Petrichor to his Heart

2.22

The alertness that swam through the air surrounding Raghav Rao swept the whole RR mansion as soon as his vehicle entered the parking, Farhad had already texted the house staff so the moment Raghav came out of his car Farhad saw movements in the house.

He could imagine Shetty trying to instruct other staff and make every arrangement since Pallavi was not there. The old man had called him later after the meeting to inform Pallavi has not returned home and was perhaps staying at her Aai's place but Farhad chose not to reveal it to Raghav, The way Raghav was frantic throughout the ride, the way he was distracted when he tried to talk about the schedules for the morning took Farhad little to guess he wanted to reach home as soon as possible.

"His boss needed to feel his wife's absence and her importance every once in a while if he took her for granted for long."

"Shetty set the table in five..I'll freshen up and come down, did Pallavi take milk after dinner...Okay leave, I'll see myself." Raghav was surprisingly in a bright mood and this puzzled Shetty and the staff who turned to Farhad for a hint but he chose not to react.

"But Anna, ammai is not ..." Shetty tried to clarify when Farhad gestured for him to keep quiet.

"Farhad... you want to stay for dinner ... or I think it's better you leave for your home, your Ammi might be waiting for you," Raghav suggested over his shoulder while taking quick steps to his room.

"haan haan ab meri jaroorat kyu hogi..." Farhad murmured and then faked a sweet smile. " You are right Anna, I should head home...see you tomorrow morning."

"Farhad Anna, when he left this morning, he was running a good rage ... what happened...it seems Anna is in good mood." Shobha could not keep her mouth shut.

"Don't worry he will soon be running a good rage just try not to come in front of him when Bhabhi is mentioned... I wish I could have a good show but let me take my leave." Farhad started sliding through the main gate smirking at the happy man who was almost bouncing on his feet.

"Shetty...just one thing, if he asks about Bhabhi, tell him you were trying to say she is not home but Farhad Anna hurriedly cut the call and you could not inform him." Farhad wanted Raghav to suffer but at no cost he wanted the poor old man to suffer who paled after the words left Farhad's lips.

"what... you are saying he didn't know Ammai is not at home." All blood was drained from Shetty's face who knew what it was like to pinch Raghav Rao.

"dont worry just do as I say...see you tomorrow Shetty Anna." Farhad smiled at him reassuringly knowing very well nothing could assure the poor staff of the situation Farhad was putting them consciously.

*****

Closing the gate as silently behind him as he could Raghav proceeded to the closet in the dark room, the low temperature of the air conditioner hinted about something amiss in the room but then it has been such a hot day, Maybe Pallavi too felt sweaty so he didn't mind her absence, it was only when he could not find his robe that he turned on the light and turned to check Pallavi's sleep was not disturbed when he found the bed empty, the perfectly creased sheets made him realize it was not used today.

"Didn't Pallavi sound sleepy just a few minutes ago, then where was she?" 

He looked here and there but then there was no sign of her being in the room at all. He had discarded the suit jacket and was working on his shirt button when he thought to check the other room downstairs Pallavi sometimes use for in-house meetings.

The door was locked just as it always was when Pallavi was not using it and this was enough to let his blood vessel constrict...

"Pallavi... Pallavi..." The voice still was on the softer side so Shobha looked at Shetty to go and make Raghav learn about her absence.