Chapter 18

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SOHAM'S POV

"Where is she???" I shouted over the phone

"I haven't done anything yet and you lost her already?? " he questioned me laughing a bit.

"I told you, if it's her I will kill you" I shouted.

"Will you?  Good to know that" he replied calmly. 

I disconnected my phone kicking my car in frustration.  Where the hell is she????  It's five in the evening and no one knows where she is!  I can't simply blame only him!  Where will I find her???  Even Dhruv couldn't track her phone.  I sat on the road beside my car holding my head.  I have visited each place in this city,  wherever her dad said,  whatever place I thought she might be there.  Heck!  I even went to restaurants!   Knowing that I was helpless I came to the orphanage.

Looking at the ground, I felt as hopeless as I felt just before her death. That same gnawing feeling inside my chest.  I realized I loved her,  wanted her to know me,  and fall in love with me.  Never wanting to force our relationship,  I always stood back,  waiting for her to look at me.  I regret doing all that now.  I hate the feeling I am feeling now.  As I raised my head,  I saw an auto passing by me and stopping just at the entrance.  A girl descended followed by what looked like my Aahu

Aahana!

She took that girl's hand and slowly walked inside,  I immediately got up walking behind. She met a few kids who were happy to see her and waved at them while holding the girl's hand.  As I looked upon Aunty greeted them warmly,  Aahu spoke something to which Aunty nodded and took the girl inside.  She sat on the same bench which I occupied before. 

Rage courses through my veins thinking how can she be peaceful when there are so many people waiting for her!  How can she be calm when I am dying here? 

"Aahana!" I called her standing a few feet away.

"Hey!" she greeted me awkwardly. 

"Where were you?!" I tried to control my voice but Nope that's not going to happen I guess. 

"I was just, you know-" she tried to explain but I cut her off.

"Where the hell were you?!  Your dad is worried!  Where did you throw your phone!" I shouted towering her figure. 

"Dad?!  Oh my god!  Shit!  My battery is down!" she panicked taking her phone out. 

"Uncle,  she's safe.  I just saw her at the orphanage. Bringing her home now.  Don't worry she will be with me.  Here talk with her "I pushed my phone onto her hand.

"You called my dad?" she asked me.

"No. I didn't. He called me." I answered curtly moving a bit back to give her privacy. 

"Dad! Oh god! Sorry! I will explain it to you once I reach home!  I was caught in a situation!  Yes!  Yes!  I am fine. Do you want to video call me??  I am sure he can help you. Yes.  Wait. I will ask him." I heard her talking.

"Can you video call him?  He wants to look at me.  He's in WhatsApp,  Duo, and every video calling app" she spoke hurriedly.  I calmly took my phone back, dialed his number, and held it so that she could talk. 

"Oh thank you! Hi! Mom?!" she spoke with fear.

"Where were you?!!!  You had us under immense pressure since morning!  Come home!" I heard her mom shouting.

"Show yourself! Turn around!  Left!  Right!  OK. Back?. Fine.  You are not hurt anywhere.  Thank god!  How can you be so irresponsible?! " I heard her dad shouting while Aahu looked down.

"Come home Aahu. Stop making me worry like this!" her dad calmed down.

"I am sorry Dad.  Will be there soon! Soham said he would drop me!  Don't worry!" she assured him.

"Order some food on the way for us including Soham too. We both are so tired, she doesn't want to cook now!  Food should teach home before you!" I heard her dad before he disconnected our call.  She looked at me sheepishly.

"I will order food. Just type your address." I said Handing over my phone. 

"Who is that girl?" I asked her.

"Can we order after some time?  My favorite restaurant opens around Seven." she said.

"Who is that girl?  Where were you??" I questioned her again.

"Aahana!  Come here dear!" Aunty called.  She looked at me and ran away taking my phone with her.  I slumped on the bench resting my head back and closing my eyes. 

One stubborn woman! 

Is my concern even visible on my face to her?! Tiredness took over me as I opened my eyes and looked at children running around me.  My phone rang making me aware that I hadn't called my dad yet.

"Did you find her?" he asked me as soon as I answered.

"Yes, dad. Will reach home as soon as possible" I replied shortly.

"She's safe?" he questioned me.

"Yes.  Don't worry I will be home soon." I replied.

"Come we will go!" she jumped in front of me.

I walked behind her silently as she jumped her way to my car which is parked outside the orphanage.

"Walk fast!" she instructed halting for a minute and looking back. 

Does even know how tense I have been since morning?

"Wait a second. I won't move until you tell me where were you the whole day. Who is that girl?" I asked her. 

"I will tell you!  Please I need to charge my phone!  You have cable in the car??" she asked me.  I tried to calm my nerves down.  Walked past her without looking at her face. 

"Are you angry??  Why are you running??? Wait for me!  Are you going to go without dropping me??" she shouted.

Am I angry? 

I only have one emotion towards you that is LOVE! 

"You are grumpy" she huffed while I opened my door asking her to sit inside.  

"I got a call early in the morning from girls in the hostel." she started as I reversed my car.

"You know the college I work at has a hostel.." she looked at me.

"One of the student's parents has not paid the fee,  her parents couldn't afford it, and they are not employed.  She gets a scholarship but this year she couldn't" Aahana continued.

"She wants to die. I kind of counseled her for hours.  Paid her fee,  and I made her join your orphanage in  meantime.  Is it OK? " she asked me.

"I mean I will somehow pay her fee this month. I have some expenses.  Her friends want to pay but she's a stubborn woman!" she continued.

Like you!

"So I had this amazing idea!  She will work here at your orphanage and she will pay her fees from here on!  What say?!" she asked me.

"You are angry!  Sorry!  I completely forgot about everyone." she apologized.

"Oye!  I am talking with you!" she hit my arm.  While I chose not to react at all. 

"Why are you angry of all??" she asked me seriously which me stop my car and look at her. 

Why?! 

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