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Veer sat in the living room, tossing Simba's favorite ball back and forth, waiting for Tara to return from her parents' place. The weekend had passed quietly, and now, it was nearing midnight, yet there was still no sign of her. He checked his phone again, hoping for a message or a missed call. Nothing.
He'd already called her twice, and each time it was the same automated voice that came in. Her phone was switched off. The usual irritation he felt when Tara was busy had long since turned into worry. It wasn't like her to be this unresponsive, and he could feel the anxiety gnawing at him.
After a moment of indecision, he dialed her mother, hoping to get some clarity.
"Hello, Veer. How are you?" Mahati Singhania, Tara's mother's voice chirped through the phone.
"Hi, aunty. I'm good, thanks," he replied, his voice strained with concern. "But I was just wondering... Is Tara staying back at your place for the night?"
There was a brief pause before her mother answered, her tone casual. "Oh, she left a while ago, beta. Did you try calling her?"
"Yes, but her phone's switched off," Veer said, pacing now, the unease settling deeper in his chest.
"Ah, this girl... always so irresponsible," her mother sighed lightly, not sounding the least bit worried. "She'll probably show up soon. Don't worry."
Veer's jaw tightened. Irresponsible? That didn't sit well with him. Tara, of all people, was the most responsible person he knew, always on top of things. The irritation he'd been holding back started bubbling to the surface.
"I think you're absolutely wrong there, aunty," he replied, unable to keep the frustration out of his voice. "My wife is the most responsible person I know." He took a breath, trying to calm down. "Anyway, I'll take your leave now. I don't think you know more than I do at the moment."
He disconnected the call, running his hand through his hair in frustration. How could her parents be so clueless? He was growing more anxious by the second, and their lack of concern wasn't helping. Just as he was about to grab his keys to drive out and look for her, his mother entered the room.
"Veer, you're still awake?" she asked, her tone gentle but curious as she poured herself a glass of water.
"Tara hasn't come back yet," he said, his worry evident as he looked at her.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you!" his mother said, putting the glass down. "She told me she was too tired to drive back, so she's staying at her apartment for the night."
Veer blinked in surprise. "Her apartment?"
"Yes," his mom nodded, her expression calm. "She called me a while back."
His shoulders relaxed, relief flooding his chest. She was safe. That's all that mattered. "Oh," he muttered, feeling a bit foolish for panicking. Why didn't she just tell him herself? Not that she had to, but still...
