𝘼𝙧𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙚 (𝙄𝙢𝙡𝙞𝙚 & 𝘼𝙧𝙮𝙖𝙣)

Chapter Twenty Five

Imlie's POV:

I don't know how much time has passed since I  lost consciousness. I woke up to see my mum in my room sleeping beside my bed.

I struggled to get up, the shuffling must have woken my mum up because she sprang up and caught me by my shoulders.

'Mum, where is Aryan?' I looked around the room but didn't see any traces of him. My voice was hoarse and I started coughing.

'Imlie, sit down and drink some water.' She handed me a glass of water but I didn't take it.

My throat was dry but I shook my head. I straightened my shawl and headed towards the door.

'Where are you going Imlie?' She asked, staring at me.

I got pissed off by the question. 'I'm going to find Aryan.' I replied.

'The police will find him, they are trying their best.'

'Well, they aren't trying enough!' I snapped at my mum and instantly regretted it. 'I'm sorry, Mum, but I have to go.'

'What are you going to do Imlie? The entire building got burnt to the ground, and the police are looking for a body.'

'Bo...Body?' I stammered, staggering backwards.

'Imlie,' my mum called out and tried to touch me but I held out my hand, stopping her.

'Mum, what do I do? What should I tell his mum and sister?' I slumped to the floor, tears streaming down my face.

'You don't have to think about anything to tell her, you can tell her everything about how you got her son killed now.' Malini stated, opening the door to the room.

Arpita rushed in, followed by Narmada Maa.

'Where is my son?' She asked weakly. Her eyes were red and she looked so pale. She came up to me, grabbing me by the shoulders and shaking me violently.

My mum tried to free me from her grasp but she got violently pushed away.

'Maa!' I called out to Narmada. 'I respect you a lot but don't disrespect my mum.' I rushed to my mum, picking her up.

'You are showing your true colours now Imlie.' She said, anger and hatred laced in her voice.

'Mum...' Arpita called out, but she cut her off.

'Don't stop me Arpi. I need to put this ingrate in her place.'

'I know you are hurting but don't call my daughter names.' My mum folded her hands.

'It's easy for you to say because you haven't lost a child. Thank God Malini called us immediately after the incident. She told us everything that happened, and you are here sleeping, Imlie, while the police and villagers are searching for my son.'

'Why aren't you searching for him?' She asked and continued speaking. 'My son left his work to come look for you the moment he heard you were in danger and this is all you can do.'

'Maa, please listen to me. I was un...' She cut me off and the love I once saw in her eyes vanished.

'You've lost every right to call me that.' I don't want to ever see you again and Malini was right, you were going to give me excuses.'

I glanced at Malini and she looked at me, grinning wickedly.

'Arpi, let's go and find Aryan.' She said, storming out. I ran after her and called out to her.

'Let's go together, I was about to go look for him.' Arpita stopped, but Narmada didn't, and after a few steps, she stopped and glared at me. I was trying my best to match her pace.

'Imlie, you are still weak.' My mum called out but I shook my head.

'I will be fine mum.' I reached Narmada maa but she turned her back to me.

'I need a favour from you Imlie.' She said and I started to smile. Our bond is stronger than whatever lies Malini told her.

'Stay away from my son and family. I don't want to see you near the accident site searching for him. I don't want to see your face.' She spat out.

'Mum! Why would you say something like that?' Arpita said but she didn't respond. Instead, she stormed off. I collapsed to the ground and Arpita rushed to me.

'I'm sorry Imlie. She didn't mean all those things, she is just hurt.'

I nodded weakly and tried to get up with Arpita supporting me.

Malini walked up to me and hugged me. 'I'm sorry about what happened little sister.' Her voice was laced with fake concern.

She leaned into my ear and whispered. 'I won't rest until I take everyone you care about Imlie.' She patted my shoulders and left.

                    *************

It's been over three hours with no sign of a body. We've searched the nearby villages and everywhere we could think of, but no traces of Aryan.

I was so exhausted from the heat of the sun and I started to feel dizzy. I was struggling to keep my eyes open, and I kept walking, looking for a place to sit till I bumped into someone.

'Aryan,' I called out as the person held out my shoulder to steady me and I looked up. The disappointment was written all over my face.

'Jeez, Imlie. You could at least pretend to be happy to see me.' Aditya said.

I shrugged his hands off my shoulders and started walking away. I dealt with enough today, I didn't have time for Aditya.

'Imlie, have some water.' He handed me a water bottle. I was hesitant at first, but I collected it and gulped down the entire content in a few seconds.

'Look, whatever happened isn't your fault.'

I chuckled dryly. 'It's very easy for you to say Aditya. I can't wait to find Aryan.'

'You believe he is alive?' Aditya asked and I raised my eyebrows to look at him.

'Relax, the fire was huge. No one could have survived t...'

'Just stop, Aditya. I don't want to hear it. My Aryan is alive. I believe he is.'

Narmada passed by and looked at me with disgust. 'You are supposed to be searching for my son, but you are here chatting and having fun with your ex-husband.'

'What part of what we are doing here is fun to you?' Aditya asked.

Author's note:

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