Disappear

      Jai pov

  " Oh my God, is this you, or am I dreaming? Mighty model Natasha Sinha is standing here. I can't believe it." Jai exclaimed the moment he saw her.

   Natasha smacked his arm playfully. " Is this the way to welcome an old friend of yours? Who is this cute little girl in your arms? She is such a sweetie pie." 

  "She is Kavya, my daughter. Princess says hello to Aunty." He caressed his daughter's cheek.

   " Hello, Aunty." Kavya quickly spoke and hid her head in her father's shoulder. She was feeling a bit uncomfortable due to so many strangers.

   " She is your daughter. You must be joking. How can you get married?" The shock was evident on her face. Her eyes were spitting hostility. She clenched her fists as if she was angry. Before anyone could notice the change in her demeanour, she composed herself

 " And why can't I get married? You would have known if you tried to keep in touch. " It sounded more like a statement than a question. I was surprised at her outburst. I have never considered her more than a friend.

  " Where is your wife? I want to meet her." Natasha kept her hand on his shoulder, her face touched his earlobe and the other was under his suit jacket and started caressing his back. Her antics irritate me a lot.

 " Ankita had died during childbirth."  I jerked her hand. My eyes teared up remembering my deceased wife.

 " You are cooking up stories but you won't get rid of me. I love you. Marry me and I will be a great mother to your daughter." Natasha caressed my cheeks. Her voice was seductive. She bit her lower lip. She battled her eyebrow flirtatiously. 

  " Natasha, I have told you several times that you have been my best friend since kindergarten. I don't think about you on those terms. Don't behave like a slut. Moreover, I don't want to bring a stepmom for my daughter. Excuse me, I have guests to attend. " I jerked her hand and moved. Her touch disgusted me. Kavya's head was still on my shoulder and it was then I noticed that Kavya was asleep. I asked one of the assistants to bring her a stroller. She would be able to sleep comfortably.

   After assigning my mother the stroller, I went to meet the other guests. I was meeting one of the associates when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Arjun was standing behind him. He took me aside. 

  "What is it? Why have you brought me here? " I had a surprised look on my face. 

  "Come with me. We have some problems." He spoke with a poker face. I walked behind him. We came out of the venue. 

         "Jai, please  come with me." Arjun stroked his hair with his hands. He was looking tense.

 "Now! Are you out of your mind?" I spoke in a high-pitched whisper so that no one noticed them. Although I felt bad for lashing out at my best friend, he is the one who is keeping secrets. On seeing the arrival of his car Arjun dragged me and opened the back seat door. He gave him the look that "I will explain later." Seeing his pleading eyes I didn't hesitate and entered. Arjun gave us the address of the location where we were supposed to go. Hearing the place I was startled. Meanwhile, Arjun explained everything to me.  I in turn called Dad and told him we would return in a while.

            Third Person pov

   Back at the party, Natasha came near Yash, "Uncle, I can't find my friend. Where is he?" 

  " He has gone for some urgent work. Why don't you go and join Rashi and enjoy the party? I know he would also want you to do the same thing. '' Yash patted her shoulder and went away. Natasha was disappointed by his answer. She joined Rashi but was feeling disappointed without Jai hence bade goodbye to everyone and went off.

   The party was coming to an end, everyone was getting tense as both the men had not returned. As if realizing her father's absence, Kavya woke up crying. Rani sa was trying to pacify her granddaughter. Kavya was whimpering and couldn't be pacified. In the end, she called her daughter and asked her to help her. Rashi gave her a milk bottle and cradled her to sleep. 

    It was past midnight but there was still no sign of Jaivardhan and Arjun.  The party had ended and the hall was deserted. Everyone was getting tense. 

  Rani sa was trying their cell phones but they were out of range. She was getting restless. She has called every acquaintance but got a negative reply. With each passing minute, her restlessness increased. Yash asked each of his staff but nobody knew where they were. 

  "How can they be so irresponsible? We are getting tense and they don't even bother to inform us." He was pacing to and fro in the living room. Tension was evident on their faces. He called his most trustworthy person and asked him to organize a search party to find them. 

  "I don't know anything, I want my sons by the morning or else to be ready to face the consequences." He disconnected the call. Anger and worry were evident on his face. His eyes were bloodshot red. He was one of the most influential people in Ajmer but at the moment he was feeling helpless.

   Dawn was about to break but still, there was no sign of the men of the house.  The whole hall reverberated with the sound of the doorbell. Rahul was the first one to react. He was bewildered at seeing the person.

 "Arjun bhai, where were you and bhai? What happened? Where is bhai?"  Rahul bombarded him with questions. Arjun was in a pathetic condition. His shirt was soaked with blood. His hair was dishevelled. He was a whimpering mess. On seeing Rahul, he slips onto his knees murmuring " I'm sorry, ma. " 

   "Arjun, " Gayatri hugged him. "What happened beta? Why are you crying? Where is Jai? Please speak something, my heart is sinking. I have a jittery feeling." Gayatri was caressing his head. He was hugging her tightly. 

  "Ma I'm sorry. I can't protect Jai. Please forgive me. " Arjun pulled himself from her embrace and folded his hands in front of her, still whimpering.

  "Where is Jai?  Don't speak in riddles. Tell me everything." Yash came near him.

 "Uncle Jai is in hospital," He spoke in between sobs.