Author:
The security checkpoint at the mall's exit was a chaos. The other customers lined up with their bags open, behind the Oberoi's and their security, the mall staff scanning their bags, and carefully matching the receipt against their purchases. The crowd murmured impatiently, heels tapping on marble, voices rising and falling in complaint.
Inaya stood with Tara close to her, her eyes flickering restlessly across the bustling crowd. She wasn't really paying attention to the beeping scanners or the guards rifling through their shopping bags. She could take care of it.
Her posture was careful and her gaze watchful but she was sure she was missing something.
And then it struck her.
She couldn't spot Aira.
A cold prickle ran down her spine. For a split second, Inaya thought maybe she had simply overlooked her in the shuffle of people, but her eyes darted back and forth, scanning every face, every moving head, every corner where Aira might be. Nothing.
Her breath hitched. No, She was right here.
"Tara," she murmured, voice low, urgent. "Where is Aira?"
Tara turned quickly, scanning, but her confused shake of the head was answer enough. Inaya didn't wait another heartbeat. She moved toward their nearest guard.
"Nityam," she ordered crisply, her voice carrying the authority of command.
The guard stepped forward instantly. "Ma'am?"
"Handle the formalities and Don't let Miss Oberoi out of sight. I will be back."
The guard nodded immediately, but Inaya was already moving, weaving through the restless crowd. Her instincts screamed that something was wrong.
Without wasting another second, she pulled out her phone and dialed. "Mr. Kapoor," she said the moment he answered, not bothering with greetings. Her voice was quick, controlled, but threaded with steel. "I need access to the CCTV footage of the Seasons mall. Right now."
"What happened?" Vyom's tone sharpened instantly.
"Aira is missing."
There was silence for a beat on the other end before his voice lashed out, sharp. "What the hell were you doing instead of watching her?"
She exhaled harshly, cutting him off. "Ask me later. Right now, my priority is finding her."
This time the silence lasted for barely a breath before his decisive reply came. "Hold. I will get you clearance."
Seconds later, she heard Vyom's voice again, "Reynash Rajvansh will call the manager personally. You will get access."
By the time she reached the CCTV control room, the staff were already expecting her. The manager, still alert from the phone call he had just received, ushered her in without a word. Inaya moved past him to the wall of screens.
"Pull the last ten minutes. Cameras covering the ground floor and exit gates," she ordered
The footage rolled back, grainy black-and-white blurs sharpening into figures. Hardly, thirty second in and Inaya spotted Aira, walking briskly towards the stairs.
"Where does the stairs lead to?" She asked.
"The underground parking lot Ma'am." The manager replied.
"Follow that camera. Switch angles."
The staff clicked through feeds. Aira's frame appeared again on another camera, heading steadily down, her movements hurried, her face unreadable from the distance.
YOU ARE READING
Ishq hua (Duet 1)
Romance"You little liar," he breathes. "You want me to make it hurt." My heart skips a beat. "Don't lie to me Aira. You like it rough." I do. But I am not going to tell him that. "You will ruin me." I almost whimper, my head falling back to his chest as hi...
