KAYAMATH (ON HOLD)

Chapter 29

Kanika caught Panchi near the office elevator. Panchi was about to enter the elevator when Kanika also entered behind her. On the way home, neither of them spoke. Panchi sat in the cab, crying silently, while Kanika held her hand, offering quiet support. By the time they reached their apartment, the sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of red. The atmosphere was eerily gloomy.

This was the second time Kanika brought Panchi home in this condition. She fulfilled her duty as a friend. True friendship is rare, and Kanika embodied it.

Once home, Kanika sat beside Panchi, trying to comfort her.

"Why, Kanika? Why is this happening to me? What mistake did I make? What sin have I committed to deserve this punishment? Who should I be angry with? Should I be angry with Neev, the one who deceived me with false dreams of love? Or should I blame my father, who left me alone in this cruel world?" Panchi sobbed.

She continued, "No, I can never blame Papa. He was a good man who never hurt anyone. But I don’t understand why Niharika Aunty and Pranay Uncle hated him so much. Papa worked tirelessly after we lost everything because of my uncle’s betrayal. Even after Mama left us, Papa ensured I never felt her absence. But I wish he had taken better care of himself instead of focusing only on my future. Maybe he would still be here."

Tears streamed down her face as she choked out her words, "But the biggest mistake Papa made was trusting Neev. He thought Neev was worthy of me, but he was wrong. Neev betrayed not just me but also Papa’s trust. And those so-called friends of his, they’re humiliating his daughter publicly now."

Her sobs grew louder. Kanika, alarmed by Panchi’s breakdown, hugged her tightly.

"Calm down, Panchi," Kanika said gently. "Your father wasn’t at fault. He was a good man, but sometimes good people trust the wrong ones. Niharika and Pranay are the real villains here. They’re the ones who threw mud on others to hide their wrongdoings. Your father did nothing wrong, and neither did you."

"But Neev..." Panchi hiccupped. "How could Neev do this to me and Papa?"

Kanika rubbed her back soothingly, her own heart aching at the sight of her friend’s anguish. "Panchi, you need rest. You’ll feel better after sleeping." She guided Panchi to her bed and let her rest.

Despite Kanika’s efforts, Panchi refused to eat that night and cried herself to sleep. The next morning, Kanika woke up and called for Panchi, but there was no response. Panicking, she searched the apartment, only to find it empty. Just as she was about to call Panchi, her phone buzzed with numerous notifications from the office group.

Kanika clicked on a message and froze. Someone had uploaded a video of Panchi being insulted, accompanied by accusations of theft and being a gold-digger. To make matters worse, Panchi’s termination letter was posted on the company’s official account, warning her to pay for the rings or face legal action.

Kanika’s heart sank. She tried calling Panchi, but her phone was switched off. Desperate, she even called Neev, but his phone was unreachable. For three days, Kanika searched for Panchi, informing the police and trying to reach her brother, Kenny, but all in vain. She even approached the police and filed a missing person’s report, but it was of no use. Panchi had disappeared without a trace.

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The wedding day finally arrived. The grand venue buzzed with life as guests filled the hall, each dressed in their finest attire. The scent of fresh flowers lingered in the air, mingling with the faint notes of the shehnai playing in the background.