The Stigma Called Love - Chapter 77

Dhruv stumbled inside Vikrant’s office and slumped against the doorframe for support. 

“What?” Vikrant asked with concern keeping the phone. 

Gulping down, Dhruv said with panting breath, “Aparna has resigned.”

“Does Nishant know?” Vikrant said jumping with shock. 

Dhruv nodded and Vikrant slumped back in his chair, his face twisting with pain. 

“Where is he?”

“I have no clue. I have tried to calling him but his phone is not reachable,” Dhruv said pacing up and down the room. 

Vikrant was about to pick the phone to dial Siraj’s number when the shrill tone of Dhruv’s phone stopped him. 

As he saw him talking on the phone, he tried to figure out the other side of the conversation however his troubled mind refused to do so. 

Dhruv was still on the phone when he saw Naresh Naik walk in looking worried. He kept the phone down and pressed his temples thinking hard. 

“That was Siraj. He hasn’t been able to trace Nishant’s car or phone till now.”

Naresh Naik sat down on the adjoining sofa with a thud not knowing what to do. His phone buzzed in his pocket and he fetched it out. The moment he looked at it, he flinched. Stretching his hand, he handed the phone to his son. 

Vikrant sighed and took the phone from him. 

“Yes, Mom.”

“Where is Nishant?” his mother asked, her voice sounding scared. 

“Mom, please don’t panic. We will find him. Don’t worry.”

Saying this, he disconnected the call. 

It had been more than 3 hours but there was still no news of Nishant. Dhruv and Vikrant went back and forth with the security team and Siraj to trace him but nothing. As the time moved, their hearts dreaded the passing minutes. 

Suddenly Dhruv’s phone rang and face lit up he saw the caller ID.

“Where is he?” he asked expectantly.

“His car was at Mahamaya Flyover but he wasn’t there,” Siraj replied in a worried tone. 

“What the hell are you talking? Where can he go? What about his phone?”

“Nope! The last location of his phone was Mayur Vihar Extn. After that nothing.”

“Dammit! Dhruv cursed hard feeling irritated with Nishant’s behaviour. 

He and Vikrant along with Naresh Naik were about to reach the lift when a familiar voice boomed in the 3rd-floor reception. 

All three of them rushed inside Nishant’s cabin the moment they heard it. As they stumbled inside they saw him talking on the desk phone. 

“I don’t care how you do it. I need the reports now, Shivang and now means now.”

Banging the phone in its cradle, Nishant stared at all three of them. 

“What?”

“Where the hell were you?” Dhruv asked clearly irritated. 

“We had been so worried, Nishant,” his brother said just as Naresh Naik walked to the sofa and sat down with a thud. 

“What is wrong with you guys? I was out for a meeting.”

“It’s been more than 3 hours. Couldn’t you call? What’s happened to your phone? Why is it switched off? And, what’s your car doing at Mahamaya Flyover?” Dhruv asked looking at him angrily. 

Nishant looked from his face to his brother’s and then his father’s. 

What the hell is wrong?

“For god’s sake, I have just been away for only 3 hours. And, why should I call? This is not the first time I have been caught up in a meeting more than 3 hours,” Nishant replied throwing up his arms in exasperation. 

“Why is your phone switched off?”

“Bhaiyya, that’s coz it's dead,” Nishant replied again gritting his teeth. 

And, before Dhruv could ask anything else, Nishant held up his hand and stopped him. 

“And my car broke down at Mahamaya so that’s why it’s there. Got all your answers?” he asked looking at each one of them. 

“Now can I please get back to work?”

Vikrant was about to say something when Siraj barged inside. 

“Dhruv Bhaiyya, I can’t still trace Bhaijaan’s phone. I am trying but……,” he stopped the moment he saw Nishant staring at him. 

Picking up his phone from the desk, Nishant held it out to him and said, “Switch it on and you will know where I am.”

Saying this, he went and sat down in his chair. 

Siraj switched on the phone and handed it back, smiling sheepishly. 

Dhruv sighed and opened his mouth to say something but Nishant again stopped him. 

“Can I know what’s going on?”

“We were just worried about you, that’s all,” Naresh Naik replied getting up from the sofa.

Nishant closed his eyes and breathed hard. 

“Siraj, what are doing in office? Didn’t I tell you to set up security at the Chawla site?”

“Bhaijaan, I was just leaving when……,” he stopped short looking at Dhruv. 

“I don’t care. I need the report today, not tomorrow, so get going.”

Apologising, Siraj rushed out of the room. 

“Dad, Bhaiyya, the Chawlas’ need to meet you guys so, just let me know the date and time. It would be good in case you guys can meet them tomorrow.”

Dhruv was still staring at him, his mouth twisted in a sad lopsided grin and to be exact it was bothering Nishant like hell.

“And, Dhruv, I need their contract as soon as possible, if it’s not too much for you,” Nishant finally said looking straight in his eyes.

Dhruv just nodded, smiling seeing right through Nishant’s pretence. 

Naresh Naik and Vikrant started to leave the room followed by Dhruv, who just stopped near the door and looked back at Nishant. 

“Aparna has resigned, I hope you know that.”

Nishant just nodded without taking his eyes off the laptop screen. 

*******************

Aparna was sitting on the balcony with a cup of coffee as sleep had abandoned her in the middle of the night. She slanted a look inside and saw Prakriti sleeping peacefully. 

Lucky you!

She raised her cup and took a sip, and instantly winced as the acrid taste burned her tongue. Swallowing it, she again took a big sip and gulped it down.

She wrapped her arms around herself just as a cold wind wisped past her, and immediately was drawn in an array of sensations. His arms were all around her. This time rather than brushing off the feeling, she gave in to it. 

As his breath slowly warmed the corners of her neck, she tipped her head back. 

“You know you can’t keep on imagining me like this.”

Aparna smiled as she heard him. She was about to reply when suddenly she felt empty. Looking behind, she saw only the back of her chair and nothing else. 

She got up and turned feeling irritated. As she started to open the balcony door, someone pulled her back and again her senses jumbled up with his scent. 

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