Chapter 31
Abhay fastened the last button of his tuxedo with a practiced flick of his fingers.
He stood before the mirror and his reflection stared back at him like a stranger wrapped in luxury.
He adjusted the lapels, patting them down until the crease sat flawlessly smooth against his chest, then reached for his onyx cufflinks gleaming softly under the soft light of the vanity.
He looked like a man who had everything, and yet the storm in his eyes gave him away. Unable to look at himself, he gave a final perusal before turning away from the vanity. But his room was no better at giving him any comfort.
From a discarded pair of her heels to the sketches of her discarded designs, everything was a silent reminder of the life they’d built for themselves, a life that now felt empty without Siya.
Where was she?
Was she eating properly, or skipping meals again like she always did when she got lost in work? Had she found a new playlist to play on loop the way she did when she was sketching? Had she thought about texting him, or had she thought of him at all?
Abhay had to believe she’d come back. He had to believe he’ll get a chance to show how she is more than enough for him, and how he loves her. He had to, because if he didn’t, he’d break down crying and never get up.
His phone buzzed on the dresser. “Anisha Event Executive” flashed on the screen. Duty calls, he thought to himself and answered it. ‘Yes?’
‘Sir, the car is waiting for you downstairs. Guests have started arriving at the exhibition venue.’
‘Understood. Has Siya arrived?’
There was a subtle shift in her voice as she replied, ‘Not yet, sir.’
Not yet means it’s still possible, he reminded himself and held onto that thread of hope with all his might.
‘Alright. Thank you.’
Abhay disconnected and pushed the phone inside his jacket pocket. He quickly clipped on his watch and walked out of the penthouse.
The private elevator hummed as it descended. The lobby lights reflected soft golden hues off the marble floor as he made his way across it. He nodded politely at the doorman who offered him a greeting, and crossed toward the waiting car.
His driver stood at attention beside the sleek black Rolls Royce. ‘Evening sir,’ he said, moving to open the car door.
‘Evening, Dinesh. Have you been waiting long?’ Abhay offered a small smile.
‘Not at all. Just five minutes.’
Abhay slid into the back seat, the leather cool against his palm. ‘How was your vacation? Went well?’
He heard the smile in his voice when Dinesh got behind the steering wheel. ‘Got some family time so yeah, very well.’
They turned onto the main road, headlights slicing through the evening haze. He leaned back slightly, watching it all blur by.
‘We need to make a stop on our way to the exhibition,’ he said, eyes fixed outside the window.
Dinesh nodded in the rearview mirror.
A few minutes later, he pulled the car to a stop in the parking lot of Kashvi’s apartment. She emerged through the entrance lobby and slipped into the backseat before Dinesh could even step out.
A printed shawl was perched loosely around her shoulders, but the magenta gown peeking from under it shimmered lightly, casting light refractions in the interior.
Her hair was pinned in an updo, and made her look older and more serious than she was.
The soft scent of her perfume curled into the tight space as she turned toward him.
The car got back on the road as she gave him a once-over. ‘You clean up well, Jiju.’
Abhay tried his best attempt at a smile. ‘It’s tailored so I can’t really take credit for it.’
‘You look tired,’ she observed.
‘I haven’t been sleeping much. The apartment’s been too quiet without her,’ he explained. For the time they’d lived together, the place had felt theirs. Now, it was only his again, which meant it wasn’t really a home anymore at all.
She gave a small nod, as if she understood, and leaned back against her seat. For a moment, they sat in a comfortable silence.
When he couldn’t stop himself, he asked, ‘Have you heard from her?’
Kashvi replied, ‘Only over texts. She checks in once or twice a day. She said she’s fine.’
‘And you believe her?’ The question left him before he could filter it.
‘I believe she’s strong enough to pull through, no matter what. That’s why, yeah, I do.’
He glanced at her. ‘Did she tell you where she is?’
‘No, she didn’t, even when I asked. She just said she’s taking care of something important and that she’ll be back when it’s time.’
That confused him more than it answered his concerns. What did that mean, she’ll be back when it’s time?
Abhay adjusted the cuff of his jacket as he asked, ‘Did she say she’d show up tonight?’
Kashvi hesitated, and he could feel that it wasn’t a happy answer.
‘No, Di didn’t mention the exhibition at all.’
The little thread of hope he’d been holding onto snapped in half. She’d worked day and night for this project and she didn’t even talk about it at all? Just as soon as this exhibition was over, he was going to find her, whether or not she wanted to be found.
