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Coming to Becca's apartment Elias pondered what had happened to her. Will she be able to come to him? he thought. He blamed himself for not waiting for her in the car. She might have gone there and found him. But now there is no source through which she would reach here, Elias thought. He assured himself that he would go to that spot of the wayside shop every day. One day he might find the shop and meet the shop owner through which he could find Becca. What a paradox! he sighed. He slept for a couple of hours. Like every day he did his routine work. Its 10 am so he decided to go to Mr. Ray's house, the police officer whose project they had taken. He and Becca would have started the work from second of January. As Becca was nowhere to be found, Elias wanted to start the work early and alone. Staying alone at the apartment and pondering about her would madden him. He took out his car from the garage and went straight to Mr.Ray's house. Mr. Ray greeted him. He disclosed Elias his planning of extension of three rooms with attached washrooms. Elias had already brought with him the tracing paper on which Becca had already drawn the design. He showed it to Mr. Ray. Mr. Ray examined it and expressed his opinion that it would be the best project. As he had a big family and a big friends circle, he needed the extension. Elias called his boys. He asked them to start the work from that day itself. Mr. Ray asked him about Becca. He also told him that he had phone her so many times but time it was not reachable. Elias lied that she was out of station and there, it's difficult to get signal. He didn't tell about Becca to anyone because nobody is going to believe him. They would think that he had gone out of his mind. Ray's wife and mother were both good women.They talked with Elias and liked his design. They advised him not to work in a hurry. As they want it to be the best.Elias would go there everyday and return at the same time in the evening, in the hope of finding that wayside shop. But he never came across that shop. A week passed still there was no trace of Becca. Elias would be sometime impatient. He thought of every possible way to find her. On the New Year day he was so grieved that he refused to leave the apartment. But at the call of Mr. Ray's family he could not confined himself. He celebrated with them, parting and enjoying the night. In the corner of his heart he wept.
The new rooms looked exquisite. The children were thrilled for having their own room. Still some detailing had to be done. Moreover the kitchen had to be extended. Elias thought if Becca had been here it would have been much better because some of her innovative ideas were fantastic. Her detailing kitchen design would be no match to him, Elias thought. They had planned so much for the new year, even thought of buying a new spacious apartment. Becca would then give her apartment to rent. There would be no struggle for money. Suddenly Elias remembered the cheque that Mr. Richard had given him. On the Christmas Eve he went to the bank to cash it but it was closed so he returned home. He had kept the cheque in the drawer. He looked at his watch and thought that the bank might be closed now.Tomorrow he would cash the cheque. Later he would look for a spacious apartment to buy. When Becca would arrive she might be very glad to find her dream fulfilling. Elias was elated at the prospect of thinking that. One of the workers came to him and asked for the design of the kitchen. Elias showed him. He asked the worker to utilise the space as much as possible. Elias examined the interior of the rooms. A closet or a cabinet had to be installed in each room. The colours are excellent. The lighting is perfect and the wooden flooring shows exquisite patterns. Elias thought he and Becca would design their new apartment in ultra modern style. The cabinets of their kitchen would be of Becca's choice and the design of the washroom would be of his choice. Elias looked at his watch. It's time to get going. He asked their leave and drove the car slowly. He would observe every shop he passed, hoping to see that particular shop. When he reached that spot he stopped his car at a corner, took out a packet of cigarette from the pant pocket. He lighted one. He sat on the seat until he finished smoking. He saw people passed by him. He would eagerly look at them hoping to see Becca's face. At one time he entered a restaurant and packed some food for him. He was not willing to make dinner only for himself. Then waited for half an hour. Afterwards he started his car and drove away. On reaching the apartment he changed his clothes and became fresh. From the packet he put the food on a dish and began to eat. He didn't think about its taste but ate it just to survive. Nothing interested him now. Finding Becca is his only purpose. Having dinner he went to bed. Imagining Becca sleeping by his side, he closed his eyes.
