plates and enjoying their own's too, but Ipsita sat still on her seat, holding her spoon at the same position since two and a half minutes.

She knew the these two years would become entirely about studies and career. And Hridayansh's future wasn't any less important.

If tomorrow they come into a relationship and suddenly there's a drop in Hridayansh's exam marks, everyone would naturally consider her as the only reason behind her downfall.

The thought stung in her mind. But she knew it was the truth.

Ipsita quietly exhaled as if all her thoughts are leaving her mind.

Right then, she decided that she would confess him after these two years, after the academic pressure ends.

Because the feelings she carried for Hridayansh were not going to vanish the other day. They had already survived months of silence. A little more waiting wouldn't hurt.

"You want to order something else?" Lavanya's voice suddenly pulled her back.

Ipsita blinked, "Huh?"

"You want to order something else, Ips? In case if you're not liking your dosas..."

"Ahh, no no. I'm fine," Ipsita answered, waving her hand off.

"You guys okay?" Karthik asked, looking between Ipsita and Lavanya.

Lavanya smiled and showed him a thumbs up before Ipsita could answer.

Her eyes fell on Hridayansh unexpectedly. And he, too, looked at her at the same time.

And the moment they had an eye contact, she knew one thing for sure.

Waiting would be difficult. Very, very difficult.

Next Day

The doorbell rang at exactly 3:17 PM.

"Maa, they're here."

My mother quickly wiped her hands on her saree pallu before walking toward the entrance. Papa got up from the sofa, placing his laptop on the table. And I reluctantly put my phone aside.

Maa opened the door quickly and made space for them to come in.

"Jai Jagannatha! Please come in."

My uncle stepped inside first, dragging a large suitcase behind him.

"Oh, you've become thinner," my aunt immediately told Maa after entering.

Maa smiled politely, "Really?"

"Yes. Are you taking care of your health?"

"Much more than before. I'm losing weight and I shall take that as compliment," Maa smiled and left for getting the tea tray from kitchen.

Papa let out a sudden breath. And I knew what it meant. A laugh transformed into a sharp breath.

"You should've told us your flight timing. I'd have come to pick you up," Papa spoke, as he bent down to pick their luggage.

"Oh, no need," Uncle replied. "We managed."

My aunt's eyes moved around the living room as if she was examining every single item.

Then her gaze finally landed on me.

"Oh," she laughed, fake, obviously. "Ipsita, my child!"

I smiled awkwardly, but stood up anyway.

"Namaste, aunty."

I walked upto her and was about to touch her feet, but she held my shoulders.

"Look, how tall you've become!" she said.

I smiled politely.

"And college?"

"It's going well."

"Marks?"

Here we go.

"Exams just got over."

"Hmm," she nodded. "You must focus on studies seriously now."

As if I spent my days grazing cattle.

I nodded anyway.

Maa showed them their room and helped them arrange their stuffs. The next hour, uncle sat on the sofa along with Papa and aunt accompanied Maa in the kitchen.

The house no longer felt like ours. It felt ...occupied.

However, I stood near the dining table helping Maa arrange plates when I heard my aunt's voice from the living room.

"Anyway, we shall be staying here only for three days."

My head spinned toward her direction.

She'd said a week on a call with Maa a few days ago...

"Yeah, actually," uncle spoke from the other end of the room. "We've some important meetings with a client who lives quite far from here. So, we shall be staying in a nearby hotel."

"Arree Bhaina, hotel re rahiba kahin ki? Amar ghare ta rahiparba."
("Oh, Bhaina. Why staying at a hotel when you can stay here at our place?")

"Na, na, Bhauni. Aapana chinta nai kara. Sabu byabastha heijaaichi."
("No, no, sister. Don't worry. Everything has been arranged already.")

"As you wish," Maa smiled.

It was clearly the kind of smile she always wore whenever guests insisted on something she clearly disagreed with.

I glanced at Papa.

Even he seemed slightly confused. Though he was too polite to question them further.

The conversation soon shifted toward tea and snacks.

My aunt complimented the pakodas. My uncle asked Papa about work. Maa disappeared into the kitchen time to time. And I kept switching between my phone and the television.

I forced my mind to believe that everything was normal. Yet that uncomfortable feeling inside my stomach refused to leave.

"Oh, my phone was dead during the flight," Uncle spoke while eating the snacks. "I'll put it on charging."

"Sure," Papa answered. "There's a socket right beside the bed in your room."

Uncle got up quickly with his phone and disappeared into the room.

I quietly carried a stack of plates toward the kitchen.

"Maa," I called slowly. "Don't you think it's weird?"

"What is weird?" she looked at me.

"They said they're staying for a week. And now suddenly it's only three days."

"They said they've have some meetings with a client, Ishu," she answered normally and continued arranging the bowls.

"I heard it too, Maa. But I have this strong feeling inside... That there's something fishy," I pointed out while leaning onto the nearby wall.

"Not everything is a mystery, beta," she laughed it off.

It was easy for her to say. But I felt there's definitely something off. Something feels... naturally wrong.

Before I could argue further, my phone rang from the living room.

Lavanya.

Right person at the perfect timing.

Lavanya and Taarini, both need to know this.

I received the call and began walking towards my room.

"Lavanya!" I whispered, looking around. "You need to know this!"

"What is it? Just don't stress me out, okay? I'm already tired."

"It's going to make your brain think deeply," I corrected her. "Let me add Taarini to the call."