‘She said she needed time and space and I gave it all, but not knowing where she is, if she's even okay is driving me crazy.’ His confession hung between them in the tight space.
Kashvi reached out and lightly rested her hand on his elbow, giving it a gentle squeeze to tell him she understood.
‘I don’t think she’s staying away to punish you. I don’t think even she knows what she’s doing, but I’m sure she’ll figure it out in time and come back to us. Just, have faith, Jiju.’
He gave her a tight-lipped smile, grateful for her comforting words.
The venue lights came into view as they pulled up to the curb before the turn. He turned to her and pointed to the side gate, ‘You’ll be going through the private entrance. I told Anisha to make sure you don’t have to deal with the crowd.’
Kashvi gave him an appreciative smile as she said, ‘Thank you, Jiju. I really did not want to face them with this pimple.’
Abhay chuckled. ‘Don’t worry, you look great.’
She took a dramatic bow and said, ‘I take after Di, so duh! Anyway, are you alright here?’
He nodded, but just as she was about to open the door, he called out her name. ‘Just text me if she comes, okay?’
‘Of course, I will.’ She smoothed a hand over her dress once, then slipped into the venue through the side exit.
Just then, the car door opened and Anisha slipped into the seat Kashvi had vacated. Without a beat, she launched into a tirade of dos and don’ts issued by the PR team.
‘Here are the talking points,’ she said, handing over a sheet to him. ‘Keep it light, steer clear of any questions about your personal life, and if they ask about Siya—’
‘They will,’ Abhay cut in as a flicker of annoyance passed through him.
‘Right, so Kartik sir has approved the decision that everyone keeps it simple and says she’s under the weather.’
Abhay didn’t need to read a single line on the sheet to know what kind of answers Kartik had prepared for him.
‘Sir, it’s pertinent that you stick to the script,’ she urged him.
‘Of course,’ Abhay said, but decided to hell with it.
She got out of the car, and he tapped the panel to address Dinesh. ‘Take the car around to the front.’
The moment Abhay stepped out of the car, a bright explosion of spotlight shone down on him. Cameramen and media personnel flitted between the velvet ropes and barricades, trying to snap a shot from every angle as he walked on the red carpet.
He stopped in front of the banner of the exhibition, dutifully posing for the media. All around him, questions and flashes echoed, hungry and unrelenting.
‘Abhay sir, look this way!’
‘Sir, how does it feel to open the exhibition after months of anticipation?’
‘Where is Siya? Will she be joining you later tonight?’
He nodded politely and bid a salute with his fingers but didn’t stop for a private comment. He couldn’t go through this hoopla without her by his side.
He turned around the corner and from a few feet away, he caught the tail end of Kartik’s response as he gave an exclusive to a well-known entertainment journalist. ‘—you know how these things go. Too much stress and too little rest. It happens to the best of us, and then Siya is still a child who couldn’t deal with the pressure. ’
His jaw tightened and he leisurely walked up to them. As soon as the journalist spotted him, he moved away from Kartik mid-answer and rushed up to him. ‘Abhay sir, do you have a comment on Siya’s absence?’
‘Absence? My wife is already inside,’ he lied smoothly.
‘Oh? But Kartik sir said…’ he trailed off, looking between Kartik and him.
Hiding his displeasure behind his charming smile, Kartik walked up to Abhay and gave him a harsh pat on the back. Abhay smoothly rolled his hand away, and instead, draped his arm around his shoulders.
The journalist asked again, ‘So, Siya ma’am is on the premises?’
‘Of course, she wouldn’t miss it for anything,’ Abhay replied before Kartik could. ‘She is not feeling well, but her dedication to her work comes first, so she is on the floor, overseeing every last detail.’
‘That’s admirable, sir,’ the journalist gushed.
Abhay shrugged and said, ‘My girl is a powerhouse when it comes to something that matters to her. Excuse me.’ With a nod, he walked ahead.
When he was halfway, Abhay felt the weight of a hand clasping his shoulder. ‘Thank you for making this mess more difficult to handle. Do you think they’ll stop asking questions now? They’ll be scouring the venue for a photo of her.’
‘That’s the plan. Now the focus will be on finding Siya instead of why she didn’t attend.’
Kartik flushed red, and glared at him.
‘You seem angry, sasurji. Are you jealous because the spotlight won’t be on you?’ Abhay mocked.
‘You two are made for each other. Too selfish and hardheaded to see how the world really works.’
‘I know how you work, and that’s exactly why I’m not going to let you diminish her success because it bruises your tiny ego.’