A Month Later - Hyderabad

Vedant sat in front of the Police Inspector who was now speaking to her Senior. Patience was not something that he could boast of right now, but he knew he had to wait.

He had already rejoined his Office but his search for Saroja continued. He knew he would continue till he found her.

He had come to the Police Station as his avenues for search were fast dwindling. He had searched for her everywhere she could be; every place that she had ever mentioned, often travelling to other parts of the country. Only to draw up blanks. Saroja was nowhere to be found.

Vedant had started panicking by now.

The first thing he had done, after his shift, was to make a beehive to Saroja's Mother's apartment. Only to find somebody called Jimmy over there.

He had nearly come to blows with Jimmy, once he was informed that there was nobody called Saroja living over there. Neither was there anybody by the name of Padma.

The black clad bouncers had been there during his conversation with Jimmy, and Vedant remembered how they had manhandled him the last time, to take Saroja away. In fact, it was their assault that had delayed his search for Saroja.

Jimmy had let him search the entire apartment as well, but there were no traces of either of the women.

And when Vedant had grabbed Jimmy's throat, there had been three guns pointing at him.

He had backed away. Finding Saroja and her Mother was far more important for him than picking up with a fight with some Jimmy who had amed henchmen around him.

Jimmy had flashed him his gold teeth as the bouncers had grabbed Vedant by his collar and thrown him out of the building, once again. Luckily, they didn't beat him up this time.

As Vedant picked himself up and dusted off his sleeves, he noticed a young man waving his arms to draw his attention. This young man was obscured by the sharp edge of the boundary wall on the left side of the compound ... Vedant thought that he had seen him somewhere, but couldn't place him exactly.

He followed the guy through shady and narrow lanes, until he came to a dead end. The guy was waiting for him there. The guy looked nervous, and checked time and again if anybody else had been following Vedant.

Vedant looked at him inquisitively. The guy walked upto him and whispered - "Don't you remember me? I am Ibrahim ... the other day you came to meet Padma Chachi"

Vedant's eyes widened in recognition as he now remembered. He held the guy by his shoulders and shook him

"Tell me everything please. I need to find Saroja. And her Mother. Take all my money, take everything"

The guy had broken down in turn.

...

"Do you think you could find her?" Vedant asked hopefully.

"Of course" the Inspector had replied, after listening patiently to Vedant. "But I need you to cooperate with us. I understand that you are trying to locate her as well, through your own sources. The Police will of course use its own channels"

"What do you want me to do?" Vedant asked.

"Any clue, anything you remember ... you have to share with us" Inspector Rupa mentioned.

"We will pick up Jimmy and his henchmen for questioning of course. But we do not have any proof against them. I hope you understand that"

"And Saroja's Mom?" he questioned again.

The Inspector nodded her head - "We will work on that as well. But our main concern is Saroja. Her life could be in danger if she is still in the clutches of this Gang"

She hesitated a bit - "You do understand that there is a nexus everywhere. I will try my level best, to get your Saroja back to you. Leave that photo behind"

Vedant was reluctant to hand over the only printed photo of Saroja he had; but he knew that the Police needed it.

"One request. could you please keep this low key? I am very worried about Saroja" he was now overcome with grief.

"I understand" Inspector Rupa nodded.

Vedant left the Police Station now thoughtful. He had kept his meeting with Ibrahim from the Police a secret; he wondered if he had done the right thing.

He stopped in front of a local temple and prayed

"Keep her safe, God ... please"

...

Somewhere in the South - Two months later

Saroja looked up at the sky, as she hurried home. The light drizzle had already turned into a downpour and she didn't want to get caught in the rain, like yesterday. Once the rain picked up, carrying an umbrella hardly made sense. It was after all the retreating monsoons.

The day had proceeded fine, but the evening had turned ominous as cumulonimbus clouds spread all over the sky, as in the past few days. And the darkness, the chill, the downpour brought back old memories.

Memories that tore into her soul, her existence, her very being.

Unknowingly she shuddered. Her house was still some distance away, and she quickened her pace. The area plunged into darkness, and Saroja could feel the fear engulf her. This was a common occurrence here though, the electricity cables were all overhead; and any sort of thunder, lightning or heavy rains was often preceded and followed by a power cut in the area.

