The Ruined Rainbow

CHAPTER 78

P.S.: This is the chapter you all have been waiting for, or at least I was waiting for! (For the past two years :/ I have longed to write this scene)

Kavita took a deep breath. She expected his response but hearing it made her heart heavy. She had somehow counted on him.

The small meeting room, which consisted only of five of them altogether, was filled with murmurs, trying to figure out other options. Still, Kavita's eyes remained fixed on her mobile, her eyes hovering over the contact she didn't want to dial.

But she had to.

She had no one else to turn to after her sister.

Rahul had tried to soothe her by telling them he would check his contacts, but she had been so frustrated yesterday that she burst out angrily, and harsh words erupted out of her mouth. Of course, she didn't mean it, but the deed was done.

She was turning nastily disastrous every day over the past year, and the reason was apparent. And she should be thanking her stars that the one who truly cared for her didn't detach her after seeing her horrible mood swings.

Mutely, she stood up and walked to the window and made sure her voice was low as he picked up on the first ring. He didn't speak, even as seconds trickled. And she was the first to initiate the conversation.

"Rahul."

"Speak."

"Yaar, Sachi, I am sorry. Mujhe nahi pata tha-how terrible I am turning day by day. Ayesha ka gayab hona-her disappearance from the past one year has been too much for me to bear, you know that, right?"

"I know Kavita, and I also know that you have all the reason to be panicked, " he said calmly, his voice deep.

"And in this process of finding her- I am tired, Rahul. Tired. It's taking every ounce of my energy but yielding practically no result."

Only when a warm drop of water fell on her cold hand did she realise she was crying.

"We are finding her; Please don't give up now; God will help us; keep hope."

Kavita was crying silently now. Tears streamed her cheeks, but a quiver didn't escape her mouth. Rahul was silent for a long minute and then spoke,

"Shall I drop by ?"

Kavita shook her head, then realising he couldn't see her, she said in a trembling voice, "No, Rahul, the meeting is going on. About that Varanasi event. You know I was searching for a famous chief guest, and nothing is materialising-"

"Sahil didn't agree?" He asked quietly.

"No, he didn't, and he has all reason not to," and then pausing briefly, she asked, "How do you know about us approaching Sahil?"

"I heard the rumours."

"What? From where?" She asked sharply.

"Aroras have their sources, which even I am unaware of. Father told me today morning at breakfast. Don't worry, no one else is aware, "

Kavita was not entirely convinced.

"Shaam?" Rahul spoke next, "Shall we meet at 6 p.m.?"

"I'll come to your house," Kavita affirmed, and after exchanging farewells, she cut the call and wiped her face with her hands. She glanced at the people behind her; they were still immersed in the prior discussion. She checked her reflection on her mobile, and when she felt presentable, she walked back to her seat.

*****

Ayesha

"You are shifting to Varanasi in a week?" I asked incredulously to a very busy Ahalya. "Why?"