KHWAB : A Distant Dream

Chapter 25

Well.... Let's say I couldn't bring myself to ignore the requests for double update..... honestly speaking....
So... here you go... on readers demand.
(But that doesn't mean you'll bunk the targets for previous chapter 😉)
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Rudra and Anvi were greeting the guests and answering the press when a reporter called for a family photo. Rudra agreed and gestured to Maan to gather everyone, while he helped his grandfather on the stage. Gayatri, Meera, Niharika, Karan, Mrs. Khanna and Avyansh followed. Maan called the twins while Niharika called her daughter. Soon, everyone was on the stage when Rudra looked around and couldn't find Anika. Even Gayatri, Maan and Anvi were searching for her. None of them had seen her since they left the mansion. "Anika kahan hai Avi?" Rudra questioned. "Hum bhi usse hi dhund rahe the. Pata nahi kahan gayi vo, Bhaiya." Avi said, looking around trying to locate his sister.

"What do you mean? She was not with you guys?" Maan asked bewildered. "Nahi bhaiyu. She was with Adi and her friends. We were busy with the guests." Arhaan answered, looking a bit guilty. "Her phone is switched off." Aarav informed as he kept his phone down. Niharika who had heard the whole conversation was feeling indignant. "Rudra beta, the reporters are waiting. I am sure Ruhanika is somewhere around. She will join us. Now come quickly." she said in a sweet voice while cursing Anika in her heart. Rudra wanted to wait for Anika, but he knew that buaji was right, they couldn't keep the press hanging for long. "Call Abhira and ask her to get Anika. Alert the security" Rudra instructed Maan and walked towards Anvi.

Anvi and Avyansh both gave him a questioning look. "Anika is not here. Phone is also switched off. I have alerted the security and Abhira is looking for her as we speak." Rudra said calmly, not betraying his inner emotions. But he didn't need to, they both understood his unsaid words and Anvi kept her hand on his shoulder in assurance. Maan called his fiance and explained the situation to Abhira and then quickly joined the others. They all had to act calm, as they could not let the press sense that anything was a miss. Niharika and Tanya were gloating, as Anika wasn't there.

Rudra was tense as he was feeling that something was off, and has been for quite some time now, but ignored it for the moment as he had more important things to focus on. He knew that once Anika was on the stage, the reporters were going to question her identity, and would have a gala time hounding her but Rudra was ready to deal with the press. He couldn't hide her forever, someday or the other the truth will come out, and he had already discussed it with Gayatri. She was concerned for Anika, as she didn't want her to be trapped in the crossfire, but agreed with Rudra, and had suggested waiting till the end of reception. What she wasn't aware of was the fact that someone had been pulling strings behind the back and the wait would just complicate the situation.

They all had their photos clicked and there were no signs of Anika, when a flustered Abhira came there. She looked a bit worried and Maan immediately got off the stage and approached her. The information she gave him left him stunned and confused as he frowned. "Call Advaith. I'll tell Bhaiya." Maan said, looking worried, and moved back towards the stage. Abhira sighed and called her brother, knowing the interrogation that would take place and told him to come near the stage. Maan signalled something to their bodyguards as he approached Rudra, subtly glancing at the press. Rudra understood his gesture and turned towards the press. "No more pictures. Thank you for attending the event." The business man in Rudra spoke, leaving no room for negotiations or protests.

Within minutes the press cleared, with help of the bodyguards and Rudra turned towards Maan, raising an eyebrow. "Where's Anika?" He asked calmly, without giving him an opportunity to speak. Maan gulped under Rudra's gaze and prayed to all the gods out there to keep him safe. "She returned home." He replied in a low voice. Rudra's eyebrow shot up further, if that was even possible. "She left? Why? Did something happen?" Gayatri asked at once concerned, looking at Maan who was as clueless as them, for answers. By that time Shashank, Ryan, Abhira and Advaith had also arrived.