Episode 4 Searching

“Did you find any clue?” Leo asked someone on the call, and the reply shattered the little hope inside his heart.

“No, sir. Mishka isn’t here this year as well. My people were keeping close watch around the orphanage and her house, but she didn’t even visit for once. I don’t think she even visits Varanasi or India anymore.”

Leo smiled sadly. “It’s not possible. It’s her parent’s death anniversary. She is there, but she won’t let us find her till she wants to come out in the open.”

“Anyway, keep searching. Engage more men if required. I don’t care about money,” Leo said and ended the call.

“She doesn’t want to come back, dad,” Luke said and took long strides towards Leo, who in return gave him a heated look.

“I don’t want her to come back either in this house or in Christian’s life. I want to say sorry for my mistake. Otherwise, I won’t be able to die peacefully. The feeling that I’ve ruined her life is eating me from inside and all of this is because of your son!!” Leo almost shouted while saying the last part but soon his volume turned down when he saw Christian descending from the stairs in a silk purple shirt and black trousers.

Leo calmed himself as Christian reached them. “Everything alright, gentlemen?” He eyed both of them.

“Yeah, everything is great!” Luke answered while Leo turned to walk away and Christian stared at his retrieving figure, unable to understand his weird behaviour towards him. “Are you going somewhere?”

Christian looked at Luke and nodded. “Yeah, Danny is throwing a party. I’ll be back in the morning. Just tell mom not to worry about me so much. She seems a little stressed since I said I am going out.”

Luke smiled, “She couldn’t take care of you for seventeen years when she was wheelchair bound, that’s why she is protective of you,” He said, “Don’t worry. Just enjoy yourself!”

“Bye, Dad,” Christian said and exited. Leo was standing against the railing of the balcony, and he saw Christian sliding in the back seat of the car. The former raised his eyes and waved at Leo with an intriguing grin playing on his lips, but Leo turned his face away and his eyes turned misty, remembering Mishka.

“Just come back once before God calls me!” He muttered sadly, and Vera appeared beside him when he was lost in his trance.

“Dad, alright?” She asked softly, and Leo nodded. “I am sorry for Luke’s behaviour. I tried to knock some sense into him last night, but he is hell bent on getting Christian married.”

Leo sighed, “I don’t know what to say!!”

“He isn’t wrong, dad. But tired of watching his son’s suffering. Luke tried to search Mishka too, but his all means to reach her failed, and looking at Christian’s state, he feels helpless.” Vera paused for a moment.

“Luke and I both failed as parents. When Chris needed us both the most, we were not in his life, it’s just we are trying to redeem our mistake without giving a thought that Christian is a grown up man and not seven years old boy, who roamed in the house, shouting for his mom and dad for every petty thing. I know sometimes Christian gets irritated with my over protectiveness, but I can’t help it.”

Leo smiled hearing her last sentence, “Vera, I honestly don’t care about what you both decide for your son. What disheartens me the most is how Mishka suffered because of my family and my grandson.”

“I still hold that letter she wrote for Chris, and it reveals the story of Christian’s betrayal. He trapped her in a fucking Contract Marriage for the sake of this CEO position and to get back with Lia after the one year period is over, but he never disclosed this to Mishka, and that poor soul agreed because of me.” Leo spat.

“Mishka thinks I betrayed her, but how should I explain to her I never knew he was in a relationship, even after his marriage? He told me he has broken up with Lia. I didn’t have the slightest idea that he would do something like this behind my back.” Leo said, and Vera looked at him wordlessly.

“I don’t want Mishka to ever get back with Christian. He doesn’t deserve her. Girls like Lia suits him the best and I hope Luke finds someone like her for him.”

***

Mishka averted her gaze from the magazine she was reading and looked at Aryan’s pale face as he sauntered in her direction and sat next to her with a loud thump. She tried to suppress her amusement and gazed at him. “I told you not to eat so much! Are you enjoying your trips to the toilet?”

“Don’t make fun now! Ahhh, my stomach,” He yelped in pain, holding his stomach, and Mishka looked at his pained facial feature.

“Do you need medicine?” She asked, but Aryan shook his head.

“I think I am fine now.” He relaxed, taking a deep breath, and turned to Mishka, “I wanted to discuss something important,”

“What happened?” Mishka turned serious.

“I was wondering, can I complete the rest of my schooling and college from India, Varanasi?” He asked, and Mishka furrowed her brows.

“What’s wrong in completing from New York?” She asked.

“I want to live there and take care of our orphanage, and I may get beaten up, but you and Riya di have already gotten so many things on your plate to manage. Education and living are costly in New York. I don’t want to burden you or Riya di. Education is much affordable in India and I’ll be around my people, so you don’t need to worry.” He pursed his lips in a straight line and waited for Mishka to start her lecture.

