Marriage In Echo

10

Hare Krishna
Chapter 10

As the days stretched into six months since Tiya's disappearance, Karan's desperation grew. He spared no effort in his search for her, even resorting to hiring a private investigator to scour Haridwar for any sign of her presence.

With painstaking thoroughness, the investigator combed through the bustling streets and major hotels of Haridwar, tirelessly following every lead in the hopes of finding a trace of Tiya. But despite their exhaustive efforts, Tiya remained elusive, her whereabouts shrouded in mystery.

Karan's mind was consumed with thoughts of Tiya when his PA entered the room, her expression hesitant yet determined.

"Sir, there's a woman named Sanjana waiting in the visitors room," he informed him softly, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Karan's brow furrowed at the mention of the name. Sanjana. Despite his inner turmoil, he nodded, his curiosity piqued.

"Send her in," he instructed, his voice betraying none of the turmoil raging within him.

"Please, have a seat," Karan said politely to Sanjana, gesturing towards the chair opposite him.

“Tiya is still missing, right?” Sanjana asked, taking a seat.

"Yes, my wife is still missing," he replied quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. Her absence was a constant ache in his heart, a void he couldn't seem to fill.

Sanjana's next words caught him off guard. "You love her a lot," she stated, her voice filled with empathy and disappointment.

He nodded in response, unable to find the words to express the depth of his feelings for Tiya. He wished he had expressed them sooner, before it was too late.

Silence enveloping them. When Sanjana said,“I am getting married next month, Karan. I hope to see you with your wife and family there.” Sanjana said, getting up and handing him the invitation card. He nodded.

"Congratulations, Sanjana," he said, his voice tinged with genuine warmth. Despite the lingering traces of their past, he wished her nothing but happiness in her new life.

She gave him one last look before leaving. She saw it in his eyes today. He was over her. Now Tiya was his world.

As Karan stared at the pictures of Tiya, memories flooded his mind. He traced his fingers over the images, each one capturing a moment from her life. The realisation dawned on him that his wife had always been a vision of beauty, with her long, flowing hair adding to her charm.

Turning the pages of the album, he stumbled upon a photo of a sixteen-year-old Tiya surrounded by children at the orphanage. Her smile was radiant, her eyes filled with warmth and kindness. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of her innocence and compassion.

Continuing to flip through the pages, Karan's eyes fell upon an old photograph of Tiya, her toothless grin capturing the essence of her youthful exuberance. In the background, a picturesque mountainous landscape added to the serenity of the moment.

Beneath the photograph, he noticed a handwritten note, dated October 12, 2005, and an address - MDDA Park, Dehradun. Karan's curiosity piqued as he read Tiya's words: "I still remember this day. I will surely come here again when I am lonely."

The significance of the note struck him deeply. Could this be a clue to Tiya's whereabouts? Was she seeking solace in familiar places from her past? Was she somehow drawn back to this place when she felt lost or alone?

Karan's heart raced with excitement as he made his way downstairs, a glimmer of hope igniting within him. He found his mother in the midst of her evening prayers, her serene expression reflecting his own newfound optimism.

"Maa, I think I found her," he announced, a hopeful smile gracing his lips. His mother's eyes lit up with anticipation as she looked at him.

"Kahan hai wo?" she asked eagerly, her voice tinged with anticipation.

"Uttarakhand," Karan replied, his smile widening at the prospect of finally locating Tiya. The thought of her being in Uttarakhand filled him with a sense of purpose, driving him to take action.

"Hey Bholenath! Is she fine?" his mother inquired, her concern evident in her voice. Karan's shoulders slumped slightly at the question, the uncertainty of Tiya's well-being weighing heavily on him.

"No, I just know she is there," he admitted, the reality of the situation dampening his initial excitement. Despite not knowing Tiya's exact condition, he was determined to find her and bring her back home.

"Are you sure?" his mother pressed, her worry evident in her furrowed brow.

He nodded resolutely. "I am leaving tomorrow early in the morning. Ab Apne biwi ke saath hi ghar wapas aaunga," he declared, his determination unwavering. His mother nodded in understanding, offering silent prayers for Tiya's safety and their eventual reunion. ( I will only return home with my wife now.)

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