18. The Mysterious Disappearance

                                    

                                          
Ansh’s POV
For God's sake, Naira, pick up the phone! I'm really sorry; please, please answer. I've dialed her number for what feels like the hundredth time, but it keeps going to voicemail. Her unresponsiveness was unnerving - even if she's angry, she usually answers. I should have texted or called her when I had the chance, setting aside my anger for a minute. My mind was a jumble of worst-case scenarios.
It's 6 pm, and I've waited long enough. My patience is wearing thin, so I decide to drive to her office. She's probably in a meeting, but as soon as she steps out, I'll apologize. She'll understand; she always does. I try to stay positive, reassuring myself that everything will work out.
I arrived outside Naira's office, where people were rushing to and fro as the day drew to a close. Unable to wait any longer, I rushed inside and approached the receptionist. "I'm looking for Naira," I said.
The receptionist checked her records. "Sir, she left early today at 4:45 pm for some personal work. You can meet her tomorrow if you'd like, and I can schedule an appointment for you."
I declined and left the office. I wondered if Naira had left early to meet my parents along with her parents to discuss the wedding date. I was about to head home when my phone rang. I felt a surge of excitement, hoping it was Naira, but it was her sister, Neha.
I quickly answered the call. "Hi, Neha."
"Where's my sister?" Neha asked, her voice laced with worry. "Is she with you?"
"No, Neha, I thought she was at home," I replied. "I assumed she was going to come over with your parents to discuss the wedding dates."
Neha's tone turned urgent. "She...left to...I'll call you, Ansh, but for now, please don't tell our parents. I'll try to get in touch with her."
My anxiety spiked. What was going on? Naira wasn't answering her phone, and she wasn't at the office or home. Neha seemed just as clueless as I was.
"Neha, where could she be?" I asked, my voice strained with concern. "I'll search the whole damn world if I have to. Please, tell me where she might have gone."
Neha's voice trembled. "She received a threatening text, asking her to meet someone at a café at 5 pm to discuss something about you. She called Aditya for help, and he told me she went to the café, but after that, we haven't been able to reach her."
My world turned upside down as a mix of anger and fear coursed through my veins. "What the hell, Neha? You let your sister go meet someone who's threatening her, and she went alone? Why didn't you guys call me? And why did Aditya let her go alone after knowing about the threat?"
Neha's voice cracked as she spoke. "I didn't know until half an hour ago, when Aditya called me and told me everything. That's why I got worried and called you. There's more to the story...can you meet me? We need to find her; she's alone." Her voice trembled, and I could sense her tears.
I took a deep breath, regretting my outburst. "Hey, I'm sorry for shouting. I'm just as worried as you are. I'm coming; we'll find her. Tell Aditya that he owes me an explanation for letting her go there alone." I hung up, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
Who could have texted her? My mind was racing with possibilities, but one name kept popping up: Rohan. He was the one who had threatened to reveal the truth at the café. I could imagine him sending her some malicious message, leaving her devastated and ignoring my calls.