“Aryan, you are not a burden. I understand things are sometimes hard to manage, but Riya and I will manage everything. I won’t let you suffer, I promise.” She said.

“Di, you are not understanding! I wrongly used the burden word, but what I really meant to convey was, let me help you. I can go for further studies in India?” He argued.

“It’s your friend’s brother’s wedding, right? Focus on that. We’ll talk about this when you’ll come back from the trip, and yes, you are going to get beaten up once we get off this plane.” She said and focus back on her magazine.

Soon their flight landed in New York and Mishka sent Aryan home with their luggage while she took another cab and moved in another direction.

***

Riya was preparing lunch when someone started ringing the doorbell continuously, something Aryan always does to annoy Riya as he knew she absolutely hates it.

“Coming!” Riya quickly opened the door and glared at Aryan.

“Hey, ugly lady!” He said and looked at her with an amused face.

“You’ll never learn!!” She screeched.

“It’s my style, you should get used to it.” Aryan winked and walked past her, leaving all their luggage at door for Riya to bring in. He always behaves respectfully to Mishka as she was a mother figure for him, but with Riya, the duo was Tom and Jerry.

Riya looked at his behaviour as if he was a king, and she was her servant. “Now what are waiting for, young lady? Bring my luggage in and close the door,” He said sarcastically.

Riya pulled their luggage inside and closed the door. “Where is Mishka?” She asked.

“I don’t know. She said go home and she’ll inform you.” He said, and Riya’s mobile pinged with a message from Mishka.

“I had some work. I’ll be home in the evening. Give some porridge to Aryan, he is unwell.”

Riya was reading her message when she heard Aryan, “Can I get some aloo paratha (flatbread stuffed with potatoes) and curd?”

Riya flared in anger. “Eat porridge. I just got a text from Mishka that you are unwell.”

“Oh, my god! Why do you guys make a big deal of everything? I can sniff Aloo paratha in the air and it’s calling me.” He said, inhaling deeply, and raced to the kitchen before Riya could catch him.

***

A Mercedes stopped right outside Danny’s house, and Christian stepped out. He walked inside the house and the booming rock music welcomed him. The vibe inside the house made him feel as if he has entered some club.

Half of the crowd was drunk, dancing on the floor as if there was no tomorrow while others were enjoying themselves at the poolside. Christian searched for Danny and finally spotted him at the bar with his girlfriend, Maya.

Maya’s facial expressions quickly turned sour as she saw Christian approaching in their direction, and Christian huffed, noticing her weird behaviour towards him. Maya welcomed Christian with a poker face and then turned to Danny. “I am going to meet my friends.” She said, collecting her drink from the counter and disappeared into the crowd.

“I just don’t understand why your girlfriend hates me so much?” Christian asked, while slipping on the barstool next to Danny. “Did I try to flirt with her in the past?” He asked, and Danny chuckled.

“You ditched her best friend,” Danny said, and Christian scowled.

“Who is that fucking friend, and why did I leave her?” Chris said in a frustrated tone.

“Don’t mind her,”

“Leave her,”

Danny and Chris said at the same time, and Danny burst into laughter.

“Don’t laugh, I am serious. Leave Maya!” Christian said, and Danny laughed again.

“You know, eight years back, you were dating a girl. I hated her with every inch of my skin. I told you to break up with her several times but you didn’t listen,” Danny said, though he knew it will leave a terrible effect if something triggered him, but words always left his mouth before he could realise, his face turned white and he cursed himself for bringing up the past.

“So, are you in revenge mode now?” Christian arched an eyebrow, and Danny sighed in relief as he didn’t pick his lines and enquire more about it.

“Don’t stress out yourself, ignore Maya. Anyway, How was your date last night with Becky?” Danny inquired.

“It was good. She was gorgeous. We had dinner together and then I dropped her off at her apartment. She invited me in for a coffee and…..” Christian trailed off.

Danny waited for him to continue impatiently. “And?” He asked, and Christian looked away with an amused face.

***

Riya looked at the wall clock. It was already seven in the evening. She quickly prepared Masala Tea as she waits for Mishka to arrive. She poured masala tea in two cups, and put the tray on the centre table, when the doorbell rang and she turned on her heels to open the door.

“Coming!!” She shouted, and as soon as she opened the door, a pile of books was thrown in her direction and Mishka sighed in relief, walking inside their small apartment.

“These books are so heavy, my hand is paining,” She said in a tired voice and settled herself on the brown couch. Riya followed her inside and kept the pile of books on the centre table. Her eyes accidentally landed on Mishka’s white top, where she spotted bloodstains.

“What happened to you!?!?” Riya asked in a high pitch and moved to check her.