Chapter 8 – The Search for Riya
446 Words
Adithyan sat in his car, gripping the steering wheel.
Riya.
She was Maya’s best friend.
She might know where Maya was.
But there was one problem—he had no idea where to find her.
He took a deep breath and made a decision.
He had to search for her, no matter what.
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A Clue in the Past
Adithyan drove back home and searched through Arjun Menon’s old documents.
There were business papers, contracts, and—finally—a guest list from a party.
His eyes scanned the names until he found it:
Riya S. Nair
Next to her name was an address.
Adithyan’s heart pounded.
This was it. His first real lead.
He grabbed his keys and rushed out.
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A Familiar Face
The address led him to a quiet neighborhood.
Adithyan stopped in front of a small house.
He knocked on the door, his heart racing.
After a moment, a woman opened it.
She looked at him—and froze.
Her eyes widened in shock.
“Arjun?” she whispered.
Adithyan forced a small smile. “Riya?”
She stepped back, looking pale. “You… Why are you here?”
Adithyan chose his words carefully.
“I need to talk about Maya.”
Riya’s face turned cold.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” she said and tried to close the door.
Adithyan stopped it with his hand. “Please. I need to know.”
She stared at him for a long time.
Then, finally, she sighed and stepped aside.
“Come in.”
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A Truth He Wasn’t Ready For
Inside, Riya sat down and folded her arms.
“You have some nerve coming here,” she said.
Adithyan hesitated. “Why?”
Riya gave him a hard look. “After what you did to Maya, you’re asking why?”
Adithyan’s stomach twisted.
“What… what did I do?” he asked slowly.
Riya scoffed. “Are you playing dumb?”
Adithyan stayed silent.
Riya shook her head. “Unbelievable. Do you even feel guilty for ruining her life?”
Adithyan felt his pulse quicken.
What had Arjun Menon done to Maya?
He clenched his fists.
“I need to see her,” he said.
Riya’s expression turned sharp.
“She doesn’t want to see you. She never wants to see you again.”
Her words hit him like a slap.
Adithyan’s heart pounded.
But instead of stopping, he asked one final question.
“Where is she?”
Riya’s lips tightened.
Then she whispered three words that sent chills through his body.
“She’s in Kochi.”
Adithyan’s breath caught.
Maya was in Kochi.
And now…
He was going to find her.
- Writer
