Part 3

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Dadi grew increasingly restless as evening descended, and there was still no news of Ragini.

Repeated attempts to reach her on the phone proved futile as it remained switched off. Fretting,

Dadi called out for Shekhar repeatedly until she saw him and Sharmistha entering the room.

"What happened, Ma?" Shekhar inquired.

"Ragini, her phone is off. She left home in the afternoon, and it's evening now. She's not back

yet," Dadi expressed her worry.

Shekhar looked puzzled. "Did she mention where she was going?"

"She left for college to meet Laksh," Dadi replied.

Concerned, Shekhar suggested, "Lets call Swara. She also went to college. we'll ask her if she

saw Ragini or Laksh."

As Sharmistha dialed Swara's number, Swara herself entered the house.

"Swara, where have you been?" Sharmistha inquired.

"I was at college, Ma. What happened? Why do you all look so worried?" Swara asked.

"Ragini went to college to meet Laksh, but she hasn't returned yet, and her phone is off,"

Sharmistha explained.

Alarmed, Swara considered the possibility that Ragini might have overheard Laksh's confession.

"Ma, don't worry. Let me ask Laksh and a few friends if they've seen Ragini."

She quickly called Laksh and explained the situation. He assured her that he would inquire with

his friends. Swara also contacted a common friend who confirmed seeing Ragini at college,

heading towards the garden. However, she seemed lost and unresponsive.

The entire evening passed with Ragini's family searching for her, but there was no news of her

whereabouts. Frustrated, they contemplated involving the police, but the authorities insisted that

an FIR couldn't be registered before 24 hours. Nevertheless, they promised to inform other

police stations and do what they could.

----*-------------*--------------*----------

The next morning at the Maheswari house, everyone gathered for breakfast except Laksh. DP

noted his absence, but AP quickly covered for him, claiming he had important work. After

breakfast, DP and Ramprasad left for work, and by noon, Adarsh returned home from his

business trip.

AP was delighted to see her son, and Adarsh inquired about Sujatha. Learning that she was in

her room. He decided to freshen up and meet her. After settling down, he pulled out a small

bag, walked to Sujatha's room, and knocked before entering.

Sujatha was pleasantly surprised to see him and asked about his well-being.

Adarsh handed her the bag, and she was overcome with emotion.

"He sent it," Adarsh stated, revealing a silent communication between them. Unable to openly

discuss details, they maintained a limited interaction, careful not to let DP know about their

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