Blood Ties

11 - Hello Mr Gowda

The morning was the usual - workout, shower, breakfast, and off to work. It's not like I have to go to work every day but I like it. Like Appa, I like being in the field, giving surprise visits to our factories, and seeing that work is done properly.

But these days, I wait for Guru - my spy, to update me. I've never been so riled up on news regarding anyone.

Today, Guru was late. He normally sends updates before or by lunchtime. It is way past lunchtime. Hell, it's almost dusk. I pick up my phone to check if I've missed any messages. I haven't, and neither do I have any call from Guru. I open his contact and hit dial.

Two rings in and the door to my cabin opens. Guru walks in with his phone ringing in his hand.

"You couldn't wait for a few hours?"

"No! You know how important the updates are."

"Yeah! Yeah! I've been on this duty for almost two months, given almost every minute detail possible. Yet, you want me to keep digging. You still haven't told me what's so special about this person." He asked.

It was high time he did. Guru isn't someone who does work without prior knowledge about what he's getting himself into. He did give me an exception on this, just cuz I told him it was too personal. To an extent, it involved Appa's better health.

Only a few know Appa isn't all happy. He's fit, for his age he is fit - physically. When it comes to happiness Appa tries his best to keep himself busy and surround himself with people he likes. But I know what he wants and this person might be the answer to all. I've never been sure about anyone. I've had other suspicions, but they were not as strong as this one.

"Oh hello! Where are you lost? Answer my damn question or else I'm not continuing," Guru's voice brought me back to the cabin.

"You know better not to threaten me," I answer back. Before he could say anything I continued.

"I'll tell you today. It's high time you know the exact details about her. But before that, give me the updates. I promise to tell you everything."

"Fine! She's back from her friends' trip. Nothing major happened. Nothing happened that you need to be concerned about."

"No, no. You don't get to wave it off like that. What happened?"

"Well, my agent keeping an eye told me she cried a few times on the trip."

"Why? Was she hurt? You don't think this had to be informed then and there?" I was off my chair now.

"Sit down! She isn't hurt. Not physically. She cried seeing her friends' parents calling and asking about them and here her parents hadn't bothered to call and check up on her. That's what hurt her. She cried for being neglected."

"I swear! They are useless. Can't even keep their daughter happy. It's always not material needs that make your kid happy. I promise she won't have to face it once I get her back where she belongs."

"What the hell are you talking about? Is she your new love obsession? If so, you better stay away from those friends of yours, especially..."

I stopped him mid-sentence.

"What! No! And my friends have nothing to do with this."

"Then what? I've given you the updates. Now you tell me why are behind her and why did you ask me to personally look into her?"

I inhale in a deep breath. This is going to be tough. I'm not sure how Guru will react. He always cared for me as an elder brother. He knows every single detail about our family. Be it my romantic escapades, business stuff, or mess-ups I've been in. He even knows about our history - how Appa changed after Amma's death, how I had to grow up and handle myself, everything...

(Appa = Father; Amma = Mother)

"You know how Appa was crazily searching for someone a few years back?"

"Yeah! It ended with a bad news. I couldn't see Harish sir's face when we found out the person he was searching is no more."

"Well, that's not true." I could see Guru's eyebrows furrow in confusion and release on realization.

"You mean to say, the person I'm spying on might be..."

"Yes! And this time I'm sure."

"How sure?"

"I just need solid proof for anyone who opposes me. Or else I'm sure."

"Devare! You couldn't have told it before?"

(Devare = God)

"What more would you have done?"

"I would have... actually what more could have I done? When did you even see her? I'm aware I am not the first person to research on her."

"Yeah! Initially, I had only a blurry zoomed-in picture of her. I got it cleared, did my research, and got Ayaan to do his tech stuff. And when I had a file on her, I passed it on to you."

"So, this was a very long time back?" He asked and I nodded in a yes.

"How long back?" I coughed at his question. I had to avoid this question. Guru would kill me if he got to know how long I've been following up on her. I wasn't going to go so easy and not so young.

Guru's question had me going back in memory lane.

I still can't forget the day I saw her for the first time. She looked so in her element. It didn't feel like she was away from home. It had me guessing if my eyes saw what I thought they saw......

By the time I came back to my senses, she was gone. I've run around like shown in these movies when people are searching. If recorded it could have easily been used in a movie.

I was lucky enough to spot her again just as I thought I'd have to take another route to find out more.

I can never forget that day, the only thing that went right that day was her. Tower Bridge, London will always stay close to my heart...

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