Chapter 16

Shankar Road, Delhi:

VJ hears some pounding noise on his car window which wakes him up. He opens his eyes and sees a police officer was pounding the window of his car.

At first, he looks around in confusion wondering what he was doing in his car in the middle of the road. Then his memory comes back of the couple and the lift, followed by sharp pinch on his hand where the needle pierced him. He scrambles up and opens the window.

The police officer sneers: Hello sleeping beauty… Had your nap? You couldn’t find a better place than road side to catch on your beauty sleep?

VJ opens the door and gets out frantically, but stumbles as dizziness hit him.

The police officer catches him before he falls: Are you drunk?

VJ looks at the police officer in panic: Inspector, you have to help me. I was drugged and left here and my friend, Khushi has been abducted. I don’t know what has happened to her. We need to find her.

The police officer frowns and calls the nearest police station: Pandey, send some officer here. We have a case of kidnapping.

VJ paces restlessly by the side of the road and frantically runs his fingers through his already mussed hair. Then suddenly he remembers Khushi’s family. He runs to the police officer and asks: Can I borrow your phone? I need to call Khushi’s family.

The police officer gives him his cell phone. VJ makes a call.

Living Room, Shaantivan:

Naniji was worried as Khushi or her family haven’t called yet: I wonder why Garimaji hasn’t called yet about Khushi bitiya leaving with VJ. Payal, did you talk to your mom today?

Payal shakes her head: No, Dadiji. Until we know the truth behind Khushi’s marriage, I thought we should keep it to ourselves. I know Khushi will be safe with VJ bhaiyaa.

Suddenly Anjali’s phone rang.

Anjali frowns seeing VJ’s no. but picks up the phone: Hello?

VJ: Hello… Anjali? Can I speak to Payal please? I don’t have her contact no. in Delhi.

Anjali frowns at his frantic tone: Ok.

Anjali gives the phone to Payal: Payal, its VJ for you.

Payal takes the phone: Hello VJ Bhaiyaa, what is it? Is Khushi okay?

VJ’s voice trembles in pain: Payal, Chutki has been kidnapped.

Payal stands up in shock and screams: What?

The rest of the family stands up in alarm seeing Payal’s reaction.

Payal chokes out: What are you saying, VJ bhaiyaa… How did it happen?

VJ narrates the incident and tells her: Payal, don’t you worry. I will find Chutki even if it means I will have to go to the end of the world. I won’t let anything happen to her. I’m now talking to police. Once I complete the formalities here, I will come to your home. Please call your family and ask them to meet us there.

Payal replies in trembling voice: Okay VJ bhaiyaa.

Then she hangs up the phone.

Naniji asks worriedly: What happened Payal?

Payal starts crying and narrates the story.

Mamiji gasps: Oh my God, I hope Khushi bitiya is okay.

Naniji wipes her tears: I hope so too.

Anjali thinks of her brother: Chotey will be so worried. I should call him.

She picks up the phone and calls Arnav while Payal calls her family from her cell phone.

Anjali reaches Arnav’s voicemail, so she leaves an urgent message.

Payal asks her family to join them in Shaantivan, narrating the incident.

Later that night, VJ arrives after completing all formalities. As soon as HP opens the door, everyone rushes to him and starts asking questions.

VJ halts their questions and tells them that police is on it and hopefully they will get the kidnappers soon.

Anjali asks worriedly: But why would anyone kidnap Khushiji?

Mamiji answers: Because Khushi bitiya is Arnav Singh Raizada’s wife. May be they are after money.

Aakash replies: If they are after money, then we should get a ransom call soon. Di, did you tell bhai that Khushiji has been kidnapped?

Anjali nodded: I tried to call him. But I couldn’t reach him so I left an urgent voice message. I also called Aman and let him know what happened.

VJ suddenly becomes alert: And where is ASR, Anjali?

Anjali frowns: Aman said that he is out of station for a contract.

Aakash frowns trying to think which contract has forced ASR out of Delhi.

VJ stalks to Aakash with a deadly stride: Aakash, isn’t it surprising that your bhai, who claims to love Chutki so much, has not even called to ask what is going on when the so-called love of his life has been kidnapped?

Aakash frowns: What do you mean? Bhai loves Khushiji very much. We have all seen it.

VJ sneers: And how far is he willing to go for that love?

Aakash gets angry: Mr. Vishal Jaiswal, you are making accusations that don’t have any proof. Please show us proof if you have any, otherwise please refrain from making accusations against my family.

VJ snarls: You want proof? Fine.

He stalks to the table where he dropped a file, grabs the file and stalks back to Aakash: Why don’t you read the file, Aakash? And share the information with your and Khushi’s family members?

Aakash opens the file and starts reading it. As he goes through the pages, his hands start trembling and tears start to fall from his eyes.

Meanwhile, somewhere else in India:

ASR listens to Anjali’s voicemail and then deletes it. Then he turns to look behind him where Khushi was sleeping on a massive bed.

He walks to her and softly caresses her cheek. Then he bends to kiss her forehead before leaving the room silently.

The soft butterfly caress wakes up Khushi. She opens her eyes only to close it again as a mild headache hits her temple. She rubs her temple slowly and then looks around again confused.

Then she remembers what happened and she jumps out of the bed in panic. She rushes to the window and what greets her eyes leaves her speechless…

In front of her eyes, is the cityscape she knows by heart… The city of her birth, her childhood, her heart… LUCKNOW…