Entangled

Part 25

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Sunaina hired a taxi and after a long journey she and Nandini reached Sunaina's town. It was a very remote and very calm place, exactly opposite of Mumbai. Sunaina showed Nandini around the house and made her feel comfortable.

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        Harshad and Arya's flight landed in Mumbai and they reached home. It was only when they reached home that they came to know that Nandini went on a college trip. They tried calling her, but they couldn't reach her.

        Just then Mukti and her friends arrived there. Harshad opened the door and he was very happy to see both Mukti and Alya.

        Harshad : "What a pleasant surprise! .. Mukti, where were you all these days? Why did you leave without informing anyone?"

        Harshad : ".. and Alya, you finally remembered your brother and made up your mind to come and meet. .. How is mom? Did Mr. Saxena grant you permission?"

        Alya : "Mom is fine, but she misses you a lot. It looks like you are still angry with dad. He was only trying to correct you..."

        Arya : "Are you going to ask all the questions by making them stand at the door? Let them in first."

        Once they came inside, Mukti introduced everyone.

        Harshad : "How did you know that you would find me here?"

        Arya : "Obviously they would have met Nandini and she would have told them."

        They confirmed that that was true.

        Harshad : "How come she didn't tell us that she had found Mukti?"

        Arya : "Within a few days after she joined the college, she did tell that there was a surprise for you when you return. Probably she was referring to her."

        Harshad : "I am glad that she found you. I didn't want to leave her on her own especially in this city, but she forced me to join Arya. She always has to do things her own way. Otherwise, what was the need to go on a trip now."

        Harshad : "I am still not able to believe that you are here in front of me. .. By the way you still didn't tell me why you left all of a sudden? Was there an emergency? Neither did you receive my calls nor did you leave a message. What had happened?"

        Mukti was thinking of how to tell him the truth. She didn't know how he would react if he came to know that she hadn't trusted him.

        It was a few months since they were away from Nandini and Arya wanted to meet her, but he didn't want to interfere between Harshad and Mukti's conversation since they had got to meet after a long time too. So he asked Manik who was sitting next to him in a low tone.

        Arya : "Do any of you have an idea where the trip from the college is to?"

        Manik : "There have been no trips from the college."

        Arya went to the caretaker who was inside the kitchen.

        Arya : "Are you sure she went on a trip from college? Did she say anything else where she was going? Or when she will be coming back?"

        Caretaker : "She told me that she will update you on the details. .. She said that there is no network there so she may not be able to call us.. Also she gave a letter to give it to you if her trip gets delayed and she isn't able to return in a week's time."