𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞'𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞

Chapter 24

Abhi POV:

I returned home after a tiring day, and because of the board meeting and other issues, I had more pending work than usual. As I was heading upstairs, Dad and Prem chachu asked me, "Abhi, where is Princess?" I asked, "What? How would I know? Isn't she at home?"

Adhya mom came and said she went out this afternoon, mentioning she would go to the foundation. I sighed as I tried calling her, but her phone was switched off. I was getting worried, and Dad said her battery might have died, so her phone was switched off.

I nodded and decided to call the manager at the foundation. She informed me that Adhya hadn't visited the foundation at all. Now, I was really worried, almost on the verge of breaking down. Dad said, "Abhi, go find her and get her home safe." I nodded and went outside. My brothers were coming back, and they told me they had searched many places with no success.

Now, I was not just worried, but also frustrated. Why couldn't she have just texted me about where she was going? I considered all the worst possible outcomes: What if she was kidnapped, or what if she met with an accident? Rohan bhai shook me to get my attention, and he said, "Think of the places where she might be, Abhi. Only you can find her." I nodded and said, "I'll get her home safe. Don't worry; stay here," as I got into my car.

I went to our favorite dhaba, visited our home, and went to our usual picnic spot, but there was no sign of Adhya. I sighed and sat on a bench in the park, my hands on my head, feeling powerless. I called my PA, Prakash, and told him to send the best tracking team because Adhya was missing. He almost screamed, asking, "What? But I spoke to her this afternoon."

Now that was weird. I almost screamed at Prakash, "Why the hell did you speak to her?" He replied, "Sir, mam said not to tell you, but I am telling you." I sternly told him, "You better tell me where she is." Prakash said where she went, I was angry and worried, 'Why did she go alone to a place that is dangerous, and why did she want to go to a maid's home?'

Prakash sent me her location, and I prepared to leave. Just as I was about to go, I received another call from an unknown number. I answered, my voice barely above a whisper due to exhaustion. I desperately wanted to be near her and ensure her safety. I heard her voice on the call, saying, "Maan."

Wait, is this Angel? And why is she calling from an unknown number? I had a thousand questions, but I screamed at her, "Where the hell are you? Send me your location now!" She just whispered, "Okay," and cut the call almost immediately.

The drive took two fucking hours, but when I finally reached the place, there she was—my Angel, sitting outside and chowing down on a plate of samosas. She was with this lady who looked to be around her 50s, and they were chatting, laughing like there's no tomorrow. All the tiredness, anger, and sadness went away- it was as if all those emotions had collectively decided to jump out of the car window and disappear.

When she noticed me, her eyes lit up, and she waved me over. I couldn't help but break into a smile as I approached. She embraced me with a hug and tightness that made me wonder if my bones needed a checkup afterward. I softly patted her back as she reluctantly let me go, her radiant smile refusing to fade.

Turning my attention to the lady, she exclaimed, "Oh my god, Abhi, you've grown up so much!" I looked at her, feeling a bit bewildered by her familiarity. "Do I know you?" I asked, unable to place her.

Adhya held onto my hand, saying, "It's a long story maan; I'll tell you later." Then, she turned to the lady and told her, "Rekha Maa, I'll visit you soon." After a warm hug, she gently pulled me towards the car.

Rekha Maa? I thought, perplexed. How had they become so tight within just a day? But that's Angel for you. If she likes someone, she treats them like family, calling them with relations as if they're part of our own blood. She once told me, "If we call them by their names, it's just a label. But if we call them with relations, it's a commitment to a genuine relationship."