I quickly walked to my room. As I was about to enter, few rushed yet clear whispers made me stop on my tracks.

"We'll have to do something before the situation slips out of control."

"I'm sure we can find her before anyone else does."

Situation? Her?

Before I could lean onto the door to hear the conversation more clearly, the sounds became inaudible.

And when I turned around, my aunt was already looking in my direction. And uncle sat, seemingly stressful, on the bed.

A strange chill ran down my spine. I quickly looked away and continued toward my room.

"Lavanya," I whispered, completely scared.

In The Evening

The evening sky had already begun turning orange by the time the three of us entered the park. Children ran around the swings and slides. A few elderly people occupied the walking track. Some college students sat on the grass, forming a huge circle, chatting loudly. And here we were, taking our usual rounds around the park while pretending to exercise.

"Okay, start from the beginning," Lavanya folded her arms dramatically.

"Yes," Taarini agreed. "Your voice back there on call sounded confusing."

I sighed. And then I began narrating everything.

From their arrival. To their sudden change of plans. To the hotel. And to the rushed whispered conversation I overheard.

Both of them remained surprisingly silent throughout my narration.

I shared with them every single detail. Because, at this point, I, alone, cannot process of all these. Hence I need someone to help me with it and decide whether any of this is a danger to me or my family.

"They are definitely spies," Lavanya spoke first.

"What the hell?" Taarini looked at her with a 'I'm so done with this girl' look.

"Spies? From where?" I asked, genuinely.

"I don't know."

"Oh, God," I facepalmed myself.

"I mean, I do agree. So many things were weird," Taarini thought.

"And especially that line," I nodded immediately. " 'We need to find her before someone else does.' "

The words sounded strange even now.

"Who could be 'her'? And why find her? And before whom?" Lavanya asked.

"Maybe they're talking about a relative?" Taarini suggested.

"Then why be secretive about it?" I countered her statement.

"Exactly," Lavanya stopped walking suddenly. "Maybe... it's someone very close to them and they don't want to let anyone know anything about that person?"

Taarini and I, too, stopped simultaneously.

"Makes much sense," Taarini nodded her head vigorously. "What does your gut feeling say?"

I thought for a moment. There are so many thoughts currently running in my mind. I've to first ask myself this question with calmness so that I can get a near-to-right answer.

"I don't know," I thought. "I just feel..." I tried to search for the right words. "This visit... for family time. It isn't for just meeting me, Maa or Papa. They're definitely hiding something... huge."

"I trust your gut feeling, Ips," Taarini took a step toward me and held my hand in hers.

"Let's hope, any of these doesn't mean any harm to you," Lavanya joined us, putting her arms on our shoulders.

I hugged them right in the middle of our track.

It really felt good after sharing things with them. Maa would have just laughed it off saying that I'm assuming things. I'd already taken a mental note to myself to find about 'her' that they were talking about.

The library looked quieter than usual when I entered.

I held the book firmly that I had to return. Luckily, today's the due date and Divyaansh reminded me in the morning to return this.

I walked up to the counter and handed over the book.

The librarian scanned it.

"Please sign here."

He gave me a slip where students used to sign before borrowing the book and after submitting it.

I signed there and turned to leave.

"Mr. Pradhan?"

I turned to my left and saw Mr. Pritam Sahu standing at a distance.

"Good evening, sir," I greeted, walking up to him.

"How were exams?"

"Pretty good, sir. Waiting for the results."

For a moment, we just kept smiling and waiting for the other to speak.

"How's the ...investigation going on, sir?" I asked, half-forcefully.

"We... have got few updates," he spoke almost hesitantly, looking around him. "We found out whose records were stolen."

"Whose?" My heartbeat rose instantly.

Mr. Sahu glanced around before lowering his voice.

"Alpana," he began. "Age seventeen. Department Science. Batch twenty years ago."

"Who was she?" I asked.

The details he just told sounded... ordinary. Nothing worth of a person stealing her admission records from a library.

"She was one of the brightest students of her times. And according to our records, she left college right after five months of joining."

"But why?" My question came out almost naturally.

"Because she died due to an illness."

"Oh," my voice lowered automatically. "That's unfortunate."

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

The answer felt strangely disappointing. At least to me.

Because if the girl had died twenty years ago, why would someone break into an archive to steal her admission records now? After twenty damn years?

"What's more shocking is..." Mr. Sahu broke the silence, and began walking toward his cabin. "During our investigation, we contacted a few people from that batch."

I listened each word carefully and followed him.

"And nobody remembers her being sick of anything," he revealed.

I stopped walking. A chill crept down my spine.

Records say that she died due to some illness and her batch mates say that she was never ill?

"How's that possible?" I whispered, more to myself.

Mr. Sahu turned around and walked a few steps toward me. His face showed no signs of surprise or shock as mine.

"According to everyone we spoke to..." he took a pause. "Alpana disappeared."

"What do you mean disappeared?" I stared him.

"Officially, she'd died. But I think... she might still be alive."

The silence that followed felt heavier than anything he'd said before.

Because when a person is ill, there are definitely some people who would know about it. But none of her batch mates mentioned during the investigation that she was ill.

And disappearances do leave questions.

"Right now, it feels like," Mr. Sahu's voice broke. "Somebody had gone to great lengths to hide what really happened to Alpana twenty years ago."

"And someone else had gone to equally great lengths to find out."

Word count - 2.8k (probably the shortest chapter of this book)
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