Espresso Love (SanDhir)

Chapter 5 - Whole Beans

I thought back to the night before she left.

—

"Randhir, I need a break," cried Sanyukta. Her one sentence had me stupefied. I let out a confused laugh, "Stop joking Sanyukta. I don't like these jokes!"

But the look on her face was unmistakable; "Why?" was the only thing I could mumble.

She walked slowly towards me and kissed my cheek. "It'll be better that way Randhir," she whispered.

—

She had walked away from me that night. Walked away from FITE. I had tried my best trying to find her the next day.

—

I searched the mechanical lab out of desperation. She wasn't there. I was getting more and more worried with each passing second. I hoped - and prayed - with all my heart that she was safe.

I had already checked the library, study room, lecture halls, and Vardhaan Sir's office. She was nowhere to be found.

Glancing at the clock, I ran to the cafeteria in hopes of finding her there. But I didn't see her.

There was only one last place where she could possibly be right now, the girls' dorm.
Sprinting my way to her room, I found the doors to be shut. I knocked furiously; clearly patience was evading me as restlessness and panic settled instead.

After what seemed like an eternity, Kaustuki finally opened the door. As I rushed in wanting to see Sanyukta in front of me, I heard Kaustuki, "She's gone Randhir. She's gone."

"What the fuck do you mean she's gone Kaustuki?" I spit out venomously. I was beyond enraged at the revelation. I knew I was being too harsh on her upon seeing her flinch at my tone, but I had no control over my anger at this point.

"Watch it Randhir!" she scorned. "I'm not her bodyguard. I was out with my cousins last night and stayed at theirs. And then I came here to see her bed and closet empty."

I walked out the door, anger surging in my veins rather. Punching the nearest wall, I tried emptying the fury that was building up within me; but to no avail.

I went back in the room, "I'm sorry Kaustuki. I shouldn't have yelled at you." She concealed her shock at my apology with an understanding look. "It's okay. I know it's hard for you. But don't misunderstand her Randhir. If there's one thing I know about Sanyukta then it's that her love for engineering, her family, and you is unmatched by anything else. I can only wish the best for you both."

—

"Vidushi! Where's Parth?"

Unlike the usual sarcasm that always dripped from her voice, she gave a straight response upon sensing the urgency in my tone.

"He's in the library. Why do you ask?"

But I left without giving her an answer. I had to talk to him. I ran to the library, receiving odd looks from the other students, but I gave them no attention. I couldn't care less about them.

Upon reaching to the library, I saw him sitting at a table.

"PARTH!" I screamed out to him. He looked up, obviously startled by my loud voice in the quiet room. The librarian glared at me and approached me; but before she could say anything, Parth grabbed his books and bag, and dragged me out.

"What's wrong with you Randhir? Why are you screaming?"

But the last of his sentence was rather quiet, assuming he finally saw the chaos in my behaviour.

"Where's Sanyukta Parth?"

Although he hadn't answered yet, I knew from his confused look that he had no idea either.

"What are you talking about?"

I stepped away from him. My mind went blank and my body, numb. Breathing in deep, I tried to calm myself. "Maybe she's just gone to her parents' house for an emergency," I said to myself, even though I knew that wasn't the case. She'd have called if that were the case. But I wasn't ready to deal with anything, so I chose to remain ignorant, hoping for it to be over like a nightmare.

—

Snapping myself back to reality, I laughed. Oh how wrong I was to think it would all be alright again.

I noted the number down from the file, unsure of what I was about to do with it though. Throwing the files in my suitcase, I left my office.

"Ms. Sharma, I'll take the files with me tonight. Ask the HR to prepare an interviewing panel to shortlist 3 candidates from the 5 I will select from the 10 people."

"Okay Sir, anything else?" she asked. "Nope that's it. Thank you! Have a goodnight!"

"Night Sir!" she smiled.

I headed off to the parking and got to my car. It was 7:15pm already. I better reach The Golden Chariot before Vidushi kills me.

*Hey Vidu, sorry I'm a little late. Just leaving now!*

I sent her a quick text and sped off with my mind still occupied with that one name. It was possible that it could be some other Sanyukta; I mean maybe it's just a coincidence that her last name is Mittal. I mean Farzi hated that man right? How could she marry him then?

Agreeing with that logic, I told myself it was some other Sanyukta. But to seal the deal, I had to call and find out. I just couldn't leave it to fate this time. And so I took my phone in my hands...