prologue

it was late evening when I called my girlfriend Riya several times on her mobile.on my repeated failure to get a response,I sent her a text message hoping she'd respond in time.but she didn't.thinking she might be busy with regular household chores and her job,i put my mind to rest and got busy with work.

unable to fully concentrate, i checked my mobile phone again.to my utter dismay,there was still no reply from her.even though I could sense something fishy,i ignored it, choosing to wait for a few more minutes instead. placed my phone on the table ,i went to th washroom.suddenly,the phone buzzed. I ran towards the table and grabbed it.

it was unknown number. I picked up the call immediately.

'hello ,Riya? I said ,my voice betraying my growing fear.

'good Evening,sir.we are calling from Vodafone.

your phone number has been selected for a special offer.

would you......'

before he could get a chance to finish, i slammed down the phone in anger.my frustration had reached its peak.i wanted to scream my lungs out at the customer care executive,but was not in a good mood to argue since I wanted to Focus all my energy on finding Riya.

I disconnected the call and dialled riya's number again,

but failed to get the response."where the hell could she be?

I muttered under my breath.

left with no option, I decided to go to her flat in Navi Mumbai,I tried to remain clam, convincing myself that nothing had happened. as I entered the apartment complex,i noticed that her scooty was missing from its usual parking spot. I went upstairs and rang the doorbell.unable to get a response,i rang the bell again and tried to peek in through the keyhole.i soon concluded that no one was at home and left.i tried searching for her scooty in the entire complex,but was unsuccessful. throughout my search mission,i kept on calling her incessantly, thinking she might respond.

feeling rejected,i was on my way back home when I happened to see her scooty packed outside a hospital not far from her place. i brought my bike to a screeching halt and rushed towards to the hospital.

once in, i went straight to the reception desk and enquired,'could you please check if you have registered a patient by the name of Riya in your hospital?'

the receptionist musa have sensed something was wrong as she immediately opened the register and started searching for riya's name.

i tried to maintain my cool even though I was almost in tears. keeping my fingers crossed,i closed my eyes for a moment and murmured a short prayer.

'i am sorry ,sir.i don't seem to have made any entry by that name,'the receptionist replied in a matter of fact tone.

i gave her a feeble smile and tired to leave,only to see riya's brother walking towards me with a medicine packet in his hand. he swiftly walked by and seemed to be in hurry.

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