The sky opened up and Saroja hurried, as she fumbled inside her bag for the lightweight torch that she carried. Unlocking the door, she stepped inside and closed the door immediately. She had steeled herself over these months, but nothing could take away the memories of that horror that she associated with open doors. And the following assault.

She lit up the candles, illuminating the room, and she crouched down on the floor, by the bed. Dark corners haunted and tormented her.

Saroja knew she should get up and get changed, after all, the past week had been unkind, the fever forcing her to stay home. And this had meant that she had a pay cut for the entire week, which she could hardly afford now.

She tried to think of pleasant thoughts, trying to force her mind into submission, to steel herself. She wished Little Aaru was around, slipping her small, chubby arms around her neck; and then sitting in front of her colouring the mountains and streams and rivers that she had drawn. And occasionally munching at the end of the crayons that she was using, much to Saroja's concern.

Saroja hardly realised that she was smiling.

And then again, her struggle changed course. She tried hard to keep Vedant away from her thoughts. He invaded them every moment of her living day, her nightmares, her entire existence.

And then her Mother, and the tears in her Mother's eyes ...

Oh God, please have mercy ... she got up and walked towards to the small temple resting on a bracket on the wall.

Please keep him safe, please keep him happy ... she whispered, as she closed her eyes and prayed.

Please forgive me for staying away from him, I don't have anything to offer to him, I never had ... she continued.

A lightning streak across the sky lit up the room, and the deafening roar following it caused her to flinch. She had never been good with lightnings and thunder, but she had learnt to deal with them over years.

Like how she was learning to deal with the rape. She wondered about the anger and hopelessness that oscillated within her.

Saroja quickly changed and slipped into the bed, she didn't feel like eating. She was tired and hoped that she could sleep at least tonight.

Little Aaru giggling as she decorated her braids with flowers ...

Vedant and his flying kiss ...

Vedant's fingers on her waist ...

The earrings ...

Then darkness ... and the animal breathing all over her. As she slipped into oblivion ...

Saroja screamed. The winds howling outside swallowed her scream easily. She was now sitting on the bed, in darkness, her knees pulled to her chest, as she hugged them tight.

Vedant, where are you? she cried

It was a strange concoction. One part of her heart wanted him to be away, safe where he was; while the other part yearned for him.

He was a part of her nostalgia now, someone who kept her going on and on; but again someone whose absence left her dead inside.

Saroja was tired.

...

It was morning finally. Saroja welcomed the first rays of the sun, breaking through the dark clouds covering the sky. Finally, she could carry on.

She wondered if she would go crazy soon, she couldn't remember the last time when she had slept at all.

She stepped out onto the small balcony and looked around. The greenery surrounding the house was now all dull and hazy, as the rain beat down mercilessly, the sun having hidden behind the dark clouds once again.

She wondered about her Mother; she had tried to reach her but couldn't connect. Saroja's heart pounded every time she thought about her Mother, but she knew that she could not go back to search for her. At least not now.

That's the promise that she had made to her Mother the last time they had been together.

Saroja wished she had hugged her Mother some more and told her again and again that she loved her. Unconditionally.

She couldn't have asked for a better Mother. She had the best one.

...

Saroja sat there, thinking about things in general, staring at nothing in general.

A little while later, she could see Dayal walking towards her, trying to hold onto the umbrella, which was now threatening to fly away.

"Why are you out now?" she was concerned, as she quickly went inside to fetch a towel.

"Maa wanted you to remain at home today. There are warnings for heavy rainfall ... she heard it on TV" Dayal shouted. He was completely wet by now.

He was grateful for the towel and the coffee that Saroja brought along with.

"This means everybody stays home today? You guys as well?" Saroja asked as she settled down beside him, the steam from their coffee cups misting up.

"What about that internet connection?" Saroja asked. She wanted to check whether her results had been declared. That was the only thing left in her life right now.

"Oh that? We will have to go later to the cafe, when the rains have subsided. I doubt if they have any connectivity now" Dayal said, as he warmed his palms by cupping the cup.

They sat side by side, staring out at the distance, as the incessant rain beat on.

...

End of Part 19